Master Fader Inserts in Pro Tools
This blog is part of our new series of tutorials based on Avid’s flagship Digital Audio Workstation, Pro Tools.
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Getting started with how to use Master Fader Inserts in Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a software that lets you produce, record, edit and mix audio as well as MIDI performances.
When we are mixing, Pro Tools works as an analog multi-track console.
The individual tracks are routed to a Master Fader, just as in a real console.
The Master Fader lets you apply inserts to it, so that you can compress or equalize the whole mix.
Today we will learn how to use Master Fader Inserts in Pro Tools:
- Open a Pro Tools session with tracks:
Notice how all the tracks are being routed to the Output 1-2 labeled as “Out 1-2”:
2. Create the Stereo Master Fader track:
3. Open the Mix window by clicking on the top menu bar: Window -> Mix:
Mix Window will open as:
Notice how the “Master 1” track controls the overall audio signal contribution sent to the analog outputs “Out 1-2”.
Also, this track has no sends, only inserts.
4. Click on any available insert slot to add an insert:
For the purpose of this tutorial we will add the “Maxim” from Avid.
The key here is to know that inserts in Master Fader Tracks are POST-FADER. This means that any level modifications (volume automation) applied to the Master Fader will affect the signal hitting the inserts.
Therefore if your first insert is a compressor for example, and you automate the level to hit harder during the chorus of the song, you are actually hitting the compressor harder and compressing even more!
This resembles the behavior of most analog multi-track consoles on which the master fader feeds the mix bus inserts.
And that is it!
At this point, we have successfully explained how to use Master Fader Inserts in Pro Tools.
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