Understanding video, audio, bus, and master tracks
Multitrack sessions can include four different types of tracks:
Video tracks
contain
an imported video clip. A session can include one video track and
clip at a time. You can watch a preview in the Video panel (Window >
Video).Audio tracks
contain
either imported audio or clips recorded in the current session.
These tracks offer the widest range of controls, letting you specify inputs
and outputs, apply effects and equalization, route audio to sends
and buses, and automate mixes.Bus tracks
let
you combine the outputs of several audio tracks or sends and control
them collectively.The Master track
, which
is the last in each session, lets you easily combine the outputs
of multiple tracks and buses and control them with a single fader.
For more information, see Routing audio to buses, sends, and the Master track.
Choosing between mono, stereo, and 5.1 tracks
Multitrack sessions support an unlimited number of mono, stereo, and 5.1 audio and bus tracks. When adding tracks, choose a channel configuration based on the configuration of the Master track:
For mono masters, add mono audio and bus tracks.
For stereo masters, add stereo audio and bus tracks. except for audio tracks with mono sources (like a single microphone).
For 5.1 masters, add stereo audio tracks and 5.1 bus tracks (to maintain proper gain staging). If you have any 5.1 audio clips, however, add 5.1 audio tracks to contain them.
- A.
- Mono
- B.
- Stereo
- C.
- 5.1
Add or delete tracks
In the Editor panel or Mixer, do the following:To add a track, select the track you want to precede it, and then choose Multitrack > Track > Add [type of] Track.
To delete a track, select it, and choose Multitrack > Track > Delete Selected Track.
For more information, see the following:
Name or move tracks
You can name tracks to better identify them, or move them to display related tracks together.
- In
the Editor panel or Mixer, type in the name text box.
Name text box in the Editor panel - Position
the pointer to the left of the track name, and then drag either
up or down in the Editor panel, or right or left in the Mixer.
Moving a track in the Editor panel
Vertically zoom tracks
When you use the vertical Zoom options in the lower right of the Editor panel, all tracks zoom simultaneously. If a session contains many tracks, however, you may prefer to zoom them individually.
In the track controls, drag the top
or bottom border of the track up or down. 
To quickly zoom all tracks, roll the mouse
wheel over the track controls. To horizontally resize all track
controls, drag the right border. 
For additional techniques, see Zoom audio in the Editor panel.Mute and solo tracks
You can solo tracks to hear them separately from the rest of a mix. Conversely, you can mute tracks to silence them in a mix.
- To mute a track, click its Mute button
in
the Editor panel or Mixer. - To solo a track, click its Solo button
in
the Editor panel or Mixer. To automatically remove other tracks
from Solo mode, Ctrl‑click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS). To remove other tracks from Solo mode by
default, select Track Solo: Exclusive in the Multitrack section
of the Preferences dialog box. (Regardless of this setting, when you
solo a bus, assigned tracks are always placed in Solo mode.)
Apply an identical setting to all tracks
To increase your efficiency, you can quickly apply several settings to an entire session.
Hold down Ctrl+Shift (Windows) or Command+Shift
(Mac OS). Then select an Input, Output, Mute, Solo, Arm For Record,
or Monitor Input setting for any track.For more information, see the following:
Set track output volume
Do any of the following:In the Editor panel, drag the Volume knob
. Hold
down Shift to change settings in large increments. Hold down Ctrl
(Windows) or Command (Mac OS) to change settings in extremely small
increments.In the Mixer, drag the track fader, or click above or below to move incrementally to the next tick mark. To move to a specific point, Alt‑click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) above or below the fader.
To return knobs and faders to zero
(unity gain), Alt‑click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) directly
on them. Pan tracks in stereo
Drag the Pan knob 
in
the Editor panel or Mixer. Hold down Shift to change settings in large increments. Hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) to change settings in extremely small increments.
By default,
the Multitrack Editor pans using an equal power method, which maintains
consistent perceived loudness by slightly boosting one channel over
the other. To change the boost amount, or switch to logarithmic
panning (which simply attenuates one channel), change Panning Mode
in the Multitrack preferences.Duplicate tracks
To perfectly copy all clips, effects, equalization, and envelopes in a track, duplicate it. Duplicate tracks provide a great starting point for new adjustments, helping you compare different processing and automation settings.
- In the Editor panel or Mixer, select a track.
- Choose Multitrack > Track > Duplicate Selected Track.
