Hi all
 
I have been review my project and track templates and was wondering how many people were using AUX tracks (via Patch Points) instead of busses to group instruments
 
I can see the advantage of having a track folder (eg guitars) and then having the AUX track at the top with all of the other guitar tracks feeding it
 
This will keep everything neat within a folder and have the AUX tracks (busses) in the track side of the Console View
 
Is there any downside of doing this before I start experimenting??

I have started using a "template" provided in a paid CLA tutorial. I'm only using the drums from that tut that uses aux tracks and patch points. I do however sum it to a bus for final drum output before the Master Out.
 
In the end it's that drum bus (and guitar, bass, synths etc buses) that is exported to Harrison Mixbus for final "mix" and mastering.
 

Thanks BAPU
 
To continue with the guitar example...
 
At the moment I have separate busses for rhythm guitars, acoustic guitars, and lead guitars
 
These busses then get routed to a "Master Guitar" bus before going to the Master Bus
 
It is these separate rhythm guitars, acoustic guitars, and lead guitars busses I am thinking of replacing with respective AUX tracks, which I will use as busses at the top of the track folder - which will still then feed a "Master Guitar" bus, which will then feed the "Master Bus"
 
I seem to recall that when AUX tracks first came out they didn't retain track colours - although I can't remember of this was correct or if it has been updated
 
I also remember an issue with soloing or muting "downstream" - but I am pretty sure this was addressed after I last tried playing with AUX tracks and Patch Points
 
Are there any downsides in using AUX tracks in this way?

The one thing I find about the way I use Aux trks is when I go into Console View, there isn't any folder structure and it an get a little confusing for me sometimes as far as whats an aux trk and whats a real trk. Then I have to use Icons and that's another story.

Boydie
..I also remember an issue with soloing or muting "downstream" - but I am pretty sure this was addressed after I last tried playing with AUX tracks and Patch Points...

 
There does seem to be some issues with Soloing. When using External Inserts in Aux tracks, I've found that regular Solo doesn't work but Dim Solo does. And without an External Insert, Solo works but Dim Solo sometimes gives unexpected results. I haven't really investigated this properly yet, so maybe it's just me.

I include aux tracks for reverb and delay in the appropriate folder.
ie: Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Keys
Then I have a Buss for each folder.
I find being able to keep effects with the tracks and limiting the number of busses keeps me more organized.
Love the aux tracks.
T
 

I use aux tracks and they are integrated into my project templates. I still use Mercury color scheme (I think that's the name where tracks can still be colored) and have my aux tracks all red which feed the master bus. They are right next to the instrument/vocal tracks and are very neat and handy for me both in console and track view and I am able to tell what is what at a glance. I use buses for fx pretty much only.
 
I don't really use patch points.

Sad to say I haven't used those features even onc. I should at least give them a go. It just doesn't do anything in my workflow and Ive never had the need for it.

I use aux tracks all the time. It was the most welcome feature in Sonar for me.
I use it to record from various sets of busses or VSTs, mostly.

I use the patch points and aux tracks all the time. As an example, I find it very handy to set up a clean/dry guitar track which I can then send to different amps, effects, etc which is then sent to a bus for mixing. I usually put all this in a folder to help keep it organized, using simple color coded text icons for easy reference. Once I find the blend I like I will print any of the patches I'm using and bypass/freeze the amps/fx to cut down on CPU usage.