Does the order of audio tracks matter? Such as drums at #1, bass at #2 or anywhere else? Is it going to make a difference to the mix?
 
I hope that makes sense.

No - in the old days I know people were concerned about putting certain things close together out of fear of "cross talk" between channels and tracks on tape

In a DAW you do not need to worry about this at all so just order them in whatever way you want to suit your workflow

Cool deal, thanks.

Boydiein the old days I know people were concerned about putting certain things close together out of fear of "cross talk" between channels and tracks on tape

and now we have to emulate this with plugins

pwalpwal

Boydiein the old days I know people were concerned about putting certain things close together out of fear of "cross talk" between channels and tracks on tape

and now we have to emulate this with plugins

I know right.
Im waiting for the static VST plug in myself.

That is just what I need, kit bleed on a vocal track.

For the OP, a convention that works for you is good to have so all projects have similar navigation (especially if large). It is all personal preference, but when you are familiar with layouts, it is easier to get things done efficiently.

I am embarrassed by how much MIDI routing traces I have done over the years just to get up to speed on "what routes where."

There is an interview with Rupert Neve in which he states that the order of tracks in a DAW alter the sound of the mix. It's nonsense, of course, but I'd like to find that interview again. Maybe someone with better search skills than me can find it...

I wonder how old that interview is.

Yeah, familiarity with the board layout is important. When I do front of house at church it drives me crazy because there's no order to the layout and it's different each time.

I may not be able to make sense of why asked that, but I'll try.
 
I use Photoshop regularly. The order of the layers make a difference. That's what made me start wondering if the order of the tracks also made a difference.
 
If I'm using Superior Drummer I always have the drums up top in a folder. Bass below that. Then the guitars below that since that's the last thing I'd be recording.