Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Hi,

Is it possible to assign multiple inputs to a track (audio or aux)?

For example, you can assign multiple outputs of a track using control-click on the output. You see a little "+" sign indicating the output is assigned to say "Bus 1" and "Bus 16".

I would like to be able to do the same for inputs.

I know I can route different signals to different buses via an Aux track and route the output of each Aux track to the same Bus, then route that Bus to a track (basically summing all of the signals to mono).

Thanks,
Bob

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

No. Because that is summing as you've figured out. And summing = mixer.

(Whereas sending to multiple outs is just routing; just like in the real world on a console)

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Everything becomes much simpler after you think about it for a second :cool:

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

I did think for a few seconds, and I thought; I could of course make a aux for every input and then route everything multiple places, recording trax with multiple inputs, so this could be programmed to happen behind the scenes, no?

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Remember, this is Pro Tools we are talking about. If you cannot do it with S6 you cannot do it in software.

It is so fundamental that you have multiple inputs then mixer then one or more outputs. Why complicate things too much?

Of course in the analog world you can create y-cable to sum two mono signals together and have it on single console track, but PT session might have funny combination of greater than stereo tracks and this proposed "pseudo summing" should work everywhere if it was implemented.

I bet it is never going to happen. Not gonna eat a hat if it does, but I'm just shaking my head here... where's the facepalm emoji?

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Not trying to complicate. Just pointing out, playing with, the thoretical idea of this particular question. I don''t know why you woud need the function. :o

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Well I kind of do, but in analog domain and where there are not enough available channels for what I need to do. It hasn't been one or two times I have needed to solder a y-cable to mono-sum two signals together. Just that it is much simpler than what OP is suggesting.

In digital domain, no, never. Would not even think of doing that.

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Well, that's that, then.


(Mmm, tape, cables, smell of soldering, sweat. :D )

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Exactly.

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

I could use this functionality, and it would be very handy for certain workflows.

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Hmm, would love an example here. I've been recording for decades and the thought of this has never crossed my mind unless I had limited tracks and too many inputs. These days, its usually unlimited tracks and not enough inputs:o

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Okay, here's an example: When I automate reverbs, I usually use pretty much the same settings for both dialogue and fx reverbs. Or at least that would be a nice starting point. But writing pretty much the same automation for two reverbs is double work. So, for now, when building the base of the reverb automation, I route the inputs of the fx reverbs to the inputs of the dialogue reverbs by creating extra aux outputs, automating the dialogue reverbs only. And when I'm pretty much done, I'll change the fx reverb inputs back to their respective inputs and copy all the plugin automation from the dialogue reverbs to the fx reverbs.

It would be much simpler if I could temporarily use two inputs to the dialogue reverbs at this point. I'd love to hear how others are coping with this.

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

You have two sends that point to single input. That's it.

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

That is, of course, another option. But in this case, it is more complicated than my current method.

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Yes, until you decide you need different automation for the two. Copying automation from one to another is much easier.

Re: Multiple inputs assigned to a track?
 

Why don’t you just group the reverb track together? Then you don’t need to do all this copying and weird routing.