Routing folder vs. aux

[univox1]

Hello. What is the difference between a routing folder and an aux track? I would use one of these to multi out a plug in like Ez Drummer. Kick on its own aux, snare on it own aux, etc. Should I use a routing folder instead?

[Darryl Ramm]

Up to you, there is no deep difference, a routing folder is really just an Aux, it's really if you want the UI cosmetics of a folder. I'm so unhip I just keep reaching for aux's.

[Wireline]

Indeed. I’ve not understood the whole folder concept since introduced. Auxes and groups I get…VCAs I get. Everything seems to be the same things in a different wrapper

[Top Jimmy]

A common usage can be to put a VI on the routing folder track and put all the MIDI tracks that play the VI in the folder.

[midnightrambler]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

I'm so unhip I just keep reaching for aux's.

Pah! I'm so unhip I'm still refusing to use "Dark" mode

[K Roche]

Functionally there is not much difference.
BUT myself for my workflow all I use now are routing folders with the exception of a 2- Bus aux track ( which I name 2 Mix) which all the folders are routed to Also I always have a parallel reverb Aux track (to send to) and sometimes a parallel Tape Echo/Delay Aux track.
The main reason I use them over Aux tracks being I can collapse/open them right in the mixer window with out having to group them and and do the group hide and unhide thingy .

And with that ability to collapse them I can have my entire session (up to about 20 something tracks) show in the mix window in the wide mixer channels view On my 27" displays

For example here is a screen shot of session with 20 tracks and the all the Routing Folder tracks are collapsed Except the Vocal -(Vox) routing folder is open with the main vox audio track and background vox audio track showing ( magenta)
So I have 5 routing folders each with at least two audio tracks and then the Reverb aux track (M7) and the main sub bus aux track 2 Mix

The other thing I like is the way I have my color pallet set up is the entire audio or instrument tracks and aux tracks show the track color. However the routing folders are showing color only at top and bottom bands and the main body of routing folder the track is dark grey, (which happens automatically) Which makes the folders instantly distinguishable from all the audio instrument and aux tracks

[K Roche]

In answer to the OP's question about setting up a multiple out VI like EZ drum

Yes a routing Folder is great for that

Here is a session where you can see (left to right) I have the Acoustic Rhy Gtr folder open ( medium blue routing folder with powder blue audio tracks ) I have the VI routing folder open (Bright Yellow) I have the Vox folder open

AND then I have the Drums routing folder open (dark Brown with lighter brown Instrument and Aux tracks ) I am using Slate SSD5 so it has to go on an instrument track and then the Kick, Snare, etc on their own aux tracks all in the Drums routing folder


And again you can instantly see which are the dark grey routing folders and which are the other types of tracks . Note this session with the Drums added is 29 tracks total

[ejinbc]

OP

You are correct in that Folder tracks are mostly just for organization - although I like the idea mentioned above of putting VIs on Routing Folders and the Midi tracks within. I must admit however, that the new track monitoring button and playlists on Instrument tracks have recently changed my workflow. Very useful, and the reason I reinstated my perpetual license.

For me, the one killer feature request I keep making - yup, a broken record - is to have independent views (folder expansion status) in the Mix and Edit windows. I work on a 4 monitor system, and it would be very useful (sometimes) to have all my Aux tracks hidden in a Folder in the Edit view, but visible in the Mix window. YMMV.

Cheers

ejinbc

[s.d. finley]

For my workflow Routing folders are best for hiding tracks. For example a chorus with 30 tracks of mains and harmonies. After getting the balances and using whatever plugins and sends on the individual tracks I can hide the tracks and just deal with the Routing Folder. This takes up less monitor real estate. I will also do this to other groups of tracks. I like the addition. Auxes I still use for parallel FX such as delay, reverb etc. YMMV.

[Electronic1982]

Originally Posted by Wireline

Indeed. I’ve not understood the whole folder concept since introduced. Auxes and groups I get…VCAs I get. Everything seems to be the same things in a different wrapper

It was really brought in for additional routing and organisation options.
In the mix window, the folder tracks should really open to the left, not the way if is now (where it they open to the right).
There needs to be an option to set the 'open folder direction' to Left or Right for just the Mix Window in the preferences menu.
This would be a good upgrade to them.