Specifications
Pro Tools Reference Guide408
Inserts
Pro Tools lets you insert up to five inserts on
each audio track, Auxiliary Input, or Master
Fader. Each insert can be either a software plug-
in insert or a hardware insert.
Inserts provide the following features:
•Plug-ins and hardware inserts route the signal
from the track through the effect of your
choice, and automatically return it to the
same track.
• Hardware inserts send and return the signal to
corresponding input and output channels of
an audio interface, to which you can connect
outboard effects.
• Inserts on audio tracks and Auxiliary Inputs
are pre-fader.
• Inserts on Master Faders are post-fader.
• Inserts can be bypassed or made inactive.
• Most plug-in controls are fully automatable.
• On TDM systems, RTAS plug-ins can be in-
serted on audio tracks, but not on Auxiliary
Inputs or Master Faders.
Track Output Format and Plug-Ins
Pro Tools supports mono, multi-mono, stereo,
and (on systems that support surround mixing)
multichannel plug-ins.
Because inserts process in series, changing the
plug-in format can alter the channel format. For
example, inserting a mono-to-stereo plug-in on
a mono Auxiliary Input changes the signal path
from that plug-in through the rest of the track.
This restricts all hardware inserts or plug-ins af-
ter the stereo plug-in to be stereo-in/stereo-out
plug-ins (or the supported multichannel for-
mat).
Plug-In Formats
All Pro Tools TDM and LE systems support
mono and stereo plug-ins. The following three
types of plug-in paths are supported on all
Pro Tools systems:
• mono-in/mono-out
• mono-in/stereo-out
• stereo-in/stereo-out
Pro Tools TDM systems running the Surround
mixer also support 3–8 channel, multi-mono
and multichannel plug-ins.
Views in the Mix and Edit
Windows
Both the Mix and Edit windows can be config-
ured to show or hide various mixing controls.
Comments, inserts, sends, and mic preamp
views can be shown or hidden in both the Mix
and Edit windows.
The I/O view is always shown in the Mix win-
dow and can be shown or hidden in the Edit
window.
See Chapter 27, “Plug-In and Hardware In-
serts” for details about using plug-ins and
inserts.