Creating and deleting tracks

Tracks are the foundation of every Pro Tools session. Each track is a channel of audio or MIDI—every instrument, voice, or sound lives on its own track. Tracks give you control over key aspects of your mix, such as volume, pan, and effects processing. Pro Tools provides different track types for different purposes, from recording and playback to routing and final output. You can create tracks for your session, customize them for your workflow, and remove them when they’re no longer needed.

Create a Track

Step 1. Open the New Tracks dialog

Go to Track > New to open the New Tracks dialog box.

Step 2. Choose track format

Choose the track format (Mono, Stereo, or Multi-channel) depending on whether your source is a single channel, stereo source, or part of a surround/immersive mix.

Mono Track (1 channel): A single channel of audio (such as for one microphone or single output instrument).
Stereo Track (2 channels): Left and right audio channels (such as for a stereo keyboard or drum overheads).
Multi-channel / Immersive Track (3+ channels): For surround or Atmos workflows (e.g., 5.1, 7.1.2, 7.1.4). (Pro Tools Studio or Ultimate only)

Step 3. Choose track type

From the second dropdown, choose the kind of track you want:

Audio Track: For recording or importing and editing audio.
Instrument Track: For virtual instruments and editing MIDI.
Aux Input: For routing signals or effects returns.
MIDI Track: For sequencing and controlling external devices.
Master Fader: For controlling the output of a bus or the session.

Step 4. Choose the timebase

Select between:

Samples: Tied to absolute time; best for audio recordings.
Ticks: Tied to bars and beats; best for tempo-based audio and MIDI editing.

Step 5. Name your track

Enter a descriptive name to keep your session organized. (such as “Lead Vocals” or “Kick Drum”).

Step 6. Create the track

Click Create to add the track to your session.
The track appears in both the Edit and Mix windows.

Delete a Track

Step 1. Select the track

In the Edit or Mix window, right-click the track header (the name area on the left).

Step 2. Delete the track

From the menu, select Delete to remove the track from your session.
The track and its contents will be removed permanently.

Tips for Track Management

Color-code your tracks for easier navigation in large sessions.
Group related tracks (such as drums, vocals, or guitars) for better mixing control.
Use descriptive names from the start to avoid confusion later.
Archive before deleting: If you might need a track again, make a duplicate session before removing it. You can also hide or deactivate tracks if you plan to use them later.

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