In this section
Submixes
A bus in Pro Tools is a way to route audio from multiple tracks to a single track. This is useful for grouping instruments (like sending all your drum tracks to one fader), applying the same effect to several tracks (like one shared reverb), or creating a submix you can control as a whole. Using busses keeps your session organized and makes mixing easier.
What is a bus?
- A bus is a virtual signal path used to route audio from one track to another. It’s commonly used for grouping tracks, applying shared effects, or creating submixes.
To set up a bus:
- Open the Mix window by going to Window > Mix or pressing Command + = (Mac) / Ctrl + = (Windows)
- On the track you want to send audio from, go to the Send section (usually labeled A-E) and click on an empty slot
- In the menu, choose a Bus (e.g., Bus 1-2) from the list
- A send fader will appear, allowing you to control how much signal is sent to the bus
- On the destination track (usually an Aux Input), set the input to match the bus you selected (e.g., Bus 1-2)
Setting up a send
- This creates a signal path from the source track to the destination track via the bus
- The bus will need a destination to send sound, so see the Using Sends section to learn about how to set one up.