Track Stacks vs Groups: Differences?

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Track Stacks vs Groups: Differences?

Hello Logicheads:

Can someone kindly explain the functional differences/uses or Track Stacks vs Track Groups

Here's why I'm asking:

I've made the transition to Logic X from 9. Track stacks are a new development in X. In 9 I took the time to create several templates that emulated a Brauer Multibus routing system (basically, creating grouping tracks into submixes based on instrument - drums, bass, percussion, keyboards, guitars, vocals, etc, - and then routing those submixes, again based on their instrument type to several "master submixes" ("Multibuses") where different compressors are used differentially on each submix as a tone shaping tool. Basically, sonically painting by compression.

Here's cites to articles that describe in depth Michael Brauer's system probably better than I just did:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov08/articles/itbrauer.htm

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/499198-michael-brauer -multi-buss-tutorial.html

This is what I understand so far:

In Logic 9 you grouped tracks in order to globally control the groups parameters with one fader - volume, pan, automation

In Logic X Track Stacks perform many of the same functions. There are two types of Track Stacks:

Folder Tracks (pg 185 of the Logic X manual) let you control the multiple tracks as one unit - without changing the individual tracks audio routing;

Summing Tracks (pg 186) let you route the multiple tracks as one unit - including the audio routing.

So, with the above in mind, what are the differences in function?

Thanks!

Logic Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1)

Posted on May 6, 2014 7:45 PM

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Answer 1

May 7, 2014 2:39 PM in response to erniesfo

If you look at the signal flow diagram for the Folder Stack and the Summing and then imagine the signal flow for a grouping Channel Strips together, you would realize that it is a completely different scenario.

With grouping, you just link, for example, the Faders together. Moving one Fader moves all the other Faders proportionally. If you want to change a single Fader, then you have to un-clutch the Group and all that which is a bit of a hustle. If you look at the Folder Stack, it is similar to grouping, but each Fader can be changed individually and only moving the Master Track Fader will apply that gain offset to all Subtrack Faders. In addition, you can "tuck away" the Channel Strips in that Stack which is a great organizational tool.

The Group feature however is not obsolete. Open the Group Settings window and you will see features (i.e. Group Editing, Zooming, etc.) that cannot be achieved with Track Stacks.

So the answer is yes, you can use Groups and Stacks. But be careful, things can get rather complex pretty fast.

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Answer 2

May 7, 2014 9:43 AM in response to erniesfo

Here is an exceprt from my Logic Book that explains the basics with some graphs. The main difference as you can see is in the routing and who controls what. I get into much more details in the book but this should give you already idea about the basic concept.