Create tracks that use existing channel strips

When you create a new track using the New Tracks dialog, a new channel strip for the track is also created. In some situations, however, you may want to create tracks that use existing channel strips.

For example, when using an EXS24 mkII with a drum kit loaded, you may want to send multiple tracks, with MIDI regions that trigger individual drum sounds, to the channel strip on which the EXS24 mkII is inserted. Having a separate track for each sound allows you to independently mute or solo sounds in the kit. If you use a multi-output version of the EXS24 mkII, you can process each sound in the drum kit with different effects.

You can also copy tracks in the Tracks area. The copied track uses the same channel strip as the original track, and all selected regions are moved from the original track to the copy. This allows you to double-track or “thicken” parts, and makes it easier to create unison voicings (an octave apart) software instrument (or external MIDI instrument) tracks. After copying the track, you can replicate or restore the copied regions on the original track.

Create a track with the same channel strip or instrument assignment

Select the track in the Tracks area.
Do one of the following:
- Choose Track > Other > New Track With Same Channel (or use the corresponding key command).
- Option-click the Duplicate Track button above the track headers.

A new track is created below the selected track.

Create a track with the next channel strip or instrument assignment

Select the track in the Tracks area, then choose Track > Other > New Track With Next Channel (or use the corresponding key command).

This command creates a new track below the selected track, and assigns the next channel strip to it. If no next channel strip exists, one is created automatically.

If the selected track is a part or sub-channel track of a multi-timbral software instrument or external instrument, the command is New Track with Next MIDI Channel. A new track is created, with the next MIDI channel assigned to the same multi-timbral software instrument or external MIDI device.

Create a new track for selected regions

Select the regions, then choose Track > Other > New Track For Selected Regions.

The selected regions are moved from the source track to the new track, which uses the same channel strip as the source track. In other words, only one channel strip is used for all tracks.

If you use this command with regions selected across several tracks, a new track is created for each source track. For example, if you select regions on three source tracks, three new tracks will be created for the regions.

Create a new track for overlapped regions

Select the regions, then choose Track > Other > New Track For Overlapped Regions.

New tracks are created for wholly or partly overlapped regions, which are redistributed across the newly created tracks. A new track is created for each overlap. All tracks use the same channel strip as the original track. In other words, only one channel strip is used for all tracks.

Copy a track in the Tracks area

Option-drag the track header up or down.

All selected regions and any automation data on the original track are copied to the new track. The new track has the same channel strip as the original track.

Replicate or restore regions on the original track

Option-drag the regions on the destination track.