Understanding the Track Header Area

Okay, so let's take a closer look at the track header area here. This is obviously the track that I created at the very beginning when I was asked to select a type of track.

Track Header Buttons

The track header area will have three buttons at the top of it:

1. Create New Track

   • This button allows you to create a new track. It gives us the same dialog that we saw at the beginning.
   • For example, I am going to create a new track here, and I'm going to make it a software instrument track, and I'll just click on Create.

2. Duplicate Track Settings

   • The second button allows us to create a new track with duplicate settings.
   • For instance, whatever we have happening on this track, Instrument 1, we can duplicate that.
   • This includes all plugins and where you set the volume, but it won't include any regions on the track, which you would have to copy manually.

3. Show/Hide Global Tracks

   • This button allows you to show or hide global tracks.
   • Global tracks is a section that we'll explore in more detail later. It includes:
     • Arrangement markers
     • Markers
     • Signature tempo
     • Other elements that we can add or remove

Current Tracks Overview

In the track header area here, you can see I've got two tracks:

• The audio track I originally created
• The software instrument track that I just created

Both of these tracks have numbers next to them (Track 1, Track 2). This numbering will continue down, regardless of how many tracks you have, 150 or just 15.

Track Icons

You can see we have a track icon next to each track. This track icon can be changed:

• Control-click on the icon to change it.
• Options available include icons for drums, bass, etc.
• You can even create custom icons. For instance, if I took a picture of someone on my iPhone and transferred it to my computer, I could use that image here.

Example:

• Let's pretend that this track is a vocalist and I go to Other, then select Vocal.

You can see that the icon has now changed. I can do the same for the other track by control-clicking and selecting a Keyboard icon for it.

Renaming Tracks

We have our tracks here, and they are called Audio 1 and Instrument 1, which is quite boring. To rename them:

• Double-click on the track name.
• I will rename this track to Vocals and this one to Piano.

As you can see, there's a slight difference between the buttons on these two tracks. This is because one is an audio track and the other is a software instrument track.

• M means Mute
• S means Solo

To momentarily hear the vocal track by itself, press Solo. To mute it, press the Mute button.

Most tracks will start with the ability to at least mute and solo.

Record Enable Button

You have an R button, which is what we call the Record Enable button. When activated, this track is ready to receive input:

• MIDI input for a software instrument track
• Audio input for an audio track

Accessing Track Header Components

If you want to see more information on your track headers:

1. Right-click on your track header.
2. You will see a whole new menu.

Some options reiterate the previous buttons:

• Create a new audio or software instrument track.
• Create a track stack (which we'll explore later).
• Assign track colors and icons.

Configuring Track Header:

• I'd like you to follow along and go to Configure Track Header.

This is an easier way to see what you can have in your track header section.

I am going to turn all of these on.

Track Management Features

Once I have done that, you can see new features:

• Ability to turn a track on and off:
  • If a track is off, your computer will not use any of the plugins in play on that track, freeing up processing power.

The other buttons are:

• Track Protect: Stops any changes to the track. If you try to move regions while this is on, you will be prompted to unlock the track first.
• Track Freeze: Similar to Track Off, it helps manage processing power on CPU-intensive plugins. However, with Track Freeze, you will be able to hear the track, but it'll create a bounce of your track, allowing monitoring without the ability to change plugin parameters live.

Hiding Tracks

Another feature is the ability to hide tracks. This is handy for project sessions that are getting quite full:

• If you finish with a track but want it available for potential future use, you can right-click and select Hide Selected Track.

• The hidden track will still play back because it hasn't been muted or turned off.

• An orange H button will appear, indicating hidden tracks.

If you click on it and it turns green, you'll see it indicates that there are hidden tracks in your session. This is a great way to manage tracks you want to keep around without actively cluttering your workspace.