Routing Folder
Definition
Pro Tools’ folder track type that can sum the outputs of child tracks contained within it, functioning as both an organizational container and an audio bus — combining the visual organization of folders with the signal routing of aux/bus tracks.
Context
Routing Folders were a significant addition to Pro Tools, addressing the long-standing request for folder tracks that could also handle audio summing. Matthew The Cooke explored folder-as-aux-bus workflows in pro-tools, discovering both capabilities and limitations — internal routing preservation when moving tracks in and out of folders can be challenging. The community discussed whether Routing Folders fully replace the traditional aux bus workflow, with the consensus being that they supplement it but don’t entirely replace dedicated bus routing for complex sessions. This contrasts with Cubase’s and Logic Pro’s folder track implementations, which have longer histories of folder-based audio summing.
Related Terms
See Also
- Session Templates and Organization — folder organization philosophy
- Mixing in the DAW — bus routing and summing context