GROUP TRACK vs FX TRACK in CUBASE 9

GROUP TRACK vs FX TRACK in CUBASE 9
This is something that can be confusing for a lot of people especially new Cubase users. In this video, I will show you the difference (if any) between a group channel track and an FX channel track in CUBASE 9.
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[@DMidNyte]

Ive used cubase 5 for years, but recently bought 10. Your videos have helped a ton. thanks chris

[@mixdownonline]

Awesome! Happy to help!

[@BenjaminLhotellier]

A very big advantage of using this Cubendo feature is the ability to choose what you want to see in the mixer window: groups only OR effects only (via the configuration tab). Extremely useful for me when mixing. Great video! Cheers!

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks!

[@arthurvanderkuip1906]

there is a difference between group and fx channels. If you route a channel to a group you won't hear the channel if you put the group channel down. But if you send a channel to a FX you will still hear the channel if you put the FX down. It is the difference between a BUS and a AUX

[@mixdownonline]

When you compare this to BUS and AUX, you're correct... But in Cubase, the routing of these channels work the same way ...Try it the other way around...route a channel to an FX Ch... now, you won't hear the channel if you put down the FX ch... and send a channel to a Group CH (as send) you will still hear the channel if you put the Group CH down... That's what I mean when I say that they're both the same... There are actually well-known engineers when working in CUBASE that will work with GROUP CH as AUX and BUSSES. Thanks for you input my friend :-)

[@arthurvanderkuip1906]

interesting, thank you Chris. Keep up the good work!

[@MrDobleagent]

long video to see the answer 1 min before finish it LOL ... but very informative, as I was always wondering about it...

[@korkenknopfus]

Hello Chris, finally I got an answer to this question, thank you for a new video.

[@mixdownonline]

You're more than welcome!

[@davidkeller8084]

I know this video is a couple years old but there is a difference between group and effects channels, (at least in Cubase elements) and that is effect channels can not be "sent" to any other effect or group channel. But, Group channels can be "sent" to any other group or effect channel, meaning you can use multiple "group channels" as "effect channels" enabling you to send one effect "group" to another effect "group" so on and so on, and of course you can "send" individual tracks to any "group" channel or "effect" channel. This is all done VIA the "sends" portion of your "track" or "group" channel. Effect tracks have "NO SENDS". Just saying, there is a difference between the two, check it out!

[@mixdownonline]

Yes, in Elements you 100% correct... I didn't mention it in the video but I'm referring to the pro version in the video :-)

[@mixdownonline]

Yep

[@davidkeller8084]

Why now, 3 years later. You must be really busy.

[@mixdownonline]

Lol, sorry, but I replied to a comment that was added yesterday

[@eduardonelali]

I'm using Cubase 10. When my stereo FX channels receive a left and a right panned mono tracks, It blends both in the middle, but groups don't. That's a good difference to mention. Thank you for the video. I didn't know I could send to group besides routing.

[@mixdownonline]

Yes, the FX channel will blend both in the middle because you're feeding that FX channel via a "Send" and you're Routing both tracks in a stereo Group which will then receive the signal panned... Do it the other way around... Feed your signal to Group using a "Send'' and now the Group track will blend both signals in the middle and same for an FX channel, Route your mono track's signals to the FX Channel and now the signal coming in the FX channel will be panned, so they're the same :-)

[@eduardonelali]

@@mixdownonline Nice! Thank You Chris! :)

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome, my friend!

[@johnpais2]

Thanks @Chris Selim - Mixdown Online. Same problem as @aduardo. I´m on Cubase 10 Artist. I did not understand your answer very well but thanks to your indications I founded a way to get my "send panning" in my audio mono channel to work with FabF EQ. If I use the FabF as a FX channel everything send to it is almost center, losing the panning status (and "send panning" in the audio channel seams not to work). Thanks a lot.

[@AboveEmAllProduction]

and in elements and aritst version it become even more tricky because you cant route fx channels to anything than Stereo Out. group channels you can. so basically if youre not on Pro, dont use fx channels :p

[@mixdownonline]

Yes, not as convenient in Artist and Element

[@ericabaduka1501]

woooow,thanks a lot Mr Chris..just learnt a lot ....baduka from South Africa...

[@clubbedtobreathe]

Crystal Clear !!

[@bertbrause]

Chris, I'm not 100% sure, but I think there is still a difference between FX/Group channels. FX- Channels are treated differently by Cubase' latency compensation (at least it did in the past) compared to Group tracks. Group Tracks are fully compensated, even if you are monitoring "through the DAW" while recording. FX channels not! I didn't test it for a long time... A simple "sample delay" with let's say 1 sec. delay on either channel and monitoring some input signal through Cubase will probably give the answer (switching one plugin off, then vice versa). This can be used to your advantage. (Recording with e.g. a Reverb plugin for monitoring in your headphones) without shifting the timing of the already recorded material by the amount of the reverbs latency! This could also be a bad thing for FX that need sample accuracy like comps/EQ when used in parallel.

[@mixdownonline]

Bert Brause interesting... Did not know that... I will check this out and test it out when I have a chance... I appreciate your input on this :-) thanks!

[@mixdownonline]

I tested it on my side and it doesn't look that is the case anymore... Both FX and Group Ch work the same way in a recording situation using direct monitoring :-) Thanks again for your input!

[@danielstecko6676]

Is it understood to use one effect per FX channel, ie: FX1 Reverb, FX2 Delay etc, to have independence in the levels, or is there a way to have all effect send slots used in one FX channel, and the ability to adjust them independently. Didn't seem to work properly for me the other day. Thanks.

[@bryancool8819]

Great video, thanks! Also, as you point out in your other video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKTRlaJ8Z7aAkKc ) one big difference is how Cubase does the heavy lifting of routing when creating them via the "Add ... to Selected Channels" command: for FX tracks, it adds sends to the selected channels that go to the new FX track and for group tracks, it sets the output of the selected channels to the new group track.

[@elmandarino]

Really clear as usual. Thank you.

[@thomasschwarz1973]

Thanks brother. Question, whole project, just stereo piano. I want to AB the dry recording with a growing set of DSP. Is the best way: create a group track, do all DSP there, route piano to group and group to out? Then to hear dry piano, route piano track directly to out, bypassing the group track with all the DSP? Or is there an easier way to group DSP to activate/deactivate with one button?

[@Prestensom]

Big human being, thanks a lot appreciated!

[@mixdownonline]

My pleasure!

[@michaelhausted]

Hi Chris! thanks for this video. I'm running Cubase Pro 8, when I create a group channel I don't get the inside/outside folder option. Do you know how to turn that on? :) Best, Michael

[@mixdownonline]

This feature was introduced in Cubase 9 I believe. Thanks for watching Michael!

[@19avrixx89]

Thanks Chris! You helped me a lot.

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@samuelwade1582]

Thanks buddy !

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome my friend

[@GurowngSarep]

Hi Bro thanks for everything that you did Cubase course for everyone in KZbin i love it and i have improve a lot of knowledge after watching your video. i need more of experience and study to improve. anyways thanks a lot ya i'll keep watching your Cubase lesson God bless

[@mixdownonline]

You're more than welcome my friend :-)

[@danduo1663]

Hi Chris, Please forgive me. I have looked all over you tube and all I wish to do is set up a group channel from scratch. In one of of my old Cubase versions I found it very easy. i am struggling to find a basic tuition. If you have one please pop in your reply. Thank you.

[@irony9234]

Is it better to put a compressor on the group track rather than individually tack by track? I have maybe 7 different sounds going on at once, between synth plucks, synth saws, and instruments, and then groove agent bass. I was attempting to sidechain through sends and that clearly messed up the volume, so I’m assuming the way is to sidechain thru the compressor and not sends.

[@irony9234]

Figured it out, sidechaining in the compressor vs sends seems to be the same and by adjusting the individual sound inside the tab of the sidechain send did the fix. Large domino effect. And compressing the groups seemed to be more fluid

[@felixstephanmusic]

thank you! finally i understood how to do it

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@singh3dmovies531]

hi bro , could you create a video with cubase or nuendo surround sound creating 5.1 or 7.1 bolby surround system how to setup ! speakers with lfe ( subwoofer ) channel ! would to be thankful to you ! specially how to create a lfe ( subwoofer ) channel !

[@mixdownonline]

That would be a good idea if I had a surround setup, but I don't :-(

[@iwishiwasolderinit501]

great refresher video for us long time users: cheers :)

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@mgmthegrand]

Hi Chris. Thank you for your videos. Since using an effects channel track to apply an effect to multiple tracks is less CPU intensive than using an effects plug-in on each track, is using the effects channel track less CPU intensive than using the group track when applying effects?

[@mixdownonline]

No, it's all the same

[@LunaGuitars68]

Hi...when I add an effect, lets say a reverb, directly to, lets say a guitar audio channel why is the effect so much more prominent that way as compared to when I send the audio to the same effect but in an fx channel?? Thanks in advance

[@mixdownonline]

Because the effect, when Inserted directly on a channel is affecting 100% of your signal. Using an FX Channel, you keep the signal from the original track DRY and blend it with the Wet FX Channel signal. Note that there's a WET/DRY Knob on Reverb plugins. That will balance the Dry and Wet signal when Inserting a Reverb directly as an Insert of an Audio channel. When Using a Reverb on an fx channel, keep that Dry/Wet knob to 100% Wet. Hope that helps!

[@johnhowarthmusic8706]

I'm struggling with using Group tracks for HALion and VST Instrument tracks. Can this be done like with Audio tracks? If so, do I ROUTE the VSTs to the Group? Or do I SEND them? When I SOLO a VST Group track it doesn't automatically solo the tracks in the Group. Also the Group track Fader isn't 100% controlling the Group level. I've searched, but not found a tutorial but Group tracks seem to only work for Audio tracks(?). Am I supposed to Render my VSTs? Do you have a video about this?

[@AlleGomesOficial]

HELPED SO MUCH... THANKS

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@osanyongmorrichmond4447]

Pls.thanks. but how can I use my compression well

[@Frankaupolis]

Awesome, tkx Chris!!

[@mixdownonline]

You're Welcome!

[@manuelvs3895]

Hi. Your explanation is very clear, thank you. I have a question. Is it possible to change the settings of the fx for every channel that goes through the fx channel bus? I mean... for example, give the snare track 50% of reverb and the Kick track only 20%? Or it gets affected in the same ammount in all tracks. Thenk you and congrats. New sub.

[@mixdownonline]

Yes, just keep your reverb at 100% Mix, then send the amount of signal from your snare and kick etc...in the Send section of the track. When selecting a "Send" on a track, the blue bar will determine the amount of signal sent to the send fx.

[@eross21]

can you render in place a group track or record the audio from the group track ?

[@mixdownonline]

If you have Cubase Pro, you can record audio from a group or FX track, check my latest video on this kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXi8dWlrq9WroKs

[@Bhavik_Patel.]

You Helped a LoT..... Thanks.. is there any video you made specially for Preferences?

[@mixdownonline]

Not up to now... maybe a should make one

[@Bhavik_Patel.]

MixdownOnline Please 😁

[@THELAP]

I'm having a weird issue. On cubase 10 when I route my tracks to a group they end up off beat. When I route them back to stereo out, they are right on beat. Any tips?

[@mixdownonline]

That's a bit odd...never seen this before

[@burcinodabasgil2298]

Selim, isnt it better to send the group to a fx?

[@mixdownonline]

Not sure I understand your question...You can send a signal from a Group to an FX channel for sure, you can also send an audio channel to an FX channel...whatever you want.

[@yagolotito6005]

The difference is the fx channel can you change your send to pre fader or post fader and group channel isn't7? Is it correct?

[@mixdownonline]

No, you can send to Pre or Post on both Fx and Group Channels

[@anilsoreng6571]

Sir I recorded tabla.witch plugin I use for tabla for best sound. Plz help me.

[@wizmos74]

reverb or delay or both,buy valhalla reverb sounds amazing

[@whytewavestudios3039]

Hi chris, i downloaded the template but the FX channels dont work. None of the FX add anything

[@mixdownonline]

This a Routing Template, you pick your favorite FX plugins :-) Watch my free video that comes with the free template, you will understand better.

[@whytewavestudios3039]

@@mixdownonline im a noob and forgot to add sends the FX channels, fixed it now. Thank you very much

[@jaysonzambito8803]

Here’s a question regarding group tracks: I noticed in one of your other videos that you have a stereo group before the master bus in order to(I guess) avoid having too many plugins in your master bus. I tried to do this as well so that when I A/B my mix with another track, the reference doesn’t have processing on it from the plugins on my master. However, after sending all my groups to a final stereo group before the master, I noticed that the reverbs sent to each group aren’t sent to the stereo group. By that I mean, when I solo the low end on a multiband inserted in the stereo group for example, I can still hear the other tracks reverbs, which tells me that stereo group isn’t controlling all the fx tracks. I’m positive all the tracks are routed properly. Is there something I’m missing? I hope the question makes sense. Thanks

[@mixdownonline]

That is a routing problem... Make sure your FX Tracks are routed to the correct Sub Group to avoid this.

[@jaysonzambito8803]

Chris Selim - Mixdown Online thanks. It was a routing issue. I had to change the direct routing in the fx track.👍

[@tafusass]

Hello Cris, when using Routing or sends, for Group Tracks or FX Channel, it's very confusing, how to do the routing, regards.

[@mixdownonline]

Don't worry to much about this... FX and Group tracks are basically the same thing... It wasn't the case with older versions of Cubase though...

[@mixdownonline]

I'm actually working on a Premium Cubase course that will be release hopefully next month. I will cover all the basics of Cubase and how I use it myself

[@piutril]

Tnks !!!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@RidwanSatriaPermata]

Good 🔔👍

[@mackensonsingerp]

thanks so much teacher,good bye pro tools cubase is better right now

[@PhilORourke]

excellent

[@mixdownonline]

:-)

[@korkenknopfus]

Hello, I was seeing this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z16QqJdqr7aFqtU where Greg at 3:40 mentions that they are not exactly the same. For example, in the video he shows how to pan an effect to the opposite side where the instrument is.

[@mixdownonline]

Interesting... I use that Panning function a lot with FX tracks... I don't want to argue with Greg on this but I'm able to do exactly the same thing using a Group track instead of an FX track. Just did it right now with C9.5... If you have C9.5, try it on your side and let me know! Thanks for sharing!

[@korkenknopfus]

Yes, you are right, with bus is the same. But I suppose you mean by sending into a bus (just like to an effect track) and not by routing. Maybe Greg says it is not the same, because in old versions was so. For example, in this video, that is very new, he explains how to handle click track, but with 9.5 you don’t need that anymore. In the comments people say that some of the videos are recorded long ago with versions that haven’t some of the new possibilities kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZLbaaR6qq5piMk

[@mixdownonline]

Yes I mean by sending into a group like an FX track, like he does in the video... Yeah, maybe you're right...just want to make sure I didn't give the wrong info in my vid... Thanks for your input on this bro :-)

[@Clbfeventthptfpt]

[@x5dbose]

Sorry sir i cnt follow you

[@grannypotproduction]

Question is there a way that you can unlink the fx or group channel so if you are using a reverb or delay to hear only the fx track

[@mixdownonline]

Check this video at around 17min kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2rYhGSYqbuGnbs and after watch this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/boSzeWaVbsZ4g6s (question #3)

[@grannypotproduction]

thank you already find it out