The tracks you create in Logic Pro X are added to the vertical track list to the left of the tracks area. You create more tracks by clicking the new tracks (plus sign) icon at the top of the track list or by choosing Tracks→New Tracks. You can also create specific track types with key commands and with the Tracks menu. Following are the types of tracks available.
An audio track can contain audio regions, audio Apple loops, and imported audio files.
You use an audio track when you want to record a live instrument or a microphone. You can also import prerecorded audio files and loops into your project.
A software instrument track can contain MIDI regions, MIDI Apple loops, and imported MIDI files.
You use a software instrument track when you want to record one of Logic Pro’s software instruments or a third-party software instrument that you’ve installed.
A drummer track is used when you want to add a virtual drummer to your project.
The drummer track won’t let you play its drums; the only way to control a drummer track is in the dedicated drummer editor.
An external MIDI track can contain MIDI regions.
Use an external MIDI track when you need to send MIDI data to an external device such as a synthesizer or a drum machine. External MIDI tracks make no sound of their own, so you must send the MIDI data out to your MIDI device and receive the audio signal from your MIDI device on a separate audio track.
Track stacks, an innovation in Logic Pro X, help you organize your tracks by placing them as subtracks within a main track.
You expand and collapse the track stack by using the disclosure triangle. Two types of track stacks are available:
Folder stack: A folder stack can control the volume of all the tracks in the track stack. All the tracks can be automated, soloed, muted, and grouped as a whole. But folder stacks can’t be saved as patches and you can’t add effects to the entire group or control their audio output as a group.
Summing stack: This stack routes audio, saves all tracks and their settings, and can be saved as a patch for later recall. All tracks in a summing stack send their audio outputs to a collective auxiliary track.
A folder track is similar to a track stack, but folder tracks are focused more on regions.
Track stacks organize tracks; folders organize regions. A folder track can contain multiple tracks and their regions but doesn’t have its own channel strip.
