MIDI Tracks

What is a track? How do I create one?

A track is the fundamental building-block of a Mixbus session. You can create new tracks by creating empty tracks ( using the New Track/Bus dialog ) or by Importing existing audio files as new tracks. Mixbus supports audio tracks and MIDI tracks. The track type (audio or MIDI) defines what kind of data you will see in the editor.

What is a MIDI Track?

MIDI tracks are just like audio tracks, but they store MIDI performance data on the timeline, rather than audio regions.

Otherwise, MIDI tracks are identical to audio tracks; they can have MIDI inputs and outputs, audio inputs and outputs, plugins, and they have the full complement of Mixbus EQ/Compressor/bus sends. MIDI tracks are most often used to host virtual instrument (VI) plug-ins, which will render the MIDI data into audio which is then available to mix within the Mixbus mixer. It is also possible to route the MIDI data directly to a MIDI synthesizer device, and then patch the audio (if desired) back into the same MIDI track, thereby incorporating the external device as if it were a VI.

MIDI data may be generated by importing a MIDI file, by playing a MIDI instrument into the track, or by drawing notes with the Draw tool. Each time you draw or record MIDI notes and controls, Mixbus creates a MIDI region with a corresponding MIDI file inside the session folder.

MIDI editing was designed to operate with the same conventions as Mixbus’s audio region editing. You can cut, copy, move and trim MIDI regions. And your operations apply to a Playlist which can later be reverted or changed, or even shared with other tracks.

*Because MIDI data is always recorded into a MIDI file, this has some implications for MIDI continuous control data (CC’s). You can only draw controller automation underneath an existing MIDI region. These controller moves are part of the MIDI region and will move with it. Note that you can still write fader, EQ, plugin and other mixer-strip automation linearly on the track, as these exist outside of the MIDI realm.

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