Set Up an Aux Channel
An Aux Channel allows an external audio source to be monitored through the Console without the need for an associated track. The incoming audio can be processed by the native plug-in effects, and its volume can be controlled through the sample-accurate automation provided by Studio One.
An Aux Channel is also useful when working with an external MIDI hardware synthesizer, for example, as you can make changes to the MIDI data on an Instrument track without needing to record another take to your hard drive. Audio from the device returns through your audio interface into an Aux Channel, where it becomes a part of the mix like any other track.
Here's the process:
1.Click [External] in the Console Navigation column to open the External Devices panel.
2.Click the menu arrow for the external device.
3.Select Edit from the menu to open the control mapping window.
4.Click the Outputs button ().
5.Select Add Aux Channel at the bottom of the window. An Aux Channel appears in the Console.
6.If your external instrument has multiple outputs connected to your audio interface, add as many Aux Channels as you need.
7.Important: Click Save Default before closing the window; we'll explain that later.
8.Route the Aux Channel to the desired output. Your external device is now available the Console.
Remember that the external instrument needs to be physically connected to one or more inputs on your audio interface, since its audio will always be "live". Note that different versions of the Audio I/O setup can be saved for different use cases.
Note also that running external audio signals through the Console means that bouncing, rendering and mixdown automatically switches to real-time.