7string
Well-known member
I just had a thought (beginners luck!). Is there a difference in sending to a subgroup as opposed to an AUX? If so, what's the difference and why/when would you use each? I don't see a difference but then, I'm me. 
bennychico11
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are you seeing auxes and subgroups in your DAW??
typically the act of bussing multiple signals to an aux track (in the software world)...or an open fader in the analog world...is called sub grouping. The multiple tracks are being summed together onto a single stereo channel.
You're using an aux to accomplish this but the whole process or name for the new track is a subgroup
typically the act of bussing multiple signals to an aux track (in the software world)...or an open fader in the analog world...is called sub grouping. The multiple tracks are being summed together onto a single stereo channel.
You're using an aux to accomplish this but the whole process or name for the new track is a subgroup
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xstatic
New member
There is not a whole lot of difference, especially in the digital realm. Typically subgroups are used for summing channels and aux groups are used for monitor/headphone mixes and FX sends. However, in essence they are very similar and do have other uses, and can be switched. In the analog domain however there is often a different set of circuitry in the signal path and the subgroup typically sounds a little better.
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littledog
New member
On a traditional mixing board there is quite a bit of difference.
If you send a bunch of individual channels to a sub-group, the relative volumes of each track will be determined by the fader position of each channel (and of course the trim pot). On the other hand, if you use an aux send, you can create a totally different mix than the one going to the main outputs, by setting the aux send pot on each channel to any volume you desire.
That's why pre-fader auxes are so useful for setting up independent monitor or headphone mixes. Post-fader auxes are great for effects sends, because while you can still set independent levels, they are also affected by the fader position. So if you fade a channel out, the effects fade out with it.
If you send a bunch of individual channels to a sub-group, the relative volumes of each track will be determined by the fader position of each channel (and of course the trim pot). On the other hand, if you use an aux send, you can create a totally different mix than the one going to the main outputs, by setting the aux send pot on each channel to any volume you desire.
That's why pre-fader auxes are so useful for setting up independent monitor or headphone mixes. Post-fader auxes are great for effects sends, because while you can still set independent levels, they are also affected by the fader position. So if you fade a channel out, the effects fade out with it.
7string
Well-known member
Ok, I guess I should have been more clear. I REALLY need to stop posting after my 15th beer.
I know how to use the subgroups and aux channels. I use Guitar Tracks 3 Pro. It has 32 tracks, 8 subgroups and 2 aux channels. There are no send/return's on the subgroups or the aux's but at the bottom of each channel you can assign them to any subgroup or aux. In other words, you can send/return each of the 32 channels, as well as assign them on the bottom, to any subgroup or aux. The 8 subgroups and 2 aux channels have no send/return but can be assigned at the bottom to any subgroup or aux but NOT back to the channels. I was just wondering if there was a difference in sending to the aux or subgroup. They both look exactly the same, so I'm guessing that they ARE the same and they just decided to call 8 of them subgroups and 2 of them aux channels.
I know how to use the subgroups and aux channels. I use Guitar Tracks 3 Pro. It has 32 tracks, 8 subgroups and 2 aux channels. There are no send/return's on the subgroups or the aux's but at the bottom of each channel you can assign them to any subgroup or aux. In other words, you can send/return each of the 32 channels, as well as assign them on the bottom, to any subgroup or aux. The 8 subgroups and 2 aux channels have no send/return but can be assigned at the bottom to any subgroup or aux but NOT back to the channels. I was just wondering if there was a difference in sending to the aux or subgroup. They both look exactly the same, so I'm guessing that they ARE the same and they just decided to call 8 of them subgroups and 2 of them aux channels.
Farview
Well-known member
I have never seen that software, but I'll bet that if there is a difference, it is in where you can route the signal coming out of the auxes and subgroups.
7string
Well-known member
Farview said:
Both the subgroups AND the aux's can route exactly the same. The more I look into this I'm just thinking that you get 10 subgroups and they decided to name two of them aux, to make things easy.
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littledog
New member
maybe the aux's can be switched between prefader and postfader?
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xstatic
New member
Subgroups are very similar, but not exactly the same. First, sub groups often have a "better" siganl path and will often be implemnted with a better circuit. Aux sends tend to be a little noisier. Aux sends are often switchable between pre and post either globally, or per channel. Subgroups are almost always post fade. In general aux sends are fed from the channel via rotary pots and are discreet mixes whereas subgroups are usally bussed from the channel fader and are not discreet when referring to more than 1 group assignment.
Many manufacturers list aux sends, subgroups, main, mono, and LCR feeds as "busses". It can be misleading to some, but is valid. If a manufacturere says a console has 19 busses, that could be 8 aux, 8 subgroup, main Left and Right and Mono.
Many manufacturers list aux sends, subgroups, main, mono, and LCR feeds as "busses". It can be misleading to some, but is valid. If a manufacturere says a console has 19 busses, that could be 8 aux, 8 subgroup, main Left and Right and Mono.
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littledog
New member
that's all true enough, but I think we've established that he is talking about software, not hardware, in which case "circuitry" is not going to be an issue...
7string
Well-known member
I appreciate the replies and your thoughts on this! The pre/post is on the channels themselves and no matter where you send it, subgroups or aux, it can be either pre/post.
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xstatic
New member
Most software i have seen utilizes subgroups and aux sends almost identically. Especially when it allows you to send to a "group" independently of the channel fader. The biggest thing I have noticed (like in Cubase) is that group channels and FX channels (or aux sends of a sort) have different routing and insert options. I would say use either or and not worry about it. As long as you accomplish your goal
Sorry for my last post, it was really meant for the other very similar thread to this one...
Sorry for my last post, it was really meant for the other very similar thread to this one...
7string
Well-known member
Thanks, everyone!
I'm just going to go on the assumption that there is no difference in this case and that the people at Cakewalk just decided to change the name so that there would be a couple of aux channels.
Thanks again!
I'm just going to go on the assumption that there is no difference in this case and that the people at Cakewalk just decided to change the name so that there would be a couple of aux channels.
Thanks again!
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littledog
New member
Of course, if you want a "real" answer, why don't you just e-mail the question to the software company's tech support? Beats the idle speculation of a bunch of us who've never seen or used it...