Aux Track in Logic Pro used as Mono Output

Here’s a quick tip that confused me for a while when I started using Logic.  If you have an interface with more than two physical outputs (beyond your main mix outputs).  Then you have the option of creating multiple mixes and hooking them up to outputs other than your main mix outputs.

One major problem is that your physical outputs are always listed in stereo pairs when you try to select an Output Selection on a track or Aux Track.  This is a real pain if you’re trying to setup just a mono send.  It’s a quirk of Logic Pro that requires this simple fix.

Just Pan the Aux Track to the Left or Right to get a Mono Send.

Audio won’t play out the side you Pan away from.  If you want to use the other side – setup a second Aux Track and Pan the other direction.

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The second way to get this done is to use the I/O Plugin.  Just set your Aux Track to Mono Output (use the button with circles on it directly below the Level Meter).  Make sure you do this before inserting the plugin because otherwise you’ll get a stereo version which defeats the purpose.

Then Insert the the I/O Plugin (it is under the “Utility” menu when you are choosing a plugin).  Then simply route the “Output” control to the desired mono output and control level on the plugin.

If you’re using this plugin (which is meant for inserting outboard FX) you might experience some slight delays in playback so I wouldn’t use this for an monitor/headphone send.  Also, it tends to get inconvenient because it you have to open up the plugin just to adjust your output volume, and that can turn into a real pain.

Practical:

I find this really useful when I’m tracking multiple DIed Guitars and they only brought one tuning pedal.  I often just take their tuning pedal – set it up in the middle of all my guitar players, Leave it always on, and run signals to it using and Aux Track in Logic.

Then when a particular guitarist needs to tune – they don’t have to unplug.  I just Unmute the send on their track to the Aux Track and their signal reaches the pedal without a hitch.  (I suggest setting up pre-fader sends on all these tracks, and then just muting/unmuting the sends as needed).

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