Parallel Processing Explained - Creating Tracks

In this video tutorial we explain what parallel processing is, how to set it up, how it can be used with various types of sounds and provide plenty of great pro tips along the way! We should probably start by saying that although explaining what parallel processing is and setting it up only takes a matter of seconds, we took the time to provide several examples in this lesson. It not only gives you the opportunity to see the processes involved more than once, it should also help you gain a deeper understanding of the hows and whys involved. Parallel processing differs from the traditional serial (aka in-line) processing in that it happens on an independent channel/track in your projects, while serial processing takes place on the same track that the original audio is on. This brings us to why we use parallel processing. First and foremost, it is meant to allow you the opportunity to keep the original audio intact and protected from the same processing that will later be added back through layering. If you have ever applied reverb directly to any sound, you should know that it is a destructive process. Parallel processing is a non-destructive process because the only audio being manipulated/affected is a secondary iteration of the original. Knowing about the various tools involved, and how they work, will make this entire thing easier. For instance, you need to be able to isolate the sound you are sending from the original track to the auxiliary track. Once you have the audio signal routed through the bus, you should set the bus to pre fader mode. This allows you to reduce the volume on the original track so you can focus on the auxiliary channel. Just as important is the practice of only listening to the wet signal being output from the plugins you load on the auxiliary track. Parallel processing gets its name from the fact that you have two identical audio signals flowing into two channels in the same project. Knowing that the original signal is dry, then it makes sense that you should only be concerned with the wet signal of the processed sounds. More importantly, if you do not listen to just the wet signal on its own, you will never know what the actual effect you are applying even sounds like. And that is no way to produce music! Parallel processing is one of those things that may seem complicated at first, but it really does not need to. There are only a small handful of steps involved and going through them all a few times is all it really takes to acclimate yourself to the process. In fact, but the time you have finished following along with this video tutorial, you should have acquired all the knowledge needed to further explore this on your own and the repetition involved should have helped you to memorizes the order of operations. Cheers, OhmLab