Pro Tools provides up to ten unity-gain inserts on each audio, Auxiliary Input, Master Fader, and Instrument track. Audio, Auxiliary Input, and Instrument track inserts are pre-fader, and Master Faders inserts are post-fader.
An insert can be either a software DSP plug-in or a
hardware insert. A Pro Tools insert
routes the signal from the track to a plug-in or external hardware effect of your choice and automatically returns it to the same track. Inserts do not alter the original audio source files, but process audio in real time, during playback. You can permanently apply real-time effects to tracks by recording or bouncing the effect to disk (see
Mixdown for more information).
When more than one plug-in or hardware insert is used on a track, they are processed in series. Each effect is added to that of any previous inserts (flowing from top to bottom in the Mix window Inserts View, and left to right in the Edit window Inserts View).
Inserts on audio tracks and Auxiliary Inputs and Instrument tracks are pre-fader. You can cause clipping if you boost their gain to extremes, especially on tracks recorded at high amplitude. Watch on-screen metering for indication of clipping. (Inserts on Master Faders are post-fader.)