---
title: "Audio Channel Strip"
slug: "audio-channel-strip-input"
updated: 2026-02-26T08:56:16Z
published: 2026-02-26T08:56:16Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://composer.docs.vindral.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Audio Channel Strip

The **Audio Channel Strip Input** is a virtual input that functions as an audio bus (also known as an AUX or submix). It allows you to route audio from multiple inputs into a single channel, which is useful for creating submixes, grouped audio control, or effects sends.

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(286).png)

---

## Overview

Unlike other inputs that capture video or audio from external sources, the Audio Channel Strip Input has no source of its own. Instead, it receives audio sent from other inputs in your project. This makes it ideal for scenarios where you need to combine or process multiple audio sources together.

**Key characteristics:**

- Audio only (no video)
- Virtual input type
- Can receive audio from any other input via the send system

---

## Use Cases

**Submix / Group Control** Combine multiple audio sources (such as several microphones or music tracks) into a single channel strip. This lets you control the overall level of the group with one fader.

**Monitor Mix** Create a separate mix for monitoring purposes. By using Pre-fader sends, you can build a monitor mix that is independent of your main output levels.

**Parallel Processing** Route copies of your audio to a channel strip for parallel processing workflows, where the processed and unprocessed signals are blended together.

---

## Adding an Audio Channel Strip

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(287).png)

To add an Audio Channel Strip to your project:

1. Click **Add Input** from the `INPUTS & SCENES` tab
2. Expand the **Virtual** group
3. Select **Audio Channel Strip**

## Properties

| Property | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Name** | The display name of the Audio Channel Strip Input. This name appears in the Inputs list and in the Audio Mixer. |
| **Icon text** | Custom text displayed on the input's icon in the Inputs list. Default is "STRIP". |
| **Hide in audio mixer** | When enabled, hides this input from the [Audio Mixer](/v1/docs/audio-mixer-1) without disabling its audio. |
| **TAGS** | Optional tags to classify your content. Use the Smart Search feature to search for inputs by tag. |

### Render Options

These options, together with Render Tuning (see [Performance and Options](/v1/docs/runtime-performance)), help optimize performance by letting Composer automatically decide whether the input should be rendered.

When your project's Render Tuning is active, Composer manages each input's rendering automatically for best performance. These options allow you to override that behavior and manually decide if this input should be rendered or excluded from the scene.

| Property | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Invisible (Do not render in scene)** | When enabled, the input will not be rendered in any layer, in any scene. |
| **Do not render input** | Disables the internal render method of the input. This can reduce system load in some use cases. |

Note

Render Tuning works at the project level, automatically managing which inputs are rendered across all Scenes for optimal performance. Render Options work at the input level, letting you manually override or fine-tune how a specific input behaves within Composer's automatic rendering process.

---

## Audio Channel Strip (Audio Mixer)

Whenever you add an **Audio Channel Strip** Input or any other audio-capable input, it is automatically available for editing in the [Audio Mixer](/v1/docs/audio-mixer-1). The mixer provides an alternative way to adjust the same Audio options—such as gain, pan, mute/solo, auxiliary sends, and monitoring—closer to the layout of a traditional audio mixer. This allows you to balance multiple signals quickly and efficiently in real time.

While the mixer offers a convenient overview and controls, it’s important to remember that the **Audio Channel Strip** Input exists as an independent input in your project and is not limited to the mixer view.

For a full guide, see [Audio Mixer](/docs/audio-mixer-1).

#### Show the Audio Mixer

To switch between the Compositor and Audio Mixer view, click the **Toggle** button above the scene preview, alternatively press **CTRL+M**.

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(297).png)

The **Audio Channel Strip** appears in the Audio Mixer view with the label "**STRIP**" and an orange waveform icon. This is where you control the channel strip's output and configure which inputs send audio to it.

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(288).png)

---

## Controls

### VU Meter Configuration

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(290).png)

A dropdown at the top of the strip lets you choose when the level meters measure the signal:

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Post-fader** | Meters show the audio level after the volume fader is applied. This reflects what is actually being output. This is the default setting. |
| **Pre-fader** | Meters show the audio level before the volume fader is applied. Useful for seeing the incoming signal level regardless of fader position. |

### Level Meters

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(291).png)

Stereo VU meters (L/R) display the audio level in real-time. The scale ranges from -48 dB to 0 dB, with -Inf shown when there is no signal. If the level reaches 0 dB (clipping), a warning indicator will appear.

### Pan

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(292).png)

The Pan knob controls the stereo balance of the audio output. Values range from -100 (fully left) to +100 (fully right), with 0.0 being center.

### Solo, PFL, and Mute

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(293).png)

Three buttons control monitoring and output behavior:

| Button | Function |
| --- | --- |
| **Solo** | Isolates this channel so only its audio is heard. Other non-soloed sources are muted. Only effective when Audio Preview is active in Composer. |
| **PFL** | Pre-Fader Listen. Routes the signal to monitoring outputs before the volume fader is applied. Requires Solo to be active. Only effective when Audio Preview is active. |
| **Mute** | Silences the audio output from this channel strip. |

### Volume Fader

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(294).png)

The vertical fader controls the output level of the channel strip. The range is from -Inf (silence) to +36 dB, with 0.0 dB being unity gain. The current value is displayed above the fader.

### Sel (Select) Button (only for Audio Channel Strips)

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(295).png)

The **Sel** button activates send routing mode. Find more information below.

---

## Routing Audio to a Channel Strip

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(298).png)

To send audio from other inputs to an Audio Channel Strip:

1. Click the **Sel** button on the Audio Channel Strip. It will highlight to indicate that selection mode is active.
2. The other input strips in the Audio Mixer will turn dark green, and their send faders will appear at -Inf (no signal).
3. Drag the fader on any input to set how much of that input's audio should be sent to the channel strip. The dB value indicates the send level. For finer control, click the fader to select it, then use the **Up and Down arrow keys** on your keyboard to adjust the level one step at a time.
4. Select which channels you want to send. For example, Channels 1 & 2.
5. Repeat for any other inputs you want to include in this submix.
6. Click **Sel** again to exit selection mode and return to normal operation.

The send levels you configure are remembered, so audio will continue to flow to the channel strip based on your settings.

Tip - Channel Strip Inspector

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(353).png) Clicking on a mixer strip opens the **Channel Strip Inspector** panel on the right side of the Audio Mixer. This panel provides access to advanced audio processing features including input trim, audio delay, channel mapping, gate, low cut filter, 5-band parametric EQ, compressor, and limiter. For more information, see [Channel Strip Inspector](/docs/channel-strip-inspector).