It's impossible to create a track setup that works for all small- to mediumsize films, but when you're setting up your workspace you have to start somewhere. I suggest you build a template with the tracks shown in the following table. Keep it on a USB keychain or in your phone so that you can take it from job to job. If you move about from studio to studio, keep templates for each of the platforms and versions that you might encounter in your market.
I prefer to use letters in naming the tracks I take to the dialogue premix (e.g., dialogue, PFX, X, ADR) and numbers in naming the tracks that don't interest the mixer but just make my life easier (e.g., work and junk tracks). What matters is that you use a track naming and layout system that suits the needs of those you work with, and those with whom you share your tracks.
Initial Tracks
Initial Source
Audio Format
Comments
Dial A-L
Mono, from original field recordings
Mono, dual-mono, multitrack
Used for most of your production sound edits.
Work tracks (at least six)
Blank for now
Mono, dual-mono, multitrack
Used as safe places for opening files, making complex edits, and using Shuffle mode.
Junk 1–6 (or Outs 1–6)
Blank for now
Usually mono
Used for anything you don't want in your active tracks yet don't want to delete. Also useful for storing alternate take clips. Keep these tracks in sync (unlike work tracks, where there are no rules). Use, too, for storing room tones you create for a scene.
PFX A-D
Blank for now
Usually mono
Production effects are used for sync production sounds that you want to separate from the dialogue, either for use in the international mix or for better mix control.
For SFX editor 1–4
Blank for now
Mono, dual-mono, multitrack
Used for nondialogue elements, such as temporary music and SFX, removed from your edit. This enables SFX and music editors to easily retrieve these sounds without entering your session.
ADR A-D +
Blank for now; later you'll add mono or two-microphone files from the ADR recording sessions
Mono or dualmono (and some stereo elements if you use ADR tracks for group loop)
Used for ADR tracks. The number of tracks depends on the ADR complexity of your film and the amount of perspective cutting.
Dial X, Y, Z +
Blank for now
Mono or more
Known as “X tracks.” used during ADR editing to hold lines that have been replaced yet are completely edited. A dialogue track holds a tone fill that matches a replaced line on an X track so that the rerecording mixer can quickly and conveniently choose between the original line and the ADR line.
