The Difference Between VCA and Sub-Groups in Mixing

by David Bawiec, iZotope Contributor July 24, 2019

VCA and sub-groups are useful tools in your mixing practice, but serve different purposes.
VCAs and sub-group busses can be easily confused. Here’s your primer on the difference and when it makes sense to use one vs. the other.

The examples are from Logic Pro X. In a simple sense Logic implements Folder Stacks as a VCA and Summing Stacks as a Sub-Group. By using the stacks you get convenient “tracks” in the Arrange/Tracks window.