What is a 'Track Freeze' in Pro Tools?

A 'Track Freeze' in Pro Tools refers to the process of rendering the effects and instruments applied to a track into a single audio file. This function is particularly useful in mixing and producing as it significantly reduces the processing load on your system. When a track is frozen, all of its currently active plugins and virtual instruments are processed, and the result is stored as audio. Consequently, this allows for smoother playback and can make it easier to manage large sessions with multiple tracks and effects without straining the computer's resources.

Freezing a track does not create a backup copy, allow for the deletion of unused audio files, or export the track to a different file format. Instead, it simply consolidates all processing into a rendered audio file while keeping the original track intact for future editing or adjustments if necessary. This function is essential for maintaining efficiency during the mixing process.