Rendering calculates the results of software instruments, effects, edits, and automation and converts them into continuous audio data. It is used when exporting a finished song, committing a processed track, or generating audio in video-editing software.
Real-time and offline rendering
Real-time rendering records while the song plays at normal speed and is suitable for external hardware or processes that vary on each playback. Offline rendering calculates independently of playback speed and is faster, but the result should be checked when a plug-in or device does not fully support it.
Related processes
Writing an entire song to a file may be called export or bounce. Temporarily rendering a track to reduce processing load is called freeze. The names differ, but all calculate processed sound into a fixed form.
Export settings
Choose the range, file format, sample rate, bit depth, and mono or stereo output for the intended use. Streaming, video, and mastering delivery may require different specifications, so confirm the destination requirements before rendering.
Tails and peak levels
An end point that is too early will cut off reverb and delay tails. Check leading silence, the full ending, clipping, and unintended silent sections. If normalization or dither is used, decide why and at which stage it should be applied.
Checking the completed file
Do not rely only on a successful render message. Open the file in a new session or another player and listen from beginning to end. Confirm that level, panning, effects, duration, and file properties match the intended result.
