Final answer:
Deactivating a track is useful for managing system resources, simplifying the mixing process, and comparing changes within a complex project in digital audio workstations or video editing software.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deactivating a track within a digital audio workstation (DAW) or video editing software can be useful for various reasons. When working on complex projects, it helps to manage system resources by lowering CPU and memory usage. This is important when dealing with numerous tracks or effects, and it allows for smoother operation of the software.
Additionally, deactivating tracks can simplify the mixing process by allowing the user to focus on specific elements without the distraction of others. Finally, it's also a way to compare changes, by toggling tracks on and off to hear how they contribute to the overall mix or composition.