A send is a function that branches part or all of the signal flowing through a channel to another path. A typical use is to keep the original output intact while sending signal through a bus to an aux, and returning the processed sound of a reverb or a delay.
Send level
Send level is the amount of signal sent to the destination. The higher it is, the more signal enters the effect, and with the same settings on the return side, the stronger the effect. It is adjusted separately from the source track’s fader.
Send and return
Send from each track to the same bus and insert just one reverb on the receiving aux. The basic approach is to set the spatial effect on the aux to 100% wet and use the individual send amounts and the aux fader to set the balance against the dry sound.
The benefit of sharing across tracks
When vocals, guitars, and drums share the same reverb, it is easier to make them sound like they are playing in the same space. You do not need duplicate plugins on every track, and setting changes are made in one place.
Pre-fader and post-fader
Post-fader follows the source track’s fader moves and suits ordinary spatial processing. Pre-fader takes the signal from before the fader, so it is used for headphone mixes independent of the source level and for special parallel processing.
Points to watch when routing
Check which bus the signal is sent to and which aux receives it. To avoid unintended double output or feedback, trace the output destination, the send destination, and the wet/dry on the return in order.
How to set it up first
Start by creating just one bus and aux for reverb, send a small amount from one track, and confirm the signal flow. Once you hear it, add the same send destination on the other tracks. Keeping the routing simple at first makes it easier to track down silence or double output.
