Aux Bus

[Munchkin]

Anybody got any nuggets of information, any tips and tricks, any techniques for using the Aux Bus to put reverb effects on a mix. Any special considerations as far as the Pre or Post Fader Enable switches?

Anything to warn about, what not to do?

[A1A2]

here is what I do:

set the verb plug-in to 100% wet (no dry signal) and then blend it in by adjusting the Aux send level on the track, and I usually pan the aux return a little if the track is not stereo, or needs to sound wider.

I dunno about the pre vs post tho, I use pre if the gain of the track is being turned down alot, but I really could be wrong on this.

Lastly, save your CPU by using as few reverb plug-ins as possible. I normally have about 2 reverbs on the auxes, so when 2 instruments are playing at thesame time, I have 2 different verbs for them instead of running everything that's playing at the same time thru the same reverb.

Al

[moskus]

I usually use two reverbs too, on aux A and B. One reverb set to a long (large) decay-time, and the other to a short decay-time. Then I feel I can better place the instruments in a mix...

[crosstudio]

when i upgrade my PC i'll try using 2 reverbs. i usually use 1 reverb and 2 delays. i normally only put a small delay on the lead vocal (and put that same delay on lead guitar or midi generated horns).

i use post instead of pre so that my reverb send stays in balance with the track if i change the volume of the track.

[Munchkin]

Originally posted by crosstudio
i use post instead of pre so that my reverb send stays in balance with the track if i change the volume of the track.

This may be a stupid question but, what are the advantages/disadvantages of each setting...Pre and Post fader? Could you elaborate more on that?

I've done some tests with mixing down the mix to two track stereo and running some gentle compression on it to get an idea how it will sound when mastered. I find that there is more reverb present that way than with just the basic mix. (Did that make any sense?)

And thanks everybody, for your input!

[dachay2tnr]

Originally posted by Munchkin
This may be a stupid question but, what are the advantages/disadvantages of each setting...Pre and Post fader? Could you elaborate more on that?

I've done some tests with mixing down the mix to two track stereo and running some gentle compression on it to get an idea how it will sound when mastered. I find that there is more reverb present that way than with just the basic mix. (Did that make any sense?)

And thanks everybody, for your input!

The "pre" and "post" refers to the Track fader - i.e., pre-fader vs post-fader. As Cross indicated, if you want the aux bus to follow your track volume, you need to set it post fader - otherwise your wet/dry balance will change with any changes in the track volume.

I always use post fader, since I haven't yet figured out a use for the "pre-fader" setting. I imagine one exists, but I have yet to run across a need for it.

[Munchkin]

Originally posted by dachay2tnr
As Cross indicated, if you want the aux bus to follow your track volume, you need to set it post fader - otherwise your wet/dry balance will change with any changes in the track volume.

Well...This changes everything!
Thanks everybody

[ChorazaiM]

Originally posted by moskus
I usually use two reverbs too, on aux A and B. One reverb set to a long (large) decay-time, and the other to a short decay-time. Then I feel I can better place the instruments in a mix...

Interesting. And you would send the signals that you want to sound more upfront in the mix to the short decay, while sending the rest to the other, or do you route the signal through both and adjust the amount of each?

[moskus]

Originally posted by ChorazaiM
And you would send the signals that you want to sound more upfront in the mix to the short decay, while sending the rest to the other, or do you route the signal through both and adjust the amount of each?

Well... hmm... I can't give you any clear guidance here. I just control the send volume till I got the sound I want and where I want it...

A little of both suggestions, I think.

[Strryder]

One of the ways I use the "pre" fader setting for an aux send would be if I had a track that I wanted to be pretty low in the mix, like maybe shakers, but want a stronger reverb on them, I can just turn up the aux send.