Benefits of using send tracks

[Dubickisbro]

Hi all.

I've recently learned about using send tracks instead of just putting reverb in the insert chain on a track. but i'm curious of how you are supposed to use them
what i currently do is set up my reverb on a send track and set it up for every track and use the send levels on the individual tracks to control how much, my thought process "so it all sounds like it was recorded in the same room"

here are my questions:
should i have separate send tracks for separate instruments/instrument buses?
why should i use it rather than just using a reverb insert and changing the "mix" nob on the effect?
should i use it for other effects like chorus, flanger, etc?
is there anything else i need to know? I am eager to learn!

 

[Pinky]

here are my questions:
1 - should i have separate send tracks for separate instruments/instrument buses?
2 - why should i use it rather than just using a reverb insert and changing the "mix" nob on the effect?
3 - should i use it for other effects like chorus, flanger, etc?
4 - is there anything else i need to know? I am eager to learn!

1 -- That's up to you. I tend to mix the instruments as groups (guitars, vocals, drums, synths) and they may or may not share reverb properties with the other instrument groups. I rarely do what you've described, which is to effect the entire mix with one reverb but there's nothing technically wrong with doing that [as you say, it does provide a unifying element to the mix]. I don't do this because I often want the presence for each instrument to be unique so they stand out. The key in doing my strategy is to try and make sure the instruments still sound like they're in the same room, unless for effect you want something to stand out, at which time you apply the type and amount of reverb necessary to achieve your vision. The reverbs I use for the rhythm instruments especially will be 'different', but perhaps the same type of reverb with a slightly different decay time/pattern. I usually just do it by ear, adjusting until it just seems to fit best.

2 -- Using a send will save CPU cycles, since you're only running one VST/plugin to effect multiple tracks. If you're not trying to be too fine, then having one reverb knob is much easier to manage than 10 or more on each track, and keeping tabs on them/having to adjust them individually. But if you're like me and want control of each track, then you'll tend to group less and have more track level inserts.

3 -- Again, up to you and your needs. If multiple tracks need the same effect applied, then yes it helps save CPU cycles and simplifies control of that effect to have all effected at once.

4 -- I'm sure there is, but learning homerecording is a lot about discovering things you don't know, then learning about them.

I would suggest watching some youtube video tutorials on using the SEND function (techniques in and out of the box apply here). There's a lot of clever things that can and perhaps should be done depending on the song and intended outcome desired. Since computers have gotten so fast I don't use sends too often. Most of the time now it's for a series of backing vocals tracks that I intend to have mixed together and end up creating a send to apply all the effects to those multiple tracks.

 

[mjbphotos]

I use reverb busses - one for the drums, one for the rest of the instruments and one for the vocals. Typically I use the same convolution file for each one (same room), but will vary the pre-delay - shorter on the vocals, longest on the drums.