To parallel or aux, that is the question???

[themdla]

so i've been wondering for awhile...

when is the best time to use an aux send (what types of effects)?

or

to run the output of a track into a bus (1-2 for this example) then run 2 or more tracks in parallel off that bus (1-2)?

an example i've often heard is running the collective output of your drums to a bus and then feeding that bus into two parallel tracks, one dry and one compressed (slammed) and the mixing the balance to taste.

also i'm assuming auxes are mainly reserved for time based effects aka reverb & delay.

 

[Disasster]

Exactly like you said, aux sends are mainly used for effects such as chorus, delay, reverb, pitch shift etc.

Lots of people tend to use parallel compression on their drum bus, some even use it on the 2bus, just make sure it's adding to the song. Also, when using OTB gear, make sure there isn't any phasing problems or latency issues.


-Joel

 

[NL5]

Also, when using OTB gear, make sure there isn't any phasing problems or latency issues.

You mean when mixing ITB w/ Outboard gear, or actual mixing out of the box? Analog has no latency.

 

[Disasster]

You mean when mixing ITB w/ Outboard gear, or actual mixing out of the box? Analog has no latency.

Sorry about that, I meant ITB w/ Outboard gear.

 

[NL5]

Sorry about that, I meant ITB w/ Outboard gear.

It's one thing Cubase excels at (and the reason I started using it). It pings your hardware, and adjusts latency accordingly. Otherwsise, the D/A/D conversion will add a fair amount of delay - usually just a millisecond or two, but enough that it can cause issues...

 

[themdla]

It's one thing Cubase excels at (and the reason I started using it). It pings your hardware, and adjusts latency accordingly. Otherwsise, the D/A/D conversion will add a fair amount of delay - usually just a millisecond or two, but enough that it can cause issues...

and that's what sux about Protools LE is that it's just about the only recording software that doesn't include automatic latency compensation

thinking about switching logic

 

[Ethan Winer]

when is the best time to use an aux send (what types of effects)?

Here's the "rule" I follow:

If an effect alters the sound, such as EQ or compression or flanging, then it should be added inline on the track.

If an effect adds new content, such as echo and reverb (which is just a whole lot of echoes) then it should be put on an aux bus.

--Ethan

 

[NL5]

and that's what sux about Protools LE is that it's just about the only recording software that doesn't include automatic latency compensation

That's not the only thing that sucks about it! Also, ADC is not the same as Cubase delay compensation for outboard effects......

If an effect alters the sound, such as EQ or compression or flanging, then it should be added inline on the track.

If an effect adds new content, such as echo and reverb (which is just a whole lot of echoes) then it should be put on an aux bus.

Nice!

 

[Bob Ross]

If an effect alters the sound, such as EQ or compression or flanging, then it should be added inline on the track.

If an effect adds new content, such as echo and reverb (which is just a whole lot of echoes) then it should be put on an aux bus.

I think the OP was asking about using Buses vs. Aux Sends, not In-Line Processing vs. Aux Sends.

(Or rather, I thought that's what he was asking, but the more I read his first post the less sure I am...)

Back in the Good Old Analog Days™ you would use an Aux Send for effects that add new content, as Ethan says. For compressing a drumkit (either parallel or in-line) you would use a Bus, because unless your post-fader Aux Sends had a reliably unity gain position there was no other easy way to send the same mix of drum channels to the comp as to the 2-mix.