What Are Sends In Fruity Loops?

[Dr. Varney]

My question is: What exactly are sends and what are they used for? Are they used for recording effects?

FL Studio Help says:

"To send audio from one insert track to another - Select the source track you wish to send FROM and then left-click the send control switch (18) on the destination track you want to send TO. A send-level knob will appear on the destination track that can be used to change the level of signal passed to the destination. By default the SOURCE track will maintain routing to the Master track - If you don't want this then select the source track and disable the send switch on the master by left-clicking it."

Okay, so my mixer looks like this:

So why am I sending to those tracks over there on the right? What exactly am I 'sending' and why am I sending it?

Thanks

Dr. V

 

[dastrick]

I don't know about FL, but here's what it is in Cubase.

Let's say that I want the same reverb on all of my vocal tracks. I put the reverb on a Send then I can "send" all of my vocal tracks through that one reverb instead of putting the reverb as an insert on each individual vocal track. You should be able to control how much of each track goes to the Send. You can also use the fader on the Send to control the overall amount of reverb.

 

[Dr. Varney]

I don't know about FL, but here's what it is in Cubase.

Let's say that I want the same reverb on all of my vocal tracks. I put the reverb on a Send then I can "send" all of my vocal tracks through that one reverb instead of putting the reverb as an insert on each individual vocal track. You should be able to control how much of each track goes to the Send. You can also use the fader on the Send to control the overall amount of reverb.

That's cool, thanks!

So okay, we're not using the same package - but here's the deal...

My sound engineer friend noticed my mixer was pretty good so he said let's set up so you have that 'human' control. I love it. I can send (send?) my guitar through, into FL, through the PCI Card In, pre-loaded with FX.

Okay, I know it's more versatile to add the FX post-recording but I like my mixer's FX alright. They sound 'organic'. Just that I can only apply one preset at a time and I like to layer it up.

So now I wondered if it were possible to attach FX after the mixer, using my software. I tried it in DSP Patchmix and yeah, I could hear it alright... but it wouldn't record. Signal reached the recording totally dry.

So it's a question of sends, right?

This is what I need to understand. I can't quite trace the signal chain. When I think I've got it all worked out, I'm invariably wrong.

So I thought: let's apply FX directly in the FL mixer. I've tried sticking them here and there and sending from here to there or everywhere but I'm still in need of some guidance...

...Or someone to tell me it's not possible.

So, the main question is: Can I insert FX, right there, in FL Studio that will actually record and if so, how? Some of the FX are really good and it would be cool to be able to both monitor and record with them. I figure if it's possible in Cubase, then it might be possible in FL.

Thanks

Dr. V