Effects (like reverb and delay) doing them as a SEND vs a INSERT, here's the difference:

Oct '24 (edited) • 📣 - General discussion

The main difference between applying reverb as a send versus an insert lies in how the effect is processed and controlled within the mix. Here’s a breakdown of both methods:

1. Reverb as an Insert (cool but can wash it out way too much especially when mastering)

- Directly applied to the track: The reverb effect is inserted directly into the audio track's effects chain.

- Full wet/dry mix control on the track: The audio passes through the reverb, and you typically use the plugin’s wet/dry control to balance how much of the original (dry) sound and the reverb (wet) you want to hear.

- Best for individual control: This method is often used when you want to apply reverb uniquely to a specific track and have fine control over the exact wet/dry balance for that sound.

- Higher CPU usage: Applying reverb this way to multiple tracks can increase CPU usage, especially with complex reverb plugins.

Use case: Applying reverb as an insert is common for individual sounds that need their own distinct reverb setting, like lead vocals or a featured instrument.

2. Reverb as a Send (little more control in my opinion, ALSO can apply effects after reverb for more control and sound FX as opposed to just doing them as an insert)

- Processed on a separate auxiliary (aux) track (which then flows to the master): Instead of inserting the reverb on the audio track, you send a portion of the audio to a separate aux track or bus, where the reverb is applied.

- full wet signal: On the aux track, the reverb plugin is usually set to 100% wet (no dry signal), since the original dry signal remains on the original track.

- More efficient for multiple tracks: This allows you to apply the same reverb to multiple tracks by sending them all to the same aux bus. It conserves CPU and allows for easier control of a shared reverb environment across the mix.

- Independent control: You can control the amount of reverb for each track by adjusting the send level. You can also EQ or compress the reverb signal separately on the aux track, allowing for more creative mixing techniques.

Use case: Reverb as a send is ideal when you want multiple tracks to share the same reverb space, such as putting several instruments in a common room reverb to create a cohesive sense of space in the mix.

Key Differences:

- CPU Efficiency: Sends are more CPU-efficient when using the same reverb across multiple tracks.

- Control: Inserts give individual control over reverb on each track, while sends allow for group control of reverb across multiple sources.

- Sound Design: Inserts allow for more specific tailoring of the reverb for each track, whereas sends provide a shared spatial environment.

Both techniques are useful in different contexts, and many mixers use a combination of both depending on the needs of the project.

MY opinion, try both and see which sound you like more! If your going heavy with effects try adding them as inserts, if you want a cleaner more controlled sound go with doing them as sends.

Hope this helps and happy mixing !

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