adding effects to a clip

finally all my songs are in.  in general the songs sound fine.  time to add a few effects to improve the sound.  up to a week ago i thought that effects were added to a clip from the track pane.  i use to right-click on the FX symbol, go down to cakewalk, choose reverb and add the reverb i wanted from the reverb window.  last week in one of the songs the track pane wouldn't open properly.  the sounds were what i wanted but the pane wasn't opening up, so that the FX symbol wasn't there.  so i right-clicked on the clip itself and follow the path.  the result was dramatic and much accurate than when i open from the track pane.  however, using this method poses a problem: what if i don't like what i've just done and i want to delete it?  on the track pane a little green square comes up when i use an effect.  i right-click on it and can delete what i want, but what happens when i do it directly on the clip?  or have i figured this wrongly?  (that would be a pity, it is the first thing i figured out for myself since i started using MC!!!  )
 
sirena del mar

 
What you are referring to is "Destructive" editing vs. "Non-destructive" editing.
 
Placing an effect into the FX bin does not alter the original clip, it only adds an effect when the clip is played. The waveform of the clip itself is not changed or altered. This is "Non-destructive" editing and can be reversed simply by disabling the effect or deleting it altogether.
 
"Applying" an effect (such as the way you described) atlers the clip itself and is referred to as "Destructive" editing because it actually changes the waveform of the clip. This type of editing can only be reversed if you use the "Undo" feature, and once you have saved and closed out of the project you will never be able to change it back even with the Undo feature. If you choose to use this method it is usually best to clone the original track, archive the original to save its integrity, and then work with the clone.
 
Most folks prefer to use the "Non-destructive" method of editing because it's so much easier to tweak things later if needed.
 
Pete

I think what Beagle was referring to was the FX bin in the Track view (Track Pane). You can add effects in the FX bin in either the Track view or the Console view, but you add the effects to the FX bin in the view.

I prefer to add an effect in an aux buss and dial up the amount i want to each track with returns. This way i can use only one reverb and get the exact same sound from each track. But sometimes different instruments need different amounts of effect.

pete - good to see you around - we haven't heard any new music from you lately, what's up, doc?

 
Hi Beag. I'm still making music but I seldom visit the forums anymore. I've been working to improve my skills at playing both piano and guitar and it's coming along quite nicely. I also recently purchased a mandolin and have been toying around with it as well. The music is in my soul and I suppose it's here for good.

Reverb is the main effect that busses work very well for. On occasion i will add a compression buss and use that to help lightly and very carefully add some basic compression to some tracks.

interesting for me, thanks