But if the transport's stopped, there won't be any audio.

exactly

I think the main issue is that the OP says this is a problem if he inserts while the track is playing. I don't understand why it's crucial to insert the send while the track is playing, so I think the simplest workaround is to stop the transport, insert the send, and turn the send level down prior to starting again. This might actually be faster than my previous comment about having a check box in send assistant where you could choose a default level for the bus you're inserting.
 
The absolute fastest method would be to have a global preference so any time you inserted a send its send level would default to a user-specified level. This sounds like a good candidate for a feature request once that process opens up again, but meanwhile, I'm trying to think of the fastest workaround.

Anderton
I think the main issue is that the OP says this is a problem if he inserts while the track is playing. I don't understand why it's crucial to insert the send while the track is playing

I agree
 

Anderton
 
so I think the simplest workaround is to stop the transport, insert the send, and turn the send level down prior to starting again. This might actually be faster than my previous comment about having a check box in send assistant where you could choose a default level for the bus you're inserting.
 

This would create an even larger change in volume. I was trying to offer a solution which involved no change in volume while inserting a send. To that end, #8 was the simplest solution I could think of that allowed a send to be added while the transport was running.
 

I'm clearly missing something. I don't understand how there could be a large change in volume if you stop the transport and the next time audio plays back, it's the same but with a send level turned down to zero.

When the transport stops the DAW goes from playing something to playing nothing. There may be a considerable change in volume. So to starting the transport may result in an equally large change in volume.
 
My understanding of the exercise was - how to add a send while transport was running without affecting the volume.

I have never tried to insert a send while playing back or recording. Its just not something I would do. Nor do I understand the requirement.  

scook
When the transport stops the DAW goes from playing something to playing nothing. There may be a considerable change in volume. So to starting the transport may result in an equally large change in volume.
 
My understanding of the exercise was - how to add a send while transport was running without affecting the volume.

 
I see the disconnect. My understanding was that it was about not having a volume jump caused by the send level going to an effect at full send level. I did realize he wanted to be able to do this while the transport was running, but I assumed he would prioritize having the send come in at 0 over having to keep the transport going. Your method does indeed let him keep the transport going, so then I guess the issue now becomes whether he prioritizes keeping the transport going, or taking less time to add the "send at 0 level" send. Either way, he has an option.

Hi guys thanks for all the replies, Maybe it's just something relevant to my work flow, I do a lot of my mixing with most or all instruments playing, while looping on a particular section of the song, I bring each instrument in one by one and mix them in, Sometimes I like to get ambiance effects in early, so I'll have my busses set up with my effects on, So when I bring an instrument in and I feel like it needs some ambiance I can add it on the fly, And just like you would with a track fader, Bring it UP to the desired level, rather then have the initial burst of the effect when the send level is at 0, as I said I find that off putting and I can kind of lose perspective. It really is only a question about something that could have helped my workflow, as of now I stop playback, insert send, turn down, and resume playback and bring send level up. It kind of disrupts my on the fly mixing. Anyway, it's no biggie guys, I've survived up until now, Thanks for all you help,
Andrew

hey it bugs me big time... here's why
 
Client finished with vocal track and wants to hear playback. Because this is the 5th take you have had to insert new audio tracks which are bare bones. Clients like to always hear their voice with some reverb ( why is this?) 
To save time, start playback and while they are listening you insert the send and immediately are bombarded with way to much reverb. Client jumps from their chair and spills coffee./ beer.  
I agree that the default send level is always way to much. Has anyone ever, ever used it at that level which seems to be 3 o'clock? 
Just turn the default down to 9-10 o'clock where it usually ends up in my mixes. X4 wish list. 
 
 ya I know --use a track template, But why should we have to edit every setting.  It was like the old record setting in 8.5 defaulted to sound on sound??? who on earth would use that?