GigaGreenGad
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Reverb: send or FX slot?
Which would be better for general purpose mastering: - Insert reverb effect in FX slot of audio track
- Send to FX bus with reverb effect in FX slot
Sonar Producer Edition 8.53 x64, FL Studio 9.10, Cubase 5.1.2, Reaper, Windows 7 x64, Gateway FX P-7805u
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CJaysMusic
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Re:Reverb: send or FX slot?
2010/05/29 01:40:58
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Which would be better for general purpose mastering:
- Insert reverb effect in FX slot of audio track
- Send to FX bus with reverb effect in FX slot
You dont master by putting effects on your tracks or buses. That's called mixing. Also, there are no rules, you use your ears and you should be mastering in an acoustically tuned environment that the mix wasn't mixed in. For mixing purposes, not mastering, because your still mixing, but dont know it  You need to decide for your self, as its personal preference and it depends on the sound you want for that track and mix. Here's a link with a short description on what mastering is and the difference between mixing and mastering. There good reads, cause I wrote them...  http://audio-mastering-mixing.com/FAQ___Q_A.html#1 CJ
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jm24
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Re:Reverb: send or FX slot?
2010/05/29 10:08:11
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As usual CJ is always correct.
Sending to a bus provides different type of control. Adding a bus increases a project's complexity.
I usually send to a bus if I think I will use the same effect and settings for other tracks, especially reverbs.
And, If I intend to further modify the signal, as in send to another effect bus.
Sometimes it is easier to use the plug's balance control, sometimes not.
If I use a bus, I usually set the effect to only modified signal.
============
I use a MAIN OUT bus that has voxengo span, vintage meter, and panipulator on it. NO EFFECTS.
I use a MASTER MIX bus that has the final effects.
After bouncing to tracks I can monitor through the main out without having to change any of the master mix bus's settings.
The main out is a reference,... The mix should sound the same from the master mix, and the bounced tracks.
J
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Guitarhacker
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Re:Reverb: send or FX slot?
2010/05/29 14:51:30
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If I need it, like on a guitar track, I will not hesitate to insert the reverb FX in the FX bin of the track.
However, if I have 2 or 3 guitars and want reverb on them , I will leave the tracks dry and insert a buss where I will then insert the reverb FX.
Having said that, when I do my mastering, I usually insert the Ozone 4 plug into the master buss. And I usually run the reverb in O4 very very low, or not at all. if it's on the level is generally under 6% total reverb level.
If the master reverb level is higher, it will cause a cumulative effect on the track/buss reverb levels resulting in too much reverb. To compensate the track/buss levels would have to be reduced to avoid excessive verb.
I like to have some tracks wet with verb, and other tracks straight up dry going into the master. with just the slightest hint of reverb on the master there is a slight blending.....kinda like sanding off the rough edges, but not enough to really notice. Unless it is used as an effect, the reverb in a mix/master should not be noticeable to the average listener.
Like CJ mentioned...... use your ears as the final judge as to what works and what doesn't.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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bitflipper
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Re:Reverb: send or FX slot?
2010/05/29 17:24:11
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Track insert pro: you can freeze the effect. Can simplify your project IF you don't automate the effect.
Track insert con: may require multiple instances of a reverb plugin, which consumes more CPU cycles. If they aren't all set the same may give an incoherent result, with different instruments having different reverb times, destroying the illusion that they were recorded in the same physical space. Automating the effect can be more complicated. No automated bypass for most reverb plugins.
Bus effect pro: one effect for multiple tracks reduces CPU usage, assures the same treatment for multiple sources. Easy to automate or bypass the overall effect volume. Can audition the reverb by itself. You are able to effect the reverb return independently.
Bus effect con: you cannot freeze a bus, so bus effects always eat CPU cycles.
There is no benefit to either method in terms of sound quality. It's all about convenience, CPU efficiency and ease of control.
 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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GigaGreenGad
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Re:Reverb: send or FX slot?
2010/05/29 19:28:12
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CJaysMusic
Which would be better for general purpose mastering:
- Insert reverb effect in FX slot of audio track
- Send to FX bus with reverb effect in FX slot
You dont master by putting effects on your tracks or buses. That's called mixing. Also, there are no rules, you use your ears and you should be mastering in an acoustically tuned environment that the mix wasn't mixed in.
For mixing purposes, not mastering, because your still mixing, but dont know it You need to decide for your self, as its personal preference and it depends on the sound you want for that track and mix.
Here's a link with a short description on what mastering is and the difference between mixing and mastering. There good reads, cause I wrote them...
http://audio-mastering-mixing.com/FAQ___Q_A.html#1
CJ
Ouch. I guess I'm guilty of the act of conflating terms. Won't happen anymore now! Cj, thank you so much for your contribution to this community. Everything on your site is spot on, and your comments as well.
Sonar Producer Edition 8.53 x64, FL Studio 9.10, Cubase 5.1.2, Reaper, Windows 7 x64, Gateway FX P-7805u
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CJaysMusic
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Re:Reverb: send or FX slot?
2010/06/01 14:59:13
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Your very welcome Giga. And yes! alot of people use the terms interchangeably.
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