[Solved] Query re setting up reverb send

I'll answer the second question first. The reason it sounded louder with the send on and going through an empty buss is that there is now two signals, albeit identical, hence it is louder.
 
Remember a send "sends" a copy of the original signal and then feeds that to the master buss or further down the signal chain. The original signal also exists unless the track fader is reduced. That's assuming the send is pre -fader of course. If the send is post-fader then the send level is affected by the track fader.
 
In answer to the first part, you should set the reverb on the buss to 100% wet and then adjust the effect level with the send level. In this instance the send should be "post-fader". That way you have the dry signal controlled by the track volume. The "wet" sound is controlled by the send level but once set at a level in relation to the dry track that you are happy with you don't have to keep changing it every time you adjust track (dry) level volume as the send is decreased or increased by the same relative amount.
 
In theory to achieve the same level as when the reverb is on the track you should set the track volume to 0dB, the send level to 41.5%, buss volume level to 0dB with reverb set to 100% wet. Once that is done make sure the send is "post fader" and the relative level is maintained as explained above.
 
HTH
 
 

Er..... School was a long time ago for me but yeah roughly although I'm not sure it's quite an exact science hence the words "In theory" at the start of my answer. I'm sure someone who knows better than me will be along with a more scientific answer on that.
 
The send control effectively becomes the wet/dry control of the reverb because although it is sending a dry signal to the buss the reverb is set to 100% so there is no dry signal at all coming from the buss just wet signal.
 
I'd say the best way to get the sound you want is to use your ears, the golden rule is.......if it sounds right it is right. 

Thanks AT, you are totally right of course --- that came from my maths whilst not being at my studio ;-)   So of course -44db isn't 41.5% at all ...
 
But, anyway, I tried around -8db as you suggested and various other levels ... but I just could NOT get it to sound the same as the insert.    The send version sounded BETTER, thicker/warmer, hard to describe, but the Insert version was certainly harsher.  I cannot think WHY that can be.   All reverb settings were identical (except the send version was 100% wet).    There are no other effects at all anywhere in Sonar.   
 
Logically the insert version and the send version should sound the same right (when the wet-dry balance is right)?   Any ideas why the send version in this case does not?
 
I'm using 2CAudio Aether, if that helps at all.

ULTRABRA
Thanks AT, you are totally right of course --- that came from my maths whilst not being at my studio ;-)   So of course -44db isn't 41.5% at all ...
 
But, anyway, I tried around -8db as you suggested and various other levels ... but I just could NOT get it to sound the same as the insert.    The send version sounded BETTER, thicker/warmer, hard to describe, but the Insert version was certainly harsher.  I cannot think WHY that can be.   All reverb settings were identical (except the send version was 100% wet).    There are no other effects at all anywhere in Sonar.   
 
Logically the insert version and the send version should sound the same right (when the wet-dry balance is right)?   Any ideas why the send version in this case does not?
 
I'm using 2CAudio Aether, if that helps at all.

Did you drag copy the reverb? Try this and report back:
 
1. Open the send reverb, and save its preset under a new name, like HarshnessTest.
2. Insert a fresh instance of the reverb into the track insert (e.g., drag from the browser or use the insert pop-up)
3. Load the HarshnessTest preset.
 
Is the sound still different? 

Can you describe your routing, distinguishing clearly between track output destinations and send destinations.
 
 

@Bristol    
Track output goes to Master, which goes to Main Outs
Send output to Reverb Bus, whose output goes to Master ...
 
 

When you insert an Effect in the tracks effect Bin, the signal will pass 100% through that effect. this is desirable for things like EQ and Compression. Normally we would not put things like reverb there. Reverb often needs to be shared by other tracks and it helps to keep your sound all in the same "room" by only using one instance.  
My guess is the difference you are hearing is the effect has some sort of EQ involved in the settings. Reverbs often do. This is for good reason when we don't want to process say, the lower frequencies. 

Dude, if you can't suss out how a send/return works, it doesn't matter what DAW you use. 
 
The obvious answer here is "use your ears". Keep dialing the send controls and the verb controls until you reach a sound you like. There's no perfect recipe for that stuff, it's totes subjective.
 

I always appreciate it when someone acknowledges pilot error instead of just disappearing from a thread they started. I think this kind of input is very helpful to those learning about computer-based recording.