How to Make Channel Strip Settings Include Sends
A channel strip is the core of your audio mixing process. It holds all the essential tools to shape and control the sound of your individual audio tracks. But sometimes, you need to send audio from your channel strip to other destinations like external effects processors or busses for further mixing. Here's how to include sends in your channel strip settings.
What are Sends?
Sends are a way to route audio from a channel strip to other locations without affecting the main output. Imagine it like a fork in the road: your audio signal keeps going to the main output, but a copy of it is also sent to another destination.
Why use sends?
- External effects: Send audio to an external effect processor, like a reverb unit or a delay pedal, for richer and more detailed sound.
- Bus mixing: Create sub-mixes by sending multiple channels to a common bus for more focused control.
- Parallel processing: Use sends to apply different effects to the same audio in parallel, like sending one copy of your vocal track to a reverb and another to a compressor.
- Creative routing: Experiment with different audio routing techniques to achieve unique sound effects.
Setting up Sends in Your Channel Strip
The process of adding sends to your channel strip might vary depending on your digital audio workstation (DAW). However, the core concepts remain the same:
- Identify the Send Section: Your DAW will have a dedicated section within the channel strip for managing sends. It might be labeled "Sends" or "Aux Sends" or similar.
- Create a New Send: In the send section, find an empty send slot and create a new send. You might need to click a "plus" button or use a drop-down menu.
- Name Your Send: Give your send a descriptive name so you can easily identify it later. This is helpful for managing multiple sends.
- Choose a Destination: Select the destination for your send. This could be a bus, an aux channel, or an external effect processor.
- Adjust the Send Level: Use the send level fader to control the volume of the audio being sent to the destination.
Here's an example using Ableton Live:
- Locate the Send Section: The send section is in the lower right corner of the channel strip.
- Add a Send: Click the "plus" button next to "Send A" to create a new send.
- Name Your Send: Click on the "Send A" name and type a descriptive name like "Reverb" or "Bus 1".
- Choose a Destination: Select the desired destination from the "Send A" dropdown menu.
- Adjust Send Level: Use the fader next to "Send A" to control the send level.
Tips for Using Sends Effectively
- Use Descriptive Names: Naming your sends clearly will make your workflow much smoother.
- Experiment with Different Destinations: Explore the various busses, aux channels, and external effects processors available in your DAW.
- Use the Solo Function: Soloing a send allows you to hear only the audio being sent to that destination, helping you to isolate and adjust specific effects.
- Automate Send Levels: Create automation curves to dynamically change the send level over time.
- Utilize Pre- and Post-Fader Sends: Pre-fader sends allow you to route audio to a destination before the channel's volume fader, making it ideal for effects like reverb, while post-fader sends route audio after the fader, which is useful for bus mixing or other parallel processing techniques.
Conclusion
Adding sends to your channel strip unlocks a world of creative possibilities. By understanding the basic concepts and applying these tips, you'll be well on your way to crafting richer, more dynamic, and interesting audio mixes. Remember to experiment and find the best strategies that work for your individual workflow and creative vision.