Help me understand routing

I know the topic of sends and busses have been discussed but I can't find anything specific to get a solid understanding. So in logic (not sure about other daws) I see on a software instruments channel strip you can route the output to a buss, as well as the normal send effect knob. Is there any difference between using the send vs the output of a channel strip to create send effects?

There are some differences even though they are very similar.

 

The output routing is normally the main routing and occurs after panning and fader (volume), the entire channel strip.

A send routing is an additional routing with its own volume pot. In Logic you have the options to send the signal: pre fader, post fader, and post fader and pan.

 

We can cathegorize the different routings as linear and parallel.

The output routing is linear and is an extension of the channel strip while the send is adding an additional signal path in tandem.

 

Hope that helps.

Perhaps this will help you visualize the signal routing: Track & Audio Channelstrip Flow.

So if I have a typical reverb send setup is there ever any use to using the fader on the aux track as opposed to the send level amount?

So if I have a typical reverb send setup is there ever any use to using the fader on the aux track as opposed to the send level amount?

The send level amount determines how much of the signal of that specific channel strip reaches the input of the reverb plug-in.

The Aux fader adjusts the gain of the signal at the output of the reverb plugin.

 

For example, assuming you have a choir of 3 backup vocals sending to the same Aux, the send level knobs determines the amount of reverb for that specific vocal, while the fader on the Aux determines the overall amount of reverb for all 3 vocals.

After reading these post a few times I think I got it. Thank You guys for the clarification.

You're welcome!

You're most welcome X1!