Question on Bus [SOLVED]

[JCcares]

I notice that each time I load a logic instrument,for example the Suitcase EP,the effects added along with it opens up in different buses.I would like to know what is the advantage if using different buses for effects.Why not have everything on the same channel strip lie I always do?

Also I use reverb in most instrument channels.Is it ok to use reverb as a send effect instead of loading reverb on each channel? I thought I can save CPU by having just 1 reverb / delay & open up sends to each channel I need .

[ski]

Your approach to using reverb is just fine. Reverb is a prime candidate for approaching this way because when mixing, it's very common to want the same reverb on multiple sounds. Also, on the CPU front, reverbs tend to be more processor-intensive than other plugins such as EQ's or compressors. However, that shouldn't be taken as boilerplate, because some EQ's and compressors are quite processor intensive and can result in even more latency than a reverb.

 

There's another reason to bus signal to FX rather than to have them all in-line (as inserts) in a channel strip: maintaining a consistent level of your dry signal. Very often, inserting an effect right in a channel strip can cause an unwanted rise or drop in the overall level of the channel. But when you bus signal to an effect, your dry signal's level remains exactly as it was. Now, if the result of your bussing that signal to various effects results in an overall higher level for the part you can just lower the level on the track.

 

Finally... when you have signal bussed to effects separately, it's a hell of a lot easier to adjust the level of each individual effect than if you do everything in-line.

[David Nahmani]

I thought I can save CPU by having just 1 reverb / delay & open up sends to each channel I need .

You are exactly right in that thought. And that's one of the reasons you typically use busses and Auxes for reverbs.

 

Another one is that a reverb emulates a space. If you decide you want to change the character of the space you're using for your mix, you don't want to have 54 plug-ins to readjust. When using busses and Auxes, you have only one plug-in to readjust.

[JCcares]

Thanks for the awesome replies. I was under the impression that reverb sends work well only in the context of vocal tracks.