Have you ever run out of processing power trying to get a reverb on each of your tracks? This is a common problem if you put a reverb plug-in directly onto each track. Reverb is probably one of the most DSP hungry plug-ins you can run. The more efficient and professional way to use Reverbs, and other additive types of effects like delays, chorus, flangers, etc,, is to insert the additive effect onto a stereo Aux Input track. Then, create sends from each track that go to said aux track, and bring up the send levels from each individual track, adding as much effect as you like to each! So here is a quick guide how to create an Aux Track, insert a Reverb or other additive effect, and then effectively create sends to the Reverb!

Sends made simple:

1. Create a Stereo Aux Track
   
   
   
2. Insert a Reverb Plug-in on the 1st Insert
   
   
3. Assign Bus 1-2 as input to the Aux track.
   
   
   Tip 1: If you right+click on an input or output from your I/O or sends view, you can rename the input or output something more convenient like “Reverb Bus”.
   
   
4. Create a send to Bus 1-2 (renamed “Reverb Bus” in picture) on your vocal track.
   
   
   Tip 2: Changing the View of Sends A-E to Send A will allow you to see a mini send on each track as shown in the headline picture!
   
   
5. Bring up the level of the send until you hear enough reverb on your vocal.
   
   
   Tip 3: Repeat steps 2 and 3 on other tracks to get some reverb on them as well!

Creating sends to "Time-Based" or "Additive" effects will greatly improve the performance of your Pro Tools system, adding many new automated mixing techniques to be continued at a later time….

Happy mixing!

Mihai BoloniCreative Director & Avid Expert Pro Tools instructor

Mihai has made it his life's work to help others in the audio industry. Mihai gained experience as an audio engineering Full Sail Instructor in early 2000's and joined ProMedia in 2002. He is now regarded as one of Avid's leading and most experienced, in-demand Instructors and Pro Tools technical consultants for complex studio configurations. Corporate clients include MTV, PBS, NBC, Telemundo, The Voice's Chief Engineer Mike Bernard, Atlanta Public School System, countless professors from leading Universities, CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and the top producers, artists, and engineers in leading studios and record labels. For over 20 years, Mihai has continued to work as an Audio Engineer, Record Producer, Songwriter (ASCAP), Dog Lover, and Expert Level AVID Certified Pro Tools Instructor.