How to Use Send FX in Reason (The Right Way!)

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If you don’t already know how to use send fx in Reason, then this is the tutorial for you. But even if you’ve been using send fx in Reason for a long time, I guarantee I’ve got a better way of doing things.

This simple method involves creating mix channels for you send fx, and then bussing them to a send effects buss. You get tons of instant flexibility around eq, compression, ducking, stereo width, phase and volume, plus it can be much easier to manage.

I’ve mad this video on how to use send fx in Reason, for those of you that are visual learners.

So without further ado, let’s get into it.

How to use send fx in Reason

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that the whole set up is rather cumbersome and takes a few minutes to get ready. That’s why this routing is part of my default template that I load into every song.

You can download it for free here.

Reason allows a total of 8 send fx, so you’ll want to create 8 mix channels.

Then you’re going to route fx send 1 to the first mix channel, fx send 2 to the second mix channel, etc.

How to Route Send FX in Reason

Just the sends, not the returns

HOWEVER —- you do not use the effect returns anymore. Each mix channel outputs sound into the SSL console, so you do NOT need to setup fx returns.

From there, you can insert whatever send effects you like for each channel. Reverb, delay, distortion. Whatevs.

The send buttons and knobs still work for each channel. So in the example below, if you hit send button 1 on the Kong channel, it will send the Kong to the reverb that lives on the Reverb 1 mix channel. The green knob on the Kong channel will determine how much signal is sent to the reverb.

The send buttons and knobs still work

However, the send return knobs on the right NO LONGER work. Instead, you control the volume of each individual channel with their faders on the SSL mixer.

Why You Should Create Mix Channels for Your Send Effects

The benefits of using sends as mix channels are huge.

Instead of having to create unwieldy chains of effects, you can instantly tap into the SSL channels for:

EQ,
filters,
compressors,
noise gates, and
stereo width functions

If you wanted do use eq and compression using the traditional method of sends in Reason, you’d have to add separate eq and compression to each effect channel. Not only would that use more of the signal processing power, it also becomes an unwieldy clutter.

But wait. There’s more.

As the final step, I buss all of my send effects to a master effects bus. This lets me be able to mute all of the effects at the click of one button instead of having to turn each track off. It also lets me control the overall effect volume easily. Plus you can apply compression, eq, filters, etc.

Create a Bus for All of Your Send FX

Don’t forget to create a bus for all your send fx!

There you have it.

How to use send fx in Reason, the right way. I hope you’ve enjoyed this post. Let me know if you’ve got any suggestions for taking this to the next level!

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