CCD.SCHOOL
0xp
Mixing & Routing
Mission 29 · World 5

Sends & Returns

Share effects. Save CPU.

Send a little signal. Get a lot of cohesion.

+70 XP🏅 Send It

// WHAT IT DOES

A Send routes a copy of a track's audio to a Return track. The Return holds an effect (e.g. reverb).

Multiple tracks send to the same return → all share the same reverb → mix sounds glued.

Think of it like → Like everyone in a band sharing one church hall to sing in. Same space, instant glue.
▸ WHY YOU CARE
  • Save CPU (one reverb instead of ten).
  • Cohesion (everything in the same room).

// SEE & HEAR IT

DRUMS
VOX
PAD
⤴ RETURN A — REVERB · One device, three tracks share it.

▶ Push a track's send up to drown it in the same reverb. Cleaner than putting Reverb on every track — and one knob changes the whole space.

▸ HOW IT WORKS

Track signal → tap (pre/post) → send knob attenuates → mixed at the Return input → Return processes → sums to Master.

▸ Signal flow — watch the dot
▸ SIGNAL FLOW
TrackINPUTSendPROCESSReturnGAINReverb/DelaySENDMasterOUT
Glowing dot = your signal travelling through Live.
▸ LISTEN FOR
  • Reverb feels coherent across tracks.
  • Pre-fader sends keep level when fader drops to 0.
▸ WALKTHROUGH (3 steps)
  1. 1. DO: Create a Return (Cmd/Ctrl+Alt+T). Drop Reverb on it.
    ▸ LISTEN: Silent until something is sent.
  2. 2. DO: On any track, raise Send A.
    ▸ LISTEN: Reverb tail appears under that track.
  3. 3. DO: Send another track too.
    ▸ LISTEN: Both tracks share the same room.
▸ COMMON MISTAKES
  • Inserting reverb on every track instead of using sends.
  • Pre-fader sends accidentally creating cue mixes you didn't want.

// QUIZ (QUICK)

Question 1 / 30 correct
Pre-fader send is independent of…
🎧 Headphones recommended — click to enable audio (each device & sim has its own ▶ play button)