How Do I Set Up and Use Sends in Pro Tools?

What a Send Is

A send is a secondary output from a track that routes audio to another destination, typically an Aux track. Unlike the main output, sends allow you to:

• Add effects to multiple tracks simultaneously
• Blend effects without altering the dry signal
• Create parallel processing for creative sound shaping
• Maintain independent control over the effect level

Step 1: Create an Aux Track for the Send

1. Go to Track → New → Stereo Auxiliary Input.
2. Set the Input to the bus you’ll assign from the send.
3. Set the Output to your main outputs (or another destination if desired).

This Aux track will host your effects or receive audio from multiple sends.

Step 2: Assign a Send on a Track

1. Click a Send slot on the track you want to send.
2. Select an unused Bus to route the signal.
3. Adjust the send level (in dB) to control how much signal is sent.

Pro Tools offers pre-fader or post-fader options:

• Pre-fader: Send level independent of track fader
• Post-fader: Send level follows track fader changes

Step 3: Add Effects (Optional)

• Insert plugins on the Aux track receiving the send.
• Common effects include reverb, delay, chorus, or compression.
• Multiple tracks can send to the same Aux for shared processing.

This reduces CPU load and ensures consistent effects across tracks.

Step 4: Automate Send Levels

• Automate the send to create dynamic effects changes over time.
• Useful for adding reverb only on certain phrases, creating delays, or fading parallel compression.

Automation is applied on the send itself, not the track’s main fader.

Step 5: Tips for Using Sends

• Label sends clearly (e.g., “Vocal Reverb,” “Drum Parallel Comp”).
• Use pre-fader sends for effects you want to remain consistent during mix adjustments.
• Keep send levels moderate to avoid overloading the Aux track.
• Group sends to the same Aux for efficient workflow.
• Color-code Aux tracks for visual clarity in large sessions.

Artist vs Producer Perspective

• Artists experience consistent effects during monitoring without changing their main mix.
• Producers/Engineers have precise control over parallel processing, reverb blending, and submixing multiple tracks efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Sends are a powerful tool in Pro Tools for routing, effects processing, and parallel audio workflows. By mastering sends, you can achieve professional mixes with creative effects, improved CPU management, and full control over how individual tracks interact in the session.