New Insert Utility: Bus/Send/Return

[GreatRecordedRecords]

I’d like to see a Cubase integrated insert that allows a user to insert a bus/send/return module on their channel inserts.

This would allow a user to send a signal Post-Some-FX, and Pre-Others-FX.

For example:

Vocal Chain,

1. EQ
2. Compressor
3. De-Harshness
4. –Bus/Send Utility —> Reverb
5. –Bus/Send Utility —> Widen/Doubler+Return
6. Vocal Distortion

With this chain, a signal is set to a Reverb channel after EQ/Comp/DeHarsh but before distortion. No Return, Reverb is on a separate channel.

Widen/Doubler is sent after EQ/Comp/DeHarsh and Reverb but no reverb in the signal. The signal is returned to the chain to then be processed by 6. Vocal Distortion.

We get a clean vocal signal without distortion to the Reverb.

The only way to do this currently, is to create duplicate channels. That takes resources, more time, more difficult to manage having duplicate vocal channels.

The way this would work is, when you insert a Bus/Send/Return insert, it shows up in the Inputs/Outputs menus in Cubase as ‘Channel Name - Insert Bus #/Name’ (Allow users to name their insert buses)

Insert buses should have some self-contained utilities - Mute, phase flip, lowpass/highpass, input/output level, etc.

Thank you

edit

I see another user @raino suggested this back in 2015!

2 utility audio insert plug-ins

I’d like to see a couple of utilitarian insert plug-ins added A metering plug-in that basically looks like the control room regular and loudness meters. This would allow you to check what the signal looks like at various points along the signal path. A routing plug-in that would allow you to tap into the signal and send it elsewhere. Then you could do something like sending the signal from after a compressor but before another insert like maybe a chorus.

[OldOakStudio]

@GreatRecordedRecords

• EQ
• Compressor
• De-Harshness
• –Bus/Send Utility —> Reverb
• –Bus/Send Utility —> Widen/Doubler+Return
• Vocal Distortion

Could this not be achieved using pre/post inserts?

• EQ
• Compressor
• De-Harshness
• pre fader sends
• Post fader insert: Vocal Distortion

I know the gain into the post fader effect would be effected by the fader so it isn’t exactly the same, but possibly a workaround for now?

[GreatRecordedRecords]

@OldOakStudio

I know the gain into the post fader effect would be effected by the fader so it isn’t exactly the same, but possibly a workaround for now?

Exactly and no not a workaround. It in no way achieves the same things.

The goal is to send some of the processing in the reverb send, not to send the raw recording to the reverb while avoiding Distortion being send to Reverb.

One could duplicate the processing to the reverb channel before the reverb insert… but this is duplicated processing = system resources, less workflow, etc.

I’ve already employed all workarounds, the feature is to stop relying on them.

And alternate feature, would be to open up the Sends signal routing to the user, and let them select where each Send is in the signal chain. Perhaps there is room for both the Insert Bus utility, and opening up Sends topology to the user.

[OldOakStudio]

@GreatRecordedRecords

The goal is to send some of the processing in the reverb send, not to send the raw recording to the reverb while avoiding Distortion being send to Reverb.

That is what my suggestion accomplishes. Pre sends are not in the same section as pre-gain, phase, as found in the pre section. My understanding is that cubase sends functions as follows:

This is confirmed in Chris Selim’s Mixdown online video on signal flow.

As such, it should be a potential workaround. Perhaps I’m not fully understanding what you’re attempting to achieve.

[GreatRecordedRecords]

I mean a big problem is the fader Gain. That won’t work for example distortion.

It’s not a workaround for many case examples.

Another potential issues is, you might not want Post-Fader inserts going into Post-Fader sends.

And then Post-Fader sends will also still have the entire channel chain being sent no?