Aux Send Calculator — Wet/Dry Ratio for Parallel Processing

Aux sends allow parallel processing — the dry signal remains untouched while the effect is blended in separately. This preserves transients and clarity. Multiple channels can share one effect, saving CPU. You can also adjust the wet/dry balance independently for each channel.

Yes, when using aux sends, the effect plugin should be set to 100% wet (no dry signal). The dry signal already comes through the channel fader. If the plugin passes dry signal as well, you get double the dry signal, which can cause phase issues.

Effective wet level (dB) = send level + return level + 20 × log10(effect mix % / 100). Note the effect mix is a percentage, so it is converted to dB with 20 × log10; at 100% wet that term is 0 dB. The wet/dry ratio is then the linear (voltage-amplitude) ratio of wet to dry: 10^(wet level / 20) ÷ 10^(dry level / 20). A −6 dB send with 0 dB return and 0 dB dry gives a wet/dry ratio of about 0.5:1 — equivalently 1:2, i.e. ~33% wet.

Start with the send at -10 to -6 dB below the channel level. This gives a subtle reverb that adds space without washing out the vocal. Increase for more ambient genres, decrease for upfront pop vocals. Always A/B with the effect bypassed to check the amount.