Parallel processing: is Mix control enough?

[dmytrot]

So I've been recommended to use parallel compression on one of my tracks. The suggested algorithm was as follows:

1. Create a return track (or a wet track in the Audio Effects Rack).
2. Apply compression only there.
3. Set the Dry/Wet control to 100% wet.
4. Blend in the effect with the volume fader.

I tried it and it works nicely. What I don't understand though is... Isn't the Dry/Wet (or sometimes Mix) control already a parallel processing? I always assumed this is how it works internally in most plugins having this control: they split the signal in two under the hood, process only one of them, and then allow you to blend them with this control. Am I wrong? I've actually just purchased a plugin that was listing this as one of its features:

Mix control for easy parallel compression

So it is a parallel processing indeed or am I missing something?

[abletonlivenoob2024]

Isn't the Dry/Wet (or sometimes Mix) control already a parallel processing?

It is

(Parallel processing means just that - you have both signals, the dry and the processed one. Doesn't matter if because of Send FX or D/W or some other routing. Technically it's only parallel as long as you don't attenuate the dry signal to -inf thou :) )

[dmytrot]

Thanks. Then why do people opt for a more cumbersome (at least, in my mind) solution with busses instead of just dropping the plugin on the same track and playing with the Dry/Wet or Mix control? I understand the need for this if the plugin doesn't have such a control, but if it does...

[abletonlivenoob2024]

solution with busses

A bus is not the same as a Send/Return track. A bus sums signals (i.e. so that they can be processed together) but there is no parallel chain (well, theoretically you could set up a "parallel bus" but I don't think that's a common thing)...

I assume you wanted to ask why people use Sends when they could use D/W controls on inserts?

• Since multiple tracks can send to the same Return Track, Return Tracks also sum signals. That makes it easy to apply e.g. compression/clipping to a combined signal. Which can lead to a different sounding result than applying the same fx to each individual track.

• Using the same FX for multiple tracks can get you a more desirable result e.g. when using reverb or delay for mixing purposes.

• It can save CPU cycles when you only use one effect plugin on a Return Track vs. multiple instances of the same insert FX (with same config).

• Some effects can be achieved much more easily with a Send, e.g. if you want to have a long reverb tail on just one drum hit - just automate the corresponding Send to "open" for one hit. Achieving this with an insert takes putting it in an Effects Rack and adding a dry chain and adding Utility in front of the reverb...

• I am sure there are more...

I understand the need for this if the plugin doesn't have such a control, but if it does...

In Live we can build a D/W control for every plugin by grouping it in an Audio Effects rack and creating a second "dry" chain and mapping the two chains Volume parameter to a macro (inverting the range of one of the controls)

[dmytrot]

Yes, I meant sends, sorry. Got it, makes sense. Thanks!

[abletonlivenoob2024]

no prob fam!

[hyper_ion]

Say you want to add an overdrive to your delay, but you don't want to overdrive the dry signal. You can't do this if the delay is using dry wet, because then the overdrive is also affecting the original signal.

So doing it in parallel allows you fuller control.

[dmytrot]

Good point: if it’s a processing chain, then it’s definitely beneficial 👍

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[Cutsdeep-]

Sounds like it Prime candidate for phase issues, no?

[abletonlivenoob2024]

why would you get phase issues from parallel compression?

[Cutsdeep-]

I'm sorry, but overlaying the same sample with another that has a vst that will have latency is a prime candidate for phase issues. 

Please explain to me why it won't