# Send fx chain?

**URL:** <https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/send-fx-chain/13816>\
**Category:** Using Zynthian\
**Tags:** audio-effects, vangelis\
**Created:** [October 31, 2026, 9:12am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/send-fx-chain/13816 "2026-10-31T09:12:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lumm](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/lumm/32/7230_2.png) [@Lumm](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Lumm)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 9:12am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/send-fx-chain/13816/1 "2026-10-31T09:12:20Z")

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Sorry, I assume this may be an absolute noob question but how can I use one dedicated FX chain (reverb, delay) for several instruments (instrument chains)? Like a send fx buss in my DAW for example?

Thanks for help

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**Author:** ![tunagenes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/tunagenes/32/7279_2.png) [@tunagenes](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/tunagenes)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 9:24am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/send-fx-chain/13816/2 "2026-10-31T09:24:46Z")

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I wish I could point to a more complete tutorial, but the closest I know of is this in the built in help:

> **[Zynthian Help](https://help.zynthian.org/chain_config.html)**
>
> Zynthian Help Pages

Hmmmm, I don’t know if the full link actually made it above, what I’m going for is:

help dot zynthian dot org slash chain\_config dot html

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**Author:** ![Aethermind](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/aethermind/32/9208_2.png) [@Aethermind](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Aethermind)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 9:55am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/send-fx-chain/13816/3 "2026-10-31T09:55:21Z")

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Hi @Lumm,

I have achieved, quite successfully, this desirable behaviour that saves considerable CPU resources, instancing new chains, from main view, as mix-busses equipped with the required FX processors.

Then, you need to send to the FX bus chains - normally visible in the mixer view on the right side, aside the main mixbus - the audio output (in the cascaded chain options view) of the instruments or audio sources that you want to address to those effects. Remember to also send the signal to the main mixbus, for the untreated audio component to be audible.

Be aware that, for the moment and AFAIK, there is no per-chain return ratio control, so for the moment the amount of FX treatment depends globally on the fader level of the FX-send bus chains (unless something has changed in the meantime and it slipped off my guard).

Best regards 🙂

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**Author:** ![riban](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/riban/32/2331_2.png) [@riban](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/riban)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 10:14am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/send-fx-chain/13816/4 "2026-10-31T10:14:25Z")

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Effects send and return is now fully implemented in vangelis, removing the odd workflows needed before.

- For each effects chain, add an “Mixbus” chain. This is an audio processing chain that can have as many serial and parallel audio effects as you wish and by default, feeds the main output.
- All (non-mixbus) chains will have a set of effects send controls added to its mixer processor:
  - send level - the amount that this chain contributes to the effects chain
  - send mode - whether this effects send is pre-fader or post-fader

So we now have a very familiar (to sound engineers) effects send and return mechanism. This is just like a standard mixing desk, except the quantity of sends and returns is dynamic. By default the mixbus chains appear pinned to the right of the display but you may pin / unpin any chain by moving (or dragging) left / right.

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**Author:** ![Aethermind](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/aethermind/32/9208_2.png) [@Aethermind](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Aethermind)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 11:19am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/send-fx-chain/13816/5 "2026-10-31T11:19:15Z")

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Didn’t realise it was already there and fully implemented with sends-returns. Excellent! 🚀

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**Author:** ![Lumm](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/lumm/32/7230_2.png) [@Lumm](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/Lumm)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 11:19am UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/send-fx-chain/13816/6 "2026-10-31T11:19:45Z")

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Thanks so much for the timely help. Maybe I was searching wrong (wrong key words) or I am still a little to ill at the moment (another late Corona variant hit me) which makes my brain works half power.

The mixbus with fx send feature is definitely a crucial feature for having fun with Zynthian. And of course, as said, it saves much computing power (one fx chain for many instruments). Again thanks to the amazing developers.

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**Author:** ![riban](https://discourse.zynthian.org/user_avatar/discourse.zynthian.org/riban/32/2331_2.png) [@riban](https://discourse.zynthian.org/u/riban)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2026, 12:20pm UTC](https://discourse.zynthian.org/t/send-fx-chain/13816/7 "2026-10-31T12:20:58Z")

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You can also use this for creating groups, monitor mixes, etc. because it is a chain so it’s outputs can be routed as desired. The old method of routing chains to other chains remains available. I am glad others like this and appreciate it as I do.