Can SoundID Voice AI be used as a send effect in mixing?

Yes, SoundID Voice AI can absolutely be used as a send effect in mixing. This AI-powered vocal processing plugin works effectively in both insert and send configurations, with send routing offering unique advantages for parallel processing, blend control, and creative vocal enhancement techniques. Using it as a send effect allows you to maintain your original vocal signal while adding processed elements through auxiliary channels.

What is the difference between using SoundID Voice AI as an insert versus a send effect?

The fundamental difference lies in how your audio signal flows through the processing chain. When you use SoundID Voice AI as an insert effect, the entire vocal signal passes through the plugin, completely replacing the original sound with the processed version. This direct routing method works well when you want full transformation of your vocal track.

With send effect routing, your original vocal remains untouched on its main channel whilst a copy of the signal gets sent to an auxiliary track containing SoundID Voice AI. This parallel processing approach lets you blend the dry and processed signals to taste, giving you much more control over the final sound.

Insert effects process 100% of your signal, making them ideal for corrective processing or when you want complete voice transformation. Send effects excel at creative enhancement, allowing you to add processed elements whilst preserving the character of your original recording. This flexibility proves particularly valuable when working with the extensive voice and instrument preset library that SoundID Voice AI offers.

How do you set up SoundID Voice AI as a send effect in your DAW?

Setting up SoundID Voice AI as a send effect follows a similar process across most DAWs, though the specific steps vary slightly. Here’s the general workflow that works in Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, Ableton Live, and other major DAWs.

First, create a new auxiliary or return track in your DAW. Load SoundID Voice AI onto this auxiliary track as an insert effect. Set the plugin’s wet/dry mix to 100% wet, since you’ll be controlling the blend using your DAW’s send controls rather than the plugin’s internal mixing.

On your vocal track, locate the sends section and create a send to the auxiliary track containing SoundID Voice AI. Start with the send level at around -12dB to -6dB, then adjust to taste. Most DAWs allow you to set the send as either pre-fader or post-fader – post-fader is typically preferred as it maintains the relationship between your main vocal level and the processed signal.

Configure your auxiliary track’s output to route to your main mix bus. Now you can control the processed signal level using both the send amount and the auxiliary track’s fader, giving you precise control over the blend between your original vocal and the AI-processed version.

What are the creative benefits of using SoundID Voice AI on a send bus?

Send bus routing unlocks numerous creative mixing possibilities that aren’t available with insert processing. The most significant advantage is parallel processing, where you can blend multiple processed versions of your vocal with the original signal, creating rich, layered textures.

You can set up multiple send buses, each with different SoundID Voice AI presets, to create complex vocal arrangements from a single performance. For instance, send your lead vocal to one auxiliary with a warm adult voice preset and another with a bright backing vocal preset, then blend these processed signals with your original vocal for instant harmonies.

The blend control offered by send routing proves invaluable for subtle voice enhancement. Rather than completely transforming your vocal, you can add just a touch of processed signal to enhance certain characteristics whilst maintaining the singer’s natural tone. This technique works particularly well for thickening vocals or adding presence without losing authenticity.

Send effects also enable dynamic processing control. You can automate send levels throughout your song, bringing in processed elements during choruses for extra impact or reducing them during verses for intimacy. This dynamic approach creates more engaging vocal productions than static insert processing.

How does send effect routing affect SoundID Voice AI’s processing quality?

Send effect routing maintains the same processing quality as insert usage, since the AI algorithms receive the same audio signal regardless of routing method. The plugin processes audio identically whether it’s receiving signal through an insert or an auxiliary send, so you won’t experience any degradation in the AI voice transformation quality.

However, signal integrity considerations become more important with send routing. Ensure your send levels don’t cause clipping at the auxiliary input, as this can negatively impact the AI processing. SoundID Voice AI performs best with clean, well-recorded source material, so maintain proper gain staging throughout your send chain.

Latency considerations remain minimal with send routing, as the plugin’s processing time stays consistent regardless of how you route the signal. Most modern DAWs automatically compensate for plugin latency, keeping your processed and dry signals in phase. If you notice phase issues, check your DAW’s automatic delay compensation settings.

The key advantage of send routing for processing quality is that it preserves your original vocal as a reference point. You can easily A/B between the dry and processed versions, making it easier to fine-tune the AI settings and blend ratios for optimal results. This flexibility often leads to better overall vocal sounds than insert-only processing.

Whether you choose insert or send routing, SoundID Voice AI delivers professional-quality vocal processing that’s helped countless producers create compelling music. At Sonarworks, we’ve designed the plugin to work seamlessly in any routing configuration, giving you the creative freedom to explore new sonic possibilities in your productions.