Signal Path question: Insert FX vs Placing FX after an instrument or audio?

[tomusurp]

I understand Insert FX signal path depends on what you select in the SSL

What about if I'm putting FX by right-clicking for example an instrument and selecting an FX, at which then the output of instrument goes into FX input etc.

Does that altered sound become the source? Basically is it the source sound before the signal path of the SSL (dynamics, EQ, insert fx)

[huggermugger]

Yes. If you attach an effect directly to an instrument in the rack, they behave as a single sound source. But if you drop the effect into the Insert window, then it's inserted into the signal path according to the settings on the SSL.

[robussc]

I understand Insert FX signal path depends on what you select in the SSL

What about if I'm putting FX by right-clicking for example an instrument and selecting an FX, at which then the output of instrument goes into FX input etc.

Does that altered sound become the source? Basically is it the source sound before the signal path of the SSL (dynamics, EQ, insert fx)

Check the input section of the channel strip. There you can pick the processing order. See p. 453 for the details.

[selig]

I understand Insert FX signal path depends on what you select in the SSL

What about if I'm putting FX by right-clicking for example an instrument and selecting an FX, at which then the output of instrument goes into FX input etc.

Does that altered sound become the source? Basically is it the source sound before the signal path of the SSL (dynamics, EQ, insert fx)

Yes, exactly as if you had a hardware keyboard and FX pedal plugged into a tape machine, vs connecting the keyboard directly and inserting an effect on the console.
It’s really your choice/workflow. I often put an effect directly on the instrument if it HAS to be on the instrument, like with a synth that doesn’t have built in FX.
I alternatively put the FX in the insert if it’s a mix decision, meaning the FX may be altered depending on the mix (or who is mixing the track), or the FX has a non-zero chance of being changed or altered.
Think of it this way - if you were sending the track to a big name mixer to mix, and they asked for ‘essential FX ONLY’ on tracks, would you include it or not? That way, if you choose Bounce Mixer Channels without inserts/faders (ideal for exports for mixing), any FX directly connected to instruments ARE included, while any in the inserts are NOT included - make sense?

[crimsonwarlock]

I often put an effect directly on the instrument if it HAS to be on the instrument, like with a synth that doesn’t have built in FX.

Same here. FX that are part of the 'sound' I'm after, go directly after the instrument. I tend to reserve the inserts for the mixing stage.

[robussc]

I often put an effect directly on the instrument if it HAS to be on the instrument, like with a synth that doesn’t have built in FX.

Same here. FX that are part of the 'sound' I'm after, go directly after the instrument. I tend to reserve the inserts for the mixing stage.

Seems like a good use for a combi?

[crimsonwarlock]

Same here. FX that are part of the 'sound' I'm after, go directly after the instrument. I tend to reserve the inserts for the mixing stage.

Seems like a good use for a combi?

Only if I want to save that configuration as a preset, which I seldom do. Inside a project, I see no advantage of combining an instrument and its sound FX into a combi, especially as I'm using project templates with quite a bit of organization already.

[selig]

Seems like a good use for a combi?

Only if I want to save that configuration as a preset, which I seldom do. Inside a project, I see no advantage of combining an instrument and its sound FX into a combi, especially as I'm using project templates with quite a bit of organization already.

Plus, it won’t help if the instrument or the FX is already a Combi…

[robussc]

Only if I want to save that configuration as a preset, which I seldom do. Inside a project, I see no advantage of combining an instrument and its sound FX into a combi, especially as I'm using project templates with quite a bit of organization already.

Plus, it won’t help if the instrument or the FX is already a Combi…

Good point!