The more you know

[Rims]

Why is the term for sending your track(s) to an fx track called an fx send and return? Where does the return come in?

[Goldreap]

Just means that the FX track (usually) returns to the master, thus merging with the original track (returning to it), yes?

[hopi]

for track sends it is not 'usually' called a return... but a 'receive'

internally to some FX plugins, often delays, you'll find a return slider or dial

[bucca]

indeed, sometimes terms (and discriptions) appear to be confusing.

regarding sends and returns, return may used to name a send different, just to know that something has happend.

some may take it differ, but that's the way i prefer.

i'd like to add that i prevent to think of i'm sending tracks or any kind of media items etc. i'm pined to think in signals. means, physically in current flows. that helps me a lot when it comes to the manipulating part. but that's just a personal thingy.

so, i send a signal to somewhere, do something with it and send the manipulated signal (return it) back to somewhere else. (e.g. ,as mentioned before, to the master out)

ofc, if no returns, sends are dead ends.

[Lokasenna]

Because in hardware you Send audio from a track out to your fancy gear and then connect the output to a Return.

[Rims]

That makes sense.