> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gridshift.studio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Return Tracks & Sends

> Route any sample or instrument track through one or more shared return buses with per-send level, pre/post-mix tap points, and an incoming-sends view on the return.

A **Return track** is a shared bus that other tracks feed through a **send**. Use returns to share a reverb, delay, or parallel compression across many tracks — load the effect once on the return, then dial in how much each source pushes into it.

## Add a return track

Press `⌘⌥⇧T` to add a return track. Returns also appear in the right-click menu of the Sidebar's empty area. New returns are inserted just above the **Master** bus and named `Return 1`, `Return 2`, … automatically. There is no limit on the number of returns.

Returns carry the same effects chain, mix controls (gain, pan, mid/side, mono-below), metering, and [signal history](/features/mix#signal-history--metering) as any other track. Load plugins on them through the [Plugin Strip](/features/plugin-strip) — including [sidechain](/features/sidechain) sources.

## Create a send

On any sample or instrument track, open the **Sends** section in the [Inspector](/features/inspector). One row appears per return in the project; rows are dimmed until they carry signal.

To create the send, drag the row's slider above 0. The send starts at **Post-Mix** by default. To remove a send, drag the slider back to 0 — there is no separate "Remove" button.

| Send row element    | Behavior                                  |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Return name (label) | Click to jump to the return track         |
| Slider              | 0 – 150 %, snaps at 100 % (unity)         |
| Percentage readout  | Live value, including automation playback |

Right-click a send row for:

* **Send Pre-Mix** / **Send Post-Mix** — choose the tap point (see below).
* **Automate Send Amount** — adds a new [automation lane](/features/automation) bound to the send level.
* **Go to Track** — selects the return in the Sidebar and reveals it in the Inspector.

## Pre-Mix vs Post-Mix

A send's **tap point** decides where in the source track's signal path the audio is picked up.

| Tap point              | Signal source                                                                                            |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Post-Mix** (default) | After the source track's fader, pan, mid/side, and clipper/limiter. The send level rides with the fader. |
| **Pre-Mix**            | Before any of the source track's mix stage. Send level is independent of the source fader.               |

Use Post-Mix for typical "more reverb on this track" routing. Use Pre-Mix when you want the wet path to stay alive while the dry source is faded down, or to drive a parallel processor at a fixed level regardless of the fader.

<Note>
  Muting the source does **not** silence its sends — the mute gate sits after both tap points. That's what makes soloing a Return a clean way to audition just the wet signal.
</Note>

## Incoming Sends on the return

Select a return track. Its Inspector adds an **Incoming Sends** section listing every track currently sending into it — one row per source, in track order.

The rows mirror the source side exactly:

* Slider with the same 0 – 150 % range and 100 % snap.
* Right-click for **Send Pre-Mix** / **Send Post-Mix**, **Automate Send Amount**, and **Go to Track** (jumps to the source).
* Drag to 0 to disconnect.

This means you can balance a return's input mix from the return itself, without bouncing between tracks. The section is hidden when nothing is feeding the return.

## What can send where

| Source track type | Can send to a return?              |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Sample**        | Yes                                |
| **Instrument**    | Yes                                |
| **Group**         | Not yet — coming in a later update |
| **Return**        | No (would form a routing cycle)    |

Gridshift checks for routing cycles every time you create or change a send; sends that would close a cycle are refused.

## Automation

"Automate Send Amount" from the right-click menu adds a new [automation lane](/features/automation) targeting the send level. The slider tracks the curve during playback. Automation lanes from either the source side or the return's incoming-sends side bind to the same underlying connection.

## Defaults and limits

| Property                 | Default / Range                                                                         |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Send level on first drag | Whatever value you drag to (no send exists at 0)                                        |
| Tap point on creation    | Post-Mix                                                                                |
| Send level range         | 0 – 150 % (0 = silence, 100 % = unity, 150 % = +3.5 dB boost)                           |
| Snap                     | 100 % (within a small radius around unity)                                              |
| Sends per source track   | Unlimited (one row per return in the project)                                           |
| Returns per project      | Unlimited                                                                               |
| Return clipping mode     | **Limit** by default — parallel sums run hot, so the return is protected out of the box |