Dub techno's space comes from two shared sends: an overdriven reverb and a 100%-wet ping-pong echo

The spatial depth of dub techno lives on two shared send channels rather than per-track inserts. Send one is a reverb that is then overdriven slightly to add noise and texture to the wet signal. Send two is an Echo with ping-pong delays, set 100% wet with a decent amount of delay feedback and reverb, so routing any channel to it immediately makes it sound really wide. Elements such as hats and chords are sent to these buses to taste, and the send amounts are automated through the track. Concentrating the spatial processing on two buses lets the producer control the whole track’s depth from a couple of faders.

Examples

Ableton send A: Reverb → light Overdrive. Send B: Echo (ping-pong, 100% wet, high feedback, added reverb). Then feed hats and chords to both to taste.

Assessment

Sketch the routing for the 5-channel template including its two sends, and explain why the echo send runs 100% wet instead of mixing in dry signal.