Wet/dry balance

What it changes in the music

A wet signal contains the effect contribution; a dry signal preserves the original path. Insert effects often offer a blend control, while a send-and-return setup commonly keeps the dry source separate. The routing determines how levels combine and whether unwanted duplicated dry signal appears. Identify the topology before assuming that a percentage means the same balance across different devices.

A small experiment

Compare a source with no effect, then with a clearly audible effect and finally a more restrained blend. Listen to whether the original onset stays identifiable.

Keep this distinction clear

Wet/dry percentage is not a universal measure of perceived distance or effect strength. Processor gain, routing and source material also influence the result.

Related sound terms