Here's a lame question from a total noob. I have recorded a few tracks in RB and have them pretty much where I want them. However, I'm mystified about what to do next. I would guess it has something to do with the send/return channels and the FX channels on the right side of the mixer screen. How do I use these and what are they for? Do I use them to accomplish the final mixdown and mastering?

I don’t use RB for mixing or mastering. However, the process would be similar. Once you have the tracks how you want them and the song arranged to suit what you are looking for you would start the process of mixing which entails things such as EQ, maybe Compression, setting volumes and panning. Usually an effect that is only used on one track would be added as an effect to the track. e.g. EQ.

Reverb or Delays you might want to set the same settings onto a number of tracks. In that case you might setup a different track with the desired effect. Say for example a reverb. Once you have the “reverb track” create a send from the tracks you would like to put the reverb on to the reverb track. This way you have the advantage of reducing CPU load and also a consistent reverb to the various tracks. You can edit the level of sends or returns as required.

That’s how I’d use them

Tony

First use the Render option to create a wav file.
Listen to it and see what you want to change.

As mentioned there are various ways to use the FX in RB, either on a track basis or in an AUX slot that you can then send multiple tracks to (in varying amounts) by using the AUX dials on each track in the mixer window.

If you have Mastering effects, put those in the A1 FX area in lower right of mixer, as these will be the last FX used on the way out of RB and be used on every track/AUX that makes it to the main output.

If it helps, I did a rough sketch of the audio flow in PT/RB many years ago (see below)

Old school. Still valid I think.
1. dynamics processors are track inserts
2. Effects processors use the effects loop.

Thank you so much for this diagram! I was a little like John F in that I was confused by the mixing window and the user manual did not make things particularly clear either. I've used ProTools First a little and found the mixing window more intuitive but I could not seem to translate that to what happens in RealBand. Your diagram really helped. I did have a question though. At the bottom of your diagram is the Main Output and Main Output Effects. Does this correspond to the panel at the bottom right of the mixing screen ie: the sliders marked A1-A16? If I have only one audio output (in my case an Avid First Track Solo) does the "final" output of the audio signal come from the A1 slider on that (A1-A16) panel? Thanks again for your help.

Yep, A1 is the final output if you have only one output port on your system.

In this scenario you may want to visit the Options - Preferences - Audio Tab and check the box for
'Unassigned output ports work as Subgroups' option.

Then you'll only see 'A1' in that area of the mixer and the rest become 'G' something (numerical numbering). This is a way to send desired tracks to a 'subgroup' that is inserted inline if additional audio output ports aren't needed or available.
This means any track that is routing to a 'Subgroup' goes to that 'G' channel strip before eventually being sent to the A1 output.
This gives the option of having subgroups you can control (ie point all drum tracks to subgroup 3 and gain the ability to turn all drum tracks up/down uniformly, or all guitars etc)
This is what I consider an Advanced User feature, so it may be beyond your need right now, but wanted to point it out.

But anyway, from your description, yes A1 is the final output in RB before being sent out and to the soundcard/interface or other software, since you only have 1 output port available.

Great!

Thanks for that. I had actually managed to workout the subgroups bit but your explanation was very helpful also.