However, you can achieve it if you wish.
The trick is to create stable virtual bridges to establish the connections and use "inserts".
To create the virtual ports, the command is:
pactl load-module module-null-sink sink_name=TracksBridges sink_properties=device.description="TracksBridges" channels=20
You only need to add this to the "Startup Session" application in Ubuntu Studio.
This will ensure that these bridges are stable every time you start your session. This will allow you to save the connections in your sessions and templates, and they will connect automatically when you open them.
In other words, exactly what you requested.
Inserts are more cumbersome to manage than auxiliary sends, since you have to search for and connect inputs and outputs. Sends offer a convenient two-click menu without any searching.
However, it's also true that inserts are more versatile, as you can place the return at any point in the chain. With auxiliary sends, the return is always at the beginning of the chain.
P.S.
This same trick can also be used for the old and recently discussed request to use bus faders for mixing.
However, I prefer the comfort of auxiliary sends for this specific case.
P.S 2
I like being able to use faders on buses, but I don't like that the returns take up space or having to look at the connections window to manage the sends. The delay isn't a problem for me, because for parallel effects, a little delay is even beneficial, and for convergence in mixes, the delay doesn't affect the result.
Other DAWs recreate this functionality by creating a plugin interface below the mixer. I think the solution I came up with is better and fits Qtractor's philosophy better. You only have access to the controls of the plugins you need. I know this won't be implemented... but it would be useful for the user experience :).
The shortcuts are imprecise and don't show the value until you hover the mouse over them. In fact, their function for me isn't control, but rather a visual reminder that the real fader is there. I always end up having to open the plugin to control it.
Qtractor doesn't support this workflow.
However, you can achieve it if you wish.
The trick is to create stable virtual bridges to establish the connections and use "inserts".
To create the virtual ports, the command is:
pactl load-module module-null-sink sink_name=TracksBridges sink_properties=device.description="TracksBridges" channels=20
You only need to add this to the "Startup Session" application in Ubuntu Studio.
This will ensure that these bridges are stable every time you start your session. This will allow you to save the connections in your sessions and templates, and they will connect automatically when you open them.
In other words, exactly what you requested.
Inserts are more cumbersome to manage than auxiliary sends, since you have to search for and connect inputs and outputs. Sends offer a convenient two-click menu without any searching.
However, it's also true that inserts are more versatile, as you can place the return at any point in the chain. With auxiliary sends, the return is always at the beginning of the chain.
P.S.
This same trick can also be used for the old and recently discussed request to use bus faders for mixing.
However, I prefer the comfort of auxiliary sends for this specific case.
P.S 2
I like being able to use faders on buses, but I don't like that the returns take up space or having to look at the connections window to manage the sends. The delay isn't a problem for me, because for parallel effects, a little delay is even beneficial, and for convergence in mixes, the delay doesn't affect the result.
Other DAWs recreate this functionality by creating a plugin interface below the mixer. I think the solution I came up with is better and fits Qtractor's philosophy better. You only have access to the controls of the plugins you need. I know this won't be implemented... but it would be useful for the user experience :).
The shortcuts are imprecise and don't show the value until you hover the mouse over them. In fact, their function for me isn't control, but rather a visual reminder that the real fader is there. I always end up having to open the plugin to control it.