diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/gain_meter.cc b/gtk2_ardour/gain_meter.cc
index f06597253c..597e2a2fbe 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/gain_meter.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/gain_meter.cc
@@ -165,7 +165,13 @@ GainMeterBase::set_io (boost::shared_ptr<IO> io)
 	
  	_io = io;
 	
- 	level_meter->set_meter (_io->peak_meter());
+	if (!_io) {
+		level_meter->set_meter (0);
+		gain_slider->set_controllable (boost::shared_ptr<PBD::Controllable>());
+		return;
+	} 
+
+ 	level_meter->set_meter (&_io->peak_meter());
  	gain_slider->set_controllable (_io->gain_control());
 
 	boost::shared_ptr<Route> r;
@@ -836,6 +842,14 @@ GainMeter::set_io (boost::shared_ptr<IO> io)
 		if (!r->is_hidden()) {
 			fader_vbox->pack_start (gain_automation_state_button, false, false, 0);
 		}
+
+	} else {
+
+		/* we're managing a non-Route IO (e.g. Send) */
+
+		gain_display_box.pack_end (peak_display, true, true);
+		hbox.pack_end (*level_meter, true, true);
+		fader_vbox->pack_start (gain_automation_state_button, false, false, 0);
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/level_meter.cc b/gtk2_ardour/level_meter.cc
index 1f6cecb74d..f6d41c3312 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/level_meter.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/level_meter.cc
@@ -80,12 +80,14 @@ LevelMeter::~LevelMeter ()
 }
 
 void
-LevelMeter::set_meter (PeakMeter& meter)
+LevelMeter::set_meter (PeakMeter* meter)
 {
 	_configuration_connection.disconnect();
-	_meter = &meter;
-	_configuration_connection = _meter->ConfigurationChanged.connect(
+	_meter = meter;
+	if (_meter) {
+		_configuration_connection = _meter->ConfigurationChanged.connect(
 			mem_fun(*this, &LevelMeter::configuration_changed));
+	}
 }
 
 float
@@ -94,6 +96,10 @@ LevelMeter::update_meters ()
 	vector<MeterInfo>::iterator i;
 	uint32_t n;
 	float peak, mpeak;
+
+	if (!_meter) {
+		return 0.0f;
+	}
 	
 	for (n = 0, i = meters.begin(); i != meters.end(); ++i, ++n) {
 		if ((*i).packed) {
@@ -149,8 +155,10 @@ LevelMeter::hide_all_meters ()
 void
 LevelMeter::setup_meters (int len, int initial_width)
 {
+	hide_all_meters ();
+
  	if (!_meter) {
- 		return; /* do it later */
+ 		return; /* do it later or never */
  	}
  
 	int32_t nmidi = _meter->input_streams().n_midi();
@@ -160,8 +168,6 @@ LevelMeter::setup_meters (int len, int initial_width)
 
 	guint16 width;
 
-	hide_all_meters ();
-
 	if (nmeters == 0) {
 		return;
 	}
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/level_meter.h b/gtk2_ardour/level_meter.h
index 100ce21353..a2bbd5f4a1 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/level_meter.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/level_meter.h
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class LevelMeter : public Gtk::HBox
 	LevelMeter (ARDOUR::Session&);
 	~LevelMeter ();
 
-	virtual void set_meter (ARDOUR::PeakMeter& meter);
+	virtual void set_meter (ARDOUR::PeakMeter* meter);
 
 	void update_gain_sensitive ();
 
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc
index 8a00eb88a2..5a8442dc44 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.cc
@@ -67,6 +67,8 @@ using namespace Gtk;
 using namespace Gtkmm2ext;
 using namespace std;
 
+sigc::signal<void,boost::shared_ptr<Route> > MixerStrip::SwitchIO;
+
 int MixerStrip::scrollbar_height = 0;
 
 #ifdef VARISPEED_IN_MIXER_STRIP
@@ -88,8 +90,8 @@ MixerStrip::MixerStrip (Mixer_UI& mx, Session& sess, bool in_mixer)
 	, RouteUI (sess, _("Mute"), _("Solo"), _("Record"))
 	,_mixer(mx)
 	, _mixer_owned (in_mixer)
- 	, pre_processor_box (PreFader, sess, mx.plugin_selector(), mx.selection(), in_mixer)
-	, post_processor_box (PostFader, sess, mx.plugin_selector(), mx.selection(), in_mixer)
+ 	, pre_processor_box (PreFader, sess, mx.plugin_selector(), mx.selection(), this, in_mixer)
+	, post_processor_box (PostFader, sess, mx.plugin_selector(), mx.selection(), this, in_mixer)
 	, gpm (sess)
 	, panners (sess)
 	, button_table (3, 2)
@@ -117,8 +119,8 @@ MixerStrip::MixerStrip (Mixer_UI& mx, Session& sess, boost::shared_ptr<Route> rt
 	, RouteUI (sess, _("Mute"), _("Solo"), _("Record"))
 	,_mixer(mx)
 	, _mixer_owned (in_mixer)
- 	, pre_processor_box (PreFader, sess, mx.plugin_selector(), mx.selection(), in_mixer)
-	, post_processor_box (PostFader, sess, mx.plugin_selector(), mx.selection(), in_mixer)
+ 	, pre_processor_box (PreFader, sess, mx.plugin_selector(), mx.selection(), this, in_mixer)
+	, post_processor_box (PostFader, sess, mx.plugin_selector(), mx.selection(), this, in_mixer)
 	, gpm (sess)
 	, panners (sess)
 	, button_table (3, 2)
@@ -290,6 +292,12 @@ MixerStrip::init ()
 	rec_enable_button->signal_button_press_event().connect (mem_fun(*this, &RouteUI::rec_enable_press), false);
 	rec_enable_button->signal_button_release_event().connect (mem_fun(*this, &RouteUI::rec_enable_release));
 
+	/* ditto for this button and busses */
+
+	show_sends_button->set_name ("MixerRecordEnableButton");
+	show_sends_button->signal_button_press_event().connect (mem_fun(*this, &RouteUI::show_sends_press), false);
+	show_sends_button->signal_button_release_event().connect (mem_fun(*this, &RouteUI::show_sends_release));
+
 	name_button.signal_button_press_event().connect (mem_fun(*this, &MixerStrip::name_button_button_press), false);
 	group_button.signal_button_press_event().connect (mem_fun(*this, &MixerStrip::select_mix_group), false);
 
@@ -309,6 +317,9 @@ MixerStrip::init ()
 		set_name ("AudioTrackStripBase");
 
 	add_events (Gdk::BUTTON_RELEASE_MASK);
+
+	SwitchIO.connect (mem_fun (*this, &MixerStrip::switch_io));
+	
 }
 
 MixerStrip::~MixerStrip ()
@@ -326,6 +337,10 @@ MixerStrip::set_route (boost::shared_ptr<Route> rt)
 		button_table.remove (*rec_enable_button);
 	}
 
+	if (show_sends_button->get_parent()) {
+		button_table.remove (*show_sends_button);
+	}
+
 #ifdef VARISPEED_IN_MIXER_STRIP
 	if (speed_frame->get_parent()) {
 		button_table.remove (*speed_frame);
@@ -384,6 +399,12 @@ MixerStrip::set_route (boost::shared_ptr<Route> rt)
 
 		button_table.attach (*rec_enable_button, 0, 2, 2, 3);
 		rec_enable_button->show();
+
+	} else if (!is_track()) {
+		/* bus */
+
+		button_table.attach (*show_sends_button, 0, 2, 2, 3);
+		show_sends_button->show();
 	}
 
 	if (_route->phase_invert()) {
@@ -562,6 +583,9 @@ MixerStrip::set_width (Width w, void* owner)
 		if (rec_enable_button)  {
 			((Gtk::Label*)rec_enable_button->get_child())->set_text (_("Record"));
 		}
+		if (show_sends_button)  {
+			((Gtk::Label*)show_sends_button->get_child())->set_text (_("Sends"));
+		}
 		((Gtk::Label*)mute_button->get_child())->set_text  (_("Mute"));
 		((Gtk::Label*)solo_button->get_child())->set_text (_("Solo"));
 
@@ -593,6 +617,9 @@ MixerStrip::set_width (Width w, void* owner)
 		if (rec_enable_button) {
 			((Gtk::Label*)rec_enable_button->get_child())->set_text (_("Rec"));
 		}
+		if (show_sends_button) {
+			((Gtk::Label*)show_sends_button->get_child())->set_text (_("Snd"));
+		}
 		((Gtk::Label*)mute_button->get_child())->set_text (_("M"));
 		((Gtk::Label*)solo_button->get_child())->set_text (_("S"));
 
@@ -1462,3 +1489,24 @@ MixerStrip::meter_changed (void *src)
 	set_width(_width, this);
 }
 
+void
+MixerStrip::switch_io (boost::shared_ptr<Route> target)
+{
+	boost::shared_ptr<IO> to_display;
+
+	if (_route == target) {
+		/* don't change the display for the target */
+		return;
+	}
+
+	if (!target) {
+		to_display = _route;
+	} else {
+		to_display = _route->send_io_for (target);
+	}
+	
+	gain_meter().set_io (to_display);
+	gain_meter().setup_meters ();
+	panner_ui().set_io (to_display);
+	panner_ui().setup_pan ();
+}
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.h b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.h
index e2fa2e52d5..958bfc9422 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/mixer_strip.h
@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ class MixerStrip : public RouteUI, public Gtk::EventBox
 	Width get_width() const { return _width; }
 	void* width_owner() const { return _width_owner; }
 
+	GainMeter& gain_meter() { return gpm; }
+	PannerUI&  panner_ui()  { return panners; }
+
 	void fast_update ();
 	void set_embedded (bool);
 	
@@ -98,6 +101,8 @@ class MixerStrip : public RouteUI, public Gtk::EventBox
 	sigc::signal<void>      WidthChanged;
 #endif
 
+	static sigc::signal<void,boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route> > SwitchIO;
+
   protected:
 	friend class Mixer_UI;
 	void set_packed (bool yn);
@@ -257,6 +262,8 @@ class MixerStrip : public RouteUI, public Gtk::EventBox
 	void engine_running();
 	void engine_stopped();
 
+	void switch_io (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route>);
+
 	static int scrollbar_height;
 };
 
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/panner_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/panner_ui.cc
index c8c933348b..3ffec0ab05 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/panner_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/panner_ui.cc
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ PannerUI::PannerUI (Session& s)
 void
 PannerUI::set_io (boost::shared_ptr<IO> io)
 {
-	if (!io->panner()) {
+	if (io && !io->panner()) {
 		cerr << "PannerUI::set_io IO has no panners" << endl;
 		return;
 	}
@@ -148,15 +148,16 @@ PannerUI::set_io (boost::shared_ptr<IO> io)
  			
  	_io = io;
  
- 	connections.push_back (_io->panner()->Changed.connect (
-			mem_fun(*this, &PannerUI::panner_changed)));
- 	connections.push_back (_io->panner()->LinkStateChanged.connect (
-			mem_fun(*this, &PannerUI::update_pan_linkage)));
- 	connections.push_back (_io->panner()->StateChanged.connect (
-			mem_fun(*this, &PannerUI::update_pan_state)));
- 
 	delete panner;
 	panner = 0;
+
+	if (!_io) {
+		return;
+	}
+ 
+ 	connections.push_back (_io->panner()->Changed.connect (mem_fun(*this, &PannerUI::panner_changed)));
+ 	connections.push_back (_io->panner()->LinkStateChanged.connect (mem_fun(*this, &PannerUI::update_pan_linkage)));
+ 	connections.push_back (_io->panner()->StateChanged.connect (mem_fun(*this, &PannerUI::update_pan_state)));
  
 	setup_pan ();
 
@@ -338,7 +339,7 @@ PannerUI::update_pan_state ()
 void
 PannerUI::setup_pan ()
 {
-	if (!_io->panner()) {
+	if (!_io || !_io->panner()) {
 		return;
 	}
 
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/processor_box.cc b/gtk2_ardour/processor_box.cc
index 027d9df51e..f850582fec 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/processor_box.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/processor_box.cc
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@
 #include "io_selector.h"
 #include "keyboard.h"
 #include "mixer_ui.h"
+#include "mixer_strip.h"
 #include "plugin_selector.h"
 #include "plugin_ui.h"
 #include "processor_box.h"
@@ -89,8 +90,9 @@ Gdk::Color* ProcessorBox::active_processor_color;
 Gdk::Color* ProcessorBox::inactive_processor_color;
 
 ProcessorBox::ProcessorBox (Placement pcmnt, Session& sess, PluginSelector &plugsel,
-			    RouteRedirectSelection & rsel, bool owner_is_mixer)
+			    RouteRedirectSelection & rsel, MixerStrip* parent, bool owner_is_mixer)
 	: _session(sess)
+	, _parent_strip (parent)
 	, _owner_is_mixer (owner_is_mixer)
 	, _placement(pcmnt)
 	, _plugin_selector(plugsel)
@@ -1193,12 +1195,10 @@ ProcessorBox::edit_processor (boost::shared_ptr<Processor> processor)
 			return;
 		}
 
-		boost::shared_ptr<Send> send = boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<Send> (processor);
-
+#ifdef OLD_SEND_EDITING
 		SendUIWindow *send_ui;
 
 		if (send->get_gui() == 0) {
-
 			send_ui = new SendUIWindow (send, _session);
 
 			WindowTitle title(Glib::get_application_name());
@@ -1212,6 +1212,12 @@ ProcessorBox::edit_processor (boost::shared_ptr<Processor> processor)
 		}
 
 		gidget = send_ui;
+#else
+		if (_parent_strip) {
+			_parent_strip->gain_meter().set_io (send->io());
+			_parent_strip->panner_ui().set_io (send->io());
+		}
+#endif
 	
 	} else if ((retrn = boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<Return> (processor)) != 0) {
 
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/processor_box.h b/gtk2_ardour/processor_box.h
index a003ed8c5d..d53d05fe23 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/processor_box.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/processor_box.h
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ class MotionController;
 class PluginSelector;
 class PluginUIWindow;
 class RouteRedirectSelection;
+class MixerStrip;
 
 namespace ARDOUR {
 	class Connection;
@@ -68,7 +69,7 @@ namespace ARDOUR {
 class ProcessorBox : public Gtk::HBox, public PluginInterestedObject
 {
   public:
-	ProcessorBox (ARDOUR::Placement, ARDOUR::Session&, PluginSelector &, RouteRedirectSelection &, bool owner_is_mixer = false);
+	ProcessorBox (ARDOUR::Placement, ARDOUR::Session&, PluginSelector &, RouteRedirectSelection &, MixerStrip* parent, bool owner_is_mixer = false);
 	~ProcessorBox ();
 
 	void set_route (boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route>);
@@ -90,6 +91,7 @@ class ProcessorBox : public Gtk::HBox, public PluginInterestedObject
   private:
 	boost::shared_ptr<ARDOUR::Route>  _route;
 	ARDOUR::Session &   _session;
+	MixerStrip*         _parent_strip; // null if in RouteParamsUI
 	bool                _owner_is_mixer;
 	bool                 ab_direction;
 	std::vector<sigc::connection> connections;
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/route_params_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/route_params_ui.cc
index 33a99f6955..5c709d80bf 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/route_params_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/route_params_ui.cc
@@ -231,8 +231,8 @@ RouteParams_UI::setup_processor_boxes()
 		cleanup_processor_boxes();
 		
 		// construct new redirect boxes
- 		pre_insert_box = new ProcessorBox(PreFader, *session, *_plugin_selector, _rr_selection);
- 		post_insert_box = new ProcessorBox(PostFader, *session, *_plugin_selector, _rr_selection);
+ 		pre_insert_box = new ProcessorBox(PreFader, *session, *_plugin_selector, _rr_selection, 0);
+ 		post_insert_box = new ProcessorBox(PostFader, *session, *_plugin_selector, _rr_selection, 0);
   
  		pre_insert_box->set_route (_route);
  		post_insert_box->set_route (_route);
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/route_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/route_ui.cc
index 40d0ae8da5..d050bc97fe 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/route_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/route_ui.cc
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@
 #include "gui_thread.h"
 #include "ardour_dialog.h"
 #include "latency_gui.h"
+#include "mixer_strip.h"
 #include "automation_time_axis.h"
 
 #include "ardour/route.h"
@@ -84,6 +85,7 @@ RouteUI::~RouteUI()
 	delete solo_menu;
 	delete mute_menu;
 	delete remote_control_menu;
+	delete sends_menu;
 }
 
 void
@@ -94,6 +96,7 @@ RouteUI::init ()
 	mute_menu = 0;
 	solo_menu = 0;
 	remote_control_menu = 0;
+	sends_menu = 0;
 	ignore_toggle = false;
 	wait_for_release = false;
 	route_active_menu_item = 0;
@@ -118,6 +121,11 @@ RouteUI::init ()
 	rec_enable_button->set_self_managed (true);
 	UI::instance()->set_tip (rec_enable_button, _("Enable recording on this track"), "");
 
+	show_sends_button = manage (new BindableToggleButton (""));
+	show_sends_button->set_name ("ShowSendsButton");
+	show_sends_button->set_self_managed (true);
+	UI::instance()->set_tip (show_sends_button, _("make mixer strips show sends to this bus"), "");
+
 	_session.SoloChanged.connect (mem_fun(*this, &RouteUI::solo_changed_so_update_mute));
 }
 
@@ -497,6 +505,83 @@ RouteUI::rec_enable_release (GdkEventButton* ev)
 	return true;
 }
 
+void
+RouteUI::build_sends_menu ()
+{
+	using namespace Menu_Helpers;
+	
+	sends_menu = new Menu;
+	sends_menu->set_name ("ArdourContextMenu");
+	MenuList& items = sends_menu->items();
+	
+	items.push_back (MenuElem(_("Copy track gains to sends"), mem_fun (*this, &RouteUI::set_sends_gain_from_track)));
+	items.push_back (MenuElem(_("Set sends gain to -inf"), mem_fun (*this, &RouteUI::set_sends_gain_to_zero)));
+	items.push_back (MenuElem(_("Set sends gain to 0dB"), mem_fun (*this, &RouteUI::set_sends_gain_to_unity)));
+}
+
+void
+RouteUI::set_sends_gain_from_track ()
+{
+}
+
+void
+RouteUI::set_sends_gain_to_zero ()
+{
+}
+
+void
+RouteUI::set_sends_gain_to_unity ()
+{
+}
+
+bool
+RouteUI::show_sends_press(GdkEventButton* ev)
+{
+	if (ev->type == GDK_2BUTTON_PRESS || ev->type == GDK_3BUTTON_PRESS ) {
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	if (!ignore_toggle && !is_track() && show_sends_button) {
+
+		if (Keyboard::is_button2_event (ev) && Keyboard::modifier_state_equals (ev->state, Keyboard::PrimaryModifier)) {
+
+			// do nothing on midi bind event
+			return false;
+
+		} else if (Keyboard::is_context_menu_event (ev)) {
+
+			if (sends_menu == 0) {
+				build_sends_menu ();
+			}
+
+			sends_menu->popup (0, ev->time);
+
+		} else {
+
+			/* change button state */
+
+			show_sends_button->set_active (!show_sends_button->get_active());
+
+			if (show_sends_button->get_active()) {
+				/* show sends to this bus */
+				MixerStrip::SwitchIO (_route);
+			} else {
+				/* everybody back to normal */
+				MixerStrip::SwitchIO (boost::shared_ptr<Route>());
+			}
+
+		}
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
+bool
+RouteUI::show_sends_release (GdkEventButton* ev)
+{
+	return true;
+}
+
 void
 RouteUI::solo_changed(void* src)
 {
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/route_ui.h b/gtk2_ardour/route_ui.h
index 4ec6fd3ce8..5a1933997d 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/route_ui.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/route_ui.h
@@ -81,7 +81,8 @@ class RouteUI : public virtual AxisView
 
 	BindableToggleButton* mute_button;
 	BindableToggleButton* solo_button;
-	BindableToggleButton* rec_enable_button;
+	BindableToggleButton* rec_enable_button; /* audio tracks */
+	BindableToggleButton* show_sends_button; /* busses */
 	
 	virtual std::string solo_button_name () const { return "SoloButton"; }
 	virtual std::string safe_solo_button_name () const { return "SafeSoloButton"; }
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ class RouteUI : public virtual AxisView
 	Gtk::Menu* mute_menu;
 	Gtk::Menu* solo_menu;
 	Gtk::Menu* remote_control_menu;
+	Gtk::Menu* sends_menu;
 
 	XMLNode *xml_node;
 	void ensure_xml_node ();
@@ -101,6 +103,13 @@ class RouteUI : public virtual AxisView
 	bool solo_release(GdkEventButton*);
 	bool rec_enable_press(GdkEventButton*);
 	bool rec_enable_release(GdkEventButton*);
+	bool show_sends_press(GdkEventButton*);
+	bool show_sends_release(GdkEventButton*);
+
+	void build_sends_menu ();
+	void set_sends_gain_from_track ();
+	void set_sends_gain_to_zero ();
+	void set_sends_gain_to_unity ();
 
 	void solo_changed(void*);
 	void solo_changed_so_update_mute ();
diff --git a/libs/ardour/ardour/io.h b/libs/ardour/ardour/io.h
index 5c7d8d0f0f..23e4f576df 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/ardour/io.h
+++ b/libs/ardour/ardour/io.h
@@ -141,6 +141,8 @@ class IO : public SessionObject, public AutomatableControls, public Latent
 	int disconnect_inputs (void *src);
 	int disconnect_outputs (void *src);
 
+	bool connected_to (boost::shared_ptr<const IO>) const;
+
 	nframes_t signal_latency() const { return _own_latency; }
 	nframes_t output_latency() const;
 	nframes_t input_latency() const;
diff --git a/libs/ardour/ardour/route.h b/libs/ardour/ardour/route.h
index c498b1f04e..10aec0446e 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/ardour/route.h
+++ b/libs/ardour/ardour/route.h
@@ -91,7 +91,6 @@ class Route : public IO
 
 	/* these are the core of the API of a Route. see the protected sections as well */
 
-
 	virtual int roll (nframes_t nframes, sframes_t start_frame, sframes_t end_frame, 
 			  int declick, bool can_record, bool rec_monitors_input);
 
@@ -181,6 +180,8 @@ class Route : public IO
 
 	boost::shared_ptr<Delivery> control_outs() const { return _control_outs; }
 	boost::shared_ptr<Delivery> main_outs() const { return _main_outs; }
+
+	boost::shared_ptr<IO> send_io_for (boost::shared_ptr<const IO> target) const;
 	
 	/** A record of the stream configuration at some point in the processor list.
 	 * Used to return where and why an processor list configuration request failed.
@@ -248,7 +249,7 @@ class Route : public IO
 	int listen_via (boost::shared_ptr<IO>, const std::string& name);
 	void drop_listen (boost::shared_ptr<IO>);
 
-	bool feeds (boost::shared_ptr<Route>);
+	bool feeds (boost::shared_ptr<IO>);
 	std::set<boost::shared_ptr<Route> > fed_by;
 
 	struct ToggleControllable : public PBD::Controllable {
@@ -314,7 +315,7 @@ class Route : public IO
 	nframes_t      _initial_delay;
 	nframes_t      _roll_delay;
 	ProcessorList  _processors;
-	Glib::RWLock   _processor_lock;
+	mutable Glib::RWLock   _processor_lock;
 	boost::shared_ptr<Delivery> _main_outs;
 	boost::shared_ptr<Delivery> _control_outs; // XXX to be removed/generalized by listen points
 	RouteGroup    *_edit_group;
diff --git a/libs/ardour/io.cc b/libs/ardour/io.cc
index 52c2aa48cc..ba3d70c184 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/io.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/io.cc
@@ -1596,25 +1596,28 @@ IO::get_port_counts (const XMLNode& node, ChanCount& in, ChanCount& out,
 int
 IO::create_ports (const XMLNode& node)
 {
-	ChanCount in;
-	ChanCount out;
-	boost::shared_ptr<Bundle> ic;
-	boost::shared_ptr<Bundle> oc;
+	if (pending_state_node) {
 
-	no_panner_reset = true;
-
-	get_port_counts (*pending_state_node, in, out, ic, oc);
-
-	if (ensure_io (in, out, true, this)) {
-		error << string_compose(_("%1: cannot create I/O ports"), _name) << endmsg;
-		return -1;
+		ChanCount in;
+		ChanCount out;
+		boost::shared_ptr<Bundle> ic;
+		boost::shared_ptr<Bundle> oc;
+		
+		no_panner_reset = true;
+		
+		get_port_counts (*pending_state_node, in, out, ic, oc);
+		
+		if (ensure_io (in, out, true, this)) {
+			error << string_compose(_("%1: cannot create I/O ports"), _name) << endmsg;
+			return -1;
+		}
+		
+		/* XXX use ic and oc if relevant */
+		
+		no_panner_reset = false;
 	}
 
-	/* XXX use ic and oc if relevant */
-
-	no_panner_reset = false;
 	set_deferred_state ();
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
@@ -2663,3 +2666,22 @@ IO::increment_output_offset (nframes_t n)
 	_output_offset += n;
 }
 
+bool
+IO::connected_to (boost::shared_ptr<const IO> other) const
+{
+	uint32_t i, j;
+	
+	uint32_t no = n_outputs().n_total();
+	uint32_t ni = other->n_inputs ().n_total();
+	
+	for (i = 0; i < no; ++i) {
+		for (j = 0; j < ni; ++j) {
+			if (output(i)->connected_to (other->input(j)->name())) {
+				return true;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	return false;
+}
+
diff --git a/libs/ardour/route.cc b/libs/ardour/route.cc
index 228a140d05..7fb063eae0 100644
--- a/libs/ardour/route.cc
+++ b/libs/ardour/route.cc
@@ -2112,39 +2112,21 @@ Route::set_comment (string cmt, void *src)
 }
 
 bool
-Route::feeds (boost::shared_ptr<Route> other)
+Route::feeds (boost::shared_ptr<IO> other)
 {
-	uint32_t i, j;
-
-	IO& self = *this;
-	uint32_t no = self.n_outputs().n_total();
-	uint32_t ni = other->n_inputs ().n_total();
-
-	for (i = 0; i < no; ++i) {
-		for (j = 0; j < ni; ++j) {
-			if (self.output(i)->connected_to (other->input(j)->name())) {
-				return true;
-			}
-		}
+	if (connected_to (other)) {
+		return true;
 	}
 
 	/* check IOProcessors which may also interconnect Routes */
 
 	for (ProcessorList::iterator r = _processors.begin(); r != _processors.end(); r++) {
 
-		boost::shared_ptr<IOProcessor> proc = boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<IOProcessor>(*r);
-		
-		if (!proc) {
-			continue;
-		}
-		
-		no = proc->io()->n_outputs().n_total();
-		
-		for (i = 0; i < no; ++i) {
-			for (j = 0; j < ni; ++j) {
-				if (proc->io()->output(i)->connected_to (other->input (j)->name())) {
-					return true;
-				}
+		boost::shared_ptr<IOProcessor> proc;
+
+		if ((proc = boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<IOProcessor>(*r)) != 0) {
+			if (proc->io()->connected_to (other)) {
+				return true;
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -2700,3 +2682,21 @@ Route::set_name (const string& str)
 
 	return ret;
 }
+
+boost::shared_ptr<IO>
+Route::send_io_for (boost::shared_ptr<const IO> target) const
+{
+	Glib::RWLock::ReaderLock lm (_processor_lock);
+
+	for (ProcessorList::const_iterator i = _processors.begin(); i != _processors.end(); ++i) {
+		boost::shared_ptr<Send> send;
+		
+		if ((send = boost::dynamic_pointer_cast<Send>(*i)) != 0) {
+			if (send->io()->connected_to (target)) {
+				return send->io();
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	return boost::shared_ptr<IO>();
+}