If you use sends, you typically set the dry to 0 and the wet to 100% and use the send level to control the balance.
I have the impression you’re looking at this from the perspective of a single instrument. When mixing, it’s important to look at the track and balance as a whole. And trust me, I’d rather have 3 reverb sends where I can control the send levels directly from the mixer, rather than having 60 insert effects where I’d have to open the vst or automation lane to control the balance.
Make it easy for yourself, save some cpu and look at it from the perspective of mixing a complete track. $0.02.