what effect to use when...

[boymonkey]

Hi,
I just wanted to start a thread that dealt with the general topic of what effect...etc to use when and possibly even some more detail on various settings used.
For example, when do you ideally use:
reverb;
chorus;
echo;
compression (and how much);
etc.

I know it depends on what sound your really looking for, but speaking generally (e.g. what would u use on vocals over the top of acoustic guitar that are singing very melodically...that sort of thing.) I'm talking about all effects you add through a program, not effects pedals, processors etc. that you may hook up through your mixer or pre-amp. This topic may help newbies to mixing their songs out (me!)
Thanks,
Simon

[Blue Bear Sound]

There is no "generally" -- it completely depends.... you can go natural (meaning you try and emulate natural acoustic environments), or you go for "processed" - over-the-top effects for impact and creativity.... or somewhere in between.

There are no rules about it because there can't be....

[boymonkey]

Well...
talk the use of lots of effects in order to try and make a kind of unique sound...what would you do to a basic acoustic song with a couple of tracks of acoustic guitar and a couple of vocal tracks. I know your right...I suppose it depends what the artist wants and what kind of sound they are looking for. How about some general 'do nots'? Like...do not use compression when...do not use chorus when... any of those?
S

[Blue Bear Sound]

...a few DON'T guidelines:

Overuse of reverb makes mixes thin and muddy...

Don't use 'verb on low frequencies... (if you do - be very judicious)

Predelays, chorus/flange rates, delay times should all be timed to the tempo of the song...

Overuse of chorus washes a trck out very quickly...

Try short delays instead of reverb...

Nothing spells amateur like too much, and too many, inappropriate effects...

[stonepiano]

Blue Bear or anyone else with an answer,

while you're talking about overuse of effects, could you please explain what the overuse of compression sounds like.

I hear people throwing the term "squashed" sound around and, while I can hear the damage overuse of these other effects can make, I'm still clueless as to what too much compression does to a mix.

Thanks,

Miles

[Blue Bear Sound]

The only way to know is to do it.... put a track or mix through a compressor, drop the threshold to -30 or more -- set the ratio to 10:1 and listen to the result.

[boymonkey]

do u use them together...
e.g. compression with reverb
also do u use compression on everything? or just things u want to give a lift.

[knightsy]

I compress pretty much everything, and even if a sound wasn't compressed at the time of recording, you can bet that by the time it's been spat out in the mix it will have been compressed somewhere.

[Blue Bear Sound]

Originally posted by knightsy
I compress pretty much everything, and even if a sound wasn't compressed at the time of recording, you can bet that by the time it's been spat out in the mix it will have been compressed somewhere.

My methodology is completely the opposite - I only put compression/EQ into the chain if it actually needs to be there...!

[Shailat]

Over compression:

* Dull sound
* Lifeless
* Pinched
* Small
* Added distortion

And thats only part of the list...........

[sloop]

Originally posted by Blue Bear Sound
My methodology is completely the opposite - I only put compression/EQ into the chain if it actually needs to be there...!

Thank you. I find many times people have a compressor so they feel they have to use it. I only use a compressor when it really is needed. I find many mixes have been squashed so much all the dynamics are gone.