I hate reverb.

  • Thread starter Thread starter nddhc
  • Start date Start date

Do you often avoid using reverb?

  • Yes

    Votes: 120 24.8%

  • No

    Votes: 363 75.2%
  • Total voters
    483
Reverb is an art

I can see what you mean.
A lot of people overuse reverb and smirr the whole mix. It was very common up until a few years.
When Radiohead made their last album they used a lot of "dry" sound which was weird at the time but now it is more common.
I think it depends on the reverb you use,
If you use a high quality analog reverb at the right amount it can bring so much life to the sound.
 
I couldnt get reverb to sound right for me until I started using it with delays...I use reverb and two delays to get the sound I like.
 
nddhc said:
Do you often avoid using reverb?
Click to expand...

I don't often avoid using reverb per se...but I do often avoid using reverb in a conspicuous fashion.

iow, I've been striving to make the use of reverb less & less obvious; I want it to sound like there isn't any reverb, but I want it to sound better than if there really wasn't any reverb.
 
Using reverb comes in handy when you want to add depth to a particular track, instrument, or any other element into your mixing. The key, however, is to use it subtly. Thats what you need to keep in mind when using any effect plugin. Subtle, yet powerful!

A small amount of delay with 80% wetness helps a lot!
 
I only apply a reverb on the overall mix. And not too much.
 
Most of the time I have to point out where verb is being used and not because it is being used sparsely. Some vocals on songs are so saturated with verb and it just fits into the mix that you find it hard to tell that it's there.

The verb has to fit the song and it can't be some $100 sh!t verb either, the use of a high quality verb like an Eventide verb apposed to a peavey of similar type of verb will make or break the take.

Riding the fader during mixing or tailoring the verbs to taste like having a short tail on the verb is essential.

So each song that is out there will have to have it's own verb to fit in the mix, you just can't have a store bought one fits all verb.







:cool:
 
how do you get that boxy vocal reverb noise like on Sam Cooke's recordings?
 
I love reverb and delay effects.

Gives sounds size, space, depth, and helps place elements in the mix, but, for the most part, you dont want to hear it working.

I recently acquired a Lexicon unit that has 2 channels in and out, and I have been tracking both a dry mono on one channel, and a wet stereo pair with the effect. For intstance, for lead guitar I will set up the Lexicon to give me a fat tape delay (i can set the delay rate to the pace of the song), combined with a large room verb, and track that in stereo. At the same time I track a dry mono track.

When mixing down, I place the lead guitar spatially by panning the dry track a bit and then pull up the faders for the stereo effect until the guitar sound gets "big". I only "hear" the verb/delay when soloed, but my guitar sound has never been as big and present, so easily, before.

I do the same with drums, (often with a setting designed to reverb the snare frequencies) and vocals.

The reason why I print effects when tracking like this is

#1 I have plenty of tracks, so why not as long as I print a dry track too (so I can change my mind)
#2 I dont need muliple effect "boxes" to have multiple effects available at mix down (perhaps this is not the case ITB? I work OTB)
#3 I think there is something to be said for building a vision for what you want the final mix to sound like as you track....works for me
 
Geebop said:
Personally I think reverbs had it's day.. over used & abused
Click to expand...

But does the fact that something is overused and abused make it obsolete or mean it should become so ? You could say the same thing about verses or choruses ! Or guitar solos. Or backing vocals. Or strings. Or brass sections. Or.............;)
 
I like reverb. It's fun to use as a crazy effect, and useful to use tastefully when trying to construct a sonic space. Sometimes it's nice not to use it at all. If it sounds good to you, then use it. Art is freedom.
 
None of those old Cure albums would've been right without excessive reverb. That was simply part of their schtick. For more traditional styles though, less is more.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top