M
MCI2424
New member
nddhc said:
Cheap run-of-the-mill reverb devices can sound awefull. Try a Kurzweil Rumor and see how you feel and stay away from the pre-sets on any reverb, They generally suck.
Cheap run-of-the-mill reverb devices can sound awefull. Try a Kurzweil Rumor and see how you feel and stay away from the pre-sets on any reverb, They generally suck.
zed32
Re-Attached Member
semidiablan said:
see i would just use a delay for those sort of things.
J
Justus Johnston
New member
Choosing an appropriate type of reverb for the situation (convolution, digital, analog, natural room reflections) is important.
However, a dimension to reverb that I think many people overlook is how it is mixed! A reverb return should be treated with as much care as any actual instrument track in a mix!
- As I think has been mentioned, if lots of reverb is used, then preferably lots of DIFFERENT reverbs should be used. A lot of the same reverb will clash with itself and cancel itself out, just like two instruments panned the same way with similar harmonic content. This will cause you to use MORE reverb, which makes everything a muddy mess.
- The panorama of reverbs is important too! If you are using a DAW that allows the discreet manipulation of the two channels of a stereo return, you can easily set the width of any return track. However, you can also do this if you use a reverb with a "diffusion" setting. This setting will determine how wide the reverb will be. Reverbs at the same panning can clash just as easily as two instruments. Don't be afraid to pan some reverbs right or left-heavy even. Sometimes it can be a really cool effect even, if you have, say, a guitar with a reverb, to pan the reverb to the OPPOSITE side of the guitar.
- Possibly most overlooked is the option of EQ'ing a reverb return! To make a reverb more noticable, boost a high shelf. To make it less noticable, lower it (this is a very good idea if you're trying to use variable levels of reverb to establish depth, but don't want the 'verb to be noticable). Adding lows to a 'verb will increase the perception of the size of the reverb, while cutting lows will make it sound thinner.
- Pre-delay doesn't JUST have to be a "neat effect". You can use just a little bit (like 20 ms) with a 'verb for snare/toms to help the initial hit stand out on its own better without becoming muddy.
Finally, remember that reverb isn't just "some crazy effect" all the time. Reverb can be used to put various elements of a mix (or even the entire mix) in a specific acoustic space. More usefully, it can be used as an additional means of separation, to add depth to a mix. When you want something to sound like it's further away from the listener, use more reverb! You can use it for instance to audibly put backup singers behind a lead. Or you can automate a reverb send if you want something to sound like it's getting closer or further away by degrees.
Also, digital isn't always bad. I usually reach for a digital 'verb for drums on a good amount of metal that I mix, and those bands wouldn't want it any other way, bright, grainy texture and all!
However, a dimension to reverb that I think many people overlook is how it is mixed! A reverb return should be treated with as much care as any actual instrument track in a mix!
- As I think has been mentioned, if lots of reverb is used, then preferably lots of DIFFERENT reverbs should be used. A lot of the same reverb will clash with itself and cancel itself out, just like two instruments panned the same way with similar harmonic content. This will cause you to use MORE reverb, which makes everything a muddy mess.
- The panorama of reverbs is important too! If you are using a DAW that allows the discreet manipulation of the two channels of a stereo return, you can easily set the width of any return track. However, you can also do this if you use a reverb with a "diffusion" setting. This setting will determine how wide the reverb will be. Reverbs at the same panning can clash just as easily as two instruments. Don't be afraid to pan some reverbs right or left-heavy even. Sometimes it can be a really cool effect even, if you have, say, a guitar with a reverb, to pan the reverb to the OPPOSITE side of the guitar.
- Possibly most overlooked is the option of EQ'ing a reverb return! To make a reverb more noticable, boost a high shelf. To make it less noticable, lower it (this is a very good idea if you're trying to use variable levels of reverb to establish depth, but don't want the 'verb to be noticable). Adding lows to a 'verb will increase the perception of the size of the reverb, while cutting lows will make it sound thinner.
- Pre-delay doesn't JUST have to be a "neat effect". You can use just a little bit (like 20 ms) with a 'verb for snare/toms to help the initial hit stand out on its own better without becoming muddy.
Finally, remember that reverb isn't just "some crazy effect" all the time. Reverb can be used to put various elements of a mix (or even the entire mix) in a specific acoustic space. More usefully, it can be used as an additional means of separation, to add depth to a mix. When you want something to sound like it's further away from the listener, use more reverb! You can use it for instance to audibly put backup singers behind a lead. Or you can automate a reverb send if you want something to sound like it's getting closer or further away by degrees.
Also, digital isn't always bad. I usually reach for a digital 'verb for drums on a good amount of metal that I mix, and those bands wouldn't want it any other way, bright, grainy texture and all!
brendandwyer
New member
i usually opt for natural ways to add reverb and ambience,
echo chamber, re-amping. i've used some expensive reverb systems and i think they lacked an organic quality.
however, a lot of people don't record or mix in such a way that sounds natural anyway, and in those cases, i think digital reverb systems work well for them.
echo chamber, re-amping. i've used some expensive reverb systems and i think they lacked an organic quality.
however, a lot of people don't record or mix in such a way that sounds natural anyway, and in those cases, i think digital reverb systems work well for them.
Cajun
New member
I try to use it sparingly overall and then increase it as an effect on a certain track if a passage in a song might benefit from it. Had one song a few years back with a monosylabic backing vocal part that was saturated and pushed into the far background to a great effect. But it's like any other effect, too much of it and the song becomes about the effect rather than the content.
J
jaybriggs84
New member
ever listen to Sigur Ros?
G
Grishrak
New member
I often only use reverb on my backing vocals and on the drums. I don't use it on the main vocals cause it sounds terrible most of the time.
JoeNovice
Junior Cheeseburger
Since reverb exist naturally, I'm a big fan.
It makes it sound more realistic.
Without reverb records would sound strange.... like when you enter an totally dead vocal booth. No reverb is a strange sound.
It makes it sound more realistic.
Without reverb records would sound strange.... like when you enter an totally dead vocal booth. No reverb is a strange sound.
Todzilla
New member
I like it when it is good.
I don't like it when it is bad.
I don't like it when it is bad.
Freudian Slip
New member
I try to avoid it when there is a better choice. A stereo delay can give the instrument/singer a location in the room without having to use verb.
I do how ever like it on alot of things to.
Like said before though, moderation is key. If using verb or delay I will get it where it sounds good and then start pulling it down as far as I can and still have that feeling without really hearing it in a full mix. I also shorten it as much as I can to. be it verb or delay.
Depends on the song though. A sparce open song can take a good amount of verb and still sound good sometimes.
F.S.
I do how ever like it on alot of things to.
Like said before though, moderation is key. If using verb or delay I will get it where it sounds good and then start pulling it down as far as I can and still have that feeling without really hearing it in a full mix. I also shorten it as much as I can to. be it verb or delay.
Depends on the song though. A sparce open song can take a good amount of verb and still sound good sometimes.
F.S.
elly-d
Member
damn the way you phrased the question confused me into saying i liked reverb. i guess i do when its used right. but i have much dislike of the eighties and how it became essential to put reverb on the snare and the vocals, no matter what the voice etc etc etc. anyway blah blah blah.
Stefan Elmblad
New member
I don't use reverb very much. On the other hand, I don't use much FX at all.
R
RAMI
Guest
I can't believe this thread made it to page 4.
There's no such thing as "not liking reverb". If you don't like reverb, remove your ears because it's in everything you hear. It's a natural occurence.
If your opinion is: I like it but only when it's used right....Well, no kidding...Doesn't that apply to everything?
There's no such thing as "not liking reverb". If you don't like reverb, remove your ears because it's in everything you hear. It's a natural occurence.
If your opinion is: I like it but only when it's used right....Well, no kidding...Doesn't that apply to everything?
Freudian Slip
New member
RAMI said:
F.S.
acidrock
GO PACKERS!
I love my UAD-1's Plate 140 reverb,it talks to me and keeps saying"abuse me,abuse me"! 
noisewreck
New member
Too bad you can't kick itacidrock said:I love my UAD-1's Plate 140 reverb,it talks to me and keeps saying"abuse me,abuse me"!
C
cusebassman
Freakin' sweet
I actually only like reverb when its NOT used correctly. See: the 1980s.
...oww, my Lionel Richie vocals.
...oww, my Lionel Richie vocals.
Steve Henningsgard
New member
Moving right along, has anybody anywhere ever made a reverb plugin that sounds like the 'real thing'? I've got a really small, dead, kinda stuffy room to work with and so I figure getting a really good reverb (be it plugin or hardware) would most likely be a very decent investment. Yes? No? Which?
P
pelon916
New member
I have two words for you:
King Tubby.
King Tubby.
Freudian Slip
New member
steve.h said:
Sounds like a plan
The stuffy is probly your room being small & not dead There's lots of ones out there. Pays to have a few plugs. Sort of a matter of taste & how they color the sound. I would go the plug way, but plan on getting more than one. Chances are better that certain plus will work better for different things.
If you want "the real thing" look into convelution reverbs. Sony did it outboard years ago and now there are all kinds of plugs. You can spend all you want.
Supposed to be the reverb charicteristics of real spaces measured and stored for you to use. You know, famous chappels & halls right at your finger tips.
F.S.