Question about reverbs

[Daenn]

What kinds of reverbs do you guys use for instruments? One thing I can't seem to achieve is a full sounding recording. I'm wondering if it's because I don't use stereo reverbs.

I'll try to explain what I am thinking. For instance, I use 2 rythem guitar tracks, each panned left and right for heavier songs (as most people do). I put a little reverb on them for space, but with mono reverb, wouldn't it be like having 2 guitars but in 2 different rooms? It would be like the same room, but seperate. Does that make sense? Would using a stereo verb give it a fuller sound and put them in the same room?

I'm not sure if that makes any sense at all and hopefully I don't look like some kind of moron. I never learned anything about recording... just kinda learned on me own as I went along, picking things up here and there when recording at pro studios.

Anyways, would that be a step in the right direction to getting a fuller sound?

 

[Massive Master]

Not sure if we're speaking the same... A recording should sound "full" all by itself - Adding verb to a thin mix makes a thin mix with verb.

Maybe you could elaborate on what gear you're using - The verb itself, recording medium, etc...

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com

 

[Daenn]

I'm not even sure what I'm trying to say. I guess I just want a bigger sound. Or maybe I have been listening to the Cave In album Jumpiter too much. They have such a big guitar sound. Airy and light, yet heavy and thick. And dead sexy.

I'm using ProTools LE with the Mbox. Just the regular D-Verb plug that comes with it. I guess I'll just fiddle with it some more. Thanks anyways

 

[Massive Master]

Well, I understand where you're coming from (I think) - Reverb can add a certain depth to the recording to be sure - What I'm getting at is not to use it as a crutch. The mix should stand on its own, verb or no verb. It's a spice, not a meal. Know what I mean?

As far as mono or stereo is concerned, go stereo - Most single-send verbs simulate stereo return anyway (not familiar with the D-Verb, but I would assume it would also).

JS -

 

[HangDawg]

Daenn, don't feel bad.. I can't figure out reverb either(yet). I just go without out it for the most part. I experiment but it usually ends up sounding worse

 

[chessrock]

I guess I just want a bigger sound.

There's an awful lot involved in that . . . and reverb use and choice will play a very small role.

If you're talking about a big guitar sound, that comes from the guitar / amplifier combo more than anything else. Obviously arrangement and tracking technique are key as well.

 

[Atterion]

I generally assign a reverb to an aux bus (stereo), and then use a send from each track to feed the reverb. With guitars I'll usually use a dark medium hall type setting (and usually shorten the tail a bit), and then set the sends to about 25%. Or conversely if using the Reverb as a channel insert set the mix to 25%wet/75%dry. These are just basic setup parameters, and usually require a little tweaking. The key is to not drown the sound in reverb.

If your sound is too thin you may need to tweak it with a bit of EQ (usually I will set up a parametric EQ, and cut the mids by about 1db and then sweep the frequency until I find that Sweet spot (Usually around 5khz)and cut as necessary), and often a small boost around 150hz can help with a thin sound, but try not to go overboard with low frequency boosts, or you may find it extremely difficult to get the bass guitar, and kick drums and low toms to sit in the mix. Hope this helps in some way.