reverb after compression?

[Flight 16]

Hi

I was just wondering if it is better to add reverb after compression or to compress the reverb too??

 

[earworm]

the basic thing i do is;

first dynamics processing, make sure you got a solid audio file,
after the compression and stuff i use EQ,
after that i can mess with FX

but of course you can just do it in any order,,,,

remember that lots of compression can take the 'life' out of your audio track,
so if you first use reverb, then i think the sound will be a bit weaker,
less strong, not very natural

so in general, compress first,
and if you more want some sort of special effect, then you can add more compression after the reverb....

just my 2 cents...

 

[RawDepth]

As a general rule-of-thumb I would use compression first. I mostly use compression as a tool to fix dynamic problems and not as an "icing on the cake" effect. When painting a car, would you apply the paint before fixing the rust and dents?

However, rules are made to be broken as long as it sounds good. If it creates a cool effect that you enjoy, then knock yourself out.

The rules are yours to bend at will.

 

[grinder]

I usually apply eq then compress, especially when doing low end shelfing and such. That way the frequencies I'm cutting won't be effecting the compressor. Then I add time based efx. Although the sound of a compressed reverb might be just the sound your looking for.

 

[Farview]

A lot of times I will send the drums to a bus and compress the bus. I will take the reverb return and send it to the same bus as the drums to get everything pumping together.

 

[Fletcher]

Well... by sending an uncompressed signal to the reverb you will have certain things jump out at you a bit more [the loud bits]... by compressing the reverb return you will add sustain to the reverb returns... which can be a cool effect or turn your mix into a washed out piece of shit depending on how you use it.

A couple of things to remember... the sound is the sound, so treat the sound as you will treat the sound for it to sit in the balance... if that means adding an effect to the sound, like reverb, then add it in the way that is most complimentary to the musical statement. If the effect gets in the way of the overall picture of the music, then it is an evil presence and must be removed.

You're the one listening to the song... fuck around until you get something that makes you go "wow". There are absolutely no rules when it comes to making a recording. There is no standard proceedure for anything creative [technical, lots of standards and proceedures, creative... have at it, zero rules]

Best of luck with it.

 

[Flight 16]

ok thanks ...you have all been helpfull...

when im done i will send a link for the feed back

 

[LRosario]

Well if you think of it this way:

The order of your processing isn't written in stone, but changing that order will change your outcome.

Compression before reverb just means that you're compressing down a wave, then coating it with some reverb. It's alot more subtle.

But if you want an overdriven reverb effect, you would apply compression after your reverb processing.

You can try both ways and see what results you get.