Some Reverb Tips (and why pre-delay is so important)

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toodamnhip
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Re: Some Reverb Tips (and why pre-delay is so important)

Post by toodamnhip »

Sometime I use a verb as an insert for a special ambiance that I want for none other, such as a drum. Also, there have been many times when I start off with a specialized verb and it morphs into a verb I copy into a send because I like it so much.
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Re: Some Reverb Tips (and why pre-delay is so important)

Post by FMiguelez »

Waves also recommends using the reverbs on inserts under certain circumstances, e.i., for "purist" situations where one should use the DIRECT (as opposed to dry) signal to perfectly emulate certain recorded spaces.

Apparently this direct signal also contains the first ER along with the captured direct sound from the source speaker (when they recorded the IR). Too bad their manual was written using their feet... it's very badly written, but they do mention these specialized situations.

I experimented using the IR-1 on the orchestral family stems, and it works fine too (instead of sending each instrument track to a reverb aux track separately). In this case there is no obvious advantage/disadvantage that I can see of using either method.

BTW, I tried the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall IR. I looked up the place because I was not sure where the "Second Circle" is located exactly in relation to the stage, and I must say that it's one of the most beautiful and impressive concert halls I've ever seen (according to the pictures I found). I hope I can attend a concert there one day... :boohoo:
Last edited by FMiguelez on Sun May 13, 2012 1:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Some Reverb Tips (and why pre-delay is so important)

Post by kassonica »

How I love reverb threads.

Some great idea's in here.

Here is a couple of mine.

One technique I like using is bussing the drums to an ambience type verb, then bussing that verb to another longer, say plate. It seems to create a depth without sounding, over verby.

Another technique I use is on the verb buss, the chain can be, EQ, comp,verb, comp, EQ, which means u can hi pass in the way in, then if you want, u can make the source pump (or any comp effect u like) then add the verb, then use the 2nd comp for a subtle smoothing, and EQ to fit it in the track.

Whoever said they liked the old Motu plate, plus a hundred on that, a most underrated plugin.

Ps good to be almost back :).
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Re: Some Reverb Tips (and why pre-delay is so important)

Post by FMiguelez »

Hey, Kass!

Great to have you almost back 8)
Apparently Australians have this thing about appearing and disappearing. Hope everything's well with you, my friend.

BTW, have you ever attended the concert hall I mentioned above in Sydney?
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Re: Some Reverb Tips (and why pre-delay is so important)

Post by kassonica »

FMiguelez wrote:Hey, Kass!

Great to have you almost back 8)
Apparently Australians have this thing about appearing and disappearing. Hope everything's well with you, my friend.

BTW, have you ever attended the concert hall I mentioned above in Sydney?
Yea almost back as I'm still using the iPhone for the net, but my hunger for DP and recording is enormous, and it won't be long till my new n improved studio will be up n running.

Yep I've been to the Sydney opera house many times, funnily enough it hasn't been known for it's great acoustics but they have a lot of work on it and the last time I was there to see Tori amos it sounded like DVD audio.
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Re: Some Reverb Tips (and why pre-delay is so important)

Post by jbyerly1 »

I've just re-read this thread for the 3rd time trying to figure out some "best" verb for a vocal chain.
One question I have is..... Is there a better way to set up an Aux channel so it does not add significant volume increase to the mix. In trying to achieve that magical balance between wet & dry I seem to be screwing something up because my Aux is increasing the volume and found myself adding unwanted distortion.

I have my sends on the channel somewhere around 9 o'clock and the Aux faders around -20 with the wet/dry mix in proverb at 75%
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Re: Some Reverb Tips (and why pre-delay is so important)

Post by stephentayler »

If you are using reverb by sending to an aux channel (rather than on an insert) then the wet/dry balance needs to be 100% wet. The original vocal track represents the 100% dry. you can then either adjust the level of the send to the aux or the level of the aux fader itself to balance the reverb against the voice.

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Re: Some Reverb Tips (and why pre-delay is so important)

Post by Prime Mover »

A well setup reverb shouldn't normally add a lot of volume to a track. Especially with higher pre-delays, the reverb shouldn't coincide with any particular event in the original track. However, if you still find this to be an issue, you can always duck the reverb by inserting a compressor after the reverb plugin, and using the dry signal as a gain rider. That'll give you the common vocal effect of the reverb only appearing between words or at the end of phrases.

But it sounds like you should first concentrate on doing the processes correctly, as stephentaylor explained. You should NEVER have anything but 100% wet on a sent aux reverb track. Then you really are mixing more dry signal into the mix, and that's not the point of a reverb track. Only use below 100% if you are inserting the reverb, not bussing to it... and for the most part, don't do that.

I really wish reverb plugins would default to 100% wet.
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