Adjust reverb in 10 steps
In this article we would like to give you parameters of one Reverb bring a little closer.
Applying Reverb in ten steps
Who wants to just click on any reverb parameter and that's it? The reverb needs some fine tuning to match the sound of the track. Of course you should choose the sound that you like best, because tastes differ, as we all know, but there are a few things to keep in mind regardless of the type of reverb you choose.
1. Choose your individual reverb type
In most cases, the reverb plugin used will have presets. It makes sense to find a good sounding preset and tweak the parameters based on that preset. It's important to choose a reverb that suits the sound of the song. Note that reverb is very good for filling in dry spots. So look for spots in your track that might be a bit too dry and use a reverb that fills those spots best.
2. Adjust pre-delay
Correct setting of the pre-delay is very important. If you don't find the right setting here, the entire production can sound out of tempo. If you choose a medium pre-delay, the reverb will be slightly delayed. This gives the original sound more time before the reverb sets in and ensures a good balance between the original sound and the reverb.
Analog sound for your tracks too?
3. Set the degree of diffusion
When setting the diffusion level, it's important to consider the EQ in the song. If you already have a reverb or a wet sound built into the production, you should choose the Diffusion Level a little more conservatively. This would be a flat sounding reverb that doesn't overpower the track or clash with other types of reverb. If you immediately choose a higher degree of diffusion, the whole thing sounds more enveloping and fat.
4. Set your decay parameters
Because the decay time determines how long it takes for the reverb to decay, you need to relate this parameter to the size of the reverb. When room size determines the size of the reverberation, decay plays an important role in ensuring the sound doesn't sound unreal. If the size of the room is comparable to that of a church, the reverberation should take a little longer, since reverberation in a church usually lasts more than a second or two.
Longer reverberation times tend to oscillate into other frequency ranges, which can mess up the entire production. Longer reverbs should therefore be slightly quieter than short reverbs as they tend to leave more open natural spaces between notes and frequencies.
5. Pay attention to your mix levels
Finding the right balance between the original sound and the amount of reverb you want to hear is one of the most important parameters. To find the perfect mix, you should pay close attention to the current dry/wet mix of the song. The mix can serve as a guide to where the reverb portion needs to be adjusted. Trust your hearing!
6. How do I place the reverb?
Your listeners are merciless because they all hear reflections, and as mentioned, reflections can not only litter a track, but they can also affect the track's tempo. My tip is to treat the reflections like an echo, because in many cases they sound like that.
If you want stronger reflections, you should increase the volume of the reflections and let them start earlier.
Regardless of these clues, it is important to focus on how the reflections harmonize with the other notes and tempo of the piece. The reflections should flow into each other and not overlap.
7. High frequency attenuation
The point here is to reduce the high frequencies that get into the reverberation. Too many high frequencies can make the reverb sound very metallic. To avoid this, one should remove the high frequencies, starting at 4k-8kHz.
8. Gated reverb
As already mentioned, damping determines the level at which the reverb tail drops. This effect was very popular in the 80s, but is still commonly used today.
9. Modulation depth
Some reverb plug-ins offer the possibility to modulate the reverb effect itself. In this way the character of the reverb can be changed. Using this tool will help your reverb sound livelier and less stiff.
10. Attenuation
DAMPING is very good for reverbs that sound too sharp, usually due to high frequencies. This affects the overall sound of the reverb, but also results in a warmer sound, allowing the reverb to blend better into the soundscape of the track. Damping is best thought of as an "opposite" tool. More damping reduces the brightness of the track, less damping gives it more "air".
You can find more information about using reverb correctly in our article: Reverb in mixing and mastering
