How the Reveb Works

Audio Equipment

S.Port
S.Port, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jul 29, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
This is used to fit an audio signal in with the rest of its surroundings. This can also be misused. While this is one of the most popular devices, it is still one of the hardest to understand. Most engineers use it to add depth to a sound or mix. In rock the reveb is used to mostly on drums and both background and lead vocals. The most people don't know that the reverb sound much more clear when used in sync with the songs tempo. The ending or length of a signal is just important as the beginning. There are a couple different types of reverbs. Mono and stereo are two that can make a world of difference. You can use the stereo to make you audio stick out. This makes the left side and the right side able to be adjusted separately. For example I can have on louder than the other and one longer than the other witch gives it lots of unexpected depth.

Device parameters

1. Mix
is simply how much of the audio signal is the reverb going to affect. The proper way to set up a reverb is to use it through an Aux send witch sends a copy of the audio signal to the device with the original still going to tape. This allows you to control the original and a copy separate. When this is done the mix should be set at 100% because it is the copy. Then you can mix the copy with the original in the song. This also allows for separate automation.

2. Decay
the decay is one of the two parameters that should be in sync with the song. This is how fast the signal cuts off. If it is in sync than the finished song will sound much more clear.

3. Pre-Delay
when does the reveb start, the second parameter that should be in sync. Even unnoticed it can still need to a much more clean sounding song. This is if you are looking for that type of song. Sometimes out of sync is done on purpose.

Misuses
Lots of people add too much of this because it is the easiest to hear a effect with. It was used for a large majority of the music put out over twenty years ago but today it really isn't used as much as it was. Although still very important.

Published by S.Port

I'm from Baltimore, Now down South. I got to hand it to the Pats, but we almost got them last year. (Still Bitter) I'm starting my Publishing company right now so I'm writing for a few extra dollars.  View profile

  • the proper way to use the reverb is through an AUX send
  • the decay and the pre-delay should be in sync with the song
  • mix can be seperated form the origanal
Although still very important, the reveb isn't used as much as it was years ago.

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