In this article, made with the support of Liquidsonics, we show how one-size-fits-all is not the only approach when it comes to using reverb. Reverb is perhaps the most used effect in mixing and if you are new to mixing then you may be wondering how to get the best from reverb.
Most engineers will use a single instance of a reverb plug-in typically setup on an effects return. This approach has proved time and again to be a super simple and effective approach in which varying amounts of reverb can be applied to tracks by adjusting the reverb send levels. We all know this, however, from time to time this single reverb approach can be limiting.
Reverbs On Demand
Many years ago I learned a producer secret, which employs a least three different flavours of reverb all set up and ready to go at the start of a mix. The method behind this madness is simple. By having a bus setup on each track sent to each of the three different reverb returns, it provides instant access to a palette of different reverbs on demand.
For this approach to work for you, the three reverbs should sound different from each other, ideally:
A short room sound with subtle width added.
A medium ambience or hall with a slightly longer tail and contrasting tone.
A mechanical reverb such as a plate or spring for vibe with an airy quality to the sound.
The idea behind using three different reverb types is to a mix touches of each flavour of reverb to get not only a sense of context but to instil different perspectives within the soundstage.
Mixing with at least three reverbs has another added benefit. There’s a good chance you’ll worry less about what your reverb settings, focusing more on the broad brush application of reverbs and indeed the music you are mixing. Experience has taught me this is a very helpful approach to take when working with reverbs.
In this free 3 part series, we show you this three reverb technique in action using a range of LiquidSonics reverb plug-ins. Each video focuses on one of the flavours of reverb and how they are applied.
Short Room Reverb
Small touches of room reverb can be the secret sauce in a final mix, however we are so used to the sound of rooms we instantly spot if they sound artificial. This makes rooms hard to do right.
Applying short reverbs in a mix is a good way of placing a sound in space. If you generally record on a track-by-track basis in a close mic fashion then this room context can give the impression that all the parts within your arrangement were recorded together in the same space. In this first episode you will hear how small levels of room on key tracks in this mix help to give these integral parts context.
Medium Reverb
In this second episode, we apply a larger sounding ambient space for contrast helping larger sections to solidify in the overall mix. Sections such the horns and backing vocals lend themselves to this type of reverb as you’ll hear in this video.
Larger Vibe Reverb
Mechanical reverbs have very distinctive characteristics that lend themselves to prominent tracks in a mix such as lead vocals. In this final episode, you will hear how the application of plate reverb really helps to put the cherry on the cake in this mix, without becoming too much of a feature or distraction.
In Summary
We hope that these videos have inspired you to experiment with a multi-reverb approach in your next mix. The best thing about this approach is that it can be tailor-made to fit your own tastes and the material you are working with. How do you work with reverb? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences and how you work with blending ambiences from different source reverbs.