What Is Reverb? [An In-Depth Guide For Audio Enthusiasts]

Have you ever noticed when you yell into a canyon, the sound continues to echo long after your original shout?

This is the perfect, everyday example of an acoustic phenomenon known as reverb.

So, what is reverb? It’s a critical part of our audible world and a cornerstone of audio production that deepens the dimension of music, movies, video games, and our natural surroundings.

When I first encountered this term years ago in my passionate exploration of sound production, it immediately ignited my curiosity: how could sound loom and elevate in such an artful manner?

The answer lies within reverb – a remarkable tool that manipulators of music and other audio formats have utilized for generations. Leveraging its potential allows for a richer, more enjoyable auditory experience.

What is Reverb?

Reverb is an audio effect used in music production to create the illusion of a space or environment. It adds depth and ambiance to a recording by simulating the natural reflections of sound waves bouncing off different surfaces in a room.

This effect is commonly used in live performances and studio recordings to enhance the overall sound and create a sense of realism.

Reverb can be adjusted to vary the size and characteristics of the virtual space, allowing musicians and audio engineers to tailor the sound to their desired aesthetic.

Uses of Reverb in Music Production

Reverb is essential in every music producer’s toolkit due to its ability to create depth and dimension.

Let’s break down how it’s used in music production.

Creating Space

Used correctly, reverb can give your sound a three-dimensional feel. It provides an illusion of space, making your track feel larger.

This technique is handy for crowded mixes where each instrument needs its own ‘space’ in the overall sound.

Establishing Mood

Reverb helps set the emotional tone and mood of a track. Long, deep reverbs can create a dreamy or somber ambiance, while short, bright reverbs result in an upbeat and energetic feel.

Balancing the Mix

Easily blend tracks within a mix using reverb. If something stands out too much or feels disconnected from the rest of your mix, adding some reverb can help it sit nicely with other elements.

Enhancing Vocals

Reverb plays a significant role in shaping vocals. You can make vocal tracks resonate and stand out confidently within the mix by deploying fitting reverb settings.

Understanding and using reverb correctly is thus an art that every producer should master.

The creative horizons you can explore with this tool are vast and infinitely fulfilling, whether you are trying to achieve depth or establish a mood in your audio workspace.

Also Read: Plate Reverb [What It Is And How To Use It In 2024]

Types of Reverb

Reverb has multiple types or ‘flavors,’ each with distinct characteristics suited for varying applications.

Let’s delve deeper into the six most commonly used types: Hall, Room, Chamber, Plate, Spring, and Shimmer Reverb.

Hall Reverb

Hall reverb recreates the acoustics of large spaces such as concert halls or cathedrals.

The sound of this reverb type is often dense and warm due to a higher number of reflections.

It tends to be extensive and long-lasting, making it helpful in adding a sense of spaciousness and grandeur to the edited audio.

A hall reverb usually offers a range time delay from 1 to 3 seconds, and its characteristic diffuse sound works particularly well in a mix with orchestral pieces or choral music.

Room Reverb

Unlike halls, room reverbs simulate the reflections from smaller spaces – modeling everything from your cozy living room to significantly larger spaces like studios or small clubs.

This reverb has a shorter delay – usually less than one second – providing realistic character without overwhelming the mix.

Room reverbs provide more intimacy and immediacy, making them ideal for smaller ensembles and individual instruments such as guitars or pianos.

Chamber Reverb

Chamber reverb is an emulation of specially designed rooms called echo chambers that were widely popular across studios in the early days of recording.

These were typically rectangular rooms built with reflective materials like stone or concrete to enhance reverberations.

Chamber reverbs are generally lush sounding, with time delays varying from one second up to three seconds.

It ideally melds well with vocals by enabling them to ‘breathe’ without obstructing their clarity.

Plate Reverb

Plate reverb gets its name from its creation method: sound vibrating a large, thin metal sheet.

The resultant sound is dense, bright, and smooth. It has a lesser sense of space than the others on this list; they don’t intrude into the mix and still offer a lush ambiance.

Plate reverbs are commonly used on vocals, snare drums, and percussion, where the primary sound needs to stand out.

Spring Reverb

Spring reverbs work similarly to plate reverbs; however, they use a series of springs instead of a large metal plate.

Known for their distinctive ‘boingy’ sound quality due to multiple reflections within the springs, they are typically found in guitar amplifiers.

This ability to add an organic vintage touch makes spring reverbs widely popular among guitarists – especially within surf rock and other retro-infused genres.

Also Read: Spring Reverb [Guide To This Special Audio Effect]

Shimmer Reverb

Last but certainly not least is shimmer reverb, often described as the ‘ethereal’ or ‘heavenly’ effect.

This is an artificial and designed reverb type that combines pitch-shifting technology with multiple successive delays and reverbs, thereby creating an almost ‘choir-like’ curtain of sound in shimmering layers.

These dreamlike or majestic qualities make shimmer reverb suitable for crafting ambient soundscapes or adding magical touches to pop ballads, cinema scores, or modern worship music.

Choosing the suitable variant depends on your production needs and intended outcomes.

Each flavor imparts unique characteristics that can add depth, emotion, size, or color to your audio piece in various ways.

How Does Reverb Work?

Reverb is a complex phenomenon, but in simple terms, it’s all about sound reflections. Imagine you’re in an empty room.

If you clap, the sound generated will first reach your ears directly. This same sound also bounces off any surfaces in the space – walls, ceiling, floors, and any other objects – creating reflections.

Each reflection multiplies as it encounters additional surfaces, endlessly bouncing around the room until it eventually dies out.

The process happens incredibly fast–fractions of a second–and all these reflections combine to create what we perceive as reverb.

The nature of these reflected sounds varies based on the surface’s size and material, affecting the reverb’s character and length.

The Four Main Aspects of Reverb

Four main aspects collectively define reverb:

1. Direct Sound: This is the initial wave originating from a source.
2. Early Reflections are the first set of echoes that bounce off surfaces and reach our ears immediately following the direct sound.
3. Reverberation or ‘Reverb Tail’ consists of myriad complex echoes that have bounced around substantially before finally reaching your ears.
4. Decay Time or ‘RT60’: This is defined as how long it takes for reverb to die away completely.

When manipulating reverb within a music or audio production context – for example, when using reverb plugins – parameters often revolve around controlling these four aspects to create different ambiances.

Understanding how reverb works is essential for music production enthusiasts and everyday listeners who want to enrich their listening experience.

In case you’re unsure about any aspects related to reverb, don’t hesitate to refer back to this guide or tap into other learning resources available on the same.

Also Read: 20 Best Reverb Pedals For 2024 [Inject New Life Into Your Tone]

Reverb Plugins and Hardware

In a world where sound design and audio production have no boundaries, reverb plugins, and hardware devices are critical to crafting impressive and immersive experiences.

These tools enable audio professionals to meticulously reproduce artificial reverberation effects, manipulate sound signals, and generate room-filling warmth that traditional recording environments often lack.

Digital Reverb Hardware

Regarding hardware, six leading models consistently outshine their competitors due to their unrivaled features and unbeatable performance.

1. EMT 250

Known as the original digital reverb machine, the EMT 250 is nothing short of legendary.

It was introduced in 1976 and is renowned for its distinctly bright, dense, and enveloping reverb sounds.

Despite its age, it has blended perfectly well with the digitized world of music production.

Producers who have used this device appreciate its unique algorithm that any modern plugin can’t replicate.

2. Lexicon 480L

The Lexicon 480L, introduced in the mid-’80s, is perhaps one of this list’s most recognized hardware reverbs.

It houses versatile functionalities, including different plates, rooms, and hall settings that have sculpted countless hit records.

Its unmistakable sounds and user-friendly interface make it a fan favorite across diverse genres.

3. Eventide SP 2016

Regarded as one of the earliest pro audio pieces of gear to use plug-in algorithm technology is Eventide’s SP2016.

It quickly earned a reputation in audio circles for its unique ability to add depth without blurring a track’s sonic image – an invaluable trait for any mixer or sound engineer.

4. Roland Space Echo

The Roland Space Echo, first created in the ’70s as an analog delay effect unit equipped with tape echo simulation continues to captivate sound designers with its rich tone and vibrant echo effects.

While not a traditional reverb unit, it adds vintage textures and timeless character to your mixes.

5. TC Electronic G Major

The TC Electronic G Major comes in a multi-effects rack unit perfect for any studio setup.

It delivers top-quality vocal and instrument reverb effects with nearly zero noise.

6. Bricasti M7

The Bricasti M7 stands out with its unique design and unparalleled sound quality.

Capable of morphing virtual spaces with exact precision, the M7 leaves no reverb or reflection to chance.

This high-end digital reverb offers various features that make your audio projects stunningly natural and realistic.

Understanding the fundamentals of these hardware units will undeniably enhance your grasp of reverberation techniques in sound production and ultimately drive your creativity to new heights.

Despite their differences in features, these various units have one common objective: to add depth and breadth to your music production by creating palpable sonic landscapes.

Digital Reverb Algorithmic Software (Plugins)

Before I dive into the different types of digital reverb plugins, it is essential to understand what they are and what they do.

These pieces of software simulate the effect of reverberation in a physical space. They use complex algorithms to simulate the reflection and decay of sound in various environments.

They add depth and fullness to your audio tracks, making them seem more lifelike and less like they were recorded in a sterile studio environment.

Below are some of the most popular digital reverb algorithmic software that I find extremely useful in my audio production process:

1. UAD’s EMT 250 emulation

UAD’s EMT 250 is considered one of the finest reverbs ever made, known for its dark, thick sound that has been used on countless hit records.

The careful emulation captures this legendary device’s unique behavior and intricate details.

2. EMT’s DVR250-DT

EMT’s DVR250-DT is a visionary reverb plugin and a dedicated hardware controller.

Combining unique operational features with familiar sounds from iconic digital vintage reverb effects, this tool offers groundbreaking operational comfort plus a fantastic array of futuristic reverberation algorithms.

3. Relab’s Lexicon 480L

Relab’s Lexicon 480L is meticulously modeled after one of the best-sounding reverbs – hardware or software! It produces lush, captivating spaces with an extensive set of richly detailed parameters.

4. Eventide’s SP2016

The SP2016 was famously used by Dave Pensado, Mick Guzauski, and George Massenburg as their go-to reverb.

It features lush and distinctive textures with six reverb algorithms included.

5. Audiothing’s Outerspace & Sound Toy’s Echoboy 5

Outerspace by AudioThing is a faithful emulation plugin of a famous vintage tape echo made in the early seventies.

On the other hand, SoundToys’ EchoBoy is not just a delay plug-in; it can add life, depth, and subtle organic changes to your sound.

6. Liquidsonic’s 7th Heaven Professional

7th Heaven Professional from LiquidSonics offers two of the most coveted hardware reverbs in a highly intuitive and powerful plugin format.

7. Walhalla Reverb Plugins

Last but not least, Walhalla Reverb Plugins are known for their simplicity, clarity, and density. They deliver shimmering results from emulations of ’80s hardware to modernistic ‘Now’ presets.

It’s important to note that these plugins have distinct personalities and characters.

Depending on your preferences or specific needs for a production project, you may find one more suitable than another. Experimentation is vital to finding the right reverb plugin for your sound.

Choosing the right reverb plugin can add layers of richness and complexity to your music, awakening emotions in listeners they didn’t know they had!

It can be a game-changer in differentiating good music from genuinely excellent music.

Also Read: 15 Best DAW In 2024 [Top Digital Audio Workstations]

Digital Convolution Reverb Software (Plugins)

When manipulating your sound’s acoustic properties, Digital Convolution Reverb Software offers a high degree of realism.

This reverb type uses impulse responses (IRs), recorded reflections from real-life spaces like concert halls or churches. The software convolves the audio signal with these IRs to replicate the sonics of those environments.

Some notable convolution reverb plugins include Altiverb and Space Designer in Logic Pro X.

These software tools come bundled with various presets, enabling you to drop your audio into different spaces without leaving your workstation.

How To Mix Reverb

Understanding and effectively using reverb is an art of its own. Let’s take some practical steps to help you mix reverb like a pro.

• Selecting Your Size
  The size of the reverb refers to the size of an imaginary room around the sound source. A larger room generally means a longer decay time and a louder sound. Smaller reverbs come in handy for more intimate settings, while for larger venues or an immersive listening experience at home, bigger reverbs can genuinely enhance the overall experience.

• Patch Sidechain
  Patch sidechain refers to creating a separate effect bus for reverb and using sidechain compression to duck it when other instruments are playing. This avoids muddying up the mix with unnecessary noise from the reverb tail during busy sections of your mix.

• Choosing Your Reverb Type
  Several revert types come with unique characteristics popularly used in different musical genres – hall reverbs for orchestral music, plate & spring reverbs in rock music, etc.

• Pre-Delay
  Pre-delay is equally as important as selecting your room size, it controls how long it takes for reverb’s first reflections to hit your ears after the dry signal has played. Fine-tuning this can make you feel either closer or farther away from your sound source, but be careful not to overdo it, or else it might disrupt your rhythm section or phase issues.

• Decay time
  The decay time (or reverb tail) is how long it takes for the reverb to die out; longer decay time makes the room feel larger (ambient music), and short decay times are better suited for rapid rhythm sections.

• Early Reflection Level
  The early reflection level is how much of the first sound reflections you’d like to hear in your mix, representing how close or far you are from the walls in your imaginary room.

• Mix Level
  With reverb, it’s all about achieving balance, statutorily referred to as “mix level,” which sets the wet/dry mix. It’s how much of that original sound (dry) vs the reverberated sound (wet) you want in your final mix.

• Diffusion Level
  The diffusion level controls how spread out the reflections of a reverb tail are. High diffusion levels give a more lush and rich bottom, while low levels produce a more pronounced echo effect.

• Dry vs Wet
  A dry signal is unprocessed by effects, while a Wet signal has been processed with effects or resides within the reverb effect itself, making it seem farther away from the listener’s point of view.

Understanding all these factors combined will unlock your ability to control depth, color, and groove while crafting your mixes.

FAQs About reverb

Conclusion

Throughout this investigation into reverb, we’ve uncovered its various forms, its integral role in audio production, and its omnipresence in our daily lives.

With this newfound knowledge of reverb, I hope you’ll feel encouraged to experiment with it in your soundscapes.

Remember, as with all tools in audio production, reverb is best used judiciously – balance is essential.

I encourage you to explore reverb plugins such as Valhalla or hardware like the Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail online.