Producer Thoughts: Got Reverb?

In the last few years I’ve really gotten excited about reverbs. So much so I’ve had to stop myself buying more plugins and hardware.

In the past reverb was more a necessity of mixing modern music. Not that I didn’t love sticking a reverb on things but more recently I have come to really appreciate the sound design aspects of reverbs and reverb types.

There were two ideas that unlocked reverbs for me. The first was Chris Lord Alge reverb template which he described in a series of videos.

Funny thing was I watched 2 out of the 3 videos and created my own template based on what I could remember he said. Sort of like audio engineering Chinese whispers. When I finally went back and listened to all 3 videos properly I had some of it right but some of it wrong too.

Liking what I’d created and was using, I kept what I had but tweaked it a little. Who knew my half-listening approach would lead to a hybrid reverb template I really liked.

My Reverb Template

So the template I like to use on most mix project that I get sent is:

1. Studio Ambience: a subtle IR based reverb, good for pushing the sound away from you a little and letting it breath.
2. Plate: I go between Arturia’s Rev Plate 140 and SoundToys Little Plate. Both EMT 140 emulations. The Arturia is a little grittier and the SoundToys quite sweet. So it’s whatever the mix is asking for.
3. Hall: I end up reaching for the Softtube TSAR-1R. Sometimes I’ll dirty it up a little with Logic’s Bit Crusher at 12 bit too.
4. Slap: Waves J37 is a great workhorse and really slaps (dad joke and Gen-Z reference for those playing at home). I also like Audio Damages Other Desert Cities delay set to slap for more electronic/pop/clean mixes.
5. Tape Delay: I would always go to the Waves J37 for tape delay but then I snaffled a free copy of McDSPs EC-300. I wasn’t in love with it at first but once I got my head around it I’m liking it more.
6. Fun: This is my “fun reverb” – it’s big and it’s ridiculous. The amazing Valhalla Super Massive which then goes into Native Instruments Raum. Raum’s default preset is quite exquisite.

These are all set up on Aux Busses 1 – 6. I find that this combination will get me 90% – 100% of the way there to a final mix.

How I set them up I’ll get to in another post.

The Takeaway: If you’re not using multiple reverbs and delay in tandem you should give it a try. If you don’t have a reverb template it can be helpful and fun to build one. You can always deviate but having that foundation and making it your own can allow you to create your sound when it comes to painting with reverbs.