Reverb and Delay, Done Properly
Effects that add space and depth to audio, reverb by simulating reflections in a room and delay by repeating sound after a set time.
Tomas Lindqvist
The key figures
- Reverb parameters
- decay time, pre-delay, size and damping
- Delay parameters
- delay time and feedback
- Sends
- effects are often applied on auxiliary buses
- Speech
- dialogue usually needs little or no added reverb
Why this is worth getting right
Tasteful reverb and delay make audio sound natural and polished, while too much makes speech unclear and mixes muddy.
Do this, not that
Do
- Use send effects shared across tracks
- Match reverb to the scene or room in video
- Filter reverb returns to keep low end clean
- Keep dialogue mostly dry
- Automate effects for moments of emphasis
Don’t
- Heavy reverb on spoken word
- Different reverbs on every track
- Muddy low frequencies in reverb
- Reverb masking consonants
When to bring in help
Our advice Bring in help when mixes sound either dry and flat or washed out.
Where this comes from
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
We take on Audio Editing & Production work for teams who want it done once, properly. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it. Start a project.
Where to go next
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