Reverb Flashcards
Definition of Reverb
- The space of a sound
- Sound waves reflecting off of surfaces in a space
Describe how reverb is physically created in a room
Sound reflects off surrounding surfaces, then reflections reflect again off surrounding surfaces, creating a wash of quick echoes
What is Reverb Time?
The time it takes in seconds for the reverb to fade back to -60db
What is Pre-Delay?
The gap between the sounds and the reverb starting
What is Plate Reverb?
Sound signal is fed through a metal plate in a frame
Describe how Plate reverb works
- Signal fed to metal plate via Drive Transducer
- Signal travels across metal sheet for different distances
- Signal reflects off sheet
- Signal captured at different points on metal sheet with 1-2 pickup transducers
What decade was Plate Reverb introduced?
1950’s
- Direct to tape, mono recording
- Early multi-track recording
What is a transducer?
A device that converts between different types of energy
What is a pickup?
a device that converts vibrations into an electrical signal
What does Plate Reverb sound like?
- Smooth, bright, warm tone.
- Gives shimmer/shine to mix
- Slightly unnatural tone
What is Plate Reverb most used for?
- Vocals: Plate verb’s bright tone boosts the presence of the vocal, helping it cut through.
- Drums: Snares, hats, overheads - shimmer cuts through
What is Spring Reverb?
Sound Signal is fed through loose springs
How does Spring Reverb work?
- 2-3 springs in box (tank).
- Signal applied to input transducer causes springs to vibrate
- vibrations create alternating electrical output, thats picked up by Output/Pickup Transducer
What does Spring Reverb sound like?
- Metallic
- Tinny
- Twangy
- Spacey echo
What is Spring Reverb most used for?
- Electric guitars
- Snare drums
- Vocals
- Synths
What decade was Spring Reverb introduced?
1930’s
- Direct to tape mono recording
What is Convolution Reverb?
Reproduces real reverb from real spaces
How does Convolution Reverb work?
- Impulse reflex generated in a space
- Impulse reflex is recorded
- Algorithms analyse and subtract impulse reflex from reverb
- Algorithms apply to other sounds
What is Digital Reverb/How does it work?
Reverb through mathematically calculated layered delays
What is an Echo Chamber?
- Reverberant room where speakers play mix out loud
- omnidirectional microphones pickup new reverberated sound
What is the impact of Reverb?
1) Brings a mix together
2) Gives ambience, depth, colour and space and puts sound in a ‘place’
3) Wall of sound – 60s production technique
