5 Favorite Tips for Mixing With Reverb

Hey there, fellow music producers and mixing engineers! Today, we're diving into the wonderful world of reverb and exploring some tried-and-true tips to help you create stunning, professional-sounding mixes. Reverb is a powerful tool that can add depth, dimension, and character to your tracks, but it's also easy to overdo it and end up with a muddy, overwhelming mess. Fear not, though, because we've got you covered with these five favorite tips for mixing with reverb like a pro.

1. Time the Decay to the Song

First things first, let's talk about reverb decay time. This is the amount of time it takes for the reverb to fade away after the initial sound has ended. Getting this right is crucial for maintaining clarity and avoiding a cluttered mix. A common mistake is using overly long decay times, which can quickly turn your mix into a soupy, reverb-heavy disaster.

The key is to set the reverb decay so that it lingers nicely in the spaces between notes or phrases, but doesn't overstay its welcome by lingering past the start of the next musical phrase. For vocals, dial in the decay so you can hear the reverb tail between phrases, but ensure it's cleared out by the time the singer begins their next line. When it comes to drums, the snare reverb should decay before the next snare hit to maintain punch and clarity. 

Here's A handy reference is a chart that shows the relationship between tempo (in BPM) and note lengths (in milliseconds). Use an appropriate note length as a starting point based on your song's tempo, and then fine-tune by ear from there. Trust your instincts and remember, less is often more when it comes to reverb decay times.

2. Use a Few Different Reverb Types

Another important aspect of mixing with reverb is understanding the various types available and when to use them. Different reverb algorithms, such as room, hall, chamber, and plate, each have their own unique characteristics and ideal applications. Head to the types of reverb section on the top 10 reverb article if you'd like to know more.

Room reverbs are fantastic for creating a sense of space and bringing close-miked overdubs together in a cohesive, realistic environment. If you want to add grandeur and expansiveness to orchestral arrangements, reach for a hall reverb. And for that classic, vintage vibe, nothing beats a good old plate reverb.

Don't be afraid to use multiple reverb types on a single instrument, either. For example, you might use a room reverb to realistically place string overdubs in a virtual space, and then add a touch of plate reverb for some extra polish and sheen. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for your mix.

3. Send or Insert

One of the age-old debates in the mixing world is whether to use reverb as an insert effect directly on a track or to set it up as a send effect on an aux channel. The most common approach is to use sends, as this allows you to efficiently share the same reverb across multiple tracks and process the reverb independently from the dry signal.

However, there are definitely situations where using reverb as an insert makes more sense. If you only need reverb on a single track and don't require any independent processing, using an insert can be simpler and more straightforward, with fewer routing headaches. Inserts also tend to work better when you want to apply a very heavy, unsubtle reverb to make one element really stand out in the mix.

Ultimately, the right approach is whichever one is simplest and gets you the desired result with the fewest complications. Don't get caught up in dogmatic thinking or feel like you have to use a certain method just because it's "the way it's always been done." Use your ears and let the needs of the mix guide your decision-making.

4. Use Filters

One of the biggest challenges when mixing with reverb is avoiding muddiness and maintaining clarity in the low-mid and bass frequencies. These frequencies don't tend to translate well through reverb and can quickly clutter up your mix if left unchecked.

The solution? High-pass filtering. By applying a high-pass filter to your reverb, typically in the 100-600 Hz range, you can clean up those problematic low frequencies while still preserving the nice, airy reverb in the higher frequencies. Low-pass filtering can also be useful for mellowing out overly bright or splashy reverbs and pushing certain elements further back in the mix.

Many reverb plugins come with built-in filters, so always start there before reaching for additional EQ plugins. Remember, you can place filters before or after the reverb in the signal chain for subtly different effects, so experiment to find what works best for your particular situation.

5. Compress + Saturate Your Reverb

Finally, let's talk about two secret weapons for taking your reverb game to the next level: compression and saturation. These tools can help you strike the perfect balance between having enough reverb for the desired effect without overpowering the mix. Compression can enhance the sustain and density of reverb tails, while saturation adds presence and character, and I gladly encourage you to read about Compression and Saturation to learn more and have an idea about this.

Try placing a compressor and/or saturator directly after the reverb, whether you're using it as an insert or a send effect. Use compression to bring out and shape the reverb tails, and saturation to add some extra warmth and presence. Just be sure to dial back the reverb decay time a bit to compensate for the increased sustain from the compression.

If you're using reverb on a send, you can also try routing both the dry and wet signals to a submix and applying compression and saturation there to "glue" everything together. This technique can help tuck the reverb nicely behind the dry signal while still allowing the tails to bloom and breathe in the spaces between phrases.

Questions & Answers

Q: When should I use a reverb insert vs. a send? A: As a general rule, use inserts for simplicity when you only need reverb on a single track and don't require any independent processing. Opt for sends when you want to share the same reverb across multiple tracks or process the reverb separately from the dry signal.

Q: How can I avoid making my mix muddy with reverb? A: The key is to high-pass filter your reverbs, typically in the 100-600 Hz range, to clean up low-mid and bass frequencies that don't translate well and can clutter up your mix. Most reverb plugins have built-in filters for this very purpose, so start there before reaching for additional EQ.

Q: What are some ways to make my reverbs sound better? A: In addition to filtering out problematic low frequencies, try using compression to enhance and shape reverb tails, and saturation to add presence and character. Don't forget to adjust the reverb decay time as needed to maintain clarity and avoid overpowering the mix. Sending both dry and wet signals to a submix and applying compression and saturation there can also provide a nice "gluey" cohesion to your reverb sound.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks – five of our favorite tips for mixing with reverb like a pro. Remember, the key is to use reverb thoughtfully and intentionally, always keeping the needs of the mix at the forefront. Don't be afraid to experiment and trust your ears – with a little practice and these tips in your arsenal, you'll be crafting stunning, professional-sounding reverb in no time!