Difference between reverb and delay | Basics of effects that create space

Reverb and delay are effects that add depth and spaciousness to the sound. Both create reflected sounds, but reverb is a series of small reflections, and delay is an effect in which the original sound is repeated after a certain period of time.

Role of reverb

Recreate spaces such as rooms, halls, plates, etc. By placing vocals and instruments in the same space, you can create a sense of distance between close and far. The more you increase the amount, the easier it will go down.

Role of delay

Create one or more repeating sounds. It can be used to widen the ending of a song, add rhythm, and create movement from side to side. Synchronizing the tempo makes it easier to match the rhythm of the song.

Inserts and sends

Inserts are useful if you want to perform special processing on just one track, and sends are useful if you want multiple tracks to share the same space. Set the effect sound to 100% on the send track.

Pre-delay

This is the time from the original sound until the reverb starts. If you pause for a while, you can spread out the reverberation while preserving the outline of the words.

Reduce turbidity

By high-passing the low range of the reverb and lowering the high range a little, it will be less likely to collide with the original sound. If you reduce the high frequency range each time the delay is repeated, it will naturally disappear into the background.

How to use for beginners

First, create one short reverb send, sending a small amount from each track. Add a tempo-synced delay to the vocals if necessary, starting with an amount that only allows you to hear the endings.

The natural starting point is that the effect will be a little lonely when you stop it, but it won't be too overpowering while it's playing. Check to see if you can feel the space while maintaining the clarity of the original sound.