PRO TIPS

AUTOMATING REVERB PARAMETERS

Many modern reverb plugins are stuffed with parameters that can drastically change the effect, making them fertile ground for creative automation. Classic tricks include automating the wet/dry, size and decay parameters to create build-ups and transitions. The real magic, though, starts to take place when you make several parameters evolve at the same time. You can even go as far as morphing from one reverb preset into another! It’s easy to go completely nuts with this technique, but keep in mind that smaller incremental changes within each parameter can often yield more useful results. When done right, this can become a near-invisible force that modulates the intensity of your song, giving lush variation and depth.

THE FINAL TOUCH

When tweaking reverb settings, I quite often find myself in a situation where I’ve exhausted the available options within the plugin itself to control the sound. Usually, the vibe I’m going for is there, but the effect just calls for a little bit of tidying up. There may be some low-end rumble, or the reverb might be masking another element of the mix. Often, the stereo image of the reverb also doesn’t sit perfectly within the context of the whole mix. In these situations, it’s great to load up your favourite EQ and a stereo imaging plugin (try Panagement CM) after the reverb in the processing chain. This gives you a great toolset for polishing your reverb sound. You can also use spectrum and stereo image analysers (such as Scope CM) for visual confirmation of what’s happening.