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5. Combining effects

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By combining reverb and delay in one plugin, UltraSpace allows us to create effects that are more integrated, and this is enhanced even further via the serial and parallel routing options. If you’re looking for effects that combine reverb and delay, try a preset starting with the Mix prefix, as many are combination effects. 2

We’ve loaded the preset Mix Large Space. As the name implies, this is a big reverb designed for special effects that have a “washy” quality, and it has a long decay. Try adding it to a noise or impulse, such as a kick, and you’ll see what we mean. Even so, this is created using both reverb and delay. 3

Try reducing the mix blends for each effect to see what they’re both doing. When it’s just delay, you’ll hear quite a clattery multitap effect, meanwhile the reverb on its own is quite short. However, in serial mode the reverb feeds into the delay and the result is a more interesting and washy effect. 4

Returning to our stabby synth part, we’ve loaded up the preset Mix Echo Space 2. This combines a medium-sized reverb with very defined but decaying delay taps. On this occasion, if we hover our cursor over the Route button, we can see that this uses a parallel rather than serial configuration. 5

The routing configuration contributes a lot to the sound, and to get an idea of the difference, try switching to serial mode. The delay is now processing the reverb output, and you can’t really hear the individual delays anymore, but rather a more smeared reverb effect. 6

To take this effect into new and interesting territory, we can simply tweak the delay. Start by increasing the feedback, although not too high as at maximum it will be infinite. Also, try adding some more detune for a much more obvious and processed sound.