Reverbs That Listeners Feel (Rather Than Hear)

In many songs, a big, lush reverb can really enhance a mix. But in others, that same reverb may cause issues. Too much reverb, and things can sound too distant, washed out, blurred, and unfocused. Sometimes, a more effective approach is to go the opposite route, and use effects in a way where they’re almost unnoticeable. On many great mixes, you might not even know an effect like reverb is there until it’s taken away. Using effects in this way creates depth and space without distracting from the mix.

Here are a few ways to achieve this:

1. Start with too much, then dial back
Keep dialling back until you’re using as little as possible. You’ll almost always add less this way than if you keep adding more, waiting for it to feel like it’s enough.

2. Use shorter decay times
Long reverbs can quickly wash things out. Shorten the decay times to keep things controlled.

3. Use more subtle effects
Something more neutral, like a room reverb, can be less noticeable than something grand like a church or hall setting. In each case, remember that using reverb more subtly can often be really beneficial, especially in busier mixes. Sometimes the best approach is to create something that adds a subtle texture, but you don’t necessarily notice it in a prominent way in the mix.

The test: mute the effect. Does the mix lose something when you do, and gain a certain depth, space, or overall texture when you unmute it? If so, you’re probably doing it right!

Give this a try — pull your effects back and see if this suits your latest mix more than big, lavish reverbs. And let me know how it goes.