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  #1  
Old 03-09-2010, 08:43 PM
lpa53 lpa53 is offline
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Default Reverb Options For Dummies?

I use Audacity for recording but have never been able to get the reverb sound I want, something very simple and not echo-ey (sp?). All those variables to set and no idea what they mean. I try messing with all of them and can't get something that doesn't sound like I'm in a cave. Is there a good source for understanding how to set the variables and what the heck they all mean - and in layman's terms?
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Old 03-09-2010, 09:00 PM
DupleMeter DupleMeter is offline
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I don't know what kind of reverb options you have with Audacity, but a couple of ideas:

make sure the reverb is on an auxiliary bus and not inserted on the track itself. This way you can send multiple tracks to the same reverb (saving CPU overhead) and allows for finer control of the blend.

make sure you have a pre-delay on the reverb. Give the sound a chance before the reverb kicks in. Always best to time the pre-delay to the tempo of the song.

EQ before the reverb. A high pass/low cut around 250Hz and a low pass/high cut around 4kHz. So, you only have the meat of the sound coming through the verb. Keeps a cheaper reverb from overtaking a recording.

A little delay can help make a focal instrument bigger. I like a stereo delay with very little feedback: 15-20ms on one side, 30-40ms on the other. Just bring it up to where it seems to make the sound bigger...but not sounding like a delay. That allows you to use a little less reverb without sounding like your using less - it will just stay out of your way better. Same deal as the reverb - put it on an aux bus.
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Old 03-09-2010, 10:33 PM
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That is really quite a big topic. There is just so many ways you can go with reverb depending on the sound you want. I suggest you do a google search and read up a lot and perhaps come back with more specific questions should you still have any.
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Old 03-10-2010, 01:02 PM
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I'm not familiar with Audacity does it have sends as well as outputs for each track ?
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Old 03-10-2010, 02:20 PM
Fran Guidry Fran Guidry is offline
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I just fiddled around with the Gverb effect tool and I agree that it's hard to get a decent balance of wet to dry. The suggestions that have been offered require routing capabilities that are not included in Audacity.

But, you can get the same result with a little fooling around. Go ahead and apply the giant clangy echo to the track but export the file to a new name. Now load both files and adjust the level on the new reverbed track until it is just barely audible.

Another free option is Wavosaur, which has a VST host capability, giving you access to lots of free effects.

Edit:

I found this wiki page: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/GVerb

It makes the same "parallel reverb" suggestion, but also gives some settings.

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Old 03-11-2010, 06:41 AM
lpa53 lpa53 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fran Guidry View Post
I just fiddled around with the Gverb effect tool and I agree that it's hard to get a decent balance of wet to dry. The suggestions that have been offered require routing capabilities that are not included in Audacity.

But, you can get the same result with a little fooling around. Go ahead and apply the giant clangy echo to the track but export the file to a new name. Now load both files and adjust the level on the new reverbed track until it is just barely audible.

Another free option is Wavosaur, which has a VST host capability, giving you access to lots of free effects.

Edit:

I found this wiki page: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/GVerb

It makes the same "parallel reverb" suggestion, but also gives some settings.

Fran
Fran comes through again. Gverb is what I've been using so this will be a help, along with the other suggestions.
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Old 03-13-2010, 10:40 AM
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I'd like to thank contributors, particularly Duplemeter for some very useable tips. I'm also on a steep learning curve in trying to make rcordings sound professional while not swimming in mid and reverb.

I'm using Apple Logic but get frustrated working 'blind' on all the reverb types and options. A little method and patience is required (neither my fortés).
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Old 03-13-2010, 11:17 AM
RustyAxe RustyAxe is offline
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DupleMeter made some really good suggestions. I'd highly recommend REAPER for a DAW. Free to try, only $60 for private and small commercial use. LOTS of routing options. Hot stuff!
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Old 03-17-2010, 04:20 PM
valleyguy valleyguy is offline
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If you have set up Audacity to accept VST plugins (a free download from their site), there are many fine ones to use, I like the Classic series from Kjaerhus, plus they are free. Check them out. The reverb is very nice, as well as the compressor , delay and chorus. Many of them have presets that are very good. I use the Master limiter to avoid the occasional clip in my recordings.

That said, sometimes the sound you want is really a delay, which is most commonly used in today's recording, as reverb seems to be out of style since it was so overused in the 80s. Try them all and experiment.
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