reverb for vocals

I'm trying to mix a song and I'm having trouble with reverb. it's a mainstream pop/rock song, and I've got no clue how to add reverbs properly to the lead vocals.

I'd appreciate any advice on which reverb makes sense, room size of the reverb, anything else you think is important. thanks.

that's quite some helpful information, thanks.

more concretely, when going for a reverb, which plugin would you tend to use? Pantheon, PerfectSpace etc? And which reverb type: a plate reverb for vocals, or a medium hall thing?

I like the delay idea, will definitely try that.

Some have had luck with the Pantheon, but you definitely need to stay away from the presets on that one.  With the right attention, it can actually sound quite decent, but if you are having a hard time finding the right thing, this isn't the place I'd start, as you really k\need to know what you are doing and what you want in order to tweak Pantheon to produce it.  Good results once you get there, but definitely not the quickest journey.

I might start with the Simple included Cakewalk FxReverb.  It's been included for many verions of Sonar, but it's really pretty easy to work with.  The parameters are clearly laid out, and the presets are an ok place to get started.

Just be aware that if you are going to put the reverb on a bus to which you are sending tracks' outputs or if you put the fx in the track fx bin, you need to put the "mix control" in the place where it sounds right.  BUT if you are puting fx on a bus and using a send from a track to get it there, you want to make sure that the mix is set 100% wet.  You don't want ANY of the dry signal in the case of a bus used as an AUX send.  It will just sound wrong and will be wierd to control - so remember that - and it goes for all fx used on a bus with track SENDs going to it = 100% wet.

HTH

I might start with the Simple included Cakewalk FxReverb. It's been included for many verions of Sonar, but it's really pretty easy to work with. The parameters are clearly laid out, and the presets are an ok place to get started.

Good advice here +100

Check out these settings -
http://forum.cakewalk.com...k%2Creverb%F1%A5%9E%8A


This plug setting sounds great in a buss! Only problem, it only works in Sonar 32bit. It is a dx plug.

More Jonas Reverb goodies here:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.ashx?m=1715994

Also, if you haven't done so already, click on the tinyurl link at the bottom of Jonas' post and download the template. I use this template for most of the projects I start. Albeit I further customize for my workflow. However - even if you do not use the template - I would highly recommend opening up each plugin and saving the presets. I use a format like: "JA Plate Reverb", "JA Hall Reverb", etc. His presets are outstanding in my opinion.

Best of Luck!

AT


I almost always use Perfect Space (and mostly a plate) for lead vox.  It defaults to -9.1 wet volume but I almost always drag that down to - 12 or more.  A good idea for most reverbs.  Also, as above, pre-delay and cut the low end of the reverb to reclaim space.  In general, the faster the song and thicker the arraingement the less reverb you need.

If I don't use PS, delay is my next choice.  It gives the illusion of space without filling the bits inbetween.

reverb - a thick subject.

@

Yes it is...

I haven't used PS for initial tracking/recording. How does it perform? I guess I always assumed latency with convolution. 

bitflipper


Great summary of reverb wisdom so far, especially Blades' enumeration.

It's interesting that there is almost no end to what can be said about reverb, even though for most applications the truism that "if you can hear it you're using too much" definitely applies.

I'll add just one tip to what's been mentioned so far: automation can really expand what can be done with reverb. In most cases, you should put the reverb plugin on a bus dedicated to that purpose. One of the advantages to doing so is that you can easily modulate the amount of reverb with a simple volume envelope. (I sometimes control the reverb time with an envelope, too.)

With a volume envelope, you can do things like exaggerate the reverb on individual words, make the verse drier than the chorus, or lower the reverb on problem phrases (such as a rapid sequence of consonants) that reverb muddies.

This makes a lot of sense. I am a recent convert to fader riding for vox, so this advice goes perfectly with that technique as well.

I'm trying to mix a song and I'm having trouble with reverb. it's a mainstream pop/rock song, and I've got no clue how to add reverbs properly to the lead vocals. I'd appreciate any advice on which reverb makes sense, room size of the reverb, anything else you think is important. thanks.

The 1st thing i would do if i was you, and i was you at one time, is learn all about reverbs and how they effetc an audio signal. I would also learn about compression and complimentary Eq'ing techniques. This will put your vocals in a pocket of its own and mold into the song. Its mixing/mastering 101, and itd never too late to start learning.
Theres some good explanations here in this thread, but you need to read and study and learn how all these tihngs effects eachother. Otherwise, your just turning knobs and sliders blindly without knowing what it does and how it effetcs things.
Cj