What do the different reverb parameters mean?

Question

Inspired by this question: How to make a sound appear to be more distant?

What do all the different reverb parameters (like "ER" and "Diffusion") actually mean?

Answer 1

Reverb effects can be fairly simple (spring reverb in a guitar amp*) or very complicated (like a Lexicon studio reverb unit).

Here's a run-down on the most common reverb parameters taken from: http://www.emusician.com/gear/1332/cheat-sheet-reverb-parameters/38871

*Note that guitar amp spring reverbs usually have a control just called "reverb" that functions as a wet/dry mix control as described below.

TYPE

Hall and Room are self-explanatory. [Todd: In case they are not, "Hall" is meant to re-create the sound of a large concert hall. Most hall types have longer decay times and higher diffusion, for a smooth spacious sound. "Room" types are meant to re-create a smaller room, which means they normally have shorter decay times, more noticeable early reflections, and a more pingy or metallic sound. Both types usually have a lot of variation that can overlap in sound with larger rooms sounding like smaller halls.] Plate emulates the plate reverbs common in the ’60s, which were often used for vocals. Inverse creates a reverse reverb effect, where the reverberation starts at a lower level and increases to a higher level. Spring types emulate old mechanical reverbs known for a “sproingy,” metallic sound. Gated reverb has a decay that cuts off abruptly below a certain level. Convolution reverbs load a sample (also called impulse) that defines a room’s characteristics, and impresses these characteristics on the signal being reverberated.

ROOM SIZE

Larger sizes typically correlate to longer reverb times and possibly a wider stereo image. As even synthetic rooms can have standing waves, if the reverb sound has flutter (a periodic warbling effect), vary this parameter in conjunction with decay time (described later) for a smoother sound.

EARLY REFLECTIONS (ER) LEVEL

This parameter sets the level of the first group of echoes that occurs when sound waves hit walls, ceilings, etc. These reflections tend to be more defined and sound more like “echo” than “reverb.” Prominent early reflections tend to work better with sustained sounds, such as vocals and pads, than percussive sounds. Balance the early reflections so they are neither obvious discrete echoes, nor masked by the decay. Lowering the early reflections level also places the listener further back in the room, and more toward the middle.

PRE-DELAY

Simulates the amount of time it takes for a sound to leave its sound source and create a first reflection. Setting a slight pre-delay offsets the reverb from the dry signal, which can prevent reverb from “stepping on” the signal being reverberated. Also, increase pre-delay to give the feeling of a bigger space; for example, large room sizes tend to work well with significant pre-delay.

DECAY TIME

This determines how long it takes for the reflections in the room to run out of energy. Long reverb times may sound impressive on instruments when soloed, but rarely work in an ensemble context (unless the arrangement is sparse). Reverb presets often link the decay time and room size parameters so you don’t end up with, for example, a small room with a very long decay. However, “wrong” settings can sometimes create useful sounds.

DAMPING

With softer surfaces (e.g., a hall packed with people), the reverb tails will lose high frequencies as they bounce around, producing a warmer sound with less “edge.” If your reverb has an artificial-sounding high end, add damping to create a warmer sound. Damping affects overall tone, so setting it “oppositely” often works well (lots of damping with a bright-sounding song to warm it up, little damping if the song needs more “air”).

HIGH FREQUENCY ATTENUATION

This reduces the high frequencies going into the reverb. If your reverb sounds metallic, reduce the highs starting at 4–8kHz. Remember, many great-sounding plate reverbs didn’t have much response over 5kHz.

LOW FREQUENCY ATTENUATION

Use this to reduce low frequencies entering the reverb. This can prevent a muddy, indistinct sound that takes focus away from the kick and bass. Try attenuating from 100–200Hz on down.

WIDTH

Some reverbs allow expanding or collapsing the stereo image.

LOAD IMPULSE FILE

This is found only in convolution reverbs. A convolution reverb will not function without having a reference impulse audio file loaded.

MODULATION DEPTH

To create more variation in reverb sounds, modulation adds subtle changes to the reverb characteristics. Increase modulation depth if the reverb sound needs more “animation.”

MODULATION RATE

For reverbs with modulation, this determines the rate at which modulation changes occur.

EARLY REFLECTIONS DIFFUSION

Increasing early reflections diffusion pushes the early reflections closer together, thickening the sound. Reducing diffusion creates more discrete echoes. For percussive instruments, lots of diffusion avoids the “marbles bouncing on a steel plate” effect caused by too many discrete echoes. However, for vocals and other sustained sounds, reduced diffusion can give smooth reverberation that doesn’t overpower the source and maintains clarity.

REVERB DECAY DIFFUSION

This is similar to early reflections diffusion but affects the reverb “tail.” Many reverbs use a single control for both diffusion parameters.

REVERB DENSITY

Lower densities give more space between the reverb’s first reflections and subsequent reflections. Higher densities place these closer together. Generally, as with diffusion, higher densities work better for percussive content, and lower densities for vocals and sustained sounds.

HIGH FREQUENCY DECAY

With reverbs having separate decay times for high and low frequencies, this sets the decay of high frequencies. A longer high frequency decay gives a brighter, more ethereal type of reverb that can sound great on vocals as it adds more reverb to sibilants and fricatives, while minimizing reverb on plosives and lower vocal ranges.

LOW FREQUENCY DECAY

With reverbs having separate decay times for high and low frequencies, this sets the decay of low frequencies. A longer low frequency decay gives a bigger, more “massive” type of reverb that’s more like a large live space, but when used to excess, can give a “muddy” sound.

CROSSOVER FREQUENCY

This sets the dividing point between the high and low frequencies mentioned above.

(WET/DRY) MIX

Use this to edit the balance of dry and reverberated sound. If the reverb serves as an insert effect, set this for the desired blend. If the reverb is a send effect, this is usually set to reverb only, with the return control determing the overall reverb level in the mix.

GATE

For gated reverb, this sets the level below which the reverb tail is cut off. Using relatively high gate settings was a popular effect in ’80s synth-pop.

GATE DECAY

When using gated reverb, this adjusts how long it takes for the reverb tail to decay after the reverb signal passes below the gate threshold.