Pop music: what reverb are you using when tracking?

[Nama]

When mixing I use tempo delays a lot more than reverbs.
However, I assume you have to use reverbs to make your singers sit well in the mix when tracking them since singers often get bothered by tempo delays when tracking...

Or you might use a gate to hide delays when singers stop singing...?

Completely depending on each song, what are your technics for this kind of matter?

I know this is classic, but would like to know what you guys do these ProTools days.

Best

[Jim Williams]

Bricasti and Lexicon hardware, no plugs, never used for tracking either. No pro tools here either.

[Kingtone]

i get concerned when a singer asks for reverb when tracking. (although i have not worked with anyone lately that has asked for it)
More often than not, it will result in some seriously pitchy performances.

[evangelista]

No damn verb while tracking. If they insist, I'll throw up any plugin available.

[Voyage.One]

I sneak in a little bit of space designer during tracking and then come mixing time I remove it and switch over to the outboard reverb.

[kraku]

I've been wondering this for a long time now:

How much do you mix the reverb in the headphone mix and how long reveb tail do you use?

[spstudios]

Used a couple of times... but it was so long ago that I don't even remember!

[latestflavor]

Originally Posted by Nama

However, I assume you have to use reverbs to make your singers sit well in the mix when tracking them

nope

[bakedpotato]

we use hardware Compression+ software reverb here for tracking all the time, mostly with strong vocalists and on slower balad tracks. The length of the decay depends on the tempo of the song.

[Fezzle]

Apparently J Lennon always used some repeat in his ears before he started singing like a bird

[KungFuLio]

Originally Posted by evangelista

No damn verb while tracking. If they insist, I'll throw up any plugin available.

I've got to take the approach of whatever makes the artist feel most comfortable... I don't have to listen have to listen to their mix and they need to be comfortable for hours.

that said, they usually get a little 480L hall or a little pcm 42 slap depending on their needs. also they have the power to adjust in and out as much as they want.

happy artist = happy session

[Kingtone]

Originally Posted by KungFuLio

happy artist = happy session

that is not always the case.
I've worked with 'artists' that 'needed' so much reverb on their voice in the cans. The more i put on, the more pitchy and flat they sing. They are basically covering up a world of bad technique with that damn verb.
and yes.. there are always exceptions to the rule, but if they can get it right dry, they sure as heck aint gonna get it right wet.

[Tony Shepperd]

Reverb One from Digidesign with about 80ms pre delay and 2.1 RT.
If I want to hear more reverb I use a hall. If I want to hear less reverb I would use a plate.

[jmikeperkins]

I don't like to use reverb while tracking and will avoid it unless the artist demands it. Reverb while tracking vocals tends to cover up mistakes in pitch and phrasing and I need to hear those mistakes clearly to try and fix them. I am sure most engineers feel the same way. When I have to use reverb I like the TC Electronics halls and plates and I use one of their hardware units. I used to be a Lexicon guy but the TC Electronic units seem a little more realistic and less grainy sounding to me but your experience may be different.

[Nama]

Wow! No verb! I'm supprised!
I wish I could track without verbs sometimes to make singers naked and try to get the best takes there, but most of Japanese pro singers are used to sing with verbs. I know I would have to use Melodyne or something less if I used no verb and producers and musicans would notice singers mistakes more.
However, I'm an engineer, not a producer, and I have to do anything to make singers feel better to sing, and make them sound better in the control room in front of their producer and record label people.
That is supposed be my job here.

I'm of couse not compressing or EQing singers to make them sound like a record when tracking,
but I try to make them feel comfortable with verbs to go with instruments.

Do you guys work in big studios or your project studios?
Is this the case in big studios?

[Flymax]

SOmetimes the plate for the singer..dry is cool tho

[Tony Shepperd]

If the artist or the producer request it, I give them reverb.

[leaper]

No surprises over here if the singer asks for reverb. Usually they want a small, pre delayed dose to widen the perception of their voice. Anything lying to hand will do. I'll even suggest it if the vocalist appears uncomfortable with a dry vocal.
However, it often does get in the way of judging pitch and dynamic. It's a simple thing to ensure that the control room gets a dry version while the talent is floating in ecstatic headphone treacle.
Actually, It helps me to completely solo a voice during tricky passages. All that damn music getting in the way!

[Sean Sullivan]

Reverb while tracking, in my experience, seems to effect the singers pitch in a negative way. I'd have to imagine delay would mess with their timing. No reverb, no compression, I just ride the input to tape.

[Ward Pike]

During tracking? For vocals only, and then low in the mix, just to get rid of the anechoic chamber feeling. usually just throw up some d-verb 1.6seconds of plate, 80 ms predelay and diffusion at about 50%. Gives a sense of space but not enough to cause Randy Jackson level pitchiness.

[VT-MHE]

I never put on reverb while tracking. Of course if a singer ask then I will but other than that never happens

[T-Stag]

TL Space plug-in, RMX16 Ambience impulse response during tracking. It's very transparent and doesn't seem to confuse the vocalists. Works also well in the mix, but the main point there is delays and harmonizer...