Reverb at the mastering stage

Kyle Ashley · 29th June 2005, 11:05 PM

Any of you mastering gurus using reverb at the mastering stage?
What circumstances would cause you to use it and how would you implement it?

dave-G · 30th June 2005, 03:22 AM

The only time I have ever used reverb in a mastering setting was on an acoustic, live-to-2-track, semi-'classical' project: I needed to create a decent ring-out/decay for an otherwise good take that was spoiled by someone dropping something at the end. I programmed up a reverb that matched the sound of the room as best I could, and automated the send to it going up just on the last "boom" of the music, as the actual recorded tail was faded down before the offending thud could be heard. Worked nicely.

In any kind of pop or rock music, the thought of adding global reverb gives me the willies. No thanks. I just can't think of a situation where it would sound like anything other than cheese. ...

Of course, no offense to the dairy industry.

-dave

Drumsound · 30th June 2005, 08:20 AM

An ME did something similat for a recor I did a couple years ago. There was some kind of noise too close to the end of the song that made the fade seem abrupt. I can't even remember what song it was(I know what record), so that's a good sign.

narco · 30th June 2005, 09:00 AM

I had to overdub the drums once in mastering becasue the mixer forgot to put them in (no I'm not kidding), I think it ended up being a top 20 single too!

bloodstone · 30th June 2005, 10:49 AM

I have had a few occasions when it made sense and I'm convinced it improved the song: a latin tune that was a tongue in cheek ballad about betrayal, a surf instrumental and an alt pop song that was mixed almost dry.

On occasion I've also put delay on an entire mix, mainly rockabilly stuff. That seems to work as well depending on the situation.

This isn't something I do all the time, but when the shoe fits...

**Riccardo** · 30th June 2005, 12:19 PM

To reconstruct "chopped" fades which are unfortunately very common, mostly from not too experienced engineers I guess but every now and ten even from supposedly pro guys.
Turn up that volume knob to 11 or wear headphones when you fade out!

AlphaDingo · 30th June 2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

In any kind of pop or rock music, the thought of adding global reverb gives me the willies. No thanks. I just can't think of a situation where it would sound like anything other than cheese.

did he say Blessed are the cheese makers? I think he ment producers of dairy in general.

**jayfrigo** · 30th June 2005, 07:01 PM

Reverb in mastering is pretty uncommon, but you still need to have a good one available for the instances where it is called for. You may be reconstructing clipped tails or smoothing fades, occasionally the client wants a little extra on acoustic or folk music, sometimes you cheat on an orchestral or traditional/classical piece that wasn't recorded in a great hall, and finally, when doing a CD release of a film score a little 'verb may help you.

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29th June 2005, 11:05 PM	#1
Kyle Ashley Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa Bay/Cape Fear NC Posts: 656	Reverb at the mastering stage Any of you mastering gurus using reverb at the mastering stage? What circumstances would cause you to use it and how would you implement it? __________________ Kyle Ashley

30th June 2005, 08:20 AM	#3
Drumsound Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bloomington Il Posts: 3,565	An ME did something similat for a recor I did a couple years ago. There was some kind of noise too close to the end of the song that made the fade seem abrupt. I can't even remember what song it was(I know what record), so that's a good sign. __________________ Tony Oxide Lounge Recording See the Oxide Lounge! WWJMD? Come see me on the Tape Op boards! "If I have to flip flop more than three times in an A/B test to figure out what the difference is, I lose interest in that difference.'--Tchad Blake

30th June 2005, 10:49 AM	#5
bloodstone Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 658	It Depends I have had a few occasions when it made sense and I'm convinced it improved the song: a latin tune that was a tongue in cheek ballad about betrayal, a surf instrumental and an alt pop song that was mixed almost dry. On occasion I've also put delay on an entire mix, mainly rockabilly stuff. That seems to work as well depending on the situation. This isn't something I do all the time, but when the shoe fits...

30th June 2005, 12:19 PM	#6
Riccardo Mastering Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Always on the Run Posts: 1,430	To reconstruct "chopped" fades which are unfortunately very common, mostly from not too experienced engineers I guess but every now and ten even from supposedly pro guys. Turn up that volume knob to 11 or wear headphones when you fade out! __________________ Velvet Room Mastering "What quality level does it need to be? Personally, I work on mixes that range from marvellous to hideously diabolical.......I'd suggest you aim more towards the "marvellous" end of the scale!" - Darius van Helfteren -

30th June 2005, 03:22 AM	#2
dave-G Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,096	The only time I have ever used reverb in a mastering setting was on an acoustic, live-to-2-track, semi-'classical' project: I needed to create a decent ring-out/decay for an otherwise good take that was spoiled by someone dropping something at the end. I programmed up a reverb that matched the sound of the room as best I could, and automated the send to it going up just on the last "boom" of the music, as the actual recorded tail was faded down before the offending thud could be heard. Worked nicely. In any kind of pop or rock music, the thought of adding global reverb gives me the willies. No thanks. I just can't think of a situation where it would sound like anything other than cheese. ... Of course, no offense to the dairy industry. -dave

30th June 2005, 09:00 AM	#4
narco Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Switzerland/New Zealand/guitar case Posts: 3,099	I had to overdub the drums once in mastering becasue the mixer forgot to put them in (no I'm not kidding), I think it ended up being a top 20 single too!

30th June 2005, 07:01 PM	#8
jayfrigo Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,790	Reverb in mastering is pretty uncommon, but you still need to have a good one available for the instances where it is called for. You may be reconstructing clipped tails or smoothing fades, occasionally the client wants a little extra on acoustic or folk music, sometimes you cheat on an orchestral or traditional/classical piece that wasn't recorded in a great hall, and finally, when doing a CD release of a film score a little 'verb may help you. __________________ Jay Frigoletto Mastersuite www.promastering.com www.studiometronome.com

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