Automating Sends vs. Returns

nucelar · 4th February 2009

Hi,
Just a question on how to use reverb on dialogue tracks. Ok, I have a bunch of ADR'd dialogue tracks that will need reverb depending on the scene of course.
I used to automate the individual sends and leave the return fader fairly constant at a reasonable level. I was tought this is the "right" way of using send-return.
But now I more and more do the exact opposite: leave the sends at 0dB and automate just the reverb return. It's far more simple and the results are as good in most cases. Are you guys doing this too, or is there something inherently wrong in this? I know that as long as it sounds good it's good, but am I missing something?
Thank you

dr.sound · 4th February 2009

You had it right the first time. Automate your send and leave the return fixed. For example as a guy is walking down the hallway you send more to the "send" and back off the send as he gets closer to you . If you automate the return you the guys lines are wallowing around in the verb and you lose some subtle things with the verb. To my ears (when they are clean) it sound much better and it gives you much more flexibility over the sound. FWIW...

sailor · 4th February 2009

+1 on automating the sends. Sometimes you just need to throw a little reverb tail on the last syllable of production dialog to match the room if it's been cut tight for some reason. When you automate the send, you only will generate reverb for the words you want. If you keep the send up and automate the return, the added reverb is over the whole line and you may get some smearing between production reverb and fake reverb as you bring the fader up.

Plus it just seems cleaner to me to automate the send and leave the return at unity.

smurfyou · 4th February 2009

Oops I said it backwards! I'm with them ^ I just didn't know how to speak this morning apparently. I bring the sends to the faders to ride (easier than a knob).

4th February 2009	#1
nucelar Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Barcelona Posts: 586 Thread Starter	Automating Sends vs. Returns Hi, Just a question on how to use reverb on dialogue tracks. Ok, I have a bunch of ADR'd dialogue tracks that will need reverb depending on the scene of course. I used to automate the individual sends and leave the return fader fairly constant at a reasonable level. I was tought this is the "right" way of using send-return. But now I more and more do the exact opposite: leave the sends at 0dB and automate just the reverb return. It's far more simple and the results are as good in most cases. Are you guys doing this too, or is there something inherently wrong in this? I know that as long as it sounds good it's good, but am I missing something? Thank you

4th February 2009	#2
dr.sound Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 692	You had it right the first time. Automate your send and leave the return fixed. For example as a guy is walking down the hallway you send more to the "send" and back off the send as he gets closer to you . If you automate the return you the guys lines are wallowing around in the verb and you lose some subtle things with the verb. To my ears (when they are clean) it sound much better and it gives you much more flexibility over the sound. FWIW... __________________ Marti D. Humphrey CAS aka dr.sound www.thedubstage.com Imdb credits http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0401937/ Like everything in life, there are no guarantee's just opportunities.

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4th February 2009	#3
sailor Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 503	+1 on automating the sends. Sometimes you just need to throw a little reverb tail on the last syllable of production dialog to match the room if it's been cut tight for some reason. When you automate the send, you only will generate reverb for the words you want. If you keep the send up and automate the return, the added reverb is over the whole line and you may get some smearing between production reverb and fake reverb as you bring the fader up. Plus it just seems cleaner to me to automate the send and leave the return at unity.

4th February 2009	#4
smurfyou Gear addict Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 318	Oops I said it backwards! I'm with them ^ I just didn't know how to speak this morning apparently. I bring the sends to the faders to ride (easier than a knob).