Reverb on the MixBus

[uptoolate]

I'm sure that putting reverb on the mixbus is not a real common thing, but I have read on GS about a few people who do it.

To those who do this:

What type of verb do you generaly like to use?

How much? (wet/dry ratio)

Any tips on doing this are appreciated.

The mix I happen to be working on is a straight forward rock tune.

I want to make the elements gel a little better and am wondering if verb could help.

I only have plugins by the way. Powercore/Uad/Waves. These are probably my best plugs.

Thanks!

EDIT: Also, would the verb work best before MixBus comp (UAD 33609) or after?

[IzzyRock]

[uptoolate]

Originally Posted by IzzyRock

Not sure what that means.

Maybe you mean you are leaving the scene before I get beat down for asking this question.

That's cool.

So, what about it? Reverb on the mix bus?

[Mike Brown]

I wouldn't say never (im sure someone has and its work really well)... but I would say I would -not- but reverb on the whole mix.

There are plenty of things that I do not really enjoy putting through reverb (room mics etc)....

With modern consoles / DAW it is preferable to utilize aux sends and custom create a mix to send to a reverb unit and then mix that in during mixing.

[jahtao]

BEAT HIM DOWN!!!!!

[hobson]

not all that uncommon - i've tried this before - with good & bad results - when inserted on the mix - very!! low ratio wet/dry - when mixed in with the 2-buss - IMHO offers better flexibility to process the verb return front and back... and easier to balance the 2 stereo channels.

Pete Townsend mentions this (EQ mag) with the american release of The Who's 'I Can See for Miles' - folding back the Studio Chamber during mastering and cutting of the disc... he sites other notable (long ago) hits that had this effect - "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin" by the Righteous Brothers as being one... i'm sure there are others...

anyone else got a reference for this?


__________________________
Hobson

[Mr.HOLMES]

I guess this would sound very unreal.
In mastering situations they do it too right???

The problem is in a reverb unit we have one fixed pre delay.
In real live we have many different pre-delays in this situation.

I would not put reverb over my mix like vanilla sauce.

All reverb it needs happened already in the mix-down.

[eclectic]

I've done this before. Can take off the rough edges of a harsh mix and add a little space. You'll get much better results by using an AUX giving each instrument it's own space BUT there are no hard-fast rules really. If you trust your ears and it sounds good, it is good.

Check the mix on a couple of sources before marrying to FXs though. I've found this to be one of the most deceiving things to judge using a single reference. Also, try rolling off some highs and lows on your verb to preserve the bass and not exaggerate your higher frequency transients. Possibly dip some mids if you find the verb getting muddy. Use a very faint trace, less than you want to. Push the ratio up until you discern it and then take it back down a little.

Try it and tell us what you think.

[NathanEldred]

I've done it before. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Keep it VERY subtle, because a little goes a very long way. The times it has worked was with more sparse arrangements - bluegrass and folk rock.

[Sigma]