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As some know, I've recently been paying more attention to reverb lately; both the types and the amounts in mixes.

I heard this song the other day, and, as an engineer, of course I started to dissect the song, and the one thing that stood out for me - that I liked - was the use of reverb on this track... actually, I think I can hear several reverbs going on, yet I found them to compliment each other.

Now, it's obvious that this track has been PT'd to death, but I do like what the engineer did with the reverb(s) treatment on the lead vocals and the backing vocals. I was wondering if you guys might be able to help me de-engineer the reverbs used.

I'm also hearing creative use of delay, but it sounds like the delay has verb on it too... do you think that they added reverb to the delay, or that the delay was after the reverb in the FX chain?

Those engineers here on RO who are into more current music and mix trends - I'd like to hear from you as to your thoughts on the reverb processing for this track:

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pcrecord Sun, 06/14/2015 - 04:50

It's hard to say what kind. I think the trick with the reverb here is that the low pass filter has been set quite low.
Guessing it could be a big tile room but without all the the HF. There isn't a long pre-delay so the reverb is more part of the sound instead of being seperated and easy to discern.

For what I know they could have done it like in the old days, puting a speaker and an mic in a room and record it, the put a big LP on it !! ;)

KurtFoster Sun, 06/14/2015 - 09:42

it's not a room. i saw some pics of the studio (The Trophy Room in Nashville) and no way is it the room.

their equipment list shows they have a couple of analog springs but no digital 'verbs are listed. they DO have a real console though. if it is a dig 'verb it would be a plug . perhaps [[url=http://[/URL]="http://trophyroomst…"]this[/]="http://trophyroomst…"]this[/] will help ?

.... and good on these guys! it's nice to see success come to some enterprising guys who started a mid level facility. it shows me that things are beginning to rebound from the damage done by the "democratization"of audio. ohh, to be 20 years younger ....

Davedog Tue, 06/16/2015 - 11:15

Two lead vocal takes. Different mics. Sounds like Manny Marroquin delay. Probably the two tracks hard panned with a stereo track of them centered with that delay. Some verb sent to the corners of the spread and a LOAD of backing voice tracks. If it was MIXED at Blackbird then all bets are off as to what they used, since they have three of everything.

DonnyThompson Wed, 06/17/2015 - 01:25

Thanks Dave - nice breakdown.

You are hearing what I am referring to, thought, right? This verb treatment sounds different to me than much of the other more current production styles I've heard. The reverb sounds "warmer", and without the "fizziness" that I've heard so often on other modern vocal tracks...

Or am I wrong?

Davedog Wed, 06/17/2015 - 08:16

Donny. I work with a couple of guys who do Pop music. My guess is all about techniques that are popular for current Pop records. A LOT of current Pop vocal sounds are edgy and a touch harsh. This is nice and warm. The effects used are very deep and theres a LOT . I am definitely hearing two complete tracks. The rest is conjecture and is based on what I know these particular Pop producers that I know as friends use in their productions.