Vocal reverb
Reverb that makes vocals bigger, not further away
Reverb on a vocal adds space, but too much of it pushes the voice to the back and blurs the words. The fix is not less reverb but smarter reverb: a short gap before it starts (pre-delay), no low end, and a tail that ducks while the singer sings. Bubble Bath has all three on the front panel.
How to add reverb to vocals
- Put the reverb on a send (aux) track, 100% wet, and send the vocal to it. Then you can blend, EQ and duck the reverb on its own.
- Pick the space: a plate for pop and R&B shine, a short room for rap and upfront vocals, a hall for ballads and big hooks.
- Set pre-delay to 20 to 100 ms so the words come through clean before the reverb starts. Longer pre-delay keeps the vocal closer.
- Cut the reverb's low end (around 200 to 400 Hz) so it doesn't add mud under the beat.
- Duck the reverb under the dry vocal, so the tail blooms in the gaps between lines instead of under the words. Then turn the send down until you only miss it when it's gone.
Watch it explained: Reverb burying your vocal? Use pre-delay
Hear Bubble Bath
What you get with Bubble Bath
- 10 ready-to-go presets
- Four reverb types: Room, Hall, Plate and Spring
- Size, decay and pre-delay to shape the space
- Width, modulation and shimmer for wide, dreamy tails
- Freeze to hold a reverb tail like a pad
- Ducking, damping and low cut to keep your mix clear
Questions
What is the best reverb type for vocals?
Plates are the classic choice for pop, R&B and most lead vocals: bright and smooth. Short rooms keep rap and spoken vocals upfront. Halls suit slow songs and big choruses. Try each on a send and pick by ear.
How much reverb should I put on vocals?
Less than you think while the vocal is solo. Set it in the full mix and turn it down until you'd only notice it if it were gone. A ducked reverb lets you use more without losing clarity.
Why does reverb make my vocal muddy?
The reverb's low end and long tails pile up under the beat. High-pass the reverb at 200 to 400 Hz, shorten the decay and add pre-delay so the words stay clear.
Should reverb go on an insert or a send?
A send. It keeps the dry vocal untouched, lets several sounds share one space, and lets you EQ and duck the reverb on its own. Use an insert only for a quick effect with the mix knob low.
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