In the ever-evolving landscape of music production, artists and producers are constantly seeking innovative methods to breathe new life into their tracks. In this week’s video we’re delving into the art of using reversed and resampled reverbs to add depth and texture to music, a technique that can set your productions apart from the rest.
The Magic of Reversed Reverbs
The journey into reversed reverbs begins with the selection of a vocal snippet — the seed from which our sonic garden grows. In a recent tutorial, we explored this technique by isolating the first word of a vocal track, ensuring it resonates perfectly with the key of the song. The chosen word hit a C sharp note, a harmonious fifth in the scale of F minor, laying the groundwork for a lush reversed reverb effect.
Using Native Instruments’ Raum reverb plugin, we transformed this simple vocal into a soundscape, setting the dry/wet balance to fully wet. This allowed us to capture only the essence of the reverb, a ghostly echo of the original sound. By reversing this reverb and aligning it with the vocal’s entry, we created a seamless and ethereal introduction to the piece.
Expanding the Soundscape
To deepen the auditory experience, we expanded the reverb to fill a larger space, creating an atmospheric backdrop that serves as a bridge to the next musical section. This larger-than-life reverb was then reversed, crafting a smooth transition that complements the plucky riff that follows.
But why stop at vocals? We applied the same reversed reverb technique to the riff, blending it with the vocal reverb to produce a rich tapestry of sound. This combination of synth and vocal elements, once resampled and reversed, morphed into an atmospheric chord that perfectly fit into our track’s puzzle.
Short Reverb, Big Impact
Not all reverbs need to be expansive to make an impact. We demonstrated this with a short synth stab, reversed to precede its dry counterpart. This subtle touch, a whisper before the statement, adds a layer of anticipation and intrigue to the mix.
Are you inspired to experiment with these techniques in your own productions? At pointblank, we encourage innovation and creativity. Our degree courses, such as Music Production and DJ Performance or Music Production and Sound Engineering, are designed to give you the skills and knowledge to push the boundaries of music production.
If you’re ready to take your music production skills to the next level, consider studying with us at pointblank. Our comprehensive degree courses offer hands-on experience and in-depth training in the latest production techniques. Whether you’re interested in DJ Performance or Sound Engineering, our expert instructors are here to guide you every step of the way.
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