Reverb Compression for Drums

Cool techniques for processing compressed reverbs for Epic Drum sounds.

Beat Construction

Reverb Compression for Drums video tutorial outlines how to use a compressor to compress the reverb effect when used with drum breaks.

The biggest problems associated with compressing reverb effects are that of frequency smearing and response control.

Frequency Smearing

Reverb and low frequencies just don’t marry well. We, producers, spend more time trying to manage low frequencies than any other frequencies and no matter how hard we work at getting the low frequencies to sit nicely in the mix we know that once reverb is applied clarity goes out of the window. Nothing smears a reverb’s response more than low frequencies. Reverb effects are presented with all manner of filtering options for exactly this type of a problem. We can use the reverb effect’s built-in filtering or EQ section to remove frequencies that smear or cause other anomalies like a brittle high-frequency response.

Compression

Now let us look at the other problem associated with using a compressor on the reverb effect – that of response control.

The minute a compressor is strapped across a reverb auxiliary, or at the DAW’s channel inserts post reverb, it is the compressor’s controls that shape the reverb. It is the compressor that now controls the reverb’s response (shape), so if you have spent hours getting your pre-delay just right, nailing the decay for a smooth reverb tail and sorting out a nice wispy texture using the diffusion feature you can kiss all that goodbye as the compressor now rules the response.

Understanding how the compressor’s parameters affect the reverb response is the first step in taking back control.

In the Reverb Compression for Drums video, I show you how to structure the reverb to accommodate the compressor. I explain how the compressor affects the reverb’s response and what settings to use to get the optimum result. I use a drum beat to trigger the compressor post reverb and show you how to best work the two processes together and at the same time. There are ways to overcome all the inherent problems associated with reverb compression and I make sure to share them with you.

Plugins used in this video:

FabFilter Pro R

Steinberg Compressor

Topics covered in this video are:

• Pitfalls of using Reverb on low-frequency sounds
• Filtering practices
• Compression tactics for Reverb
• Smearing
• Pre or post-compression for Reverb
• Reverb settings
• Controlling sub frequencies
• Using frequency smearing to your advantage
• Pumping Reverbs

If you found this tutorial helpful then give these a try:

How to use Reverb for Electronic Drums

Add Variety to your Drum Beats using Delay Effects

Creating a beat and an effect from a drum loop

Pumping and Swelling Drum Beats using Compressors

Reverb Effect – what is it and how does it work

Creating a Smooth and Liquid Reverb

Creating a Master Mix Reverb

Reverb smoothing using a De-Esser

Creating the 3 master reverbs using the FabFilter Pro R reverb

iZotope Ozone Reverb – how to create a mix reverb

Constructing the 3 master mix reverbs using Melda MReverb

Reverb – manipulating distance using Proximity

Layering Reverbs for a Big and Lush Effect

Drum Reverb

Studio and Multi Effects Masterclass

Creative Effects

Beat Construction