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Reverberation
Logic
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Q:
What is reverberation?
Reverberation is one of the most commonly used effects
in music. Also known as reverb, it is the natural
reflection of sound in an acoustic space. As a microphone
typically captures only the direct sound from the
source (without the room reflections), recordings
without any reverb mixed in will sound very dry
and unnatural. On the other hand, too much reverb
will simply smear up the clarity of the mix, making
it sound like the neighbor's karaoke nightmare (often
with maximum effects to mask the bad singing)!
Example 1: Dry
(minimal or no reverb).mp3
Example 2: Natural
(a little reverb).mp3
Example 3: Smeared
(too much reverb).mp3
Q: Does Logic have any reverberation effect?
Yes, Logic comes
with several reverb plug-ins such as PlatinumVerb,
GoldVerb, SilverVerb, EnVerb and AVerb. However,
the Space Designer is only available in Logic Pro
while the Apple QuickTime synthesizer also has a
built-in reverb effect.
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Premium
Reverb Plug-in: The PlatinumVerb is a powerful
reverb plug-in that is available in both Logic
Pro and Logic Express.
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| Reverb
from External Synths: Built-in reverb from the
QuickTime synth (an external device) can be
dialed-in via the Track Mixer's Reverb Send
knobs, i.e. the top row knobs with the green
outline (a default setup in the Logic Notes
song template). |
Q:
What is Space Designer?
Space Designer is Logic's convolution
reverb plug-in. While conventional reverberation
effects are based on reverb algorithms, Space Designer
uses Impulse Responses instead, which are actually
reverb samples, i.e. recordings of physical spaces
such as auditoriums, halls and rooms.
During the convolution process, every sample in
the audio input is multiplied by each sample in
the Impulse Response (IR). Needless to say, overlaying
the IR onto the input signal in real-time is a processor-intensive
task. But with the availability of more powerful
computers, convolution reverbs have become increasingly
popular in recent years.
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New
Realism in Reverberation Technology: The
Space Designer is a convolution reverb plug-in
based on Impulse Responses (only available
in Logic Pro). |
Logic Pro 7 comes with a 400MB IR library. Consisting
of stereo 24-bit audio files in AIFF and WAVE formats
(beneath the SDIR file extension), these reverb
samples are recordings of actual concert halls,
cathedrals, recording studios, vintage reverb devices,
tunnels and conventional rooms, among others.
Q: What is the best way to insert a reverb plug-in?
A reverberation
effect is typically shared by multiple instruments.
As such, it should not be put into an individual
track's insert slot. Since a reverb plug-in usually
consumes more processing power than an average plug-in,
an insert effect system (which requires a separate
plug-in for each track) will only put unnecessary
strain on the host computer's CPU.
Reverb is more commonly used as an aux send effect.
Setting up this effect bus will enable a single
plug-in to be shared by multiple tracks:
1. Open the Audio Mixer
or press 9 (to select Screenset 9) if using the
Logic Notes song template.
2. Insert the desired reverb plug-in into an empty
Bus channel strip.
3. Assign the selected reverb Bus (with the default
Post fader option) to the desired Audio Track and
Audio Instrument Sends slots.
4. Adjust the Send Level knob (in each assigned
track) together with the Bus Volume fader for the
desired reverb mix. (Also ensure that the plug-in's
Mix parameter, i.e. the dry/wet (direct signal/reverb
effect) balance, is set to 100% for maximum effect.)
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Aux
Send Reverb: The Audio Mixer shows the PlatinumVerb
plug-in inserted into Bus 1, with 3 Audio
Tracks and 3 Audio Instruments sending various
signal levels into Bus 1 (which is the reverb
bus).
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Reverberation
is a subtle effect where it often stays in the background.
Sometimes, we do not even notice it is there until
it is removed from the mix. We cannot do without
it, yet we cannot have too much of it either. As
with everything else, the effect has to be there
in just the right amount for proper balance. Happy
mixing.
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ICOM installed a CA6 active PA system supplied by KME of Germany
in the Recital Hall. |
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