Scorbit – Creative & Practical Applications of Convolution Reverb

Creative & Practical Applications of Convolution Reverb

24m 44s Intermediate
Author: Chris Fitzgerald

Convolution reverb is a sophisticated hybrid of physical and synthesized reverberation. It takes a sampled space (or impulse response) and simulates audio tracks interacting with the space, creating lush, high quality reverb. In this tutorial we walk through many different uses for convolution reverb, from typical mixing scenarios, to creative and outlandish sound design applications.

Andrew

Hello Chris,

I really like how you explain convolution reverb and show it’s use right in the DAWs – this video would have saved me hours of google & youtube tutorial research on “what the hell is reverb” 😀 Using a aux track and send the instrument signals into 1 aux track is a really helpful hint, thank you! May I ask you a question?

Most orchestral sample libraries seem to come with their own different mic recordings (like close/stage/ambience etc.). Would you suggest to use those with most plugins, since those are the “original” recording from those people who sampled the instruments itself? Or rather always use a very dry close mic set up and add reverb myself? Especially when working on a full orchestra setup?

Andy
Chris

Hey Andy, thanks for the feedback on the tutorial, I’m glad you found it helpful! That’s a good question. I tend to prefer using the close-miked sound through my own reverb (I’m pretty content with the stock impulse responses from Space Designer and Digital Performer’s Proverb). The big problem is that each distant-miked instrument may sound great on their own, but it can be difficult to get them to blend well. That said, some sample libraries are painstakingly perfectionistic about this, and they may, as a result, blend very well. I would suggest to try out both with your libraries (distance and close), and compare your mix to an orchestral recording that you really like. In the end, the way to go is the one that will get you good results with the least effort.
Let me know if that helps and if you have other questions.
Andrew

Yes, indeed – that is helping! So this is probably also a matter what kind of result you want. I tried you way (close mics + reverb plugin) with one of my recent compositions. In first place it was meant to sound like a scored soundtrack, but then I tried to get to a “real” orchestra recording sound out of it as close as I can get. So used all the close mic recordings and added panning + my reverb plugin (EW quantum spaces) – well more like an excessive use reverb. So for me it does sound more like an actually orchestra session in a big concert hall, wich sounds really good and interesting too. But not really like a film soundtrack then, no?

https://soundcloud.com/lyncisat/winter-wonder-lands-1

Scored soundtracks for video/film/games tend to have a more up-to-front sound, right? Not so much space sound.
Andrew

This is a high quality bounce, since i can’t change the link above: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10806500/Music/Compositions/Winter%20Wonder%20Lands/Winter%20Wonder%20Lands.aif

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Creative & Practical Applications of Convolution Reverb