12.1 Time-based effects (delay, reverb)

Time-based effects like delay and reverb are essential tools in electronic music. They add depth, space, and dimension to sounds, transforming flat audio into rich, immersive experiences. These effects can simulate real-world acoustics or create otherworldly soundscapes.

Delay repeats signals, creating echoes and rhythmic patterns. Reverb simulates room acoustics, adding ambiance. By tweaking parameters like delay time, feedback, decay, and size, producers can shape the perceived space and character of their music, from intimate to expansive.

Time-Based Effects

Principles of delay and reverb

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• Delay effects
  • Repeat the original signal after a specified time interval creating a sense of echo or repetition (slap-back delay, ping-pong delay)
  • Key parameters include:
    • Delay time determines the time interval between the original signal and its repetitions (quarter note, dotted eighth note)
    • Feedback controls the amount of the delayed signal fed back into the input, affecting the number of repetitions (single echo, cascading echoes)
    • Mix sets the balance between the original signal and the delayed signal (subtle enhancement, prominent effect)
• Reverb effects
  • Simulate the natural reverberation of a physical space adding depth, space, and ambience to the sound (concert hall, small room)
  • Key parameters include:
    • Decay time defines the length of time for the reverb tail to fade away (short decay, long decay)
    • Pre-delay sets the time between the original signal and the onset of the reverb (tight response, delayed onset)
    • Size adjusts the perceived size of the simulated space (intimate setting, vast space)
    • Damping controls the absorption of high frequencies in the reverb tail (bright reverb, dark reverb)

Application in electronic music

• Create a sense of space
  • Use reverb to simulate different room sizes and characteristics (small studio, large cathedral)
  • Adjust decay time and size parameters to achieve the desired spatial effect (short and tight, long and expansive)
• Add depth and dimension
  • Employ delay effects to create a sense of layering and movement (rhythmic delays, cascading echoes)
  • Experiment with different delay times and feedback settings to create rhythmic and textural interest (quarter note delay, self-oscillating feedback)
• Enhance stereo width
  • Apply delay and reverb effects to individual channels or elements in a stereo mix (ping-pong delay, different reverb settings for left and right)
  • Use different settings for the left and right channels to create a wider stereo image (longer delay on one side, asymmetric reverb)

Creative uses in sound design

• Transform and manipulate individual sounds using delay and reverb (granular textures, ethereal pads)
• Create unique textures and atmospheres by combining delay and reverb with other effects like distortion or modulation (shimmering reverbs, gritty delays)
• Employ delay effects with short delay times and high feedback to create rhythmic patterns (slap-back echoes, delay-based beats)
• Synchronize delay times with the tempo of the composition to create syncopated or polyrhythmic effects (dotted eighth note delay, tempo-synced echoes)
• Use reverb and delay to smooth transitions between sections of a composition (reverb tail spillover, delay feedback buildup)
• Automate effect parameters over time to create dynamic and evolving soundscapes (increasing reverb size, modulating delay time)

Types of delay and reverb

• Delay types
  • Digital delay offers clean, precise, and uniform repetitions (crisp echoes, exact timing)
  • Analog delay provides warm, slightly degraded, and colored repetitions (vintage character, subtle distortion)
  • Tape delay creates organic, lo-fi, and potentially unpredictable repetitions (wow and flutter, saturation)
  • Granular delay fragments the audio into small grains, allowing for unique textures and pitch manipulation (glitchy effects, time-stretching)
• Reverb types
  • Hall reverb simulates the acoustics of a large concert hall, with a long decay time and a sense of grandeur (orchestral recordings, epic soundscapes)
  • Room reverb emulates the ambience of a smaller room, with shorter decay times and a more intimate character (vocal treatments, drum rooms)
  • Plate reverb mimics the sound of a large metal plate, offering a bright, dense, and diffused reverb (vintage drums, classic vocal effects)
  • Spring reverb replicates the sound of a spring reverb unit, known for its distinctive twangy and lo-fi character (surf guitar, dub reggae)
  • Convolution reverb uses impulse responses of real spaces to accurately recreate their unique acoustic properties (realistic spaces, sound design)