The Perfect Soft Vocal Reverb
Top mix engineers make vocal reverbs sound effortless, but how do they do it? Do they use special plugins or have a secret formula? In this blog post, I’m going to reveal the secrets behind professional-sounding vocal reverbs. Plus, I’ll walk you through how to get the most out of the Valhalla Vintage Verb, a staple in pro mixing, and offer a free preset to download.
Why Use Valhalla Vintage Verb for Mixing?
The Valhalla Vintage Verb has become one of the industry standards in professional mixing. It’s affordable, yet powerful enough for engineers at all levels. Don’t let the price fool you—this plugin delivers amazing results, and everyone from amateurs to pros uses it.
How to Use Valhalla Vintage Verb
To get started, let’s break down some key techniques that will help you maximise your reverb’s effectiveness in a mix.
Step 1: Set the Right Decay Time
The decay time controls how long the reverb lasts. For vocals, you’ll want something that doesn’t overwhelm the mix but adds depth. A great rule of thumb is to set it between 1.2 to 1.8 seconds for most vocal performances.
Step 2: Adjust the Pre-Delay
Pre-delay determines the time before the reverb kicks in. Setting it around 20-30ms helps keep the vocals clear while adding space. This is crucial for maintaining vocal clarity while still creating a lush reverb environment.
Step 3: Fine-Tuning with EQ
To prevent muddiness, use the high-pass filter to cut out low frequencies that aren’t necessary for vocal reverbs. Similarly, you can use a low-pass filter to remove high-end hiss.
Download My Free Valhalla Vintage Verb Preset
To make things easier, I’ve created a custom preset for Valhalla Vintage Verb that you can download for free. This preset is designed to give your vocals the professional reverb treatment with minimal tweaking needed.
By following these simple steps, you can achieve pro-level vocal reverb using the Valhalla Vintage Verb plugin. If you’re ready to take your mixes to the next level, be sure to grab the free preset and watch the video for a full demonstration.
