Let go of the reverb for one day, and use a delay instead. Delays are easier to handle, and some are much less confusing than the average reverb.
Sometimes you just need a little depth, without adding reverb, and delay can easily do the job.
So when would you substitute your reverb for a little bit of delay?
For Guitar Solos
Sure, guitar solos can sound awesome with a hefty amount of reverb. But they can sound equally cool with a nice delay.
Use a short to medium stereo delay with one repeat. It’ll add width and depth to your signal immediately. The stereo delay will make the solo sound wider, and the delay will add the depth. And if you have the original signal in the middle, summing to mono won’t ruin the sound.
For Rhythm Guitar
Both reverb and delay can quickly ruin a tight rhythm guitar take. If you use too much of either one, you’ll end up with a cluttered guitar track. However, using a short slap echo or 8th note delay can also add interest. Send your guitar track to a delay via a send, and mix the delayed track underneath just to add a little space. It doesn’t have to clutter the track if you use it sparsely.
For Lead Vocals
For an in-your-face lead vocal, scrap the reverb entirely and use delay to add depth. Delay adds space without pushing the vocal back, something that happens all too often when you use too much reverb. Depending on the BPM of the song, style and genre, use either short, medium or long delays.
If it’s a ballad with long, drawn out words then a long delay creates a big sound without overpowering the actual vocal. A fast rock song benefits from a short, subtle delay and groovy pop songs use medium delays to a great effect.
For Percussion?
Similar problems arise from using too much delay on percussion as it does on rhythm guitar. A short delay timed to the BPM of the song gives percussion punchiness without giving it too much room in the mix.
For Organs
Medium to long delays with a fair amount of feedback can beef up an organ or pad sound. If you have an organ playing long, sustained chords then a long delay can give that foundation a thicker sound.
Conclusion
Basically, use delay to create depth, for whatever instrument, without taking up space. Use it for sweet sounding guitar solos, funky rhythm guitar, punchy vocals or foundational elements like organs or percussion.
How do you use delays in your productions?
When Delay is Better - 5 Reasons to Skip the Reverb | Audio Issues
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