ABSTRACT
A simple approach for establishing an appropriate reverb level is to turn the reverb return up until the effect is too loud/too obvious, then back the level down slightly. However, this tactic only works if an effective decay time is provided. An often overlooked consideration that heavily affects a snare’s reverb qualities is the relevant aux send source(s). Using the snare mix group as the sole feed is a simple but often effective approach. Reverb should seldom, if ever, be inserted directly across an instrument channel. This replaces the signal with a reverb-adapted version, which not only tends to compromise sound quality, but also prevents the independent processing of the resulting reverb. A useful approach is to first introduce reverb to just the snare and toms, with an appropriate send level from each. If the kick sounds spatially incoherent with the reverb treated snare/toms, send a moderate level of kick to the same reverb.
