Reverb

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Reverb

Reverb imitates the sound of a large wide open room. It is similar to delay, but instead of distinct separate strong echoes, it is an infinite number of smaller echoes. Think of the sound of being in a metal room and yelling "Hello!"

It gives the sound of the instrument a little more depth, though too much of it tends to obscure the actual notes being played , especially when used in combination with distortion, delay, or other effects.

Reverb is usually produced by sending the signal through springs. This is usually done in the amp itself. That's why sometimes when you hit your amp or move it while it's plugged in you hear a horrible SPROING sound. (I have actually heard someone hit their amp as an effect in a song.) The Fender Twin Reverb and Fender Deluxe Reverb are good examples of amps with reverb springs.

On an amp with reverb springs, there is usually a knob on the front of the amp to control the amount of reverb, then there is usually a female jack on the back of the amp marked "reverb" or "reverb foot switch." Into this you plug a foot switch. This switch usually comes with the amp. It is a passive switch used to turn the reverb on or to bypass it.

Figure 4.5. Fender Deluxe Reverb.

Sometimes reverb units are freestanding and not built into the amp, although these are rare compared to in-amp units.

Examples: Radio 4: "How The Stars Got Crossed" and "No More Room For Communication." Moby: "Everloving." The Innocence Mission: The Innocence Mission album, heard in the vocals of all songs, especially "Notebook." Hum's "Isle of the Cheeta."

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