Echo & Reverb

Echo and reverberation, commonly referred to as reverb, are two naturally occurring sound effects that are also commonly utilized digitally in the context of music production. Echo and reverb are similar in nature as both are caused by the reflection of sound waves. However, sound reflection is perceived very differently by the human ear depending on certain factors. This is why echo and reverb are considered to be different effects.

Most people are familiar with echo. It occurs when a sound is reflected and then can be heard again after a short delay. An echo generally sounds very similar to the original sound but at a lower volume. This effect often occurs in nature places like canyons and other large open spaces with walls that can reflect sound.

Reverb may be a bit more unfamiliar to someone who does not produce or play music. This video provides examples of different kinds of reverb and how they affect the original sound.

The differences between the original sound and the sounds with reverb effects should be easy to perceive even on low quality speakers.

What distinguishes reverb from echo is the time it takes for a reflected sound to come back to your ear. Sounds that return after less than .1 seconds are perceived as reverb, while sounds that take longer to reflect are perceived as an echo. When the time interval is shorter than .1 second, the human brain perceives the original sound and the reflected sound as a single sound wave.

Because reverb is an effect that occurs naturally in most acoustic environments, it is critically important to include reverb in music production, especially electronic music production, because it sounds natural to the human ear. Electronic instruments and synthesizers lack natural reverb, so it is generally essential to add some sort of simulated reverb. This can be done through a plugin that digitally simulates reverb effects or naturally by playing a recording of the instrument in an acoustic environment and then recording it with a microphone. Adding appropriate reverb allows synthesizers to sound more natural and to fit better into a mix that involves acoustic instruments.

Works Cited:

 "Reflection: Echo vs. Reverberation." Physics Classroom. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.

"Reverb." Sound on Sound. 01 May 2000. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.

"What Is Reverb?" Media College. Wavelength Media. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.