Introduce Twist to Your Sound by Using Reverb

Reverb is an audio effect that can be used in many ways, both standard and experimental. In recent decades, reverb effects have started incorporating other modulation choices, which can be extremely useful in creating something different and exciting. Check out the following tutorial and add a twist to your sound with the reverb effect.  

Twist Your Sounds

We will begin as usual by opening a short sequence made previously in our SoundBridge: DAW. This sequence contains essential elements of the whole mix, like drums, bassline, synth pad, and synth chords. Let us hear how it sounds first.  

~Full Mix - Unprocessed  

Valhalla Shimmer

You have probably noticed the bouncing synth chord sequence that is repeating. This is where we will apply our reverb effect to make it more interesting. The reverb effect we chose for this task goes by Valhalla Shimmer. It is interesting since it offers pitch modulation and other options. There are undoubtedly other products out there that are offering more of the same benefits, so feel free to explore further. Let's start by adding a new instance of Valhalla Shimmer to the Synth Chord channel.  

As you can see, Valhalla Shimmer possesses a pretty straightforward interface, which parameters we will cover in detail below.  

The Interface

At its core, ValhallaShimmer is a high-quality reverberator designed to produce a smooth, dense, and colorless decay. Several reverberation modes are available, allowing the user to dial in reverb decays of different sizes, ranging from smaller rooms to vast ambiances.

• By adjusting the Feedback, Diffusion, and Size controls, the reverb signal's attack, sustain, and decay can be fine-tuned.
• The modulation controls can produce subtle mode thickening, glistening string ensemble decays, and the distinctive random modulation of the older Lexicon hall algorithms.
• Two tone controls and the Color Mode selector allow you to adjust the timbre from bright and glistening to more natural dark decay, similar to air absorption in large spaces.
• Also, ValhallaShimmer can pitch shift the feedback signal. Five pitch shift modes are available: Single, where the feedback is shifted up or down by the Shift value. Dual is where the feedback is shifted up and down (in parallel) by the Shift value. SingleReverse, where each grain is reversed before it is pitch-shifted. This results in a smoother pitch-shifting sound than the Single mode. DualReverse. Similar to the Dual mode, but with reversed grains, for a smoother pitch shifting sound
• Bypass, which turns off the pitch shifting (proper for "standard" reverb sounds)

Let's Start Processing.

After a brief introduction, let us process our synth chord sequence with Valhalla Shimmer. As you can see from the picture below, we have automated the mix and shift parameters. With the shift parameter, you can gradually pitch-shift the reverb signal, giving it a unique sense of space and making it full in the stereo image.  

Let's hear it first solo and then in a full mix.

~Synth Chord - Processed with Valhalla Shimmer

~Full Mix - Synth Chord Processed with Valhalla Shimmer