Effectology Vol. 7:
Reverb Tricks
—or—
Reverb in All the Wrong Places
This episode of Effectology demonstrates some old and new effects using reverb.
Each one of the four sounds in this video has the reverb positioned in unusual places within the signal chain…proof once again there is no correct way to order your effect pedals.
Changing positions of effects can lead to new and unusual sounds that might have gone missed by following conventional thinking.
EXPERIMENT!
#1 Overdriven “Surf-Verb”
In 1961 Fender introduced the stand-alone reverb unit. It was designed to be an add-on unit and plugged into the front input jack of a guitar amp.
Unlike reverb units that are built into the guitar amp, the add-on reverb is plugged into the front of the guitar amp or before the preamp. That equals an extra gain stage.
When the amp is cranked up, the reverb distorts and produces a very trashy, edgy sound. Think Dick Dale raw surf music.
To achieve this sound we placed the reverb in front of the English Muff’n overdrive. This gave the sound the raw edge.
A Stereo Memory Man was added last in the chain set for a fast slap-back delay. This produced a “boing” sound like the small springs in real spring unit.
Below is the effects chain and individual pedal settings:
Surf Sound
Seagulls Sound
Overdriven"Surf-Verb” Sound
#2 “Angel Harp” Reverb
Placing the Holy Grail reverb before the Soul Preacher compressor accentuates the reverb’s decay and causes a interesting “bloom” effect.
Last in the chain is a Stereo Memory Man in a multi-tap delay mode. This effect produces many notes from just one note. Playing major chord arpeggios across the neck produced a harp-like effect.
Below is the effects chain and individual pedal settings:
#3 “Sky Rocket” Reverb
Placing a Micro Synth after the Holy Grail reverb and Soul preacher compressor produced a explosive attack with descending reverb trails like fireworks exploding in the air.
Below is the effects chain and individual pedal settings:
#4 “Infinite Sustain”
The new Cathedral Stereo Reverb is one of the most beautiful reverbs I have ever heard.
One of its finest features is the infinite switch. Pressing this down after playing a chord or note will freeze the sound for as long as it is held. It suspends the sound like cloud above what you continue play.
Its a brilliant effect and one of EHX’s finest!
Below is the effects chain and individual pedal settings:
Don’t forget to experiment with the order of your pedals. You never know where it may lead you sonically.
Thanks for listening!
Bill Ruppert
