In a new format we are producing videos offering tips and solutions to common problems in under a minute. In this free video tutorial we show you how easy it is to create reverse reverb using an AudioSuite plug-in.

What Is Reverse Reverb?

Reverse reverb is a classic effect which is often used in dialogue to create unnatural, sinister effects. It can be used in a musical context but it will always sound striking and other-worldly because in real life, reverb always happens after the dry sound. In any case, it’s a cool effect.

How Was It Originally Created?

Reverse reverb was invented by loading tapes onto tape machines the wrong way, running the tape backwards and printing the reverb onto the tape. When played the back forwards the reverb precedes the dry sound. On a multitrack tape some care would have to be takes as the track order would be inverted when loading the tape to be played backwards. Track 24 would become track 1, track 9 would become track 16 etc.

What About Reverse Reverb Presets?

Reverse reverb presets are different in that they still happen after the dry sound but instead of the reverb tail fading out, the reverb tail fades in and stops suddenly. This gives a false reversed sound but there is nothing which actually runs backwards.

Can I Use This On Instrument Tracks?

To use this technique ion instrument tracks or auxiliary inputs just commit them first. if you want to experiment with the original technique try using the Reverse AudioSuite plug-in and use reverbs in the conventional way, printing the results to an audio track ad reverse everything back again.