What is Reverb?

Reverb is the persistence of sound after a sound is produced. Reverb is created when a sound or signal is reflected off of a surface causing numerous reflections to build up. They then decay as the sound and reflections are absorbed by the surfaces of the objects around it. The original sound source can stop but the reflections continue, decreasing in amplitude (volume) until they reach zero. Reverb defines how a sound sits in a space. In all aspects of our daily lives, we experience the effects that reverb has on the sounds that we hear.

There have been plenty of acoustical and mechanical methods for creating reverb in music production. Today, modern productions typically use digital reverb (hardware units, or software plug-ins like

Neoverb
or reverbs from

Exponential Audio
) for added flexibility and control. You can learn more about digital reverb in this deep-dive.

Digital reverb types
You’ll probably come across two types of digital reverbs—algorithmic and convolution. Most digital reverbs use either algorithmic or convolution reverb, but some, like the Reverb module in

Nectar
, make use of both in a hybrid system. Nectar uses convolution in the early part of the reverb signal to emulate the sound of the classic EMT 140 ST Stereo Plate Reverb, and then an algorithmic process to create the tail. This approach realistically recreates a classic reverb sound without the heavy CPU load of a full convolution reverb. Let’s learn the differences:

What is reverb?
As musicians and audio engineers, we often work with reverb, sometimes without knowing much about it. In this article, we give a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about reverb, with links out to additional reverb reading and resources.
What is the definition of reverb?
Reverb is created when a sound occurs in a space, sending sound waves out in all directions. These waves reflect off surfaces in the space, decaying in amplitude until the reflections eventually die off. Without extensive sound-proofing, most spaces will produce many closely spaced reflections, which reach the listener shortly after the initial dry sound. We hear this series of reflections as a single, continuous sound, which we call “reverb.”
Neoverb
or reverbs from
Exponential Audio
) for added flexibility and control. You can learn more about digital reverb in this deep-dive.

Digital reverb types
You’ll probably come across two types of digital reverbs—algorithmic and convolution. Most digital reverbs use either algorithmic or convolution reverb, but some, like the Reverb module in

Nectar
, make use of both in a hybrid system. Nectar uses convolution in the early part of the reverb signal to emulate the sound of the classic EMT 140 ST Stereo Plate Reverb, and then an algorithmic process to create the tail. This approach realistically recreates a classic reverb sound without the heavy CPU load of a full convolution reverb.

Algorithmic reverb
Algorithmic reverb simulates reverb through a series of calculations (an algorithm). By creating reflections mathematically, you can imitate the sound of real spaces, or design new sonic environments that would be impossible to create otherwise. Examples of algorithmic reverbs include our brand-new Neoverb plug-in, the venerable Lexicon reverbs, Sonnox Oxford Reverb.
Convolution reverb
Convolution reverb, also known as IR or sampling reverb, creates reverb by processing an impulse response (IR)—a recording of a signal that was played in an actual room or sent through a piece of gear.