secrets of predelay

[Hopeful]

Hi there,

 

I was wondering if someone can share some insights

of how to culculate reverb predelay so that it would match song's tempo. I'm trying to get it right for a songs that is 80BPM with a very moody lyrics performed by a female singer and classical

guitar player. I looked all over the net but all I could find is that some people do it by ear and some actually calculate it for absolute precision.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Philip OKeefe]

I usually do predelays by ear, but calculating tempo based delays is actually pretty easy:

 

Assuming the song is in 4/4 time, enter 60,000 into your calculator and divide by the BPM (beats per minute) tempo value of the song. In this case, you'd get 60,000 / 80 = 750 ms. If you want 1/8th note values, divide that in half... for a half note value in milliseconds, double that value, etc.

[theblue1]

Even when I'm doing echo effects (for dub, dramatic vocals, etc) I've found myself veering away from 'calculated and locked' delays because they often sound a little too "on the nose" for my tastes, sometimes getting lost and just adding to subliminal mix clutter.

 

(Someday we've got to do a thread on subliminal/near-subliminal mix elements, yeah? It's an interesting topic and those elements can make -- or break -- a mix.)

 

 

Anyhow, while I might do a little quick math to figure out a delay as a starting place, I seldom go with the precise interval -- or tick the 'synchronize with beat' on plugs that have it.

[where02190]

For this specific effect, I find a delay and reverb in series work best, rather than a reverb with a specific predelay setting. This allows me to use the delay as a predelay, and, using it's wet/dry mix, blend predelayed and unpredelayed signal to the reverb. I find this sounds much more natural, and, being able to adjust the ratio of (ofr lack fo a better term) wet/dry reverb, I can really fine tune the delay, and the amount of it I want on the reverb, while not having it be so abrupt and noticable.

 

AFA the specific time, I use a delay with a tap function, so I can rhymithically tap the specific delay time I want in. In addition, I find that often some regeration on the delay gives the reverb a nice lush sound, again without being overbearing.

[doug osborne]

Analog-X Delay Calc (windows only). Free!

 

http://www.analogx.com/contents/graphics/delay.gif

 

These guys have lots of other nifty utilities.

[Sp3nc3r]

Where, I've had great success with the technique you've described. I use it all the time, and have for a few years now. I love how flexible, effective, and invisible it can be.

 

Cheers!

Spencer

[Lee Knight]

I really liked Bruce's comments about using a real long predelay so you don't mask the early reflections inherent to the actual recording. He uses his Blumlien setup a lot so this makes sense. The figure 8's picking up the ER's and all. I've incorporated this thinking lately with nice results.