Reverb

Reverb pedals
Reverb or reverberation is created by the reflection of sound against walls and objects. Different distances between a sound source and the points at which the sound reflects creates complex reflections. This pattern sounds like reverberation, unlike the effect where you can still hear the reverberation clearly. Then you speak of echo or delay. Incidentally, there is often a pre-delay setting on a reverb. Sets the time of the first reflections.

The sound of reverberation is influenced by a number of factors. First, there is the amount of reverberation (the volume) and the length of the reverberation. A large room often produces a longer reverberation than a smaller room. Then, the timbre of the reverberation is largely determined by the material of the walls, or what the walls are covered with. Wood, for example, absorbs more sound than concrete. Moreover, a material does not absorb all frequencies equally well, meaning that some rooms have a bright reverberation and others a dark one. This also immediately reveals what kind of room has been used.

Reverb is perhaps the most widely used effect, particularly by guitarists. Your amplifier often has a built-in reverb. Not infrequently, this is a spring reverb that produces a characteristic echo. Many guitarists also use one or more reverb pedals to achieve a specific sound. Virtually all reverb pedals are digital these days, with a few exceptions. Reverb pedals also often consume more power than, for example, an overdrive; make sure your power supply can handle this. You should expect to pay 50 milliamperes or more.

Feel free to take a look at our effects and experiment to your heart’s content! If you’re a fan of ambient reverb, check out our buying guide and our page on boutique effects.