User Manual
10.1: REVERBS
LEXICON FX > REVERBS
10.1: LEXICON FX > REVERBS
Reverberation (or “reverb” for short) is the complex effect created by the way we perceive sound in an en-
closed space. When sound waves encounter an object or boundary, they don’t just stop. Some of the sound
is absorbed by the object, but most of the sound is reflected or is diffused. In an enclosed space, reverb is de
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pendent on many features of that space, including the size, shape and the type of materials that line the walls.
Even with closed eyes, a listener can easily tell the difference between a cupboard, a locker room and a large
auditorium. Reverb is a natural component of the acoustic experience, and most people feel that something is
missing without it.
Halls
SMALL HALL, LARGE HALL, DRUM HALL, VOCAL HALL
A Hall reverb is designed to emulate the acoustics of a concert hall – a space large enough to contain an orchestra
and an audience. Because of the size and characteristics,Halls are the most natural-sounding reverbs, designed to
remain “behind” the direct sound – adding ambience and space, but leaving the source unchanged. This effect has a
relatively low initial echo density which builds up gradually over time.
Vocal Hall and Drum Hall reverbs are specifically tailored for those uses. Vocal Hall has as lower overall diffusion
which works well with program material that has softer initial transients like a voice. Drum Hall has a higher diffusion
setting which is necessary to smooth out faster transient signals found in drums and percussion instruments.
In addition to general instrumental and vocal applications, the Hall program is a good choice for giving separate tracks
in a mix the sense of belonging to the same performance.
Plate Reverbs
SMALL PLATE, LARGE PLATE, DRUM PLATE, VOCAL PLATE
A Plate reverb is a large, thin sheet of metal suspended upright under tension on springs. Transducers attached to the
plate transmit a signal that makes the plate vibrate, causing sounds to appear to be occurring in a large, open space.
The Plates in the Vi4 FX units model the sound of metal plates with high initial diffusion and a relatively bright, colour-
ed sound. Plate reverbs are designed to be heard as part of the music, mellowing and thickening the initial sound.
Plate reverbs are often used to enhance popular music, particularly percussion.
Chamber Reverb
Historically, recording studio chambers were oddly shaped rooms with a loudspeaker and set of microphones to collect
ambience in various parts of the room. Chamber programs produce even, relatively dimensionless reverberation with
little colour change as sound decays. The initial diffusion is similar to the Hall programs. However, the sense of size
and space is much less obvious. This characteristic, coupled with the low colour of the decay tail, makes these pro-
grams useful on a wide range of material - especially the spoken voice, to which Chamber programs add a noticeable
increase in loudness with low colour.
