Creative Reverb Processing -- Screw Up Your Reverbs for a More Natural Result!

In the real world ambience usually doesn't sound particularly great in and of itself. Modern reverbs, on the other hand, do a great job of mimicking lush, dense acoustic properties of ideal, fictitious spaces. A common result of using such processors is a blur of related frequencies that can sound cool, but rarely natural.
The less-than-ideal ambience created by real spaces may not sound great when solo'd, but it goes a long way toward making your mixes sound amazing!
So here's a different approach to processing the input(s) of your reverb processor for a more realistic mix.

[@randywiedmer4656]

More sage advice from Joel. Just because something sounds pretty by itself doesn’t make it right for the vibe. I always have trouble accepting gritty sounds in context can really give a track character. Thanks Joel.

[@bbusch062106]

These are great, thanks for the videos, Joel. All of the knowledge and none of the B.S.

[@livetorock1844]

Thanks Joel. Just what I needed. Been struggling with this very issue. Keep these videos coming!

[@recordingdotpizza]

So glad, thanks!

[@Roland_Tr909_Swing]

Genius tricks of the trade

[@xJC2K]

Hi pops

[@jimmyjames9898]

For a couple of years already I'm using yours true verb preset on the room ( real or fake ), with an EQ in front of it - like you showed here, but never thought of adding a harmonic distortion. Will give it a try. Thanks a ton.

[@aaronbird9437]

I never thought of using the sans amp on a verb. Great Vid! Definitely going to try this.