Reverb Enhancer

I say this many times, but reading manuals reveal not just the how-to’s but also unique applications of tools. Today, I’m sharing one of my commonly used applications that I discovered by reading the manual to Plug-in Alliance’s SPL Transient Designer. Please note it’s not the tool, but application, so if you don’t have this particular plug-in, it is ok. Get crafty and think of how you can do something similar to your own mixes using the tools you have available.

Plug-In Overview

SPL Transient Designer is a dynamic processor. With both attack and sustain knobs, both can be amplified or attenuated, or lengthened and shortened, respectively. This specific plug-in has a mix knob which allows it to be processed in parallel. With these functions alone, it is an excellent transient shaper. But combined with other effects, it can go beyond simple transient shaping and push effect tracks even further. Below is how I use this plug-in with reverb to add space and depth to my background vocals, but it also can be applied in many different manners.

Transient Designer + Reverb

“Try looping the left and right output of your reverb through the Transient Designer Plus.”

The manual suggests inserting a reverb before the transient designer through two mono tracks panned hard left and right. There are two different ways to go about this. Turn the “Attack” all the way up and the “Sustain” all the way down. This enhances the reverb at the start while reducing the reverb time. Now doing the opposite can achieve a swelling type of effect. With the “Attack” turned to its minimum and the “Sustain” set to its maximum, the beginning of the reverb is lessened while the tail is enhanced. Of course, the effect depends on the reverb settings such as decay time. Play around with the settings of both the reverb and transient designer and see what you can achieve. For more ideas, visit the manual source here.