Reverb or delay?

[seanm]

You are playing at "Bill's Corner Bar and Bait Shop". You only have access to reverb or delay; which would you use for vocals? You can assume you have any type of reverb or any type of delay (but not both).

[Hactar]

I think this depends massively upon the song in question. That being said however, I think reverb. IMHO, reverb is more "general-purpose," if you will, while delay is rather song-specific.

Something else to consider: you said any kind of delay. Reverb can be considered a delay with rather peculiar parameters. And if you set the diffusion on a reverb low enough, you'd have a delay. So they're the same thing

[walker rosewood]

^^^ Lawyer'd. : )

[Never_grew_up]

A little Reverb. It adds presence to vocals. Most of the time when I hear delay on vocals (especially in a small club) it seems fake and muddy sounding.

[MNAirHead]

generically reverb...

There are tons of delays - some may be my choice, but would need more info.

[Akami]

Well it looks like I'm alone, but I like a short, tight slap in the background on my mic as a generic setting.

[Doctor Dirt]

If its one or the other I'll take a little verb on my vocals. I currently use about a half second of delay with a very "warm" verb and adjust that to different rooms. Hate anything in my monitor other than highs and lows. Doc

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by Akami

Well it looks like I'm alone, but I like a short, tight slap in the background on my mic as a generic setting.

This is what I do. I use a VERY tight delay, just wide enough to thicken the sound, then a touch of reverb added to that.

When I run my band's sound, I ALWAYS try to limit reverb and delays (the guitarist is always a battle) in the mix. I find that reverb makes the mix sound less tight.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by Akami

Well it looks like I'm alone, but I like a short, tight slap in the background on my mic as a generic setting.

You're not alone. The lead guitar player in the band also prefers a tight slap.