Reverberation (Reverb)
Definition
The persistence of sound in a space after the source has stopped, created by multiple reflections off surfaces. In mixing, reverb is simulated using convolution or algorithmic processors to place sounds in a perceived acoustic environment.
In Simple Terms
The sound of a space—how your voice echoes in a cathedral versus a bathroom versus a closet. Reverb plugins recreate these spaces digitally, placing your dry recordings in any environment you can imagine.
In Practice
A large hall reverb on a string section adds depth and a sense of physical space, making the ensemble sound as if they were recorded in a concert hall rather than a dry studio.