Using reverb / echo on vocals

[bonzodog]

Afternoon all
We have taken the plunge and bought our own active PA today. When I used to sing around the social clubs I always used to use a fair bit of echo on my voice switching it off between songs to talk to audience. The other two members of the band I am now in prefer very dry vocals and drummer says he actually prefers no reverb or echo at all.
Just wondered what everyone else preferred. One of the reasons being our new ZLX active cabs have two XLR inputs as well as adjusting bass and treble. Therefore if we were just using it for vocals we could bypass mixer and put both our vocals direct into speakers. Only problem being we would have no effect unless we bought a separate unit.

Just wondered what people preferred.

[skidder652003]

well dry is very "now" but i prefer a little reverb on our vocalist as it gives it some warmth, (keep backing vocals dry though)

[Phil Adams]

I've only played in two bands so far, and in both cases the vocalist has a very wet sounds.
That's it from me!

[discreet]

Reverb and echo are the most overdone effects, imo. And though it's true that 'dry' is the flavour of the month, in a live situation I would be tempted to add just the slightest hint of reverb on a vocal - not so much that it's obvious, though.

Having a very wet vocal throughout a performance leads one to suspect the singer isn't up to the job. Effects can hide a multitude of sins as we know...

Edited May 1, 2014 by discreet

[KevB]

Yep, which is why I have a bit of reverb on my bvox all the time. I need all the help I can get.

[lurksalot]

we tend to run with a combi of reverb and delay , it just seems to brighten up the vocal and give it its own space

[Guest bassman7755]

Dry vocals sound sh*te IMO (dry lead guitar comes a close second).

Edited May 1, 2014 by bassman7755

[bigash]

[i]We use a plate reverb on vocals, increase the amount untill you can just hear the effect. Then back it off a bit so it sounds natural to the room you are in.[/i]

[discreet]

[quote name='bigash' timestamp='1398974108' post='2439669']
[i]We use a plate reverb on vocals, increase the amount untill you can just hear the effect. Then back it off a bit so it sounds natural to the room you are in.[/i]
[/quote]

+1 Good advice

[Lozz196]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398960731' post='2439488']
Reverb and echo are the most overdone effects, imo. And though it's true that 'dry' is the flavour of the month, in a live situation I would be tempted to add just the slightest hint of reverb on a vocal - not so much that it's obvious, though.

Having a very wet vocal throughout a performance leads one to suspect the singer isn't up to the job. Effects can hide a multitude of sins as we know...
[/quote]
[quote name='bigash' timestamp='1398974108' post='2439669']
[i]We use a plate reverb on vocals, increase the amount untill you can just hear the effect. Then back it off a bit so it sounds natural to the room you are in.[/i]
[/quote]

These. Also when a singer has too much reverb/echo - as in you can tell it`s there imo - the clarity of the vox goes, making it sound muddy. Walk into a venue and you can understand the words, if the voice and pitching are up to the job, well that`s the singer that stands out. Rather than those singers whose voices are drenched in reverb and who you can`t understand a word they`re singing. Dreary beyond belief, how they expect anyone to listen to them is beyond me.

[mrtcat]

Touch of delay and even lighter touch of reverb does it for us.

[JapanAxe]

I use a little bit of delay and reverb on my vocal. I find it helps my pitching.

[Prime_BASS]

We like it dry in our rehearsals, find the reverb very off putting. Especially when the gibbons before us have set the it up with reverb on "church hall" or something ridiculous.

[bonzodog]

Seems like a little is the way to go. Will try backing off a bit more than normal at next rehearsal

[thisnameistaken]

I think if you've only got one voice then reverb is more valuable. If everybody in the band is singing you really don't want reverb.

We tend to reverb the main vocal because that's the only one that will solo, but leave rest dry or practically-dry.

[RockfordStone]

I have a touch of reverb, I find my vocals dry sound very harsh, a touch of verb smoothes it off right nice

[Count Bassy]

When I sing (very occasionally) I find reverb really off putting. Give me 'dry' any-time.

[Dad3353]

Do you mean Fx in FOH, or Fx in monitors..?

FOH : it's very common to have some way of livening up the lead voice, but would be adjusted depending on venue (large church hall..? small, packed pub..?). Backing vocals could be treated too, depending on repertoire. Fx would normally be removed during chat or announcements to the public. The FOH engi should be handling that, and dosing FX to fit the bill.
Monitors: An individual choice; many singers want 'dry' in their monitors, but some like/need a bit of reverb as reassurance, mostly. Folks differ there, though, so ymmv.