Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: AAX TRS De-esser

Reverb

Term from Sound Engineering industry explained for recruiters

Reverb is a sound effect that creates a sense of space and depth in audio recordings by simulating how sound bounces off walls in different environments. Think of it like the echo you hear in a large church or concert hall. Sound engineers and music producers use reverb to make recordings sound more natural or to create specific moods in music. It can be created using both physical equipment (hardware) or computer software (plugins), and is one of the most common tools in sound production.

Examples in Resumes

Applied Reverb effects to enhance vocal recordings in professional studio sessions

Designed custom Reverb settings for live concert sound systems

Created natural room acoustics using Reverb processing for podcast production

Typical job title: "Sound Engineers"

Also try searching for:

Audio Engineer Recording Engineer Sound Designer Music Producer Studio Engineer Live Sound Engineer Acoustic Engineer

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you approach different reverb needs for various music genres?

Expected Answer: A senior engineer should explain how different styles of music require different reverb approaches - like shorter reverbs for pop music to maintain clarity, versus longer, more atmospheric reverbs for ambient music. They should mention practical examples from their experience.

Q: How do you handle reverb in a live sound environment versus studio recording?

Expected Answer: They should discuss the challenges of managing natural room acoustics in live settings versus controlled studio environments, including feedback prevention and adjusting to different venue sizes.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the main parameters of reverb you consider when mixing?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain in simple terms how they adjust reverb size, time, and tone to create different spatial effects, with examples of when they would use different settings.

Q: How do you prevent reverb from making a mix sound muddy?

Expected Answer: Should explain techniques for keeping reverb clean and controlled, like using EQ on reverb returns and being careful with reverb amounts on low-frequency instruments.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What's the difference between reverb and delay?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that delay is a distinct repeat of sound, while reverb creates a smooth decay of many reflections, using simple real-world examples like an echo versus the sound in a hall.

Q: How do you set up a basic reverb in a mix?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic reverb setup, like using aux sends versus inserts, and basic parameter adjustments for common applications like vocals or drums.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic reverb parameter control
  • Simple mix situations
  • Understanding different reverb types
  • Basic DAW operation

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Advanced reverb techniques
  • Multiple reverb management
  • Genre-specific applications
  • Hardware and software expertise

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex acoustic environment management
  • Advanced troubleshooting
  • Multiple system integration
  • Team leadership and training

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No understanding of basic acoustics
  • Inability to hear different reverb characteristics
  • Lack of experience with both hardware and software reverb
  • No knowledge of signal flow and routing
  • Poor understanding of how reverb affects different instruments