I know we all need some help on using proper delay. I'm not a pro myself, but I've been thinking lately what makes my tracks sound so poor and lack of "good quality." I know mixdown and eqing play a major role, but I'm also wondering if I'm using too much delay. I know too much delay on an instrument will definitely clutter the mix and add more to it that isn't needed. So if anyone has any serious tips on what's too much or too little I'd love to hear it.

We insert 100% wet delays on every single channels. Start with say 100 ms right across the board; later you can alway adjust individual channels up or down if something doesn't sound right.

I don't understand what you're getting at.

You will probably want a delay plugin that allows you to EQ the delay itself, thus saving some room in the mix. This is definately a must for delayed basslines.
I think reverb can be even more harmful to a mix than delay.

Some basic rules to keep in mind.

- Never go over 45% on your dry/wet, doing so will flood your track.
- Never delay the whole audio. Filter some of the delayed part out.
- Always add delay's BEFORE reverbs. If you add a delay after a reverb, then your becoming redundant.
- Never delay percussion unless the percussion is over 2Khz
- If you delay basslines, keep the delay wet/dry to about 20-25%
- Never delay lower percussion, especially the kick.
- Never have sub-bass in a delay. Filter it out.
- Never have a delay's feedback over 50% unless your going for the effect like in sweeps or crash hits.
- If you sync your delays, it is good to set your delay rhythm to the counter of what your doing. So if your writing in triplets, use a quarter or eighth note delay, but if your writing in gridlets "locked to the 4/4 grid", then use dotted-note or triplet delays.
- Never have a delay out of sync with the tempo, since you can create anarchy rhythms that way, and its not very good on the ear, atleast in dance music.
- Apply EQing before the delay and apply compression after the delay.

Did I miss anything?

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why thank you very much djsentinel. I appreciate the informative info. Same goes to you Eldritch. My second question then...when using delay on the sends and same with reverb, how would you go about putting the delay first then? I normally decide to use only 2 different types of delays for all my sounds.

Those are all very good points. Thanks, and I am still learning too...
I was merely referring to a little trick for synchronizing samples together. As in to compensate for different attack rates in different sounds or different position of the start marker in different recordings.

quote:

Originally posted by Lindo why thank you very much djsentinel. I appreciate the informative info. Same goes to you Eldritch. My second question then...when using delay on the sends and same with reverb, how would you go about putting the delay first then? I normally decide to use only 2 different types of delays for all my sounds.

Only thing you can do there is hooking up delay->reverb on ONE Send channel.
I personally only do that on special occasions if having 2 seperate sends (each rev/del) doesnt come up with the desired result

quote:

Originally posted by DJSentinel Some basic rules to keep in mind. - Never go over 45% on your dry/wet, doing so will flood your track. - Never delay the whole audio. Filter some of the delayed part out. - Always add delay's BEFORE reverbs. If you add a delay after a reverb, then your becoming redundant. - Never delay percussion unless the percussion is over 2Khz - If you delay basslines, keep the delay wet/dry to about 20-25% - Never delay lower percussion, especially the kick. - Never have sub-bass in a delay. Filter it out. - Never have a delay's feedback over 50% unless your going for the effect like in sweeps or crash hits. - If you sync your delays, it is good to set your delay rhythm to the counter of what your doing. So if your writing in triplets, use a quarter or eighth note delay, but if your writing in gridlets "locked to the 4/4 grid", then use dotted-note or triplet delays. - Never have a delay out of sync with the tempo, since you can create anarchy rhythms that way, and its not very good on the ear, atleast in dance music. - Apply EQing before the delay and apply compression after the delay. Did I miss anything?

well i love delay in my percussions and i NEVER use it on basslines.
imo its generalizing. if it sounds good then go for it!

quote:

Originally posted by DJSentinel - Never delay percussion unless the percussion is over 2Khz

I really don't see the point of this. You can get some wild & thick percussions with a little delay without having to add a ridiculous amount of layers.

Anyway, having that many "never do"'s while making music really takes the fun out of it. I prefer "what if I...?".

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quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery I really don't see the point of this. You can get some wild & thick percussions with a little delay without having to add a ridiculous amount of layers. Anyway, having that many "never do"'s while making music really takes the fun out of it. I prefer "what if I...?".

exactly!!!! i think it all comes from the christian/catholic backround still roaming in our subconscious...

lmfao.

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