M7CL tricks part 3

I’m going to wrap up this initial tips and tricks of the M7CL with my favorite uses of the effects processor in the onboard rack.

For VOX verb, the Rev-X Plate does it for me 99% of the time.  Between the reverb time, pre-delay, and hi/lo pass filters, it is easy and fast to create subtle yet effective verbs.

For VOX delay, my favorite preset on any Yamaha desk I’ve ever mixed on is Delay LCR.  This one is insanely powerful because you can quickly create any combination of straight ahead 1/4 or 1/8 delays to intricate left/right/center ping pongs.  Again, the built in hi and lo pass filters make it simple to adjust the sound of the delay so it can be subtle and musical.

For a Kit verb, again either the Rev-X Plate or the Rev-X Hall with one of the stock presets sounds great to my ear.

We also use one more instance of Rev-X Hall for a generic instrument verb that can be put over piano, violin, or acoustics as appropriate.

One thing I’m trying to wade my way through is that Kensington really taught me to go much lighter on my effects then I ever used to before KCC.  I’ve encountered most engineers here at NLC.tv who lean back towards that wetter (and, in my opinion, more dated) sound.  The reality is that unless we’re talking about a worship ballad, most music being released nowadays is far drier than it was even just a few years ago.  So the challenge is to find ways to give vocals and instruments spice in the mix in a timeless fashion without letting it go so far that the mix loses definition or takes a 1-way trip back to the 80′s.  More on this later because I’m sure I’m opening a can of worms here…