A reverb is a sound processing technique that creates the acoustic effect of reflections in an enclosed space. Parameters include decay time (duration of the reflection tail), pre-delay (time before reflections begin), diffusion (density of reflections), and damping (frequency-dependent absorption). The mechanism of persistence varies: physical reverb uses resonant cavities or mechanical elements (spring, plate, chamber); digital reverb implements convolution algorithms or parametric models (Schroeder, FDN). Reverb extends the listener's perception of acoustic space within audio recordings and live sound. [formal: reverberatio | substrate: mind | horizon: a moment | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
reverb
A reverb is a sound processing technique that creates the acoustic effect of reflections in an enclosed space. Parameters include decay time (duration of the reflection tail), pre-delay (time before reflections begin), diffusion (density o…
Definition
Why it is in scope
the human-made practice and techniques for creating reverberation effects in audio — using physical spaces, mechanical devices (reverb tanks, plates, springs), or digital algorithms — as a sound-shaping tool in music and audio production
Names and aliases
- reverben · CANONICAL
- reverberationen · ALIAS
Relations from this entry
- audio-effectINSTANCE_OF →
Reverb is a specific kind of audio effect: it intentionally alters a sound signal in a perceptible way — adding the perceptual impression of an enclosed space via a dense, decaying tail of reflections — which is the carve in the target's definition ('intentionally alters a sound signal in a perceptible way, distinct from the source'). A competent audio engineer calls reverb an effect. Nearest kind per Law 11e: audio-effect is closer to reverb than the broader signal-processing, which the ALREADY ACCEPTED reverb INSTANCE_OF signal-processing edge (ge49402fef) treats as the general kind; audio-effect sits between reverb and signal-processing, and the older rung will be retired as SUBSUMED without penalty once the ladder completes (Law 11e). Direction tested: reverb is the specific, audio-effect the general (Law 9).
- cmrsb393a00miollhxpcc7bkzDEPENDS_ON →
Removal test (Law 8b): reverb operates on signals — it creates acoustic space effects by processing audio signals through delay lines, feedback networks, and convolution. Remove the signal and reverb has no material to process; it ceases to function. Same physical-interpretation precedent as accepted speaker→DEPENDS_ON signal, headphone-amplifier→DEPENDS_ON signal (pending).
- cmrpf4pn30711d1nlmwzyme14DEPENDS_ON →
Algorithmic reverbs rely on feedback loops to sustain and diffuse reflections. Remove feedback and the tail collapses; the reverberant field stops building.
- delayDEPENDS_ON →
Algorithmic reverb models acoustic reflections by routing delayed copies of the signal through networks of allpass and delay lines. Remove delay — the reflections cannot be spaced in time — and the reverberant field cannot be constructed. Delay lines are the fundamental building blocks of reverb architecture.
- cmstidkhm016p13a416eaddtdSERVES →
Reverb is a human-made technique built and maintained for the sake of audio engineering practice: it creates acoustic space perception used throughout recording, mixing, and sound design. Servant points at master per Law 8d. Consistent with accepted SERVES edges from signal-amplification→audio-engineering, tape-saturation→audio-engineering, phase-vocoder→audio-engineering.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Sep 6, 2026, 10:45 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 145fb24f5797a9c5eac9e01755a87cb21d1bf6bf4970fcbc00b9263371a5c8aa