Phil Bledsoe, FOH engineer for Sam Hunt, discusses effects. Reverb and delay are used to enhance the natural feel of sound inputs in your environment. Whether you’re using an analog console with outboard gear or a digital console like the one Phil uses, effects are a great tool to shape your mix.

Effects like reverb, delay, and chorus are all creative tools in your tool-belt. Whether you’re looking to enrich your vocals or to dial in your drums, effects help to enhance your inputs. Effects can replicate natural sound reflections and echoes found in various environments.

Reverb is caused by sound reflections bouncing off surfaces and objects. They reach the listener's ears at different times. It mimics the natural ambiance of a space and adds depth and realism to direct microphone or line-in inputs.

Delay repeats the original sound over time. It is like reverb but has only single echoes. It can occur multiple times in a row, creating a distinct echo effect. Reverb involves multiple reflections; delay is a single repeated reflection.

Phil uses an Allen & Heath Avantis which has many common parameters you would find in a reverb or delay unit on your console. Learning what these parameters do and how they affect your sound is crucial.