Reverb is a sound effect used to add space, distance, and dimension to a vocal performance. It simulates reflections and resonances that our ears expect when hearing sound, providing cues about the position of sounds in our environment. Reverb can make a vocal sound like it was recorded live in a space. It can also mask subtle imperfections in a performance and make a poor singer sound better by adding small echoes and reflections. However, it should be used carefully as it can mask the vocals themselves, making them feel less prominent and clear.

Reverb is created by allowing the sound waves from the vocal to bounce off surfaces in a room and then recording the resulting reflections. In a mix, reverb should be treated as its own instrument because it adds frequencies to the mix that can potentially prevent other sounds from being heard clearly. Therefore, it is important to choose a reverb type that works for the mix and to use a send and return to give more level control for balancing and automating the vocal and its corresponding reverb.

In summary, reverb is a sound effect used to add space, distance, and dimension to a vocal performance. It simulates reflections and resonances that our ears expect when hearing sound, providing cues about the position of sounds in our environment. Reverb can make a vocal sound like it was recorded live in a space and mask subtle imperfections in a performance. However, it should be used carefully as it can mask the vocals themselves, making them feel less prominent and clear.