By Thir13een Team | Last updated: October 25, 2026
Quick answer: For vocals, put reverb and delay on send channels, not directly on the track. Start with a plate reverb of 1 to 1.5 seconds and 20 to 30 ms of pre-delay, then a quarter-note or eighth-note delay with low feedback. Filter both returns: cut below 200 to 300 Hz and above 6 to 8 kHz. Use the tempo table below to set delay times in milliseconds.
Reverb places a voice in a space. Delay adds echo and rhythm. Too much of either pushes the vocal back and blurs the words. This sheet gives settings you can type in, plus a delay-time table for common tempos. Every number is a starting point.
Reverb settings by style
| Style | Type | Decay | Pre-delay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop | Plate | 1.2 to 1.8 s | 20 to 30 ms | Bright and smooth |
| Rap | Small room or plate | 0.6 to 1.0 s | 10 to 20 ms | Short, so fast words stay clear |
| R&B | Plate or hall | 1.5 to 2.2 s | 30 to 40 ms | Lush, with the low end filtered |
| Acoustic and folk | Room | 0.8 to 1.2 s | 10 to 20 ms | Natural, close |
| Ballad | Hall | 2.0 to 3.0 s | 40 to 60 ms | Big space, low send |
Pre-delay is the gap between the dry sound and the first reflection. A longer pre-delay keeps the vocal clear while the reverb still builds behind it.
Delay times by tempo (milliseconds)
| BPM | Quarter | Dotted eighth | Eighth | Eighth triplet | Sixteenth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | 857 | 643 | 429 | 286 | 214 |
| 80 | 750 | 562 | 375 | 250 | 188 |
| 90 | 667 | 500 | 333 | 222 | 167 |
| 100 | 600 | 450 | 300 | 200 | 150 |
| 110 | 545 | 409 | 273 | 182 | 136 |
| 120 | 500 | 375 | 250 | 167 | 125 |
| 130 | 462 | 346 | 231 | 154 | 115 |
| 140 | 429 | 321 | 214 | 143 | 107 |
| 150 | 400 | 300 | 200 | 133 | 100 |
The formula: a quarter note in milliseconds is 60,000 divided by the BPM. Halve it for an eighth, multiply by 0.75 for a dotted eighth and divide by three for an eighth triplet. Rounded to the nearest millisecond. Most plug-ins also let you sync to the project tempo directly, which is easier.
Delay settings by job
| Job | Time | Feedback | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slapback (close, thick) | 80 to 120 ms | One repeat | Good for acoustic and rockabilly feels |
| Rhythmic echo | Eighth or dotted eighth | 15 to 25 percent | Fits pop and R&B |
| Wide stereo | Left quarter, right dotted eighth | 20 percent | Ping-pong style width |
| Throw on the last word | Quarter note | 30 to 40 percent | Automate the send up, then down |
| Trap triplet | Eighth triplet | 20 to 30 percent | Matches triplet flows |
Clean up the returns
- High-pass the reverb and delay returns at 200 to 300 Hz so the low end does not get muddy.
- Low-pass them at 6 to 8 kHz so the effects sound darker than the dry vocal and sit behind it.
- Pan the reverb and delay returns slightly wide, and keep the dry vocal in the centre.
- Use one reverb for the whole vocal bus, not a new one for each track. It makes the layers sound like one performance.
How much is enough?
Turn the send up until you can hear the reverb, then turn it down until you only notice it when you mute it. If the lyrics lose clarity in a dense section, drop the send 2 to 3 dB for that section by automation.
Common mistakes
- One long reverb on a fast rap. It blurs every word.
- Delays that are not in time. Sync them to the project tempo.
- Putting reverb directly on the vocal track, so the effect level changes with the compression.
- Leaving low frequencies in the effects. They add mud and eat headroom.
Try it with a finished chain
Our presets include send-based reverb and delay that you can open and study. Start with the free Toronto Warmth preset for Logic Pro X, or the Vocal Effects Variety Pack for Logic Pro X ($25) and the GarageBand version ($25). See also the Logic Pro Starter Pack ($19) and the GarageBand Starter Pack ($19). The vocal EQ cheat sheet covers the stage before these effects, and Logic Pro vocal chain, step by step shows the whole chain.
Frequently asked questions
How much reverb should vocals have?
Enough to add space, but not enough to notice when it is on. Set the send until you hear it, then lower it.
What delay time should I use for vocals?
An eighth note or dotted eighth at the song's tempo is the most common. Use the table to find the milliseconds.
Should I put reverb on a send or an insert?
On a send. It keeps the dry vocal clear and lets many tracks share one reverb.
What is pre-delay?
The gap between the dry sound and the start of the reverb. It keeps the vocal clear.
How do I stop reverb from muddying the mix?
High-pass the reverb return at 200 to 300 Hz and shorten the decay.
