Free Audio Effects Online
Add reverb, echo & delay to any audio. 5 reverb types with adjustable decay, mix & pre-delay. Perfect for music, podcasts & sound design. No install, no sign up.
Reverb, Echo & Delay Effects
Drag & drop your audio file here
or click to browse • MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, M4A, WebM, AIFF, MP4 • Max 50MB
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Effect Type
Reverb Type:
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Reverb Types Explained: Hall, Room, Plate & Spring (With Settings)
Reverb is the most important spatial effect in audio production. It's what makes a voice sound like it's in a cozy room, a grand concert hall, or a vast cathedral. But choosing the wrong reverb type — or using too much — can make your audio sound amateur. Here's exactly which reverb type to use for every situation.
What Is Reverb?
Reverb (short for reverberation) is the collection of thousands of tiny sound reflections that bounce off surfaces in a space. When you clap in an empty room, you hear the direct sound first, then a dense "tail" of reflections that gradually fades. That tail is reverb.
Different spaces produce different reverb characteristics:
- Small room: Short decay (0.3-0.8s), subtle reflections
- Concert hall: Medium decay (1.5-3s), warm and enveloping
- Cathedral: Long decay (4-10s), dramatic and expansive
The 5 Reverb Types Compared
| Type | Character | Decay | Best For | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room | Natural, intimate, subtle | 0.3-1.2s | Podcasts, voiceovers, dialogue | Small studio, bedroom |
| Hall | Warm, wide, enveloping | 1.5-3.5s | Orchestral, cinematic, vocals | Concert hall, opera house |
| Plate | Bright, smooth, dense | 1.0-3.0s | Vocals, pop music, snare | Metal plate (studio hardware) |
| Spring | Boingy, vintage, lo-fi | 1.0-2.5s | Guitar, surf rock, retro | Guitar amp spring tank |
| Cathedral | Massive, dramatic, dark | 4.0-10s | Ambient, horror, epic trailers | Church, cave, canyon |
Golden rule: If you're unsure which reverb to use, start with Room at 15-20% mix. It adds a subtle sense of space without being noticeable. You can always increase the mix or switch to a larger space.
Reverb Settings by Use Case
| Use Case | Type | Mix | Decay | Pre-Delay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Podcast / Voiceover | Room | 10-20% | 0.5-0.8s | 20-40ms |
| Vocals (pop) | Plate | 20-35% | 1.5-2.5s | 40-60ms |
| Vocals (ballad) | Hall | 25-40% | 2.0-3.5s | 60-80ms |
| Guitar (clean) | Spring | 20-30% | 1.5-2.5s | 0-20ms |
| Orchestral / Cinematic | Hall | 30-50% | 2.5-4.0s | 60-100ms |
| Ambient / Meditation | Cathedral | 40-60% | 5.0-8.0s | 100-200ms |
| Horror / Suspense | Cathedral | 50-70% | 6.0-10s | 100-200ms |
| Sound effects | Hall | 40-60% | 2.0-4.0s | 20-60ms |
Reverb vs Echo vs Delay: What's the Difference?
| Effect | What It Does | Sounds Like | Use For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverb | Thousands of tiny reflections blending together | Natural space (room, hall) | Adding depth and space |
| Echo | Distinct, audible repetition | Shouting in a canyon | Dramatic effects, emphasis |
| Delay | Controlled echo with precise timing | Rhythmic repeats | Music production, slapback |
Echo/Delay Settings Guide
| Effect Style | Delay Time | Feedback | Mix | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slapback | 80-150ms | 10-20% | 30-40% | Rockabilly guitar, retro vocals |
| Standard Echo | 250-400ms | 30-50% | 30-40% | Vocal emphasis, speeches |
| Rhythmic Delay | Sync to BPM | 40-60% | 25-35% | Electronic music, DJ mixes |
| Long Tail | 500-1000ms | 50-70% | 20-30% | Ambient, cinematic, dramatic |
How to Add Reverb to Audio Online (Step-by-Step)
- Upload your audio to the effects tool above
- Choose "Reverb" tab and select a reverb type (Room, Hall, Plate, Spring, Cathedral)
- Adjust the mix — start at 20-30% and increase until you hear the space
- Set decay time — shorter for voice (0.5-1s), longer for music (2-4s)
- Add pre-delay — 20-60ms keeps the original sound clear before reverb kicks in
- Preview and export — click Play to hear, then Export to download as WAV
Common Reverb Mistakes
- Too much mix: Above 50% makes audio sound distant and washed out. Start at 15-25%.
- Wrong type for content: Cathedral reverb on a podcast sounds absurd. Use Room for speech.
- No pre-delay: Without pre-delay, reverb starts immediately and muddies the original sound. Always add 20-60ms.
- Ignoring the decay: 10-second decay on a 5-second clip means the reverb tail is longer than the audio. Match decay to content length.
- Reverb on already reverberant audio: If you recorded in an echoey room, don't add more reverb. Use our Noise Reducer first.
Related Tools
- Need to record voice before adding effects? → Voice Recorder
- Want to change your voice first? → Voice Changer
- Need to normalize volume after adding reverb? → Audio Normalizer
- Want to compress dynamics? → Audio Compressor
- Need to add fade in/out to the effected audio? → Audio Fade
How to Add Audio Effects Online
Upload Your Audio
Drag and drop or browse to select your audio file. We support MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, M4A, WebM, AIFF, and MP4 formats up to 50MB.
Choose Effect Type
Select "Reverb" for spatial ambience or "Echo/Delay" for rhythmic repetitions. Each has dedicated controls and presets.
Adjust Parameters
For reverb: choose type, mix, decay, and pre-delay. For echo: set delay time, feedback, and mix. Use presets as starting points.
Preview and Export
Click "Play Preview" to hear the effected audio. Click anywhere on the waveform to play from that point. When satisfied, click "Export & Download".
Why Use ChangerAudio Audio Effects?
No Sign Up
No account needed. Just open and add effects instantly.
5 Reverb Types
Room, Hall, Plate, Spring, and Cathedral — all in one tool.
100% Free
No watermarks, no limits. Add effects to unlimited files forever free.
Professional Presets
Podcast Studio, Concert Hall, Bright Vocal, Stadium, and Slapback Echo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add reverb to audio online?
Upload your audio to our free Audio Effects tool, choose a reverb type (Hall, Room, Plate, Spring, or Cathedral), adjust the mix level and decay time, preview the result, and export as WAV. The entire process takes less than 30 seconds.
What's the difference between reverb and echo?
Reverb simulates the natural reflections of a space (thousands of tiny reflections blending together). Echo is a distinct, audible repetition of the sound (like shouting in a canyon). Delay is the technical term for echo with controllable timing.
Which reverb type should I use?
Room for intimate vocals and podcasts. Hall for orchestral and cinematic feel. Plate for bright, smooth vocals. Spring for guitar and vintage sounds. Cathedral for dramatic, expansive space.
How much reverb should I add?
For podcasts and voiceovers: 10-20% mix. For vocals in music: 20-35% mix. For ambient/cinematic: 40-60% mix. Less is more — you can always add more, but too much reverb makes audio sound distant and muddy.
Is the audio effects tool free?
Yes, 100% free with no watermarks, no sign up, and no limits. All processing happens locally in your browser — your files are never uploaded to a server.