Summary of "Mr. Bill - Ableton Tutorial 50: Reverse Convolution Reverb"

Main Ideas and Concepts

Reverse Convolution Reverb Technique: The tutorial demonstrates a creative audio production trick involving the use of reversed Convolution Reverb impulse responses (IRs) in Ableton Live to create unique, experimental reverb effects.
Impulse Response (IR) Basics: An impulse response captures the acoustic characteristics of a space by recording a sweep tone played in the space and extracting the room’s sound profile. This IR is then used in convolution reverbs to simulate that space.
Creating a Reverse Reverb Impulse Response: Instead of using a traditional IR, the tutorial shows how to create a custom IR by:
1. Applying a reverb effect to a sound (e.g., a synth or drum hit).
2. Rendering (recording) the reverb tail.
3. Reversing the recorded reverb tail audio clip.
4. Using this reversed audio as the impulse response in Ableton’s Convolution Reverb device.
This results in a reversed reverb effect that is not just a reversed playback of the reverb, but a convolution using the reversed tail as the IR, producing unique spatial and temporal effects.
Applications and Sound Design Uses:
- Adds interesting textures and layers to music.
- Can be used on synths, drums, and other sounds to create a “sidechain-y,” pumping, or otherworldly effect.
- Adjusting parameters like decay, size, and gain in the Convolution Reverb can tailor the effect to fit the track.
- Can create reverb tails without a clear pitch or with a reversed drum quality.
- Useful for adding depth and complexity to drums and other elements.
Technical Tips and Troubleshooting:
- Sometimes Max for Live devices (like the Convolution Reverb) can behave unpredictably; rendering and re-importing clips may fix issues.
- Consolidating clips and applying fades can help avoid clicks and unwanted artifacts.
- Adjusting the size parameter in the Convolution Reverb can affect the pitch of the reverb tail, allowing for creative tuning.

Detailed Methodology / Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Source Sound
- Use a synth, drum, or any sound you want to apply the effect to.
- Optionally layer sounds or loops for complexity.
Apply Reverb and Render the Tail
- Insert a reverb plugin (e.g., Valhalla Room or Ableton’s stock reverb) on the sound.
- Choose a preset or customize settings (e.g., dry/wet balance, high cut, pre-delay).
- Render the reverb tail by recording the output onto a new audio track (resampling).
Edit the Reverb Tail
- Trim the recorded reverb tail to a suitable length.
- Consolidate the clip to make it a single audio file.
- Reverse the audio clip.
- Add fades if necessary to avoid clicks.
Load the Reversed Tail as an Impulse Response
- Open Ableton’s Max for Live Convolution Reverb device.
- Load the reversed audio clip into the device as the impulse response.
- Delete or bypass the original reverb effect.
Apply the Reverse Convolution Reverb
- Send or route other sounds (synths, drums) to the Convolution Reverb.
- Adjust device parameters like decay, size, and gain to shape the effect.
- Experiment with different source sounds and impulse responses.
Experiment and Layer
- Try different lengths and types of reverb tails.
- Use different source sounds for impulse responses (e.g., kicks, synths).
- Combine with layering techniques to enhance the overall texture.

Speakers / Sources Featured

Mr. Bill – Main presenter and tutorial host.
Incanti – Credited for originally showing the trick to Mr. Bill.
Wolg – Credited for discovering or contributing to the technique.
Enan (Enan Music) – Mentioned as a source and linked in the video description.
WS Music – Mentioned as another recommended music source in the description.

Additional Notes: The tutorial encourages experimentation and highlights that this technique is useful both as a creative sound design tool and as a way to add depth and interest to mixes. It also emphasizes the importance of layering and using impulse responses creatively.