Big reverbs are out, intimacy is in. In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu break down why room reverbs and short reverbs are some of the most underrated tools in modern mixing. From making vocals feel natural to giving drums the depth of a live room, room verbs can glue your mix together without drowning it in washy tails.

We also dive into the shift from long Post Malone–style reverbs to today’s drier, punchier sound, the plugins we rely on most (Valhalla Vintage Verb, Valhalla Room, UAD Ocean Way, Cooper Time Cube), and why EQing your reverbs is essential for clarity. Beyond the technical, we talk about the unpredictability of the music industry, why labels can’t manufacture guaranteed hits, and why the only real “secret sauce” is loving the music enough to keep creating.

Topics covered:

• Why room reverbs make mixes sound natural and alive
• How to add depth without washing out vocals or instruments
• Favorite reverb plugins for vocals, guitars, and drums
• Why EQing reverbs can make or break a mix
• The myth of “secret formulas” in hit songs
• Why unpredictability makes the industry more fair than it looks

Whether you’re chasing a more professional sound or just want your mixes to feel more real, this episode will give you both technical takeaways and perspective on what really matters in music.

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The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠

The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others.

This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

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