Could Somebody Briefly Explain -

[Carl762]

Wet and Dry signals (whatever the proper word is).

I'm pouring through my Black Box manual, places on the internet, trying to learn all I can about recording guitar and recording in general.

I keep coming across wet/dry. What's that mean?

 

[RW James]

Re: Could Somebody Briefly Explain -

Simplified:

Dry = raw signal as produced by the instrument or voice
Wet = modified by effects

Usually there is a way to pan between dry and wet to vary the amount of affects in the final product.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Could Somebody Briefly Explain -

^ correct.

Most of the time, when you hear an effect like delay, reverb, flange, etc., you are actually hearing the dry signal mixed with the wet signal. The ratio of dry to wet determines how intense the effect is.

If you have (or have ever used) an amp with a reverb knob, that is essentially a dry/wet blend control. With the reverb on 0, you are hearing 100% dry (signal bypasses the reverb). With the reverb on 10, you are hearing 100% wet (signal is entirely through the reverb). At 5, you are hearing equal parts dry and wet. And so forth ...

 

[Carl762]

Re: Could Somebody Briefly Explain -

That explains it well, gentlemen. Thanks.

Is there a definitive book I can buy on home studios that you would recommend?

Love books.