How are effects added to analogue recordings?

[Shapeshifter]

When effects, such as phasing and reverb, are added to individual instuments on a multitrack tape, are they added live through the mixing desk? Can someone explain, in laymans terms, how the process works? Thanks

[rojash]

some effects (especially things like distortion and stuff for guitars) are added during the recording process. Most others are added after recording during the mix down.

Record lead vocal clean
Patch the lead vocal track to DSP or analog echo chamber or reverb plate
Mix effects return with original signal
Pan vocal to where you want it in the image
re-record it as part of the stereo mix

[Shapeshifter]

Thanks very much for your answer. I'm nearly with it!

Do I take it, then, that one tape has all of the dry tracks on it and the final tape for mastering is a copy of the dry tape but with the effects added?

[mibn2cweus]

It is easier to add effects latter and virtually impossible to remove them once integrated within an individual track. Proceeding accordingly it is advisable to keep your options open until you've settled on the outcome. Whenever feasible keeping a back-up copy of the original raw takes will insure against regrets.

[Shapeshifter]

I appreciate your answers and I apologise for being a pain in the rear but I still don't quite get it.

Let's take the famous example of phasing on Itchycoo Park. When Kenny jones' drum track was being recorded, what exactly was the process between him playing it dry and it ending up on the record with the phasing added? I'm desperate to understand how the analogue process works.
Maybe you can refer me to a website which explains it?

Thanks a million for your help.

[mibn2cweus]

Here's and article of possible interest

[rojash]

How it's done today is pretty different from how it was done when Itchycoo Park was recorded. I'm pretty sure that was recorded on a 4 track. Modern recording can use 48 or more tracks. Also with computerised desks, it's not necessary to have a dry and a processed copy of each track, because the desk can remember the mix. Thus it's possible to add all the effects during the final mix. That being said, what actually happens will depend on the producer, the engineer, etc.

[beso]

Incidentally. Effects are done digitally these days but were originally done with mechanical devices.

Spring and plate reverb simulated on modern digital effects boxes was originally done with springs and plates.

For example in spring reverb part of the speaker current was run through a spring. The currents running in parallel coils of the spring cause the spring to contract, later returning current when the spring expanded.

Distortion was achieved by overdriving the input stage of the amplifier. Worked really well with valves because they could be overdriven smoothly. Transistor overdrive is sharper and less stable.

Delay was done by braking a tape loop with a finger and echo often used a hallway.

[rojash]

I've never come across a spring reverb such as you describe Beso. A normal spring reverb as an audio transducer at one end and part of the signal is converted to audio which excites the spring. At the other end, another transducer converts the vibrations in the spring back into an electrical signal to be mixed with the clean signal.

Incidentally, many better quality modern guitar amps have a spring reverb unit (just as many use tubes). My (cheapo) Roland Cube uses DSP for the reverb, but our lead guitarist's Line 6 has a genuine spring reverb.