User preference on artificial reverberation and delay time parameters

It is a common belief that settings of artificial reverb and delay time in music production are strongly linked to musical tempo and related factors. But this relationship, if in existence, is not yet understood. We present the results of two subjective tests that evaluate user preference of young adults with formal training in audio engineering on artificial reverb and delay time, while trying to relate choice to tempo and other low-level explaining factors. Results showthere is a conclusive relationship between musical tempo and delay time preference as described by users. Reverb time setting preference, however, cannot be explained in such a strong manner. In this latter aspect the present work has nevertheless uncovered some ideas on how to proceed in order to quantify the phenomenon.