Reverb can counteract masking by extending sustain or widening a masked sound

Although reverb usually adds masking, it can also counteract it: extending a masked instrument’s sustain so its wet tail trails on past the masking event, widening it so the wet signal emerges from the “shadow” of a central masker, or (with tonal reverb) shifting its frequency balance much as EQ would. So reverb is not only a spatial tool but occasionally a way to rescue a buried part.

Examples

A central shaker buried behind central kick hits can be unmasked by extending its reverb tail past the kick or spreading it into the stereo sides where the kick is not.

Assessment

Describe two ways reverb can reduce masking of an instrument rather than add to it.