Drying a wet sound typically refers to the process of reducing or removing the sense of reverb or ambient space from an audio recording. This can be done using various techniques and tools. Here are a few methods you can try:
Equalization (EQ): Use EQ to reduce the frequencies that contribute to the sense of space and reverb in the sound. Focus on the lower mid-range and high frequencies, as these often contain the reflections and room resonances. By reducing these frequencies, you can make the sound appear drier.
De-verb Plugins: There are specialized plugins available that are designed to reduce reverb in a sound. These plugins analyze the audio and apply processing techniques to reduce the reverb tail. They can be quite effective in drying up a wet sound. Popular de-verb plugins include SPL De-Verb, iZotope RX De-reverb, and Waves De-Verb.
Close-miking technique: If you're recording audio, using a close-miking technique can help capture a drier sound initially. By positioning the microphone close to the sound source, you capture more direct sound and minimize the influence of the room's acoustics.
Acoustic treatment: If you're dealing with a physical space, improving the room's acoustics can help reduce reverb. Adding absorption panels or diffusers to the walls, ceilings, and corners of the room can minimize the reflections and make the space sound drier.
Reamping: If you have recorded a wet sound and want to dry it up in post-production, you can reamp the dry signal through an amplifier or speaker in a drier environment. By capturing the reamped sound, you eliminate the room's influence and get a drier result.
Remember, drying up a wet sound is a subjective process, and the exact approach will depend on the specific audio source and your desired outcome. Experiment with different techniques, tools, and settings to achieve the desired level of dryness in your sound.