TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- Production Studio
-- Good Reverb Plug-in?

Good Reverb Plug-in?

Hey guys.

I am looking for some recommendations re: a quality reverb plug-in.

I remember somebody on here mentioning that Ableton's reverb isn't the greatest and although I know only a little about production I agree to the extent that I've never really been happy with the results when I've used it.

So, does anybody have any favourite reverb plug-ins?

Thanks

Ambience is good for effects. So's Space Master if you have Reaktor.

TC Native Reverb is good for some drums.

Software reverbs have historically been pretty crap because they try to optimize CPU. Convolution reverbs like SIR (free) or Waves IR (part of the bundle) are great, you just have to find the impulses. For that, just look around online, you can find impulses taken from many very expensive hardware units; as far as I know this is perfectly legal.

Failing that, TrueVerb from Waves is also OK. But if you've got the horsepower, stick with a convolution.

I just use Glaceverb, never tried anything else except FL's native reverbs but Glaceverb always worked great for me.

I think WaveArts Masterverb is the best algorithmic reverb. Certainly the best one I have ever used.

the wavearts verb is pretty cool...

i also like rverb by waves (in diamond)

some synths come with reverb effect built in, try those, i find that the one in FM8 is pretty cool

i agree that the verbs that come bundled with most daw aren't very good, but i use the fl reverb quite a bit when it's just to add a little bit of space to pads

david

Waves Renaissance Reverb is absolutely gorgeous.

my 2 fav native ones:

Overloud Breverb
Sonnox Reverb

Tc powercores VSS3 is by far the best algorithm based software reverb i have heard. IK multimedia's CSR along with UAD's plate reverb come in second place. Everything else i have tried doesn't really come close.

VSS3 sounds far better than any Impulse response reverb when it comes to the reverb tails, and that makes it a winner for me.

I've tried tons of reverbs, here are some of my favourites

Waves IR-1 - nice sound but you can't automate it
Altiverb 6 - Probably the best software convolution verb
UAD Plate 140 - really 'warm' reverb

I was using all 3 of the above until i tried Lexicon hardware units

quote:

Originally posted by Ry Thomas I was using all 3 of the above until i tried Lexicon hardware units

Hey Ry - not trying to hijack the thread, but which Lexicon model(s) are you using? The reason I'm asking is that I haven't used a Lexicon hardware unit in over ten years, but when I did, I was using them for live audio back in my band days. I always bought the low-end Lexicon models, but they were more than adequate for live applications. I've heard mixed reviews about the cheaper Lexicon models for studio use, so I'm just curious to hear your thoughts, or if you went with a higher end model.

I have an MPX-1 and an MPX 100(i'm looking at getting one of the PCM models in the near future)

MPX 100 - pretty old reverb but uses the 'Lexichip', no LCD display but fool-proof to use. I use this for shorter plate reverbs normally, nice sounding reverb and dirt cheap now

MPX-1 - newer model which has an LCD display and is also easy to use, this is a mid-range unit that is the entry level for the 'Lexichip' models(the chip is where the legendary sound comes from). The MX200/MX400 models etc do not have this chip. This is an amazing sounding unit, you can edit all of your parameters, save patches etc. This reverb cuts straight through the mix and is really easy to mix with.

Hopefully soon i'll be able to see for myself all the hype about the PCM units . . .

I don't wanna start a new thread so Ry Thomas, would you or anyone else be able to tell me how the Reverb on the MX200/400 units compares to software reverbs such as Waves Trueverb or Rverb?

They look like good units for the price. I like the VST functionality and the review in sound on sound was very positive.

But I'd really like someone who has tried them to tell me how they compare to good software reverbs. I'd hate to buy one, get it home, only to find that its not noticeably better...

Thanks

Speaking of Lexicon, I've always liked their Pantheon reverb plugin. It takes a lot of bashing because of its, oh shall we say, sub-par presets, but it's dead simple to use and sounds pretty good to my ears.

quote:

Originally posted by G-Con I don't wanna start a new thread so Ry Thomas, would you or anyone else be able to tell me how the Reverb on the MX200/400 units compares to software reverbs such as Waves Trueverb or Rverb? They look like good units for the price. I like the VST functionality and the review in sound on sound was very positive. But I'd really like someone who has tried them to tell me how they compare to good software reverbs. I'd hate to buy one, get it home, only to find that its not noticeably better... Thanks

I had an MX200 a while back, 'when' it worked(i had loads of midi problems with it for some reason), the reverb was pretty good as were the other fx, like you say, it is a well priced unit. The 'Lexichip' units are in a class of their own imho. That is not to say the MX range are crap though, because they are not.

Reverb is really important in the mix i'd say, so if you're interested in getting a Lexicon i'd say save that litte bit extra for the MPX-1

I have a Lexicon PCM91 as my main reverb unit. They aren't that expensive (I think I got mine new, including delivery, for around $1600) and are extremely musical. I've tried quite a few software reverbs in my time, and this sounds like a completely different effect. The only way I can describe it is "musical" - it's obvious that it has been designed for musical applications rather than simply simulating spaces - it merges with the sound and enhances it in a very musical way. I own the Waves Gold bundle (which includes Rverb and Trueverb) and to my ears they can't be compared - it sounds like a different effect.

I'd like to try out some of the high end models, like the 480L or 960L, to see how much better reverb can sound, though I think those units are also designed for multi-user purposes, so a number of mix rooms can access the unit simultaneously. I could be wrong about that. Anyway, the PCM models are adequate for adding lush reverb to dance music (I think I read that PVD uses one, and thrillseekers?)

There are some purchases one doesn't regret for a second.

for midrange hw reverb units the bricasti m7 and lexicon pcm96 look really nice.

@derail
the highend lexs are not for multi room purposes more like multi channel/surround. and they sound even a lot lusher than the PCM range. there are a lot of samples on gearslutz if someone is interested to hear some of those units.

as far as convolution goes, the dynamic convolution concept of nebula can reproduce a lot of hardware gear very accurate. though it uses a lot of cpu.

Its funny i have never used the Lexicon hardware but i think the sofware Lexicon verb sounds down right nasty! Prehaps i didnt play with it much/enough. I remeber it to be horribly 'tinny' sounding. I also have to say that lately i have decided that the even waves verbs sound pretty lame really... Less 'tinny' than a lot of standard reverb plugs but still pretty lame. They dnt really make me 'feel a space'. Most normal reverb plugs sound like ass!
Convolution reverbs are they way to go they are usually beautiful. I havnt used the waves convolution I'd suspect its top notch. I allways use Perfect Space that comes with sonar nowadays i personally think it sounds exceptional! I dnt know if i comes by itself but i should suspect so. I bath most of my tracks in it now . But i might try this Altiverb thing peole seem to tout it.
I have heard good things about the wizoo verb, I have used it a little and remember a good interface and good sound. And it also has a low cpu mode which may be handy for peeps with slower rigs as the convolution verbs are cpu hungry !!! The most cpu hungry things you can run pretty much ...
Reverb is niiiiice :P

BigSIR2 is the best for me personally.

Gotta give it up for Logic Space Designer. It sounds really good, especially for something that is a "built-in" software effect. I compared it to the Waves IR and I think it sounds way better than that. Of course, the only catch is that you need to have a Mac and Logic to use it, but if you are in that position, it can easily satisfy your reverb needs.

I had two of the Lexicon MX units, but I wasn't really impressed with the results. Finding out on this thread that neither of these units have the "lexichip" in them makes perfect sense considering their sound and their price point. I've ended up selling my MX200 and have been trying to sell my MX400, but surprisingly haven't been able to move it. I'm sure some people may like them, but they just didn't sound very good to me.

At this point I'm just sticking with Logic Space Designer and Waves TrueVerb (which is so-so). The UAD Plate 140 sounds good, but I wouldn't recommend buying UAD products for their reverbs (compression and EQing is where UAD shines). I'm toying with the idea of picking up a TC Powercore firewire unit, as I hear great things about the TC plugins for reverb and compression.

i dont see anything wrong with ableton reverb...

but what do I know

quote:

Originally posted by Eric J Gotta give it up for Logic Space Designer. It sounds really good, especially for something that is a "built-in" software effect. I compared it to the Waves IR and I think it sounds way better than that. Of course, the only catch is that you need to have a Mac and Logic to use it, but if you are in that position, it can easily satisfy your reverb needs. I had two of the Lexicon MX units, but I wasn't really impressed with the results. Finding out on this thread that neither of these units have the "lexichip" in them makes perfect sense considering their sound and their price point. I've ended up selling my MX200 and have been trying to sell my MX400, but surprisingly haven't been able to move it. I'm sure some people may like them, but they just didn't sound very good to me. At this point I'm just sticking with Logic Space Designer and Waves TrueVerb (which is so-so). The UAD Plate 140 sounds good, but I wouldn't recommend buying UAD products for their reverbs (compression and EQing is where UAD shines). I'm toying with the idea of picking up a TC Powercore firewire unit, as I hear great things about the TC plugins for reverb and compression.

I like space designer too, but it's sorta confusing. Any tips?

overloud breverb is totally kickass. its the richest sounding synthesized reverb i've heard. great for synths

quote:

Originally posted by derail I have a Lexicon PCM91 as my main reverb unit. They aren't that expensive (I think I got mine new, including delivery, for around $1600)

$1600 is fucking expensive for alot of people.

quote:

Originally posted by Eldritch $1600 is fucking expensive for alot of people.

agreed lol

Everything is relative, I agree. Compared to high end reverb units which can go for about three to ten grand (second hand), sixteen hundred dollars for a new unit is quite affordable. Compared to a free reverb that comes with a DAW, it's quite expensive. We all make our choices as to how we spend/invest our money. I've invested a decent amount in my studio and chosen not to spend it on other things.

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.