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-- hardware reverbs vs. software reverbs

hardware reverbs vs. software reverbs

so I've been using ableton's builtin software reverb plugin, would a hardware reverb processor achieve better results?

Probably. But is it worth the money? My guess is probably not.

Reverbs were digital to begin with. I would say any good software will give you excellent results.

I've used both and i'm yet to find software that comes near Lexicons with Lexichips

software reverbs are better, imo.

1. unless it is a vst/dsp combo, hardware is too much of a pain in the ass
2. most hardware reverbs are digital anyway (software on a box)
3. there are more people making soft reverbs than hardware
4. you have much better convolution-based options in software

You definately cannot beat top of the range lexicon or bricasti reverbs with software at the moment.

The best algorithmic software reverbs BY FAR imo are Powercore VSS3 and the UAD plate reverb. These easily beat many hardware reverbs up to the price of $1000 imo. Very nice sound.

The closest to Analog reverb is to re-record the sound played in a room, and trust me it actually is not a bad idea for the results of real reverb of a room.
reverb can only be created with algorithyms, so external hardware or software is out of the question. Although plate and reverb can be done analog i think.

It totally depends on what sort of reverb you're looking for, what your personal preference is.

I'm currently using a Lexicon PCM91, it sounds very different to the software reverbs I have. The best way I can describe it is it's musical, rather than trying to recreate acoustic spaces precisely. It becomes part of the sound.

Lexicon released a new model a little while ago (though I think it's around $4,500). It may be worth trying one out if you have a music store in your area which has them. It may be far more than you'd like to spend, but it may sound noticably different from other reverbs you've tried. Whether that's good or bad is up to you personally.

But every reverb, hardware or software, will have it's own sonic character. The only way to know which one you prefer is to try a few out.

quote:

Originally posted by Knowland Reverbs were digital to begin with. I would say any good software will give you excellent results.

Reverbs are not digital!!

You can create your own with a mic and a speaker playing into any space and recording the results. Although this may sound more realistic it's prob not worth the effort unless it's part of the sound you are after.

Theres some funny stuff in here "reverbs were digital to begin with" and

quote:

reverb can only be created with algorithyms, so external hardware or software is out of the question. Although plate and reverb can be done analog i think.

This is possibly one of the funniest sentences I've ever come across on here. I hope your joking? Because we all know that there is such a thing as spring and plate reverbs, or even *gasp* a natural reverb
And we also all know that you CAN put "algorithyms" in hardware?

quote:

Originally posted by flutlicht junky Reverbs are not digital!! You can create your own with a mic and a speaker playing into any space and recording the results. Although this may sound more realistic it's prob not worth the effort unless it's part of the sound you are after.

And of course the degradation may not give you the clean verb sound you were looking for...

meh i wrote that late at night man give me a break!

might not make sense to you but it does to me.

when refering to the algorithyms, i was saying that it's the only means with hardware(outboard fx unit)software to generate complex artificial reverb.

when saying hardware and software is out of the question, i meant its irrelevent to an extent because They are all dsp based technology.

And when refering to plate and spring reverb, i was meaning it was a means of simulating reverb in an electromechanical way. Hence analog(electrical sinals) can be used to make it.

Here's the thing.. say for example you play the piano and you're using a software plugin. Getting the real thing would be a great investment. Not only because the real thing sounds different, but also because the piano sound is very well known by most ppl. But if you're into production, getting one hardware reverb will do very little to make your music sound better. In fact, it will not sound better at all, only a bit different.
So.. does it help? Maybe it would make you feel more confident, and it would sound different.
Does it matter? No, unless you're making music for other experienced producers who will say: "omg that's the unmistakable sound of a lexicon reverb!". If you can't get a good sound from a software reverb, you won't get one from hardware either IMO.
Is it worth it? No way. Especially not today when convulsion reverbs sound so good and there are even freeware versions. If you have a well equipped studio and hi quality gear already, then it might be worth getting a top notch reverb to go with it. Otherwise...no. And this goes for 99% of hardware effects.

My advice is: get a free convulsion reverb, get some good impulses for it, and concentrate on making music

Any software capable of Convolution reverb, with the right impulses, sports a considerable rival to hardware.

Altiverb is a good commercial one, but I think there are a few freeware or lower priced ones that do the job just as well.

Re: hardware reverbs vs. software reverbs

quote:

Originally posted by movingincircles so I've been using ableton's builtin software reverb plugin, would a hardware reverb processor achieve better results?

I just read the original post again. I believe the question should be "Would I achieve better results with a hardware reverb processor?", since in the end the overall sound comes from the user, not the equipment.

Only you can answer the question for yourself. There are many reverbs out there, hardware and software. Just like there are thousands of EQs, some of them costing thousands of dollars. They aren't all identical. Maybe getting an expensive one will make a huge positive difference to your productions. Maybe it won't make any difference, or will make them worse.

Read reviews, look at specs, and if you can, try things out. The only way you can truly form your own opinion about something is through using it for a while and knowing it's value based on your own experience.

Others have raised good points though - reverb choice isn't generally going to lift your production sound very noticeably. Other things, like quality sound sources and appropriate level setting, will have a much bigger impact on your production quality.

I'd suggest looking for all the freeware/trial reverbs around and seeing if there's an option that will give you the feeling your reverb isn't holding you back.

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