Reverb suggestions

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kilgore88

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I am looking for some opinions on different types of reverb. I'm using different plugins right now through cubase and i think they sound pretty metallic. does reverb hardware sound better than software or is it just a matter of opinion. any thoughts would be appreciated. what do you use?
 
The conventional wisdom around here seems to be that hardware reverbs sound better than plugins. Plugins, however, are often more convenient and a lot of people like some of the newer and more expensive sample-based convolution reverbs. Of course, it really depends on which plugins and which hardware reverbs you're comparing and there is a wide variation in price for both.

I've used both harware and software reverbs at various points, ranging from the Waves Renn plugin to the TC Electronic M300. I currently looking at switching to either Altiverb or perhaps the Kurzweil Rumor.
 
Don't rule out natural spaces, either. Find a room with a pleasing sounding echo (try a tiled bathroom for starters). Reamp your sounds through an amplifier and speaker and put a good mic up in the room to record it. You could record it to a new track and mix to taste, or use it in real time using an Aux send and a channel for your mic. Use a delay unit or move the track in your DAW to adjust the amount of predelay. I did this recently with some drum tracks in a great big room and it sounds fantastic when blended with the close-miced tracks. It adds a lot to the kick especially.
 
Plug in reverbs can work if you use them very sparingly. Even the free ones. They begin to sound funny if you try and push them to get a deep lush reverb out of them. Also roll them off at about 4k to 5k. I find this to be true with plug ins in general. They are ok when used lightly but begin to break down when pushed.

Bob the Mod Guy
 
I really like my outboard Yamaha Rev 100. It's not Lexicon but does what I need it to do. Mainly acoustic guitars and drum machine.
 
If I wanted to use reverb hardware, but still record dry, could I insert the effect later into cubase? Could I use hardware as a send effect?
 
Try the SIR convolution host. It's free. Then you can go to the noisevault and get some convolution samples. They too are free. Total cost = zippo:D
 
hey

Zippo is certainly a good cost.

Most people don't know DSP parlance from a hole in the ground though. Words like convolution may not bode well. That resource is friggin interesting though!!! I'm psyched about it dude. Thanks.

SIR ey??? Interesting

Kilgore88, and others, in case you don't know, "convolution", in terms of music, is sort of a math way of saying applying a recording of 'something' to your music. In this case the 'recording' is the sound of a hall, like the recording of a penny being dropped to the floor (impulse) of a big church. When you apply that recording , or 'impulse response' to the sound of your vocals for instance, your vocals will have 'reverb'.

Pure and simple. Finite Impulse Response (FIR) has been used in Lexicon units for ever, and if this free software does the same thing, then it's definately worth a shot. Mathematically the process is simple, what ISN'T simple however is acquiring high quality impulse responses. If this software has a good set of responses, then it's worth a look.

And in case everybody already knows what convolution is, well, then, just call me a know-it-all asshole. hehe. (just trying to help)

Tristan
 
Try the demos of the Arts Acoustic and Wizooverb W2. They both sound great to me. The two (imho) sweetest software verbs I've found.
 
I'd second the SIR and Noisevault route. I have a Lexicon MPX1, an Ensoniq DP Pro and a Digitech Studio 400. None of them mega high end but certainly not budget units either, all of them around the £1000 mark on release. Despite owning these units I have used SIR and Noisevault reverbs plus the Plate 140 on a UAD on all of the projects I've done recently. Time to get the outboard on eBay I reckon.
 
Wavearts

I own my fair share of great plug-in reverbs, but recently i just found a new one that im in love with.

A compay called Wavearts just released their new version of
"MasterVerb"

Its cheap, sounds great, and isnt a cpu hog! :D

Also,....... and heres the best part,

They let you demo it for 30 days

www.wavearts.com
 
Well, Killgore, you've certainly got some very solid responses here. This thread could almost be made into a sticky called "what you need to know about Reverb." All the important stuff has been covered, so let's just recap a bit:

1. There are some good 'verb plugins out there, but you have to search for them, because there are also some that are not so good.

2. Convolution reverb is the latest greatest 'verb plug to come along, and it really IS a nice sounding option. (I believe that there's another free one out there called "Convo Boy.")

3. Hardware reverb varies, also, from good to aweful. Switching to a hardware 'verb wouldn't necessarily be an improvement over a plug, if you got a really poor sounding outboard unit. Some of the entry-level units by Lexicon and TC Electronics are good ones. But, if you can afford to stretch yourself to the Kurzweil Rumour (about $600, I think), then you are stepping into a truly professional-grade unit. You can't touch anything else in that class unless you're prepared to spend at least twice the money.

4. Don't forget to listen for natural reverb settings in your house. Somebody has already mentioned using a tiled bathroom. That sound absolutely ROCKS for some sources. But you may have other areas in your house that also have a nice, natural reverb.

Lots of luck to you! :)

Bassman Brad
 
well, thanks for all the info everybody. i think i am going to check out some of the plug in suggestions. i also try my bathroom, i sing in there anyway so i might as well record it. thanks again.
 
I only use outboard processing gear. Then again, I only use analog recording media so I guess it makes sense. Anyway, for reverbs I use Lexicon LXP-15 modified by Jim Williams and an Alesis Midiverb IV. Love the Lexi's sound, but the Alesis is not bad.
$600 range....Kurzweil a lot of people have good things to say. Haven't heard it so I can't comment. I have heard good things about Lexi MPX-1 and TC M-one in the less-than-a-grand $$ range though.
 
xfinsterx said:
I own my fair share of great plug-in reverbs, but recently i just found a new one that im in love with.

A compay called Wavearts just released their new version of
"MasterVerb"

Its cheap, sounds great, and isnt a cpu hog! :D

Also,....... and heres the best part,

They let you demo it for 30 days

www.wavearts.com
Click to expand...


Just bought Masterverb5 a week ago couldn't be happier and their customer service is the best I've ever dealt with. IMO 175 bucks is dirt cheap for a reverb this good.
 
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