510 of the best reverb vst plugins | musicradar
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510 of the best reverb VST plugins | MusicRadarTRANSCRIPT
06/11/2015 14:4010 of the best reverb VST plugins | MusicRadar
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News > Tech > 10 of the best reverb VST plugins
10 of the best reverb VST pluginsBy Ric Rawlins, November 19, 2013 Tech "
Select your weapons carefully for arguably the most importanteffect processor of all
It's a space odyssey
The word ‘reverberation’ - or ‘reverb’ - conveys the idea of sound bouncingaround in an enclosed space. Unless they’ve been acoustically treated (as avocal booth in a recording studio would be), most rooms have a naturalreverb.
Reverb plugins are designed to reproduce the ambience of an imaginary room orspace. Alternatively, they can emulate older artificial technologies such as plate,spring and chamber reverbs. These are considered to have musically usefulcharacteristics, and so are now emulated in plugin form.
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On a basic level, reverb plugins work by generating a lot of closely spaced butrandom echoes to simulate reflected sound from a number of irregularly shapedobjects. The end result is that each reflection is no longer heard in isolation butas part of a general ambience.
Because of the large number of calculations involved in creating a realisticsounding reverb, high quality reverb plug-ins tend to be pretty system intensive.Some are based on a technique called convolution; they’re rather CPU-hungry,but capable of breathtaking results.
Like most plugin effects, reverb should be used in moderation. In fact, reverb isoften used in such small amounts that it's only noticeable when temporarilyremoved from the mix.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's take a look at 10 VST plugins that wereckon could well be the best available.
Next: ValhallaDSP VintageVerb
ValhallaDSP VintageVerb (PC/Mac, $50)
The VintageVerb offers a nostalgic take on the curiously crusty hardwarereverbs of yesteryear. At its heart are nine mostly Lexicon-inspired reverbalgorithms to choose from, covering the usual array of halls, plates, roomsand spaces, as well as a few more esoteric designs.
All stand up very well in the mix, but our favourite is the Chamber algorithm,with its beautifully smooth yet dense texture - a combination that a lot of reverbplugins don't quite manage to pull off.
Cheaper than a parking ticket, simple to understand and complete with greatcharacter and tone, this is a classy plugin.
Full review: ValhallaDSP VintageVerb
Inspired by vintage '70s and '80s reverbs
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TAL-Reverb-II (PC/Mac, free)
This second version of TAL's classic reverb plugin features the plate algorithmof the original and adds a subtractive EQ and a stereo input mode.
Labels on each control let you know the values you're currently dealing with, andit's extremely simple to use: simply dial in the frequency you'd like affected - highend, low end or middle, then expand or reduce the room size and blend in theamount of effect you'd like to hear.
TAL-Reverb II is absolutely free - and although that naturally makes it a greatstarter reverb plugin, it's also a popular effect for more advanced music makersto use in combination with other reverbs.
Find out more about TAL-Reverb-II
Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Plugin Bundle(Pc/Mac, $599)
The best free reverb plugin available?
Classic hardware emulation for studio pros
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Lexicon hardware units take pride of place in many pro studios, and over thecompany's 39-year history it's become the gold standard in digitalreverberation.
The PCM Bundle utilises the algorithms and presets from the classic LexiconPCM96 hardware reverb, at around quarter of the price (it retails around £460).What's more, an obvious bonus with the software format is that you can run asmany plugin instances as your system can handle, rather than being limited bythe restrictions of the hardware.
With such a hefty price tag, this plugin collection is clearly aimed at pros - yetconsidering it contains the exact same digital algorithms as the original, therecan be no disputing that what you're getting is a virtual PCM96. As such, thisbundle sounds amazing.
Full review: Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Plugin Bundle
2CAudio Breeze (PC/Mac, $150)
2CAudio's second reverb is an algorithmic reverb plugin, and its release in2011 followed the considerably more complex Aether. While Breeze has muchin common with its forebear, it's not a straight cutdown version, and iscertainly less CPU-intensive.
The interface is concisely laid out, with a familiar graph display that representsthe reverb generated by the current settings. In this department, worthy ofspecial mention is the Contour control, which essentially adjusts the amplitudeenvelope of the early stages of the reverb. It's a similar concept to theAttack/Sustain/Spread controls we love so much in Aether.
Putting Breeze to work in a mix is, well, a breeze! The relatively conservative
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2CAudio hits another home run with this excellent workhorse reverb
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control count means it's quick to get to grips with and doesn't leave youscratching your head as to how best to proceed.
We'd be more than happy to employ it in any mix situation, and it's a dab-handat FX-orientated sounds, too. Breeze is for those who like their plugins to-the-point and easy-to-use, as there's really nothing superfluous to be found here.
Full review: 2CAudio Breeze
Exponential Audio Phoenix Verb (PC/Mac, $199)
Phoenix Verb was one of the debut plugins from Exponential Audio, whosefounder Michael Carnes is the DSP wiz behind the PCM Bundle that we lookedat in slide three. As such, this plugin demands to be taken seriously.
There's no denying that Phoenix Verb looks a tad clunky - but it's the sound thatcounts. Transparent and natural from the first presets that you try, the earlyreflections and tails from this plugin sit perfectly in the mix.
Features include a low- or high-pass filter on the reverb output, a huge range ofpresets that are suggested to you based on the keywords you punch in, and aReverb Type slider which enables quick changes between Plate, Chamber andHall modes without fully changing your preset.
Phoenix Verb really shines in quiet situations where you might expect to detectsome graininess - and it's possibly the cleanest reverb we've ever heard.
Full review: Exponential Audio Phoenix Verb
Native Instruments Reverb Classics (PC/Mac,€199)
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Same team as the PCM Bundle - but cheaper and still pristine
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Native Instruments' synth and sampler plugins may be better known than itseffects, but more recently the company's been making a determined pushinto the realm of classic EQ and dynamics plugins that fall distinctly into the'vintage emulation' category.
Running with this narrative is the Reverb Classics bundle, which consists of theenigmatically-named RC 24 (described as a 'Character Studio Hall') and the RC 48(described as a 'Royal Studio Hall').
Despite the descriptions, they both consist of more than just plain Hall reverbalgorithms, and have clearly been modelled around the classic Lexicon digitalreverb sound of the Model 224 (from 1978) and the 480L (from the mid '80s).
It's a good value bundle, with the most flexible reverb being the RC 48 - which isin essence a series of customisable 'early reflections'. With straightforwardediting and a great sound, these plugins offer a wide range of possibletreatments.
Full review: Native Instruments Reverb Classics
2CAudio B2 (PC/Mac, $250)
Flexible double-bundle unofficially based on classic Lexicon hardware
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2CAudio's third and most advanced algorithmic reverb, B2, utilises twinreverb engines (based on its Breeze plug-in) that can be configured to create awide range of internal processing structures.
As you'd expect from the makers of Aether and Breeze, B2 sounds fantastic. Loseyourself in the endless library of presets (accessed via a slick, filterable browser)and it doesn't take long to realise that this is a spectacular plugin capable ofproducing an incredibly broad range of effects, from subtle masteringambiences to zany distorted echoes, via sumptuous large halls and everything inbetween.
Whether you're using it for music production or sound design, B2 deliversanything you could ask of it. With so many excellent presets included and anarchitecture that enables truly microscopic editing - not to mention the dynamicssection, the Attitude control and a great-sounding global limiter - 2CAudio hascome up with something that really is very, er, spatial.
Full review: 2CAudio B2
112dB Redline Reverb (PC/Mac, $150)
When is a reverb not a reverb? When it's a "spatial processor"
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Another space-maker that you simply must try
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While many reverbs opt for convolution-charged ultra-realism or offerseparate plate, hall and room algorithms, 112dB claims that its RedlineReverb takes a slightly different approach, with a single core algorithm thatyou can shape in a variety of ways.
The main selling point of any reverb should be its sound, and one of the thingsthat impresses us most about Redline Reverb is its musicality. It really enhancesthe material, rather than fighting for space with it.
It's perhaps not the most realistic unit we've ever heard, but complaining aboutthat would be missing the point: like the top-end digital units of yesteryear, itjust sounds gorgeous. To demonstrate its abilities, place it on a vocal channelwith its default settings, and you'll immediately get an effect reminiscent of anenhancer - only cleaner and sweeter.
If you want something a little special that can spice up and enhance anythingfrom leads and pads to vocals and effects, or that can be used as an upfrontcreative effect, make sure you get your hands on this one.
Full review: 112dB Redline Reverb
Softube TSAR-1 (PC/Mac, $269)
For a time, convolution reverbs were all the rage, narrowing the gap betweenthe hardware reverbs (and real spaces we desired) and their sometimesinadequate software equivalents. Thankfully, the last few years have seenalgorithmic reverb plugins seriously up their game.
Softube's TSAR-1 takes its sonic inspiration from a number of classic reverbs -however, it's a bang up-to-date 'true stereo' design using an algorithm that's allits own.
As expected, there is a 'signature' to the sound, and we have to say it's a verypleasing one. TSAR-1 delivers everything from a wonderful medium-sizedperformance space (Jazz Club), to tracking rooms (Studio A and B) as well asequipment-influenced AMS Ambience and some Lexicon 224-style presets.
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A digital algorithmic plug-in from one of the most respected developers around
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In the mix, TSAR-1 produces an excellent, rich sound that meshes very well withthe source material, and the CPU hit is minimal. As such, it's a solid buy if you'rein the market for a serious algorithmic reverb.
Full review: Softube TSAR-1
HOFA Plugins IQ-Reverb (PC/Mac €150)
This plugin offers a convolution reverb with a vintage twist in the form ofalgorithmic reverb features such as LFO modulation, gating and EQ, separatelevel control for the direct signal, early reflections and tail, and predelaysettings.
Perhaps more than anything, convolution reverbs are all about their libraries,and IQ-Reverb's comprises 135 impulse responses and 95 presets. Some of theIRs are True Stereo (we counted 24) and the presets make good use of thealgorithmic parameters.
IQ-Reverb is excellent, boasting a very similar feature set to Audio Ease's Altiverb,though without such an extensive library.
It's also stereo-only, though surround capabilities might be added at a later date.Even without them, though, this is a fantastic pro reverb at a great price, and its'traditional' parameters - in particular, control over the separate reverb stagesand predelays - add flexibility and familiarity.
Full review: HOFA Plugins IQ-Reverb
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Pro convolution reverb with great presets - for a reasonable price
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