reverb test - 5 plugins and 1 hardware

[rsmus7]

I also tend to 3 as the best

1 + 2 + 6 color the sound too much

4 + 5 are in the middle of good and bad

[whyterabbyt]

Jeez quoth Why don't you just tell us which reverb was used for each audio example? Otherwise this is not educational.

Because some people will start to judge by name rather than sound.

Obviously he'll tell us at some point, and reading the 'blind' reviews will be more than educational

[Sicklecell666]

Obviously he'll tell us at some point, and reading the 'blind' reviews will be more than educational

He gave the answers in the first page 3/4 of the way down.

My choices tend to back up existing paradigms..

[greendoor]

Someone should try the 'Steinberg RoomWorks VST' that comes with SX3. Its really quite nice Bit like the Sonitus one

RoomWorks is simply Magnus Ambiance, with some extra presets and surround features. But the sound and performance (including CPU spikes) is the same.

I own most of these plugins. They are all so different that I find this comparison to be bogus. I agree that when they are all just used for a big wash, they tend to sound similar, but that's hardly how these reverbs would be used in practice.

The thing about cheap reverbs is that they are very subject to source material. Certain notes can set them off on some very harsh resonances or flutters. So it's not really fair to compare them. All of them can be set to sound extremely bad, and all of them can be set to sound useable. The Sonitus reverb (I have this as part of the defunct Ultrafunk pack, but it's the same) is extremely light on CPU, and considering that it's amazing it sounds so good. Ambiance is a cpu hog, and generally it is capable of much denser, smoother reverbs. It's also big and fake sounding, which may or may not appeal. Personally, i'm still looking. Recently i've been using Glaceverb, and excellent freebie that should have been included in this roundup.

[rbet]

Um, don't laugh... well, laugh, but if possible, please include Fruity Reverb in your test.

[rbet]

whats up with this crap Quicktime browser plugin... it mutes for two seconds after starting an mp3!

Also, I couldn't find a lot of difference between them... but thats because I am on $20 portable headphones...

[ericzang]

I agree, this is not a very conclusive test, and subject to a lot of variables based on source material and context. It is interesting however, and it did reveal which can be more metallic and which have pulses or warbles in the tail on a random voice phrase.

After all the good response, I was thinking I'd like to try it again. This time using a nice dry sample, perhaps such as found on the new Arts Acoustic mp3 demos ( http://www.artsacoustic.com/samples/13acc_git_dry.mp3 or other?), then playing this into my hardware eventide eclipse on a pleasing setting (I assume with a long tail so we can hear that aspect). Then I'll post the settings (room size, density, decay, etc.), and then let us all see how close we can get with our "humble" plugins (that is, humble in price compared to this expensive unit.)

If anyone needs space to upload your sound files I can provide it.

Thanks again!
Eric

[713 TSB]

Sounds interesting.

[Kraku]

This test only shows how the reverb sounds as a clearly audible effect. I almost never use reverbs as an effect. I usually use them just for mixing, to blend the sound nicely into the mix. This requires as transparent reverb as possible. Would it be possible to have such a test also?

On the other hand, if such a test would be done, It might only test people's tastes on mixes. So everyone probably should try all those reverbs out in their own mix and see which gives the "blending sound" they are expecting to get from the reverbs...

[ericj23]

i do appreciate this sort of stuff - it appeals to my mad scientest nature - but the test reverbs are basically a hardware unit versus those free in sonar - now someone could do the m2 and the princeton i think it would really muddy the waters still thoughts - before looking at answers

i liked number 3 as it was the only one without mettallic ringing - but i suspect this is becuase the tail is much quieter

4 seems to have earlier reflections - the reverb kicks in quicker on the note change than the other ones

2 very drony - is thtat the lexicon
1& 6 seem a little mettalic

5 is nice

before i check to see whether i have spotted the posh reverb (3 or 5) i would say that the differences in settings mean that I may have chosen the one that sounded most how I would stick reverb on this vocal (if only i could sing it!)

[ericj23]

it would appear on re-listening after knowing the answers that the posh reverb does stand out as above - and that the tail is more colourful/variable but it's not totally stunning

but surely the davantage of an eventide is the flexibility - lots of diferent rooms with plenty of parameter control - that's why i would love to hear it against the m2 or one of the poco ones

thanks for the idea tho

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