Please forgive my reverb ignorance.

[jmbriley]

What is so special about convolution reverbs as opposed to regular reverbs. Could someone briefly tell me why they are so impressive and educate me. Thanks.

[C00kie]

The regular reverbs are based on mathematical models that represent a space. Nothing you can change about that, apart from the controls the developer has given you.

Convultion reverbs are based on impulse files, which are real-world recordings of actual rooms. By feeding other impulse files you get a totally new reverb.

That's the main difference I think...

[Peel]

Most people think convolution reverbs are better at reproducing realistic-sounding spaces. They're also easy on the CPU.
Of course, realistic doesn't always mean good-sounding. And you need to have an impulse file that sounds like the space you want -- you can usually fine-tune the sound (EG change the decay time) but you can't really dial in a new one.
You can also use convolution "reverbs" to create special effects by using unusual impulse files.

[kritikon]

The only thing that's special about convolution reverb is that up until very recently the native algorithm reverbs were very unspecial. Convolution was (IMO) the best way to get quality reverb, as long as you put quality impulses into the engine.

I'd prefer native reverb, but there's still not a great choice.

There're the Princeton reverbs - very good Eventide algorithms that excel at what they do (not useful for all reverbs, but not supposed to be either...) but they use iLok dongles. Not that I object to dongles per se, but I won't use anything PACE related.

CSR reverb. Haven't tested this yet, but there seem to be comparisons with the PCM90, which should be a good reference (although from what I've heard of it so far, it seems a bit too bright unless tweaked heavily). Also some mutterings about the Syncrosoft dongle have held my hand in this one. (I'm not going to risk losing my Steinberg dongle authorisation due to a bad license on another plugin ). But I have no problem with Syncrosoft dongles as such.

AAR reverb...haven't really tested this out yet...can't comment.

But I've tried and tested almost all of the others, and compared to a freebie convolution engine with quality impulses...they all flounder in terms of mix useability. Too many poor reverb algorithms sound white-noisy, tinny, or have little or no control over things like early reflections and envelope shapes etc. And quite honestly, they just sound bad (once you've used decent reverbs to compare to).

So convolution isn't special as such - it's mostly just better than the rest. As said though - it has added benefits. You can use it for so many other things. One thing I've not tested it out with yet is tuned reverb. Like the old Alesis Quadraverb...you could tune the reverb into certain chords etc. Convolution should be excellent for this...I don't see why this wouldn't work:
Use a good reverb impulse and record a wet reverb played with a chord as a source. Use the result as its own impulse to play a pitched reverb! Don't know why I haven't already got around to this Things like using a favoured snare sample as convolution over other drums to mix the flavour. Using vocal samples convoluted over pads etc. There's lots you can do. Can't do that with algorithm reverbs.

Another big one is that you can use convolution free. SIR is perfectly fine to my ears, as long as you put good impulses through it. Use a bad source and you get bad results...and there are some very good reverb impulses freely available. Up until very recently, there was no native reverb that could get remotely close to the Eventide/Lexicon type reverb sound. But with convolution, you can get close (not perfectly so, but close enough for most people). You can even get decent TC imulses (should you want them...although personally I think TC reverb is a bit thin and weedy). But there were no algorithm native reverbs that could even do TC type reverbs a couple of years ago.

Fortunately...we are starting to get a bit of choice now. The 3 reverbs I mentioned, a top notch EMT plate emulation on the UAD platform, TC reverbs on their own platform, and who knows...maybe Lexicon reverbs soon on some other platform?

[pdxindy]

I don't much like the convolution reverb cause it is not tweakable. You can only try a different impulse. Having to keep switching between lots of impulses looking for something that fits is tedious as is hunting around the internet for an impulse that fits. I prefer the native verbs for their editability.

I am happy with the arts acoustic reverb. Could something else out there be a little finer, smoother, denser in a given use? Sure but the quality is solid and I tweak it until I get something that just clicks with that particular piece.

[deaf dunderkwac]

I just want my EMT plate back

[Barf]

Another big one is that you can use convolution free. SIR is perfectly fine to my ears, as long as you put good impulses through it.

Last time I used SIR there was a huge latency, is that problem solved yet?

[bullshark]

Another big one is that you can use convolution free. SIR is perfectly fine to my ears, as long as you put good impulses through it.

Last time I used SIR there was a huge latency, is that problem solved yet?

It's not a problem, it's the nature of the beast and with any normally constituted host (meaning PDC support), not inconvenient in the least (unless for live tracking, of course).

My problem with convolution, and SIR in particular, is that if the impulse location is changed somewhat, like after a reinstall, then all your carefully tweaked reverb mix in older project are gone. The single reason I'm now shopping for a native solution.

[kritikon]

Last time I used SIR there was a huge latency, is that problem solved yet?

Yeah...they released proper hosts at the turn of the millenium with full PDC. It really fixes the bug.
What host are you using that doesn't compensate?

I don't much like the convolution reverb cause it is not tweakable. You can only try a different impulse. Having to keep switching between lots of impulses looking for something that fits is tedious as is hunting around the internet for an impulse that fits. I prefer the native verbs for their editability.

Yeah, I agree it can be a bit tedious - I'd prefer a native solution too. Having said that - I've used a few reverb units in the past that take just as long to tweak as finding a suitable impulse. Diddling with 50+ parameters can be mighty tedious too.

I think I'll just settle on the UAD EMT plate and resign myself to everything I do having that "retro" sound. It'll make a comeback one day.

[friteuse]

kritikon, funny that you say there's no great choice at native reverbs and in the same post you say you didn't test the CSR and the ArtsAcoustic Reverb...

I understand your point with the dongles, I think almost the same and that's why CSR is so hard to test, but AAR has no dongle and a demo to download. May change your mind...

[arke]

I don't use enough Reverb for justifying an expensive one. That, and the native FL Reverb works fine. Plus, delay is usually better anyway.

[.jon]

kritikon, funny that you say there's no great choice at native reverbs and in the same post you say you didn't test the CSR and the ArtsAcoustic Reverb...

I think he actually said "not until recently". Good post, kritikon - thanks!

[John Vulich]

What is so special about convolution reverbs as opposed to regular reverbs. Could someone briefly tell me why they are so impressive and educate me. Thanks.

I don't like convolution for reverb myself...

http://www.stack.nl/~erwint/ThoughtsOnReverb.html

[Inukshuk]

My favorite reverbs are the AAR, VSS3, Plate 140 and I use all three in every project.