Reverberate - Convolution reverb with modulation for Mac and PC (AU, AAX, VST)

[liquidsonics]

I had somebody contact me asking about an x64 version - it's not something I had really considered before but the potential performance advantages seem interesting. Would anybody else be interested in seeing this or aren't many people really using x64 hosts at present?

[dickiefunk]

What is the consensus of Reverberate vs SIR ?

I'm using SIR at the moment and am thinking of getting Reverberate because of it's zero latency.

Is there any difference in audio quality?

[liquidsonics]

Regarding dickiefunk's query, if anybody finds Reverberate's sound quality lacking please do let me know your thoughts (and how I can recreate the problem) and I'll try to address the issue. I am considering upping internal resolution to 64-bit float (but this will impact efficiency of course), would there be demand for this? Although input IRs tend to be limited to 24-bit or 32-bit files, there are a number of FFT processes that might benefit from a higher resolution.

[koolkeys]

Typically, the same impulses loaded into different convolution plugins will sound the same with all parameters matched.

But in some cases, they can sound different. For instance, Altiverb's factory impulses have extra information built into them that allow more flexibility.

In the case of Reverberate, it has the modulation options, as well as the ability to load two impulses. These things can change how things sound for the better. SIR2 is great, but Reverberate does seem to have a few more options.

So in theory, the same impulse will sound the same no matter where you load it. But if you add the modulation or other changes, it will sound different.

Plus, Reverberate is MUCH cheaper than SIR2. Don't get me wrong, I own SIR2(and Altiverb, haha!). But Reverberate is a steal at the price.

Brent

[liquidsonics]

Typically, the same impulses loaded into different convolution plugins will sound the same with all parameters matched.

Agreed - you can check this out by inserting X convolution plugin on one track, Reverberate on another (using the same audio file on the tracks), copying the settings exactly and then inverting the phase of one track, the final mix should be silence.

If you want to try this out, specifically comparing against SIR choose:
* wet as -20dB (the default)
* dry to off
* autogain off
Set Reverberate to
* IR1 Gain -20dbB (control click the dial as -20dB is the default, although it is not set as this in the initial preset)
* set 1/2Mix to totally left so the IR mix-gain on IR1 is 0dB
* set regular gain to 0dB
* set dry/wet to wet
* turn off auto-gain in the IR1 Editor tab

My tests show a pretty good cancellation between the two indicating they're doing the same thing. You may get some very low level remnant signal and this is down to rounding in the mixer final level calculations (people often use approximations to logs etc to optimise calculation speed where signal quality isn't directly affected and you just get a minor change in the constant gain level).

So at this point, it comes down to the features that appeal most to buyers. If anybody finds any issues though let me know and I'll investigate.

[SWAN808]

Plus, Reverberate is MUCH cheaper than SIR2. Don't get me wrong, I own SIR2(and Altiverb, haha!). But Reverberate is a steal at the price.

Brent

YES - hence why we REALLY need it on Mac where our only real choice is SIR2 at €150 including tax!

Typically, the same impulses loaded into different convolution plugins will sound the same with all parameters matched.

Agreed - you can check this out by inserting X convolution plugin on one track, Reverberate on another (using the same audio file on the tracks), copying the settings exactly and then inverting the phase of one track, the final mix should be silence.

If you want to try this out, specifically comparing against SIR choose:
* wet as -20dB (the default)
* dry to off
* autogain off
Set Reverberate to
* IR1 Gain -20dbB (control click the dial as -20dB is the default, although it is not set as this in the initial preset)
* set 1/2Mix to totally left so the IR mix-gain on IR1 is 0dB
* set regular gain to 0dB
* set dry/wet to wet
* turn off auto-gain in the IR1 Editor tab

My tests show a pretty good cancellation between the two indicating they're doing the same thing. You may get some very low level remnant signal and this is down to rounding in the mixer final level calculations (people often use approximations to logs etc to optimise calculation speed where signal quality isn't directly affected and you just get a minor change in the constant gain level).

So at this point, it comes down to the features that appeal most to buyers. If anybody finds any issues though let me know and I'll investigate.

That said in theory correct - however I have come into problems where some conv reverbs have different gain / level structure where 0db wet in one is different to 0db wet in another - and this IMO is sometimes the percieved 'difference in sound' as a very slightly more wet reverb treatment of the same IR can sound quite different. Levels must be very carefully matched and in my experience you cant always trust the IO levels on the GUI of the plugins...

In the above case it was SIR2 vs LA Convolver - which only once carefully level matched - sounded identical.

[John-E34]

Purchased Reverberate...

Just waiting for the registration email.

[Aloysius]

CUT!

[John-E34]

Key received, Thanks.

For some fantastic IR's visit: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/new-prod ... ticas.html

Possibly the best free ones around, judging by the comments in that thread

[liquidsonics]

CUT!

Not really sure if I am missing out on some vital forum lingo vocab here

Possibly the best free ones around

Yes those M7s are out of this world. The availability of this kind of package online is one of the things discouraging me from spending time/money creating/licensing a large bank of IRs for use with Reverberate. If there's demand, I may, but I'm just not sure. I suspect people savy enough to find my plugin will be pretty happy to use the amazing stuff online.

Levels must be very carefully matched...

Indeed, this is a sometimes a real challenge!

YES - hence why we REALLY need it on Mac where our only real choice is SIR2 at €150 including tax!

The availability of Space Designer and Logic's low price really made me question if there would be a Mac market for Reverberate, especially now C5 also has built-in convolution. Ableton can't be that far away from providing one either. That said, there does seem to be genuine interest from the Mac community, which is cool.

John-E34: Thanks for your assistance during the beta phase, and I hope you enjoy using your copy.

[D.Wako]

Matt, i feel there's really a need for multiple positions impulse. Meaning IR from all positions on a stage like far left, left, left of center, center, right etc.. back far left, back left etc.. So you could do that maybe? I know I'm looking for such a set. And there's no need for long tails as that couls be handled by overall reverb on top of it.

IMO of course.

Edited: Wow! $50!

[liquidsonics]

Matt, i feel there's really a need for multiple positions impulse. Meaning IS from all positions on a stage like far left, left, left of center, center, right etc.. back far left, back left etc.. So you could do that maybe?

Are you talking about a product like Vienna MIR http://vsl.co.at/en/65/71/393/1165.vsl or Tascam GigaPulse http://www.tascam.com/products/gigapulse.html perhaps? Technically it's achievable, but in order to make anything good out of it you need a top class IR library, which I don't have the resources to capture (many good mics, access to decent halls, months of travelling the world (well that bit sounds nice he he) etc etc). Unless you know of a IR libraries that actually have these kinds of IRs in them, labelled up as such, I don't think I can really tackle it properly. Thanks for the input though.

[D.Wako]

Matt, i feel there's really a need for multiple positions impulse. Meaning IS from all positions on a stage like far left, left, left of center, center, right etc.. back far left, back left etc.. So you could do that maybe?

Are you talking about a product like Vienna MIR http://vsl.co.at/en/65/71/393/1165.vsl or Tascam GigaPulse http://www.tascam.com/products/gigapulse.html perhaps? Technically it's achievable, but in order to make anything good out of it you need a top class IR library, which I don't have the resources to capture (many good mics, access to decent halls, months of travelling the world (well that bit sounds nice he he) etc etc). Unless you know of a IR libraries that actually have these kinds of IRs in them, labelled up as such, I don't think I can really tackle it properly. Thanks for the input though.

No. I'm talking about something like this but hopefully more detailed. I know of a company who's working on something like this so there's hope.

http://www.hauptwerk.cz/irs/Pkb44.htm

The problem is he only has Church impulses and that's not really what I'm looking for. You can download the demos and try them if you want.

I'm sure MIR is going to be incredible but i don't think I'll be able to afford it.

Maybe i should try Gigapulse...

[an-electric-heart]

So this is good? I never know how to judge convolution reverbs seeing as though it normally depends on the quality of the impulse, would it be as good as the built in one that comes with Audition? my computer is down at the mo

[SWAN808]

The availability of Space Designer and Logic's low price really made me question if there would be a Mac market for Reverberate, especially now C5 also has built-in convolution. Ableton can't be that far away from providing one either. That said, there does seem to be genuine interest from the Mac community, which is cool.

Yes I did wonder this - but Ableton will not release a Convolution reverb likely until the next big update (if they do at all) - and we have just had Live 8 come out...so thats all Mac Abe users who dont want to pay €150 for SIR2...

I think Acousticas are working on a reverb also - but that is probably end of year/next year.

In Reverberates price bracket there is little competition for the time being...for £30 Id snap it up.