True Stereo Reverbs. A meaningful difference?

[Aiynzahev]

Hi guys

There are true stereo reverbs out there, softube, relab, valhalla and I think either to name a few.

But in the final analysis when mixing electronic music, no mikes involved, does it really make a difference?

I theory I imagine you have better control over your final image, panning and width will stay true, but I've never paid any attention to this.

Just asking incase anyone knows from experience. I've not got the time to do any experimenting with this right now.

I think a lot of hardware reverbs are not true stereo right and studio's have been using them for years.

Sami

[Lenticular]

It's up to your ears.
I will say that more classical & orchestral composers are using algos these days. Less muddled mixes.

[quintosardo]

While I'm not sure about what "true stereo reverb" means, because if I got it right it is two separate channels for L-R in algorithmic reverbs and four separate channels for convolution reverbs (two for L and two for R), but I'm probably wrong, I'm sure more isn't always better for me.

E.g. I often prefer stereo convolution reverb settings (one channel for L and one for R) than the equivalent true stereo (four channels), because it sound more focused and with a more defined stereo image to me.
I very often prefer dual mono (L to left and R to right).

I think they all are simply different options for different tracks. The more options you have, the better you can mix and build the stereo image you want.
A true stereo reverb is the more versatile if you can setup it to work as simple stereo or mono to stereo.

I don't think the point is tracked or synthetic sound

[valhallasound]

Hi guys

There are true stereo reverbs out there, softube, relab, valhalla and I think either to name a few.

But in the final analysis when mixing electronic music, no mikes involved, does it really make a difference?

If you aren't feeding the reverb a stereo source, it won't make much of a difference. Some stereo reverbs do a better job of retaining the panning position of mono sources than others, but many stereo reverbs just do something different for left and right channels. This is CRITICAL to avoid weird phasing issues with stereo miked recordings, but for panned mono sources it is less important.

EDIT: If you are feeding a stereo effect into a reverb, it is best if it is a true-stereo reverb. For example, many ensemble/chorusing effects work in stereo, and summing these to mono *may* produce unwanted coloration. So this is a case where true stereo reverbs might be better for purely electronic sources.

Sean Costello

[valhallasound]

I think a lot of hardware reverbs are not true stereo right and studio's have been using them for years.

Many high end reverbs are true stereo:

The Lexicon 224, 224XL, 480L & 300 were all true stereo. The PCM60, PCM70, and the LXP series were all mono-in, but this was due to the high cost of A/D convertors in those days - almost all the Lexicon algorithms were stereo-in, stereo-out.

The EMT250 was mono-in, quad-out.

The Quantecs were usually stereo-in, quad-out.

I forget how the RMX16 worked.

The reverbs in my H3000 are mono-in, stereo-out. The Stereo Room in the SP2016 is true stereo. Most modern Eventide algorithms (i.e. DSP4000 and up) are true stereo.

The TC reverbs apparently had true stereo early reflections, but mono-in late reverbs.

Most EMT plates were mono-in, stereo-out, although I think that they could be modified to be stereo-in. The signals would mix almost instantly, so the main differences between left inputs and right inputs would be phase, but this is true of some true stereo reverbs as well.

Sean Costello

[Nokenoku]

There are true stereo reverbs out there, softube, relab, valhalla and I think either to name a few.

But in the final analysis when mixing electronic music, no mikes involved, does it really make a difference?

True Stereo can actually make a night and day difference to just stereo reverb.

With True Stereo Reverb you will be able to get a much better seperation of your elements in the mix and a much more natural sound!

I think I have an audio example somewhere, which demonstrates it.
Edit:
https://www.box.com/s/cf78f28777e95853cdbc

E.g. I often prefer stereo convolution reverb settings (one channel for L and one for R) than the equivalent true stereo (four channels), because it sound more focused and with a more defined stereo image to me.
I very often prefer dual mono (L to left and R to right).

What you described as Dual Mono is just Stereo, or no?

If you compare Stereo vs. True Stereo, make sure, you do actually compare the same "amount of panning". Stereo will always sound wider than True Stereo.
If you compare similar levels of wideness, you will see, that True Stereo is actually giving a lot more definition than just Stereo.

[quintosardo]

Mh... no , I meant L and R going to a couple of exactly identical channels.
Yes, the feeling with true stereo is less width, I have to test your suggestion comparing stereo and true stereo at similar levels of wideness.

[satYatunes]

This Reaper thread is worth a look. I learnt a lot from this regarding True Stereo reverb.

http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=67620

[layzer]

With True Stereo Reverb you will be able to get a much better seperation of your elements in the mix and a much more natural sound!

this!

i like TAL Reverb2 its a great true stereo plate reverb

[Den*]

From signal to noise site.

[Echoes in the Attic]

Is true stereo the same for algorithmic reverbs as for convolution? Ie. True stereo sends both the L and right channels through their won individual L and R processing signals?

And then for algorithmic, what is regular stereo? It's not left through just left and right through just right is it? I think that's dual mono... So I guess I'm not sure what regular stereo is.

[Lotuzia]

Yes it makes a difference in the mix : More space, another dimension, more details, and mak it easier to place signal in a mix. Some Xils synths/effects allow users to switch from True Stereo to *pan* and it makes a difference.

[valhallasound]

Is true stereo the same for algorithmic reverbs as for convolution? Ie. True stereo sends both the L and right channels through their won individual L and R processing signals?

Not necessarily. I would say that most algorithmic true stereo reverbs will have separate paths for left and right signals, but with the "left" path having taps to both the left and right output channels, and vice versa. In addition, the "left" path will usually end up recirculating through the "right" path at some point, and the "right" path will recirculate through the "left" path, but with enough randomization that it is harder to pick up on this pattern.

I have read about some algorithmic reverbs that have separate paths for L->L, L->R, R->R, and R->L, but it is hard to tell whether this implies truly separate paths, or different output tap patterns for left and right outputs in a given path. If an algorithm is well designed, you wouldn't be able to tell whether a given stereo output comes from 2 parallel paths, or a single path that has different outputs for left and right.

Sean Costello