Is CSR REVERB worth $40?

[Brian @ IK Multimedia]

As a t-racks single user who qualifies for an upgrade price, i can get the CS bundle or for and extra $40 i can get the bundle that includes CSR... Any thoughts either way?

T-RackS CS Grand does not include CSR. Sorry for the confusion.
CSR can be bought for $99.99 in the regular IK store or from an authorized dealer.

Once registered, CSR will integrate into T-RackS CS, in the way a T-RackS 3 Single does. The T-RackS Custom Shop will also install the individual CSR plugins in 32 and 64-bit. So you don't need to install CSR, you just need to register the serial number, and the Custom Shop takes care of the rest.

Alternately, you can buy CSR processors à la carte in the Custom Shop.

[Brian @ IK Multimedia]

For its time (2006/2007?) it was good. But with ValhallaRoom as an option I'd say no. It's too grainy sounding.

Which one is too grainy?
I'm sure you don't mean CSR.

For one thing, CSR is a highly accurate emulation of a classic studio reverb from '91 or so (hence the name). A reverb that is well known and highly regarded for it's silkiness and fluid sound and still probably the most used reverb in professional studios - it is anything but grainy! And you would have a very difficult time telling CSR apart from it in a blind listening test.

[tdm71]

As a t-racks single user who qualifies for an upgrade price, i can get the CS bundle or for and extra $40 i can get the bundle that includes CSR... Any thoughts either way?

T-RackS CS Grand does not include CSR. Sorry for the confusion.
CSR can be bought for $99.99 in the regular IK store or from an authorized dealer.

Once registered, CSR will integrate into T-RackS CS, in the way a T-RackS 3 Single does. The T-RackS Custom Shop will also install the individual CSR plugins in 32 and 64-bit. So you don't need to install CSR, you just need to register the serial number, and the Custom Shop takes care of the rest.

Alternately, you can buy CSR processors à la carte in the Custom Shop.

The $40 I was refering to was the difference between the cost of the singles upgrade and this http://jrrshop.com/catalog/multimedia-t ... 13455.html I checked to make sure that the CSR was included.. Am I getting wrong information?

[Brian @ IK Multimedia]

On that, nope, you are right!

They're doing a special bundle, I guess, which is definitely cool.
I just wanted to make sure that you didn't assume CSR was included as part of the regular T-RackS CS Grand package.

Carry on then!

[4damind]

Btw... this custom shop thingy needs eventually some more information.
For existing owners eg. of the CSR Hall module or some T-Racks singles, interested to update to a newer version (or buy some additional plug-ins)... they must install this custom shop tool and this will be handled there? Instead of buying for XYZ € it needs now some points/credits?

[dblock]

If you bought it when it first came out like I did and now see that it's $40, yeah it's worth it and then some.My go to reverbs. Have Altiverb 6 but it gives my computer a hernia.

[zvenx]

Until I got the LXP a year or two ago.. CSR was my favourite algorithmic based Reverb I had...this included AAR, Breverb, UAD Plate 140 and maybe others, don't remember.....if the only Reverb you have now is the DP one which I have never heard to be truthful, but if it is like any typical DAW included Reverb, I would definitely say CSR is worth the $40 easily...I assume it was a Lexicon it was emulating and being a Lexicon fan for awhile, may have been why I gravitated to it...
I don't use it anymore because I got the LXP, but to me it is definitely worth the $40..

rsp

[munchkin]

It's definitely worth $40. If I didn't already own it I wouldn't hesitate to buy it at that price. I find it fits in the mix better than other reverbs I own. I tried Valhalla which is excellent but still prefer CSR.

[AudioGuy720]

For its time (2006/2007?) it was good. But with ValhallaRoom as an option I'd say no. It's too grainy sounding.

Which one is too grainy?
I'm sure you don't mean CSR.

For one thing, CSR is a highly accurate emulation of a classic studio reverb from '91 or so (hence the name). A reverb that is well known and highly regarded for it's silkiness and fluid sound and still probably the most used reverb in professional studios - it is anything but grainy! And you would have a very difficult time telling CSR apart from it in a blind listening test.

I run quick transient tests through reverbs I demo. It's a little trick I picked up from a Mixing book I read. Compared with Lexicon LXP/PCM, ValhallaRoom and Softube TSAR 1 Classik Studio Reverb is grainier.

Now that may be the nature of the Lexicon 480L, which IIRC is the hardware CSR is modeled after, but I don't like the way it sounds compared with the more modern reverbs. Back in 2007 CSR was THE BEST reverb out there. It had a low CPU and it sounded much better compared to other algorithmic reverbs at the time.

But time moves on and DSP development gets better. Just as the Amplitube 3 and Custom Shop models have better sonic quality compared to Amplitube 2 so too has the quality of in the box reverbs.

I'm actually 100% happy with the reverb plugins I own now. I have been since I bought Lexicon LXP. Couple that with a convolution reverb that has reverb hardware sets and I can get any reverb sound needed.

[drakem]

I'm just curious how are you guys comparing reverbs?. Too grainy?. Too smooth. ?
Hell, are you producing songs for reverbs and instruments?. So what if is grainy when it sits behind a distorted snare in mono?. I thought the the times of smooth 4 sec verbs were over 20 years ago. Or are you doing BB&CC wash music?

[cowudders]

please let me be the smart ass ...

the Lexicon 480L, which IIRC is the hardware CSR is modeled after.

'91 or so (hence the name)

[zvenx]

Isn't it the PCM 80 ( I guess the 90 is also a possibility but I think that came later)
rsp

[cowudders]

Isn't it the PCM 80 ( I guess the 90 is also a possibility but I think that came later)
rsp

The PCM 90 + PCM 91 both have the same main algos, the 91 adds the combi-algos from the cards. Those should be the main differences on the software side.

A PCM 80/81 has totally different reverbs from the 90 (and CSR) but would be really really killer to have in software, but as soon as you get the complexity of this modulated delays/reverb hybrid, you would not hold your breath. My 81 is one piece of digital outboard, I don't even think of selling! Great, unique effects.

Sorry for OT, back to the CSR ....

[4damind]

Btw. there is a new reverb from the Lexicon PCM developer Michael Carnes and his founded company "Exponential Audio" announced for early 2013. Phoenix Reverb ($199) and R2 ($299).

[zvenx]

Isn't it the PCM 80 ( I guess the 90 is also a possibility but I think that came later)
rsp

The PCM 90 + PCM 91 both have the same main algos, the 91 adds the combi-algos from the cards. Those should be the main differences on the software side.

A PCM 80/81 has totally different reverbs from the 90 (and CSR) but would be really really killer to have in software, but as soon as you get the complexity of this modulated delays/reverb hybrid, you would not hold your breath. My 81 is one piece of digital outboard, I don't even think of selling! Great, unique effects.

Sorry for OT, back to the CSR ....

thanks for the knowledge and info.

rsp