Which reverb and how to use it properly?

[chk071]

This thread reminded me that i always wanted to try to get a replacement for Spire's onboard reverb. Just gave it another go, using R2, TB-Reverb-4, and Waves TrueVerb. No chance... they all sound so differently.

spire got a decent reverb i take it? I did demo spire for a few hours then forgot about it but really liked the sounds from it. Might give it another go soon

I like it. The character is somehow pleasing, and very well fits Spire's general character.

Haven't heard any other reverb which sounds like it. It somehow has a clarity that other reverbs don't have. Talking about the Plate 1 algorithm, the Plate 2 algorithm sounds pretty different, and, i can get close to that with other reverbs.

[reggie1979]

With very few exceptions, any reverb can be made to sound good. Not very exciting an answer, but true. Don't get me wrong, I have several but searching for the "holy grail" isn't really a thing imo.

[Benedict]

Yes, there is no such thing as the Right reverb. There are lots of flavors and some may suit your instrument or whole piece better than others but none are right or wrong per se.

My fave reverbs are often the rawest made from a few Delay lines with some modulations.

[Skyfall72]

I have tried so many reverb and own many. Valhalla vintage to my opinion is one of the best cuz it always works. If you're worry about overlapping decay then use another SC with gate. Another reverb unit that is cleaner and big sounding is 2C audio Breeze and the B2 is the Mother!

[enroe]

With very few exceptions, any reverb can be made to sound good. Not very exciting an answer, but true. Don't get me wrong, I have several but searching for the "holy grail" isn't really a thing imo.

Haha, that is so true!

Also - since the existence of convolution reverbs - the question for the most natural reverb
is nonsensical, because every convultion reverb sounds surperb good, only dependent on the
impulse behind it.

[Benedict]

I have never enjoyed Convolutions stuff. People rave but I tend to find they sound like polaroids that I impose on my sound instead of expansive spaces. Maybe I am trying the wrong impulses.

[chk071]

I have never enjoyed Convolutions stuff. People rave but I tend to find they sound like polaroids that I impose on my sound instead of expansive spaces.

Makes sense somehow, considering they are kind of like "snapshots" of real life spaces.

Although i hardly have any konwledge about convolution reverbs. I only use algorithmic ones as well.

[4damind]

I'm still testing with the Relab Sonsig reverb and maybe I can add some additional things.
This is a very short example, one only with the Relab Sonsig and the other with Valhalla+Blackhole

Sonsig
1x Dreamhall "QRS" as send for some arps
1x Spaceverb "Rev A" as insert for the Piano
1x Plate2 "224" as send for plucks
1x Drum Room "Rev-A", Drums
1x DeepSpace "224" for the Nord Lead
https://soundcloud.com/52degree/spice/s-yUIMw

Valhalla + Eventide Blackhole
1x VintageVerb "ConcertHall, 1980" as send for some arps
1x VintageVerb "HugeSynthSpace, ConcertHall, Now" as insert for the Piano
1x ValhallaPlate "Plate A, Radium" as send for plucks
1x ValhallaPlate "MediumDarkDrumHall, Radium", Drums
1x Eventide Blackhole "H8000 Blackhole" for the Nord Lead
https://soundcloud.com/52degree/spice-valhalla/s-8EQNE

IMO its very hard in a complete mix to tell the difference.
Btw. Different reverb types make sense. E.g. Plate for drums or sounds that only need some density and spatiality. The big reverb with a bit more modulation/chorus for thinner sounds, etc.

[reggie1979]

I have never enjoyed Convolutions stuff. People rave but I tend to find they sound like polaroids that I impose on my sound instead of expansive spaces. Maybe I am trying the wrong impulses.

I like both.

[SteveWZ]

Can i get some advice on choosing the best reverb as im not too confident on the different types yet....

Hi Sk1nZ,

I put together some quick comparison examples for you based on your post.

These days there are many good reverbs to choose from.
That was not the case for a long time in the world of DAWs.
You mentioned some of your production styles, for a broad range of possibilities, I will give you some examples using different instruments.
Using your reverb as a send is a good idea for what you want to accomplish, all these examples are setup that way.

Since your budget is on the low side, that excludes many of the great reverbs currently available.
I will try to include some others that sometimes go on sale also.


Acon Digital Verberate 2
(Great affordable reverb that often goes on sale)

On Sampled Guitar:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... erberate-2

Drum Room:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... erberate-2

Tight Space for Arps, Percussion, Drums, Synths:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... erberate-2

Valhalla VintageVerb
(Affordable and one of the more popular Valhalla reverbs)

This reverb was designed for EDM Arps, synths, stabs and chords:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... r-valhalla

This reverb was made for synth pads of all styles:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... r-valhalla

A nice tight space, good for synths, drums, vocals, you name it:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... intageverb

A modulated reverb, good for guitars, synth leads, chords:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... r-valhalla


Eventide Blackhole
(Often on Sale in your price range, great verb)

A reverb with some nice modulated decay, good for synths, guitars, B-Vocals, More:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... -blackhole

A large space with some production finesse, good for making things large and funky:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... -blackhole

A space designed to resonate drums to make samples and loops a bit more interesting:
https://soundcloud.com/synth-presets-co ... -blackhole

These are just a few comparisons and suggestions.
For a TON more check out the demos HERE.

Best of luck!

Steve

[lwj]

I have never enjoyed Convolutions stuff. People rave but I tend to find they sound like polaroids that I impose on my sound instead of expansive spaces. Maybe I am trying the wrong impulses.

Haha, well put. My feelings too.
Great sounding polaroids though, but something about that flipping through impulses puts me off.
And algorithmic reverb may not sound 'realistic' but it's a familiar sound anyway because everybody grew up with music drenched in it.. if you didn't, go back to 80's and try again. My music sounds synthetic and unrealistic anyway so it just fits better.

Usually I stick with Fabfilter Pro-R, it lacks character but gives a nice broad, rich reverb which you can then add character to. Add some saturation for a more vintage feel. I often pair it with the Shaperbox if I want to add modulation to it.

Softube's TSAR reverb is nice too. More character and richness. The little version of it can be had for cheap if you look out for the Time and Tone bundle.

[BlackWinny]

For fast dance music maybe you could also try the excellent and free Protoverb... from U-He.

It's not my most used (I generally use vintage reverbs like 80s Space or OldSkoolVerb or Spirit Reverb or TAL-Reverb 4, my style of music being more Ambient and chill out music) but I like Protoverb for its extreme simplicity combined with awesome results on fast tempos.

[Sk1nZ]

thanks for the replies, i think im going to wait until the budget is a bit bigger and get something that will keep me happy for years to come, what that will be yet who knows

Polyverse's comet sounds nice, will be giving this a demo

Can i get some advice on choosing the best reverb as im not too confident on the different types yet....

Hi Sk1nZ,

I put together some quick comparison examples for you based on your post.

thanks for that, will go through these over the weekend

[sfd]

I think it's good to be a bit careful using reverb to create "big " sounds.

Because, among other things, "normaly" long reverberation in a big space with certain acoustic makes the sound "big". But long reverberation will easily swamp up the mix. The tone of one note will easily overlap into the next note(s) And you might not want that.

It's probably better to use a harmonizer to fattening up your sounds. And them maybe add a bit more moderate reverb.

Also, IMO, it's not a very good idea to mix different reverb tubes for different instruments / vo als in the same mix.

Like if the bass sounds like it's in a giant concert hall and the vocals in a bath tube.

Anyway, for reverbs I personally like:

* 80's Spaces
* Spirit reverb (spring / * tube)
* Tverb ( this one is a bit special and I don' think it's anything you're looking for)

But, again, try with a harmonizer

[dionenoid]

I do mostly fast stuff too. You can't go wrong with Fabfilter Pro-R if you have some more budget. The Valhalla stuff is also great and used by many.

They way you have set it up is also good, but don't overthink it. If you need too much eq-ing and sidechaining on a reverb it's usually because it's not the right reverb for the job

What i often do is automate the reverb amounts so that i have more reverb in the breaks and less reverb when the beat is playing. Automating both reverb and delay amounts gives you more control than just sidechaining or compressing and i often do even little automations for articulating certain parts.