Best overall software reverb under $250?

[zerocrossing]

I really like 2CAudio’s B2. Normally $249, now $100 off. Use the remainder to buy two Valhalla reverbs and you’re set.

[Noumena]

So I use 6-Rev.ens in Reaktor for my big, synth pad reverb, on the preset "Far Away." This ensemble shipped with Reaktor v2, I think... in 1999 and I've used it on 100s of recordings. The updates to this ensemble (Space Master I and II) are not as good in my book as they are too dense. This one has some magic. Secret: run this on a send 100% wet and switch Reaktor to run at 22khz or even 11. It also likes to be run into a not so light compressor.

I use Eventide's Blackhole for my more elaborate, modulating psychedelic reverb and I think very few things touch it (or at least the way that I have figured out how to use it.) I used to use this on guitar with a Space pedal all the time and I think I figured a few things out about it that have carried over.

And I'm totally blown away by Liquisonic's Seventh Heaven Pro. Sunset Chamber is astounding... some kind of magic. They have a free two week demo.

I have a LOT of other reverbs that I don't use at all, including Altaverb, which I could cry about how much I spent on it to end up just not liking it. I love the idea of VVV but I simply don't end up liking it in my mixes... probably either my fault or the fact that I prefer the 21 year old Reaktor ens running at low sample rates (ie not a *good* reverb) and there's nothing that VVV can do to fix my brain.

[SparkySpark]

So I use 6-Rev.ens in Reaktor for my big, synth pad reverb, on the preset "Far Away." This ensemble shipped with Reaktor v2, I think... in 1999 and I've used it on 100s of recordings. ... probably either my fault or the fact that I prefer the 21 year old Reaktor ens running at low sample rates (ie not a *good* reverb) and there's nothing that VVV can do to fix my brain.

I think this is a very cool post, a post we can all learn from. It's really not about getting high spec or the latest gear; it's about knowing your gear. Moreover, it's about getting YOUR sound. In this case, I'd say Noumena has found the appropriate sound and then to a large degree sticks to it. Makes sense in my book, even though there are of course much better reverbs out there today.

[SparkySpark]

I'm totally blown away by Liquisonic's Seventh Heaven Pro. Sunset Chamber is astounding... some kind of magic. They have a free two week demo.

By the way, I got interested in this reverb. It's a convolution reverb, based on the Briscati.

Seventh Heaven Pro 299 bucks, but there is a light version for 69 bucks (including the Sunset Chamber reverb).

https://www.liquidsonics.com/software/seventh-heaven/

[Noumena]

I dunno, man. There are "better" reverbs out than the Lexi 480.... but are they better? I would argue that a lot of the modern reverbs were developed without constraint on hardware and RAM, with perfect digital DAC and ADC and that makes them better in those ways, but the old reverbs were developed by more people doing a lot more work with a lot of imagination, spending a LOT more money... and some of those resulted in sounds that beat the perfection of implementation. Looking at you, too Eventide 2016. I would out 6 Rev in this category. It took 70% of my CPU to run one instance when it came out. Someone had really worked hard to do a lot with a little. I used to have a dedicated machine for it sitting in my rack. I like those kinds of reverbs. (And the Bricasti, apparently. )

[FapFilter]

Or it is simply the way we are accustomed to what things should sound like.

Like the 60fps (or 48) thing for film, which is technically superior to 24fps in every single way and it's even closer to reality, yet many complain that it looks cheap and makes everything look like a home recording and not as “natural“ as those choppy 24fps

I also think to remember an interview with the inventor of the EMT 250 where he quite literally stated to be quite shocked that those units are still that highly regarded, despite his “POS“ code

[SparkySpark]

I also think to remember an interview with the inventor of the EMT 250 where he quite literally stated to be quite shocked that those units are still that highly regarded, despite his “POS“ code

[Mats Eriksson]

re: Peter Gabriel

As a big fan of So, Passion among others as far as production and mixes, I got curious about this. Found an old post on GS from one of the mix engineers apparently where he said this, about So in particular:

"In terms of effects we relied heavily on the following
AMS 1580 Delay
AMS RMX 16 reverb
Delta Lab DL2 Delay
Dimension D
QUANTEC Room Simulator
Lexicon 224
tape Slap
EMT Plate
Decca Tube compressors
Lots of stomp boxes."

I haven't listened to Passion in a long time but I need to dig that out. I wonder if all that percussion was in live rooms or if the 'verb was mostly added as fx.

I can remember this interview where PG stated he wasn't that fond of any Lexicons at all. His pick of choice was the AMS RMX, QRS, and even the rather unknown reverb German brands Dynacord and Klark Teknik. But as external producers got involved, like Lanois, he must've adhered to Lexicons on some things. I reckon he kept the gated reverb sound after his third album, where it is first heard, and Lexicons (among others) works/worked a charm for this.

His fourth "Security" album, is an ambient excursion with multiple reverbs used all over. Church, plates, spring, gates. Especially in more slow pacing and somber tunes like "San Jacinto" which has a pastoral air to it. But I can't spot them individually and tell "oh, there a Lex on the voice here..." or "QRS on this drum, definitely..."

[SteveWZ]

Here are examples of TEN reverbs, all under $250:

[SparkySpark]

Question re the Exponential Audio reverbs:

At PB, one can get R2 plus PhoenixVerb Stereo for 35 bucks (including iZoptope's usual stuff: Ozone Elements, Neutron Elements, Nectar Elements, RX Elements, Iris 2 and Trash 2). Also Excalibur by Exponential Audio.

Also, one can buy R4 for 29 bucks. Personally, I already have what I need from the things in the parentheses, so 29 for R4 or 35 for PhoenixVerb plus R2?

[VariKusBrainZ]

You'll regret not demoing Acon's Verberate.
Clear and transparent
It usually goes on sale for BF

[andymcbain]

Question re the Exponential Audio reverbs:

At PB, one can get R2 plus PhoenixVerb Stereo for 35 bucks (including iZoptope's usual stuff: Ozone Elements, Neutron Elements, Nectar Elements, RX Elements, Iris 2 and Trash 2). Also Excalibur by Exponential Audio.

Also, one can buy R4 for 29 bucks. Personally, I already have what I need from the things in the parentheses, so 29 for R4 or 35 for PhoenixVerb plus R2?

Good question - I love Phoenixverb for it's ability to place sounds in a space, yet be transparent enough to stay out of the way in the mix. I ended up upgrading to Nimbus as soon as I could, which does the same things (I think) only with more scope to tweak the result.

I wasn't sold on the dense sound of R2/R4 and get my character reverbs from other things, but many folk seem to like them.

Maybe get both as they compliment each other quite well.

Hope you're having a good day in sunny Lancaster

[Etienne1973]

I just demoed Lexicon Native MPX.. First impression: Wow. The early reflections sounds amazing and does not cause the usual side effects (like combfiltering). It doesn't have that many settings but I will continue to evaluate it.. I often use just early reflections and no or less reverb - to fit all synth/electronic components in a mix. This might be exactly what I have been looking for. I hope there will be a sale on it soon..

Lexicon Native MPX 50% off for $49.95 at Audio Deluxe right now.

[imrae]

Lexicon Native MPX 50% off for $49.95 at [url=<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">https://www.audiodeluxe.com/products/le ... verb</span>]Audio Deluxe[/url] right now.

This one is still dongle-only, right?

[Etienne1973]

Lexicon Native MPX 50% off for $49.95 at [url=<span class="skimlinks-unlinked">https://www.audiodeluxe.com/products/le ... verb</span>]Audio Deluxe[/url] right now.

This one is still dongle-only, right?

Yes.