Reverb!

[phoenstorm]

I think we probably can agree that reverb is essential in creating atmospheres & ambient music without any reverb seems like a strange proposition...so here goes a thread to discuss all things reverb.
I'm very much interested in the topic and there's few choice threads on gearslutz as well (seek out "reverb subculture) for those who are into the technical details.
Hopefully 3001 will chime in here and I think Sean Costello has an account here, too. :thumbsup:

As for me, I love experimenting with different reverbs & all kinds of combinations - e.g. the yamaha combinations of 'symphonic' into a 'hall' algorithm - currently I'm exploring a new multi-fx box that has a pretty sweet rotary into reverb effect. As for software, I rely on Valhalla Room & Uhbik-A.

What are your favorites? Tips? Technical insights? And one question that interests me at the moment: so far I've stayed away from convolution - any tips where to start?

[3001]

Reverbs make everything awesome. I dont know technically too much either. I just really like Eventide. Fantastic stuff! =)

[3001]

I love them, I was listening to my old recordings(wel only a few months ago), and the dsp4000 doesn't even do the h3000 magic, those a/d and d/a converters are fantastic!

[john k-n]

I think we can all agree... a synth, a brick, and a reverb (preferably 5) = ambient music. ;-)

I've used an Alesis Wedge for many years. Various plugins. And I recently added a Space Echo (the old tape one...) and I have a spring reverb module in my modular. What I really love is delay... ;-)

[seismic1]

I use the EnergyXT built in reverb for some of my pecussion. It has been characterised as "gritty", which is often exactly what is called for. Like eating shellfish (apologies to the vegetarians for my similes)

[Thought Experiment]

I used to love Project 5's built-in reverb (Studioverb2) - (I still do it's just a terrible faff to use it now). The 'Taj Mahal' preset, 100% wet....mmmmmmreverrrrrrrrrbbbbbb :drool:

[MetaDronos]

I use ValhallaRoom for "straight" yet elegant and deep reverbs, MMultibandReverb for variety of weird and monstrous reverb effects
(I like its rich modulation options) and SmartElectronix Ambience for everything else.
For precision works with lot of knobs twiddling I like MMultibandReverb. For ready for use glass, metallic and similar reverbs I prefer GlaceVerb.
SparkVerb is fine for quick exploration of reverb configurations (because of its preset voyager). Fusion Field and DreamScape are collecting dust,
and AriesVerb and FloodVerb seem to be rising stars of reverb actions ;)

[robojam]

Most of my reverb comes from either the built in effect in Ableton Live, or from various Reaktor ensembles.

The Live reverb isn't very natural sounding and it needs a lot of tweaking to get it right. While the Reaktor stuff is slightly better, they're usually one trick ponies that can't be used for everything.

What I'm thinking of is buying is the Lexicon MPX plugin, for around a hundred bucks. The only thing that puts me off doing it is that I'm forced into using a dongle, which I don't want to do.

[Thought Experiment]

...What I'm thinking of is buying is the Lexicon MPX plugin, for around a hundred bucks. The only thing that puts me off doing it is that I'm forced into using a dongle, which I don't want to do.

Before you do that, try out any of the reverbs on offer here:

http://www.valhalladsp.com/

They sound fantastic, they're well-supported (the developer is a real enthusiast, always trying out new things and posting new presets for the users to try out), and great value - easily worth double their price.

[Bell's Worth]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned logic's space designer yet! I use it on nearly everything, it has so many capabilities for a native reverb plug.

[Codehead]

I usually record 4 to 6 tracks live. Two pass through Eventide Space (and Time Factor) and the remainder are raw. At the DAW, I create a common space with Aether. I chose Aether, due wild surreal sounds I can get. It isn't the best at creating a familiar space, but for alien soundscapes it is wonderful. If I am going for a clean poppy sound, I sometimes use Breverb.

[Karl]

I think my only tip would be to use more pre-delay than you think necessary. Spaciousness without getting in the way of the notes.

[KrisM]

Software: Audio Damage Eos (algorithms by Sean Costello) - Audio Damage Eos. The very best there is. When you absolutely, positively got to reverb wash every mutha f***a in the room... accept no substitutes.

Hardware - Octatrack's Reverb is pretty good, the Dark Reverb is better, though I'm looking to get a Strymon BigSky (versatile, great sound) or Neunaber Wet (amazing sound) to leave in my Tascam 488's effect loop permanently. Almost wish I had an Analog Four, it's Super Void is better than either of the Octatrack's supposedly, but I'd rather have something else.

[GaryG]

... to leave in my Tascam 488's effect loop ...

Do you record to cassette? Is it your primary MO or use it to supplement a DAW or something.

[KrisM]

Do you record to cassette? Is it your primary MO or use it to supplement a DAW or something.

The lowly cassette indeed. Tascam's 8 tracks, starting with the 238 Syncassette have these crazy interleaved heads so it's about the same as a 4 track (which is still pretty narrow lol).

Then I plug the line out into my RME Babyface to get the stereo mix into the computer. In theory I can fenagle all 8 outputs through the various outs on the 488 and use a bigger interface for ITB mixing, but I don't. Which reminds me, I need to do that for a few tapes >.>

a 60 minute cassette gives 15 minutes of recording time on this beast, so no "album length" tracks with this setup, but it's fun and having grown up with cassettes and CDs, I like the sound o.O