best software reverb?

[zebastian21]

I have been paying more attention to reverbs lately, mostly cause I felt my music was sounding flat and lacking depth. I started to experiment with Logic's reverbs and Sonnox Reverb. I honestly cant get that natural sound I hear in lots of commercial dance records. I am struggling mostly with adding reverb to percussion sounds , Cant get good results with Logic or Sonnox.
I have installed the Ik CSR demo and it feels more natural and better sounding for my needs.
Question is: should I get the CSR reverb or I would be wasting money since I have Logic's and Sonnox reverbs?
if using the Logic and or Sonnox reverbs....anyone mind to share which presets would work good as starting point for dance music?
opinions about CSR?

[Medway]

Zeb,

I use CSR myself after having bought the one for Scope system a while back. The CSR is emulating Lexicon verbs which has a certain 'sound' that can fit nicely into a mix, very musical. The Logic impulse one should be great though as well since it probably has some Lexi impulses. Part of the sound of the Lexicon though was a touch of chorus and this isn't always replicated that well in convolution but you should still be able to get great results with the Logic one. I've demo'd the Sonnox plug although never really gave it much time. From what I heard though it seemed nice as well.

One trick to make more depth and actually hear the reverb tails is to make sure you haven't got too much high end in the mix. You can really obtain a much better sense of space this way as the elements of the reverbs which give you cues to depth are more apparent when they aren't being masked but too much high freq sizzle.

[zebastian21]

hey Jesse, I'm learning there are lots of reverbs out there just as many compressors and Eqs, I guess some are more suited than others depending of the music style?
I have the Sonnox and The Logic Space designer and the other verbs it came with. I always hear how good the Sonnox is and Space designer, but I cant make it work for my liking.
The Ik CSR seems much more user friendly and easier to get good results....so should I get it keep it just like other people collect compressors and Eqs?
so if CSR are modeled after the Lexicon boxes it would be a nice addition? or should I look for other Lexicon Emulations? it would have to be Mac Audio Units though.
thx!

[NuEra]

Good thread, I am on a constant quest for reverb.

I've enjoyed the UAD vintage spring reverb, but obviously it can be limited in its applications.

[pk1]

try Smart Electronics 'Ambience' or DaSample 'Glaceverb'... not bad for freebies!

[Medway]

Zeb,

Well the first rule of a plugin being better is how well it works with your material and working style. It's possible that Space Designer and the Sonnox one can give you what you are looking for but maybe the CSR is just more intuitive for you. Space Designer has ultimatly a lot more scope since you can load endless impulses into it. But for your stock verb I'd just go with CSR if that's working.

I don't really use too much verb myself and when I do I just grab some of the CSR presets and tweak the predelay and reverb time along with hi and low cuts to conform it to what I need. I think many times though depending on the mix the quality and sound of the verb can get a little buried anyhow. The biggest amount of time I spent on a verb recently was for a stem master on a Trance vocal track where I wanted the vocals to be really big and airy. In that case I went with Altiverb.

Have a look in Space Designer for the Lexicon impulses, the 480L is probably the most famous verb of the late 80's onward and has been used on countless records along with the SSL consoles. The 960L is also good but cleaner. I'm not sure how they would be labeled in Space Designer as I'm sure for copyright issues theyve had to rename them.

[Medway]

Oh and a great 'effect' style reverb is Reverence by Audio Damage. It's an emu of an old 80's Lexicon and has a nice grainy sound. Is perfect for putting on electro snares or anything that needs some attitude and you want the verb to really stand out.

[djglenn]

Yeah, I totally agree with the Audio Damage Reverence. I use it often.

And Medway, I'm curious on your thoughts of Wizooverb. If price = quality, then this one takes the cake. I'd love to get my hands on it for a test drive. Have you had a chance to try it out?

[Medway]

Glenn,

I remember testing that one out briefly but can't remember exactly what I thought of it. I think it's also convolution but they've added features to tweak the sound more, which is something you generally don't get with convolution.

It's not that expensive though, no?

[NuEra]

Great info, thanks guys