Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Digital Stand alone Reverb vs Plug-in Reverb

grahluk · 9th May 2006, 06:24 PM

+1 for hardware even though at the moment I've rid myself of all hardware reverbs.

I used to have a Lex 480L and 300. Loved both. Eventually got rid of both when a reverb plug in came out for my Emu EIV sampler's RFX engine. I was happy. I used all three reverbs. Then one day when needing to fund what seemed like a more pressing gear purchase I put the 2 Lexicons up against the Emu reverb on a lot of different material. While the Lexicons were far more tweakable and versatile, the lushness and quality of the Emu was enough that I offed the Lexicons. Unfortunately I later offed the Emu for non reverb reasons. So far I don't think I've come across any DAW related reverbs that compare to those hardware boxes. Those "in house" algorythms compiled for the hardware they run on do have some magic. The convolution verbs are good but a different beast entirely. I remember first hearing the Sony hardware convolution verb. Sounded very interesting. Different. Nice. Convolution verbs are pretty cool. I think they are very well suited for post work. I've not tried Altiverb but have some experience with other convolution reverbs (TL Space, Space Designer). They are totally usable. Might take some more massaging to get what you want out of them. At this point the difference (an obvious difference) between hardware and software is not enough for me to want another box in the rack (let alone a beast like the 480L). Convolution and software algorythms don't beat the boxes but they're getting much better.

9th May 2006, 06:24 PM	#19
grahluk Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 553	+1 for hardware even though at the moment I've rid myself of all hardware reverbs. I used to have a Lex 480L and 300. Loved both. Eventually got rid of both when a reverb plug in came out for my Emu EIV sampler's RFX engine. I was happy. I used all three reverbs. Then one day when needing to fund what seemed like a more pressing gear purchase I put the 2 Lexicons up against the Emu reverb on a lot of different material. While the Lexicons were far more tweakable and versatile, the lushness and quality of the Emu was enough that I offed the Lexicons. Unfortunately I later offed the Emu for non reverb reasons. So far I don't think I've come across any DAW related reverbs that compare to those hardware boxes. Those "in house" algorythms compiled for the hardware they run on do have some magic. The convolution verbs are good but a different beast entirely. I remember first hearing the Sony hardware convolution verb. Sounded very interesting. Different. Nice. Convolution verbs are pretty cool. I think they are very well suited for post work. I've not tried Altiverb but have some experience with other convolution reverbs (TL Space, Space Designer). They are totally usable. Might take some more massaging to get what you want out of them. At this point the difference (an obvious difference) between hardware and software is not enough for me to want another box in the rack (let alone a beast like the 480L). Convolution and software algorythms don't beat the boxes but they're getting much better. __________________ "Wow, that's really exciting and new and underground and authentic. Let us take it and bring it into our dark hearts." -John Stewart on marketing.