Which HW reverb fits best on solo vocal & acoustic guitar tracks?

[amigo]

M7 Bricasti
300 lexicon
PCM91 lexicon
TC Reverb 4000

I´m looking for a reverb mainly for acoustic music (just vocal & guitar playing). I want a reverb that fits with the dynamics of fingerpicking and strumming, melts with the voice, and adds dimension and magic to the song. A reverb you can add generously without hearing unpleasent artefacts...


Thanks

[ISedlacek]

Just my personal impressions and experience: While PCM-91 and L300 sound basically the same (L300 having more presets), Bricasti is quite another league as far as reverb quality is concerned - deeper and more natural sounding. For sure, Lexicon has few unique sounds, but overall Bricasti is much more "rich" and universal unit. The range and ease of controls is quite amazing. I never cared too much for TC reverbs - sound a bit too plain and dry for me.

[Dirty Halo]

Are you set on that list of reverbs?

Of those, I'd say the Bricasti M7 is going to give you the most open and natural.

Over the Lexicon 300, if you want character, I'd go with the Lexicon 480L.

If I were to add, the Roland R-880 is a huge bang for the buck and much better than many of those on the list, worth your consideration.

And then back in the Bricasti arena, I'd add the Quantec Yardstick for consideration.


Hope that helps and gives some added info.

-andrews

[txgator]

I'd add the reverb 2016 if you going outside of your list

[amigo]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Just my personal impressions and experience: While PCM-91 and L300 sound basically the same (L300 having more presets),

Good to know that. So the L300 (more expensive than the pcm91) is out of my list now.

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Bricasti is quite another league as far as reverb quality is concerned - deeper and more natural sounding. For sure, Lexicon has few unique sounds, but overall Bricasti is much more "rich" and universal unit. The range and ease of controls is quite amazing.

Ivo, you did many comparisons between Bricasti and PCM91. The Bricasti would cost 3 times as much as an used pcm91. Is it worth it? What do you think?
Bricasti 3490 € (new)
PCM91 1100 € (ebay)

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

I never cared too much for TC reverbs - sound a bit too plain and dry for me.

I have the VSS3 for Powercore. For me it does a good job when mixing a lot of tracks together. With VSS3 I can make that mix more 3D without really hearing the reverb (the modern sound?). But I agree it lacks character and magic. I thought the TC Reverb 4000 had more algorithms other than the VSS3. However if the reverb4000 sounds somehow sterile like the VSS3, than its out of my list.

[amigo]

Originally Posted by txgator

I'd add the reverb 2016 if you going outside of your list

Thank you for the advice. I´ve found this link with some eventide 2016 samples:
Eventide Princeton Digital 2016 demo mp3s
Seems to be a good reverb!

[Dirty Halo]

I'd stay away from the Lexicon PCM 91... doesn't hold a cadle to that classic Lexicon sound from the 480L, 224XL or even PCM 70.

You can do better... in fact, the PCM 70 is a great deal and then maybe will free up some cash for another good reverb like a Roland R-880... one of THE best secret weapon verbs!

For a nuetral and natural verb, still think Bricasti or a Quantec... or even mix hardware with something like Altiverb (if you are a DAW person)... some of their rooms a fantastic, despite the trendy Gearslutz rhetoric.

-andrews

[amigo]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

I'd stay away from the Lexicon PCM 91... doesn't hold a cadle to that classic Lexicon sound from the 480L, 224XL or even PCM 70.

You can do better... in fact, the PCM 70 is a great deal and then maybe will free up some cash for another good reverb like a Roland R-880... one of THE best secret weapon verbs!

For a nuetral and natural verb, still think Bricasti or a Quantec... or even mix hardware with something like Altiverb (if you are a DAW person)... some of their rooms a fantastic, despite the trendy Gearslutz rhetoric.

-andrews

Hi, any sound examples of the Roland R-880 on the web?

[Dirty Halo]

Originally Posted by amigo

Hi, any sound examples of the Roland R-880 on the web?

Maybe, I don't want to sound unhelpful, but try a "search," that's how I discovered the R-880... loads of great info here! Maybe even audio samples and people with ears I trust swear by them... I got one and it's one of my top verbs!

I rate it above the Lexicon 960 and the T.C. 6000... it's a different animal than a Bricasti, but it just screams quality. A great value.

There's also some great additional program cards available from some of the TOP producers!

-andrewsthumbsup

[amigo]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

Maybe, I don't want to sound unhelpful, but try a "search," that's how I discovered the R-880... loads of great info here! Maybe even audio samples and people with ears I trust swear by them... I got one and it's one of my top verbs!

I rate it above the Lexicon 960 and the T.C. 6000... it's a different animal than a Bricasti, but it just screams quality. A great value.

There's also some great additional program cards available from some of the TOP producers!

-andrewsthumbsup

Thank you for the advice. I will keep the R-880 in mind. thumbsup

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

I'd stay away from the Lexicon PCM 91... doesn't hold a cadle to that classic Lexicon sound from the 480L, 224XL or even PCM 70.

It is a nice myth, but the reality is not so much black and white. I made a direct AB samples using PCM 91 and 480L (with few common presets) and it was difficult to distinguish which is which, sounded quite the same. For sure, 480 has more possibilities, more presets, more sounds, LARC, effects etc.,

But for the price PCM-91 is quite a good unit and if you are limited in budget it is a good choice. Unless you need LARC., effects, multiple reverbs etc., the price difference between PCM-91 and 480 L would probably not be justified, if you need just few single reverbs.

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

You can do better...will free up some cash for another good reverb like a Roland R-880... one of THE best secret weapon verbs!

So in the end you bought it and you are using it ? (some time ago you were enquiring about it here). Seems to be rather old unit ?

Originally Posted by Dirty Halo

For a nuetral and natural verb, still think Bricasti or a Quantec... or even mix hardware with something like Altiverb (if you are a DAW person)... some of their rooms a fantastic, despite the trendy Gearslutz rhetoric.

-andrews

I have Altiverb here and comparing it to Bricasti (or even PCM-91) is like night and day - Altiverb is very good software reverb but it does not give that deep, open, artifacts free sound like these advanced dedicated units. Not even close. It rather blurs the original sound. It is not a rethoric, but direct trying, listening and comparing (limited by my ears, of course)

I was also considering Quantec Yardstick, but comparing to Bricasti, it has quite a limited range (and few users confirmed it on my enquiry) and is much less universal. And also the people from Quantec are not very responsive ...

On comparing PCM-91 and Bricasti I must say yes - Bricasti is worth the higher price. Even if the price would be 5 times more ... The sound difference (and creative way of complex controls) is incomparable. It is simply a different league. But, of course, Lexicon is also nice. But cannot put you in such deep, natural, clean and detailed spaces as Bricasti do. On the other hand - you can come close to Lexicon style reverbs in Bricasti by tweaking some controls there

[pete murray]

the pcm 91 is about to be replaced with the pcm96 [ although the release date seems to be a question ] i think there is a new version planned of the yardstick [ worth checking]. if you need a unit right now the bricasti is the only new product and i don't think it's reasonable to compare the now very old 91 with it.

[massimo]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Just my personal impressions and experience: While PCM-91 and L300 sound basically the same (L300 having more presets), Bricasti is quite another league as far as reverb quality is concerned - deeper and more natural sounding. For sure, Lexicon has few unique sounds, but overall Bricasti is much more "rich" and universal unit. The range and ease of controls is quite amazing. I never cared too much for TC reverbs - sound a bit too plain and dry for me.

The guy at the studio where I am currently mixing my new project has just replaced his PCM91 with a 300L. We did extensive A/B testing, and to our ears the 300 has a deeper, richer, more "classy" sound compared to the 91. They do not sound the same - the 91 sounds rather "thin" (and it is in no way a "bad" reverb..) once your ears get used to the 300.
Curious about the Bricasti, and how the newer Lex pcm96 will fare against that (supposed to be much cheaper...).
Last, it sure depends on taste, but the TC4000 (and 3000 as well) can sound absolutely wonderful on acoustic music - it sure feels more transparent than the Lexicon, so you have different color options here, but this is reverb stratosphere nonetheless in my opinion. Shame the new Quantec is such a sort of "ghost" product - should exist, but noone has ever seen a real living specimen I believe.

best
Massimo

[Omicron_9]

+1 on the M7.

I've done some side-by-sides with the PCM91 and the M7. The M7 may cost three times as much, but there really is no comparison. If there is any way for you to hear each, your ears will tell you which one you need.

Regards,
-0.9

[leaper]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Bricasti is worth the higher price. Even if the price would be 5 times more ... The sound difference (and creative way of complex controls) is incomparable. It is simply a different league.

Yes.. i know what you mean about the sensation of a reverb bringing another
dimension that others don't. I've had this feeling a few times:
Roland 880
Eventide SP2016
AKG BX 20
EMT 251

So..guess i'm echoing in a coloured but upfront way.. the R880 and SP2016 suggestions. (Would love to try the Bricasti one day).

[amigo]

Originally Posted by Omicron_9

+1 on the M7.

I've done some side-by-sides with the PCM91 and the M7. The M7 may cost three times as much, but there really is no comparison. If there is any way for you to hear each, your ears will tell you which one you need.

Regards,
-0.9

...and I guess I´m going to cancel the pcm91 from the list...

[Omicron_9]

Originally Posted by amigo

...and I guess I´m going to cancel the pcm91 from the list...

Addendum.... I neglected to mention that once I'd heard/used the M7, I sold my PCM91 and replaced it with an M7. I am continuously amazed and inspired by this piece.

Regards,
-0.9

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by amigo

...and I guess I´m going to cancel the pcm91 from the list...

Depends on your budget. For the money , PCM-91 is definitely very good unit. I have made quite few CDs with it. If money is no constrain, Bricasti is clearly better ... Hopefully the remote control is coming soon ...

[3rd world order]

Originally Posted by amigo

M7 Bricasti

I´m looking for a reverb mainly for acoustic music (just vocal & guitar playing). I want a reverb that fits with the dynamics of fingerpicking and strumming, melts with the voice, and adds dimension and magic to the song. A reverb you can add generously without hearing unpleasent artefacts...

accept no substitute... if youre looking for a verb to fill space the bricasti is the only option...

its the only "money" reverb i'd consider spending the coin on.

mark levinson analog stage.. and it sounds like a room in heaven

[Schaap]

Originally Posted by massimo

The guy at the studio where I am currently mixing my new project has just replaced his PCM91 with a 300L. We did extensive A/B testing, and to our ears the 300 has a deeper, richer, more "classy" sound compared to the 91. They do not sound the same - the 91 sounds rather "thin" (and it is in no way a "bad" reverb..) once your ears get used to the 300.

+1. Recently we did a reverb-test with a.o. the Lexicon 300 V3.5 and the PCM-91. We all found the 300 better than the PCM-91.

Henk

[RCM - Ronan]

Originally Posted by amigo

Bricasti and PCM91. The Bricasti would cost 3 times as much as an used pcm91. Is it worth it?

I have only had a chance to play with the Bricasti a bit and it was pretty amazing. I own the PCM90 (as well as an R-880), i would not flat out say that its a matter of better or worse. The lexicon stuff has the sound of a beautiful digital reverb and the Bricasti seems to have more of the sound of an actual space.

Sometimes the sound of digital reverb is creatively more appropriate than something that sounds like a real room.

[edvdr76]

Lexicon 300

[amigo]

Originally Posted by massimo

Last, it sure depends on taste, but the TC4000 (and 3000 as well) can sound absolutely wonderful on acoustic music - it sure feels more transparent than the Lexicon, so you have different color options here, but this is reverb stratosphere nonetheless in my opinion. Shame the new Quantec is such a sort of "ghost" product - should exist, but noone has ever seen a real living specimen I believe.

best
Massimo

The reason why I´m considering the reverb4000 is because it has many algorithms other than the VSS3, like DVR, VSS4, Reverb4, Nonlin etc... So, in the theory, it should be a flexible universal unit. I would love to hear some samples, but I don´t find anything on the web.

[cl516]

amigo i'm doing the same search as you.
i already have the reverb4000, it is wonderful for clean duties, i think it adds dimension.
as for the magic, i think i need one another unit. good thread.

[Adebar]

Originally Posted by massimo

Shame the new Quantec is such a sort of "ghost" product - should exist, but noone has ever seen a real living specimen I believe.

It is out now. I have the 2496 for 1 week now. It was really a long wait.

[living sounds]

Yes, the 300 sounds better than the PCM91.

[allencollins]

any lexicon verb will do the trick except for maybe alex or something
But I'm lovin' the Eventide reverb in my h3000

[Empire Prod]

224XL

[amigo]

There is a recent and interesting Thread:

Tc 4000 vs lexicon pcm 91

Someone posted some reverb samples of the PCM91, L300, Reverb4000, PCM70 and VSS3 Powercore. It’s the first time I could compare all that sounds and I must say the PCM91 was a disappointment for me. I don’t like that "tizzzz" artefact. I liked the L300 and the Reverb4000 much better. Also interesting to hear how far behind the powercore VSS3 sounds vs. the VSS3 algorithm on the Reverb4000.

[amigo]

Bricasti and TC Reverb4000 will arrive soon here, so I can do some comparisons how those reverbs fit to my solo guitar and singer-songwriter acoustic songs.