FREE Bricasti M7 impulses from Acousticas

[elambo]

Someone on the first page suggested that these IRs sound just like his hardware M7. At that very moment, assuming the statement is true, I lost interest in the hardware. While these are likely the best IRs in my library I'm still unimpressed by the sound I'm hearing compared as to a 960L or PCM96, even compared to an Eventide and I'm not crazy about their reverb. I can tell that I like the basic character of these IRs and their response to the source, but I'm not crazy about the end result. It's like the IRs are going through a mediocre A/D from 15 years ago and the hardware units - the Lex and Eventide - are going through the best of today's A/Ds. I'm using AltiVerb btw.

I hope these IRs are NOT nuts on. I'm sure Acousticas has done an excellent job - they always do - but I suspect that either IR technology isn't able to give me what I'd hoped for, or the M7 isn't living up to the hype as I perceive it.

Regardless, thanks for the IRs. As I said, they're some of the best I own.

[elambo]

Originally Posted by SEB

Been sitting here a little while comparing the wet returns from these impulses via Altiverb and a HW Bricasti and must say I can`t hear any difference - at least on smaller rooms and plates with a snare and a sax sample.

This is the quote that worries me. I hope it's not true.

It would be easy as pie for someone to post A/B comparisons of the IR vs. the M7. Anyone willing and able to oblige?

[Silver Sonya]

Way to take the negative spin on this.

- c

[Sonic Nomad]

Originally Posted by Ermz

Would there be any chance to get some modulation presets or suggestions for some popular mod delay software?

+1


..and thanks so much for these. Can't wait to try em.

[BLUE-S-MAN]

Originally Posted by Ermz

Would there be any chance to get some modulation presets or suggestions for some popular mod delay software?

......... and Cubase presets

[elambo]

Originally Posted by Silver Sonya

Way to take the negative spin on this.

- c

I didn't realize this was the Praise-Only forum. Although, ironically, it's you who has tried to spin my post - I certainly don't regret listing my personal "observations." I could do without the feeble attempt to make me into a bad guy for having a less-than-perfect experience.

There are two levels to this issue (even if they may seem like the same thing, it's not quite so. There's the issue of "how good is good enough):

1) the quality of the IRs
2) the IR's ability to emulate the M7

As I've said, I'm very happy with #1. No one's suggesting that IRs offer the best sound quality possible from current technology, so I take them for what they're worth.

Unfortunately, I'm not impressed with regard to #2 above.

Several people have stated that the IRs are perfectly accurate. If true, then yes, I'm unimpressed with the M7 and won't be buying one because I prefer my current hardware reverbs. Others - Casey among them - have suggested that the IRs will not match the hardware. That's not exactly great news for the IRs. So it's really a matter of perspective - your own paradigm, isn't it.

Help me spin this into an honest, positive scenario for someone like myself, but I don't imagine you will. As a Bricasti follower from the beginning I can't imagine ignoring this whole topic as you suggest.

[Ermz]

The only way to settle the situation is with a direct A/B. Should be easy enough to do for anyone who owns the hardware.

That aside, I'm perfectly happy with what I've heard from these IRs. They sound very very good to me.

[teacue]

Originally Posted by Casey

Let's add true stereo, color free earlies and the devastating lowend to these presets before we can go there.

-Casey

Yes! True Stereo would be great!!!
And Surround IRs too ... oh ... the M7 is not surround!
What a pitty!

Maybe rhythminmind will soon create True Stereo IRs

Thanks a lot.

[Melgueil]

I'll take what is given...

I have the IR's in Altiverb - they sound great upon first drive by. I did some crazy stuff like crank the eq all the way up - sort of tried to break them - still did not hear noise. The Worchester Hall sounded great on a solo acoustic guitar track that I ran it through.

In an overcrowded field, such as it is, it's great to see a new, up and coming company develop some quality, usable tools for us - and for free ...well...at least this time.

I don't much care about A/B with the hardware so much as do they sound good ? They do, so I'll use them and let the tracks speak for themselves.......

Felicitations Acousticas !

[SEB]

Elambo, yes, as I wrote I can`t tell the difference doing a very easy A/B-test with a snaredrum sample. This was a 20 minute test running mostly Plate algos.
But remember that`s a static sound. Put on some more complex material and maybe this will change. How this will transfer into real life mixing/recording is another story. And as Casey said - these are mono input. Try running a whole mix through these impulses and you`ll miss A LOT compared to the real thing.
Also there seem to be some random changes going on in the M7 (in some algos at least) that can`t bee captured with impulses.

The small pitch-changes happening when hitting a real snare is something impulses have had a hard time dealing with. The experiences I`ve had with impulses taken from the TC6k for instance have been lacking these nuances compared to my hardware TC.

But for the static SD-sample test on plates-algos - no I can`t hear much difference. But if it`s perfect and accurate, hmm...

[HOTC]

Check it out last night put plate reverb on vocal..lushness is the word
beautiful sounding...sits well with the orther packs from you guys
Thanks again...O and thanks for the info about my eventide question..hope they get back to ya

[gregory]

Originally Posted by Acousticas

Knufinke is making a very nice and affordable plug-in : SIR2

If you care to reveal your choice of DAW maybe I can provide you with a few other suggestions.

Hello, what would be some good affordable choices for working with Samplitude 10 and hopefully samp11 soon?

[recall]

Originally Posted by izzi

Do you know how to create an image of the Bricasti so it shows up in Revolver?

Thanks!

Nope, don't know how I'm afraid. Would be nice I guess but its no big deal without the image.

[noiseflaw]

Yep I think True Stereo is the way to go.

Casey and Acousticas - Raaawk!

[baslotto]

Thank you Acousticas and Casey for this.

Could anybody compare the IRs to the real deal?
I know it has to be different but can anybody spot what the differences are? I don't have an M7 yet (but it will be in my rack soon ).

[Lunatic]

Thanks to Acoustias AND Casey!

[Kyle Ashley]

Originally Posted by gregory

Hello, what would be some good affordable choices for working with Samplitude 10 and hopefully samp11 soon?

Samplitude already has a built in convo room simulator. Just drop the M7 folder in your Samp/Room Sim presets directory, load them and go.

[Silver Sonya]

Originally Posted by elambo

I didn't realize this was the Praise-Only forum. Although, ironically, it's you who has tried to spin my post - I certainly don't regret listing my personal "observations." I could do without the feeble attempt to make me into a bad guy for having a less-than-perfect experience.

There are two levels to this issue (even if they may seem like the same thing, it's not quite so. There's the issue of "how good is good enough):

1) the quality of the IRs
2) the IR's ability to emulate the M7

As I've said, I'm very happy with #1. No one's suggesting that IRs offer the best sound quality possible from current technology, so I take them for what they're worth.

Unfortunately, I'm not impressed with regard to #2 above.

Several people have stated that the IRs are perfectly accurate. If true, then yes, I'm unimpressed with the M7 and won't be buying one because I prefer my current hardware reverbs. Others - Casey among them - have suggested that the IRs will not match the hardware. That's not exactly great news for the IRs. So it's really a matter of perspective - your own paradigm, isn't it.

Help me spin this into an honest, positive scenario for someone like myself, but I don't imagine you will. As a Bricasti follower from the beginning I can't imagine ignoring this whole topic as you suggest.

It's a question of value system and enculturation.

Someone floats out some free IR's and instead of saying "Hooray!" and "Thank you!" and leaving it at that, you start in with "Wait a minute, I have deduced via Q.E.D. based on what someone I don't know has said on the internet, that the Bricasti might actually be worthless! Commence defending yourselves!"

What can I say, dude? It's just dismaying, is all. Bummer for everyone involved. It's an ungenerous, cold angle on the whole business.

Here's the deal: these are IR's of a fantastic, innovative, and incredibly valuable piece of hardware outboard. (I don't own one, but have used them in studios. Spend a little time with one, your jaw will drop.) These IR's were floated out as (a) a promotion for the company that did the IR's and (b) the company that made the source piece of gear. As it turns out, everyone is playing nice. And we all win! We get some interesting IR's for free, they increase awareness of and interest in their products.

Do you honestly believe these static IR's obviate the complexity of the Bricasti? I mean, come on.

Even if your response to that question is "maybe," the only decent thing to say is "Thank you" and decide privately what this means to you. Hopefully, it intrigues you about the Bricasti, but if it doesn't, keep it to yourself. Y'know?

To take this nice gesture as an incentive to go on a valuation witch hunt is... well, it's just a bummer response. I know it's the internet and all, but there are still human beings behind all of this.

- c

[Acousticas]

Originally Posted by elambo

Someone on the first page suggested that these IRs sound just like his hardware M7. At that very moment, assuming the statement is true, I lost interest in the hardware. While these are likely the best IRs in my library I'm still unimpressed by the sound I'm hearing compared as to a 960L or PCM96, even compared to an Eventide and I'm not crazy about their reverb. I can tell that I like the basic character of these IRs and their response to the source, but I'm not crazy about the end result. It's like the IRs are going through a mediocre A/D from 15 years ago and the hardware units - the Lex and Eventide - are going through the best of today's A/Ds. I'm using AltiVerb btw.

I hope these IRs are NOT nuts on. I'm sure Acousticas has done an excellent job - they always do - but I suspect that either IR technology isn't able to give me what I'd hoped for, or the M7 isn't living up to the hype as I perceive it.

Regardless, thanks for the IRs. As I said, they're some of the best I own.

Hi Elambo,

the Bricasti M7 is among the finest reverberators built today. It is perfectly capable of
creating a beautiful sounding mix and atmosphere. The Lexicon 96 is also very very good.

However, when directly compared to an EMT 250 & EMT 252 one quickly realizes that what EMT and Barry Blesser created about 30 years ago are in a world and league of its own and is yet to be rivaled. The algorithms created by them are simply put genius.

We have most hardware reverbs available ranging from the 70'ies thru' to today at our disposal. In our opinion the EMT 250 & 252 are the finest reverberators ever built closely followed by the Lexicon 224, 480 and 300.

Those guys from the past, are proof enough that processing power has nothing to with building a great reverberator. The algorithms and the theory behind the recreation of "space" are all that really matters. Barry Blesser is a genius who has contributed so much to this industry and we were extremely proud as he accepted our IRs, of his device, as a gift. Goes without saying that he passed the blindtest


The only downside to legendary reverberators is that they are very hard too come by and if/when you do find one in mint condition, chances are that you cannot repair it, if it breaks, as the parts aren't available anymore. Besides that an EMT 250 sells for about EUR 6000-8000 and the EMT 252 for about EUR 6000. The acquisition is expensive not mentioning the maintenance. That is where one aspect of the convolution reverb technology comes in very handy. Whether the IRs are sounding exactly the same as the original is secondary. Primary concern is whether they convey the feeling and character of the hardware. According to some of our users owning the originals they do.

I would like to point out that reverberation is a very subjective and delicate matter.
Anyone, looking into to laying more than $1000 on the table for any reverberator should ask his dealership for a test unit. Then make up his mind. Hype goes a long way these days but doesn't create a great mix ;-)

[gregory]

Originally Posted by Kyle Ashley

Samplitude already has a built in convo room simulator. Just drop the M7 folder in your Samp/Room Sim presets directory, load them and go.

Thanks Kyle, I did not know this but great news as I hope to upgrade to samp10 or 11 soon.

[noiseflaw]

Originally Posted by Silver Sonya

It's a question of value system and enculturation.

Someone floats out some free IR's and instead of saying "Hooray!" and "Thank you!" and leaving it at that, you start in with "Wait a minute, I have deduced via Q.E.D. based on what someone I don't know has said on the internet, that the Bricasti might actually be worthless! Commence defending yourselves!"

What can I say, dude? It's just dismaying, is all. Bummer for everyone involved. It's an ungenerous, cold angle on the whole business.

Here's the deal: these are IR's of a fantastic, innovative, and incredibly valuable piece of hardware outboard. (I don't own one, but have used them in studios. Spend a little time with one, your jaw will drop.) These IR's were floated out as (a) a promotion for the company that did the IR's and (b) the company that made the source piece of gear. As it turns out, everyone is playing nice. And we all win! We get some interesting IR's for free, they increase awareness of and interest in their products.

Do you honestly believe these static IR's obviate the complexity of the Bricasti? I mean, come on.

Even if your response to that question is "maybe," the only decent thing to say is "Thank you" and decide privately what this means to you. Hopefully, it intrigues you about the Bricasti, but if it doesn't, keep it to yourself. Y'know?

To take this nice gesture as an incentive to go on a valuation witch hunt is... well, it's just a bummer response. I know it's the internet and all, but there are still human beings behind all of this.

- c

Well spoke.

[SFTPH]

Originally Posted by humanray

I have made Spacedesigner Presets for the free Acousticas Bricasti Library. The guys from Acousticas suggested to post them over in this thread.

So to save you some time - you can download them here:
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/544020/PS...er_Presets.zip

Installation description is included.

Cheers
Human Ray

THANKS!

[klaukholm]

Originally Posted by narco

I wonder why people always question copyright when it comes to sampling bricasti reverb, and not other reverbs (on average)?

narco

I think a lot of us are very happy that this design came out, and if we don't support it by buying their hardware we all loose.
Kinda similar to buying CD's to insure that more good releases come in the future.

[mixerguy]

I am very suspect of the statement that an IR of M7 sounds as good as hardware M7



a while back i compared my Quantec Yardstick to a "very good" IR of it.... and it was laughable.... the hardware was WAY better... it is all in the tail...... the IR sounded gated.

[SEB]

Yeps, alot of poor impulses out there.

But have a listen to this simple static SD-test and tell me the difference - what`s the impuls missing compared to the HW? I`m always here to learn. The volume is maybe not 100% matched but have a listen anyway.

And please - this may be a poor test and far from a real in the mix situation, but even then it`s closer than just assuming things...

And if my ears have fooled me I`m ok, I`m far from selling my M7 anyway....Still I think the guys have done a great job both making the best reverb I know and the job of sampling it.

[EricKrk]

This is very cool, but I have a question to some of you mixers out there. When I tend to use reverb I get confused as to how much to add. After I start, I end up almost always have too much reverb sound and it makes the recording sound foolish almost. How do you guys keep from using too much of it? I find that the use of reverb is one of the hardest things to grasp for myself.

[Gemylon]

Hi SEB
The Briscati sounds more natural, specially towards the end.

The Altiverb sample is less colorful in the same area,
and yes, (a bit) gated might be a way to put it...


G

[SEB]

..and this one I guess would be a little more complex - vocals.
Here the impulses should have problems gluing into the performance like the HW do. But still i think these impulses do a fair job.
I think Vocal Plate was used on this test while the singer was warming up for some recording.

320k mp3 this time btw.

[SEB]

..and at last, a really unfair competition I guess; stereo HW and mono impulse. But still..
London Plate was used here if I remember correctly. It`s a "sneak" recording of someone practicing in the studio while riging up mics + +

It would be very interesting hearing stereo versions of the impulses BTW. Right Aco-guys?

[Silver Sonya]

Originally Posted by EricKrk

This is very cool, but I have a question to some of you mixers out there. When I tend to use reverb I get confused as to how much to add. After I start, I end up almost always have too much reverb sound and it makes the recording sound foolish almost. How do you guys keep from using too much of it? I find that the use of reverb is one of the hardest things to grasp for myself.

A wholly subjective and contextual discussion, of course, but don't be discouraged: you will eventually get a pretty good relationship to it. Experience helps. Learn from your mistakes.

The thing with reverb is: always ask yourself "What do I want the listener to picture when they close their eyes?" You are trying to build a vista of some sort. This is what you are doing when you are mixing. It's a vista. What is the image you are trying to create? A realistic portrayal of people playing on a stage or in a hall? A confrontational, ultra-close ensemble? A fantasy world of your own construction?

I mean, realism isn't necessarily the name of the game. Y'know? Music is art. Enjoy.

- c