Best in-expensive Hardware verb to compete with best plugin verb?

[stresstour]

I don't use alot of reverb but when I do, I like to have a really clear/professional sounding one.

Would buying an in-expensive hardware unit like $300 - $800 Lexicon or TC Electronic, be better than any plug verbs?

If so, what boxes do you recommend?

[sfoote]

Kurzweil Rumour will get you there. Very nice plates. Bought mine used for $350. Still use it next to Lexicon PCM91 and Bricasti

[Whitecat]

I'll get flayed for this, but if you're not in the EU look for a Behringer V-Verb 2496.

If you are in the EU you might be able to find a used one but they're no longer available new as they're not ROHS compliant and Behringer decided not to bother adapting them.

It's not, of course, the world's finest but it's much better than the Lexicon & tc low-end stuff.

[jensenmann]

check a TC M2000. Or you might even find a M5000 since everbody seems to sell theirs (except me) in EU. PCM70s are a class of it´s own or PCM60s will do the job when you´re after smaller rooms. Dynacord DRP20X are very cheap to find in EU and give you good results (if not a little boring) after tweaking. Presets are sh*t.
If you´re looking for gated reverb stuff check Roland SRV2000 or DEP5. But they might be a little noisy in your digital world

[Niv]

the cheaper lexicon are limited on 44/48, thats a big problem. and tc products are shit anyhow.

vermona retroverb is smooth as hell. analog but clean, and cheap. samples > LINK

[six_wax]

Are the plates in the Rumour that good? I threw a send to one on a couple tracking dates a few years back and said, "It'll do for tracking" but I don't remember them that well. My attention was elsewhere...

Rumour opinions? I'd love if it were worthy at that pricepoint.

[allencollins]

eventide

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by stresstour

If so, what boxes do you recommend?

Sony DPS-V77, Yamaha ProR3 or SPX-2000.

[Fausto]

Originally Posted by stresstour

Would buying an in-expensive hardware unit ... be better than any plug verbs?

It depends on a lot of things... like if you have any use for the reverb outside your computer rig (like taking it to a venue or studio).

I don't know of a 300-800 bucks reverb worth taking to the show or that will sound better than some plug-ins I know. IF there is no free convolution reverb out there, I know REAPER costs 50 bucks and comes with a bundled convolution reverb. Download your impulses and you are all set... I guess.

I'd so much like to be wrong about it! Someone please tell me I'm wrong!


Anyway, how do you plan to use it?

F.

[RCM - Ronan]

Originally Posted by Niv

the cheaper lexicon are limited on 44/48

Not if you use an analog insert.

I have yet to hear a plug in reverb that can beat my old Lexicon PCM90.

[Kiwiburger]

The Rumours are true. I have a Bricasti, which is excellent, but not really an "effects" type of reverb. I'm keeping my Rumour, because it has a different sound and can do more "effecty" type reverbs - e.g modulated tails that have a strong chorusing quality. Those 24 bit Behringers are different again (better imo). The Kurzweil is more like TC, the Behringer is more like Lexicon. Just use the digital i/o, because the analog section is typically weak.

I got sick of waiting for software reverb to evolve. It's still limited by host processing and basic lack of ears and talent on the part of plugin designers. The Bricasti might essentially be software in a box, but the ex-Lexicon designers have the ears and the talent. And it has about 6 CPU's dedicated to the task which also helps.

So imo, hardware reverb is necessary if you want exposed high quality reverb tails. I experimented with convolution reverb, and it can go a long way (I even have the Numerical Sound impulses, which make a huge difference). But there is compromise in using convolution - most noticable when you compare the fake with the real thing. Most impulses are badly truncated, and have artifacts, and of course are static frozen samples.

What actually works in a mix can depend on the source and the mood you're in at the time. Software has it's place, but I found that going back to hardware was the answer for me.

[thermos]

Originally Posted by six_wax

Are the plates in the Rumour that good? I threw a send to one on a couple tracking dates a few years back and said, "It'll do for tracking" but I don't remember them that well. My attention was elsewhere...

Rumour opinions? I'd love if it were worthy at that pricepoint.

I like them better than any plug by far (except the UAD one which has its uses). FWIW, I always use analog ios with my verbs, (with my summing thingy). I have no idea why every hw box I try sounds a few feet wider than any plugin on the market.

I'd prefer a PCM 90, but the Rumour was 1/2 the price.

[Chris69]

Originally Posted by terminal3

I'll get flayed for this, but if you're not in the EU look for a Behringer V-Verb 2496.

If you are in the EU you might be able to find a used one but they're no longer available new as they're not ROHS compliant and Behringer decided not to bother adapting them.

It's not, of course, the world's finest but it's much better than the Lexicon & tc low-end stuff.

These are on sale now for $99 from MF. Closeout.

I needed out of box FX to apply to miced and DI guitars for minitoring.

It sounds better than any SW verb or guitar verb that I have used. An equivalent SW verb would take 30% of my host CPU from me.

I run it using the SPDIF I/O on my soundcard. So it can be used to process a mix without any loss. Also its a stereo 4/4 processor, so I can use the analog I/O with my sub mixer, and bypass the digital FX for another 2 channels of I/O with my echo soundcard. The converters sound on par with Echo converters. Beyond the excellent verb, its an FX processor with all the typical suspects.

[henge]

I dunno. I'm loving the Acousticas impulses. Way better than the lex mx300 that I had !

[cosmos]

My M3000 PSU just died, Do not get TC gear!

[Sean TM]

Originally Posted by cosmos

My M3000 PSU just died, Do not get TC gear!

no way the tc electronic m2000 is the shit and a half...but i only use it for inst. and drums...the plates are nice..imo

[piano]

I love the Altiverb for natural reverb - just amazing.

However the PCM91 I have is perfect for vocals. I like using the spin feature for a fuller vocal.