I'm looking to get myself a new reverb plugin. I'm currently using Space designer (in Logic) with various Acousticas IR Libraries. I'm seriously considering either the Audio Ease Altiverb or Lexicon LXP Native reverb. So I'm wondering if anyone has any everyday experience of either and any recommendations? Thanks guys.

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MacPro/LogicPro/Apogee/TLAudio

Altiverb is a convolution reverb like Space Designer, so the main reason for buying it would be to get the Altiverb library of impulse responses. I seem to remember that's mighty impressive, though it's a while since I used it. LXP is an algorithmic reverb and very different. What sort of music are you mixing?

I use the PCM Native Lex (much more dosh than the MXP but the point will still be valid) and Altiverb. I use them both for different things. If I had to choose one it'd be Altiverb purely because of it's huge library of different reverb types.

I do various types of music, but I suppose I'm looking for a reverb that is going to sound good in modern "acousticy" pop recordings. I use the Acousticas IR libraries but they don't seem to have the depth or airiness that I'm looking for these days. The simple my songs/recordings are getting the more quality I need in the reverb etc.

I'm more interested in quality of sound than having hundreds of different libraries but wondered how they compared as day to day/ workhorse style reverbs? Thanks

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MacPro/LogicPro/Apogee/TLAudio

Still altiverb.

The Lex stuff is ace - but not ideal for anything where you want it to sound "in a location" simply because algorithmic reverb is better suited to other tasks (in modern mixing). Convolution reverb depends just about COMPLETELY on the library you're using. The library, in something like Altiverb, is pretty good. There are also third party impulse responses available for many popular conv reverbs - check those out.

Altiverb, and don't forget you get some classic Lexingtons and other units — as well as loads of spaces with the Altiverb IRs (miked at different places in different styles) and you also get plates, springs, outside ambiences, and quite a few 3rd party IRs. Plus you can make your own. Plus they keep updating their IRs. Reminds me; must check them now... been a while!

G

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PA stuff on FB

Hi,

I also own Altiverb and have to agree with the above posters. You're not really comparing apples with apples. I currently use Altiverb as my main convolution reverb along with a Lexicon multi effects hardware unit and CSR by IK Multimedia ( also very nice and good value ). Different tools for different applications, ultimately.

Altiverb probably is, in some ways, slightly more versatile that an algorithmic reverb, considering the massive IR library which they offer and add onto periodically. It contains a whole host of IR's that cater for your most common "algorithmic type reverbs" as well as many real world spaces that are both interesting, unique and most likely unreproducible with an algorythmic reverb plugin. It's a bit of a double edged sword sometimes though, seeing as that the IR's, in my experience, don't always offer you a mirror stereo image, which can both be a blessing and a curse, depending on what you're using it for of course. Audioease samples natural spaces, so the stereo imaging tends to be err ... "natural" as well.

My personal favourite is and has always been the Vigeland Mausoleum .. oooooooh err ...

Cheers,

D.

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www.thirdfloormusic.com

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm looking for a reverb that will primarily be used in modern "acousticy" pop songs, so I'm after something that is going provide quality, depth and airiness. So are people generally saying that Altiverb is the way to go for these type of applications.

I'm asking this because as I have mentioned I currently use Acousticas IR libraries and I definitely don't get the depth or quality that I am after?

Thanks guys

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MacPro/LogicPro/Apogee/TLAudio

Quote Guy Johnson:

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Reminds me; must check them now... been a while!

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Whee! Best for ages ... Loads of IRs from a Roland Space Echo. Niiice! Plus some new spaces I've yet to try, and a Sony reverb, too.

Is it me, or does the Quote not work?

Is that better? I removed the '<' & '>' characters from the quote text - Andy

Edited by zenguitar (10/10/11 07:45 PM)

Personally, I prefer algorithmic reverbs over Altiverb for pop material. I like Wizooverb and IK Multimedia's CSR, although the former is no longer around. Neither are amazing, but I find them more suitable for pop than Altiverb.

Altiverb is also very big, and problems with it do sometimes arise (the latest being a problem with Cubase 6, which, to be fair, seems to be a Cubase bug rather than an Altiverb one, and the Cubase 6.0.4 hotfix claims to fix it).

I'd be tempted to get that one that Martin Walker likes, Aether from 2CAudio, although the demo kept crashing on me (which reminds me that I should try it on my new system). Why don't you try the demo first? Not that you can always judge a reverb straight away, but it might help give you an idea. As long as it doesn't crash!

Quote Phil Foster:

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Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm looking for a reverb that will primarily be used in modern "acousticy" pop songs, so I'm after something that is going provide quality, depth and airiness. So are people generally saying that Altiverb is the way to go for these type of applications.

I'm asking this because as I have mentioned I currently use Acousticas IR libraries and I definitely don't get the depth or quality that I am after?

Thanks guys

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Hi,

Altiverb itself is just a convolution system. It's the quality of the samples that matters, not the package. Go and see if there better libraries available for the convolution system you have before splashing out bigger cash on 'verbs....

If you want an algorithmic reverb that sounds very refined and hi-fi, definitely try out the IRCAM Tools Verb plug-in from Flux.

Quote Scramble:

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I'd be tempted to get that one that Martin Walker likes, Aether from 2CAudio

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I'm still loving 2CAudio's Aether - it sounds so good and is so incredibly versatile for an algorithmic type, and it's my go-to reverb for sounds design purposes.

However, I still use Altiverb for 'real' spaces, and for its ever-expanding (and free to existing users) IR library.

As others have said, convolution and algorithmic reverbs can compliment each other well


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

Absolutely no help from me, I'm afraid - I use 'em both and would feel lost without either!

Although the Dark Horse, Cello Studio and Hansa IRs would probably tip me in the direction of Altiverb if I was forced to decide at gunpoint.

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"We knocked on the doors of Hell's darker chambers..." But no-one answered, so we went to the pub instead.

Quote Phil Foster:

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I'm looking to get myself a new reverb plugin. I'm currently using Space designer (in Logic) with various Acousticas IR Libraries. I'm seriously considering either the Audio Ease Altiverb or Lexicon LXP Native reverb. So I'm wondering if anyone has any everyday experience of either and any recommendations? Thanks guys.

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If you've already got a convolution reverb in the form of Space Designer, I myself would go for something a bit different in the form of a algorithmic one of sorts.

There are a lot of solid contenders in addition to the ones already mentioned in form of Relab LX-480, Overloud Breverb, the Audio Damage ones, Softube TSAR1 to name a few. Like anything find the one which suits your needs and use the demos if possible before making the purchase.

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http://soundcloud.com/earwighoney

Quote Martin Walker:

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Aether - it sounds so good and is so incredibly versatile for an algorithmic type, and it's my go-to reverb for sounds design purposes.

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There's also Breeze, which is the reduced feature/CPU version of Aether.

http://www.2caudio.com/products/breeze/

Got a excellent review too
http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/computers-software/plug-in-fx/breeze-47 4724/review

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http://soundcloud.com/earwighoney

As a user of Lexicon LXP Native for some months, I originally compared it to QL spaces, (both on demo), and found LXP far nicer-sounding than QL - certainly for pop/rock/dance genres. Essentially, it has the same algo's as it's more expensive counterpart (Plate, Hall and Chamber) + it's own room sim.

I used CSR for years, and was happy with it, but the difference between that and the LXP is night and day.

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www.thediplomatz.com

Thanks for all the opinions guys, really valuable.

I have demoed most of the plugins side by side now - with the exception of Altiverb, there appears to be no straight forward way of trying this out and just demoing it would still involve installing Rosetta, which really surprised me - so gonna give that a miss!

But in the end I am going with the Lexicon LXP, it just seems to have the edge on sound quality and pretty much does what I am looking for. Thanks again.

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MacPro/LogicPro/Apogee/TLAudio