Best Reverb for Synths

LoboLives · « **on:** February 09, 2018, 11:01:45 AM »

I'm trying to figure out what would be the best Reverb to get for my synths/drum machine.

I was considering either the MXR Reverb or EHX Holy Grail Max.

The Strymon Big Sky and Eventide Space are good but I think they might be a bit overly complicated or get way too spacey. I'm just looking for one that's warm and doesn't suck the bottom end out. I noticed on my Tempest when I run it through the Room Reverb on Studio One the bottom end really dies out.

dslsynth · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2018, 11:40:03 AM »

I was about to suggest Eventide H9 as it can do more than just reverb. If you get H9 Core version you can buy the effects you need as you decide you need them. Or go for H9 Max to enjoy the full power of the Eventide algorithms as they are released.

chysn · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2018, 02:24:27 PM »

Hall of Fame is excellent. The TC pedals have this “TonePrint” system, which lets you make comprehensive changes to effect parameters on a computer and then load them back to the pedal.

Try this if you’re considering something like Holy Grail.

Shaw · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2018, 04:15:46 PM »

The best Eventide box you can afford.

DavidDever · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2018, 07:09:10 PM »

Quote from: LoboLives on February 09, 2018, 11:01:45 AM

I'm trying to figure out what would be the best Reverb to get for my synths/drum machine.

I was considering either the MXR Reverb or EHX Holy Grail Max.

The Strymon Big Sky and Eventide Space are good but I think they might be a bit overly complicated or get way too spacey. I'm just looking for one that's warm and doesn't suck the bottom end out. I noticed on my Tempest when I run it through the Room Reverb on Studio One the bottom end really dies out.

The Strymon El Capistan is actually _really_ good and has none of the gorgeous sheen that the Big Sky exhibits. I've also tried the Flint, which seems to be quite different as well, and a bit more lo-fi oriented.

John01W · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2018, 10:41:53 PM »

Quote from: Shaw on February 09, 2018, 04:15:46 PM

The best Eventide box you can afford.

+1

LoboLives · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2018, 06:56:06 AM »

Anyone have any experience with the Vermona reverbs at all? Those seem to really the ones I’m gravitating towards.

Sacred Synthesis · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2018, 02:35:57 PM »

I was interested in the Vermona reverb for a while, but they obviously have that retro shallow springy quality.

Paul Dither · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2018, 02:59:37 PM »

Sacred Synthesis is right in that Vermona reverbs are only interesting for those who are looking for spring reverbs. That means that they're sonically very specialized and don't serve well as universal reverbs. But if the sonic flavor of a spring reverb is everything you're looking for or you're going for that 1950s/1960s Sci-Fi vibe, then you can take a closer look at those.

Shaw · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2018, 03:28:26 PM »

Paul Dither · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2018, 03:33:18 PM »

Quote from: Shaw on February 10, 2018, 03:28:26 PM

Yeah, you can't go wrong with a nice Gretsch and a spring reverb.

LoboLives · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2018, 07:49:54 PM »

I was speaking to Alan Howarth over the weekend and he said he would use Furman FV1 Spring Reverbs for the Carpenter soundtracks and interestingly enough the factory patch Carpenter Square in the Prophet 6 has one of the dual effects as Spring Reverb. Perhaps it may be something to investigate. I just find a lot of the Eventide and Strymon stuff seem to be really washy and sometimes it drowns out the fundamental notes. I get that’s an effect used for a lot of ambient stuff but I never figured it be Spring Reverb that I gravitated towards for synth...guitar...yeah...but synth...wow.

Paul Dither · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2018, 02:59:06 AM »

Quote from: LoboLives on February 10, 2018, 07:49:54 PM

I was speaking to Alan Howarth over the weekend and he said he would use Furman FV1 Spring Reverbs for the Carpenter soundtracks and interestingly enough the factory patch Carpenter Square in the Prophet 6 has one of the dual effects as Spring Reverb. Perhaps it may be something to investigate. I just find a lot of the Eventide and Strymon stuff seem to be really washy and sometimes it drowns out the fundamental notes. I get that’s an effect used for a lot of ambient stuff but I never figured it be Spring Reverb that I gravitated towards for synth...guitar...yeah...but synth...wow.

Interesting info about the Furman FV1. I would have assumed something like early Lexicon devices instead. But I guess as long as you're careful with the settings and the springy-ness doesn't jump to the forefront of the sound, it can work well.

The thing about most Eventide and Strymon demos is that the reverbs are pushed to an extreme for—like you said—typical ambient sounds or the stereotypical recreation of such. That says little about the quality of such boxes at all, though, it only shows that they can emulate those kinds of characteristics too, like Shimmer et al. They can all be used in subtle manners as well. So I'd say it's mostly a matter of how these boxes are being represented in YouTube videos as opposed to how they have to sound all the time.

Sacred Synthesis · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2018, 08:11:05 AM »

I feel the same way about the Strymon and Eventide reverbs. They sound just a little too good. But, as Paul said, it's the way they're redundantly used in YouTube videos. The depth of the effect applied is so extreme that the music and patches become lost in the undertow. It's hard to find a tasteful and restrained use in the demonstrations, such that the music is enhanced, rather than made irrelevant. But they are both fine effects.

Paul Dither · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2018, 08:21:29 AM »

I think in most cases it would already help to adjust the dry/wet balance. The context of most video demonstrations is also important. Most of the time, only a single instrument or track is used in conjunction with the reverb effect. That's not the reality of a mix, in which you would also try to make sure to create a virtual space for each single instrument on top of positioning it in the stereo or surround panorama. Otherwise the whole thing would end up sounding rather flat, muddy, or homogenized without any real depth at all.

In particular for solo, rhythmic, or percussive instruments and sounds, a reverb can also quickly become the enemy of precision. Sometimes it makes more sense to use a subtle delay instead.

Sacred Synthesis · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2018, 12:39:31 PM »

The question is, which reverb sounds best at moderate volumes? The Strymon and Eventide sound wonderful when the music is utterly drenched in effect, but what about when using effects in a more tempered way?

LoboLives · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2018, 01:06:08 PM »

Moog Audio deals with Vermona and said they have some reverb units at the store...looks like I'll be taking a trip down there this week and run a synth through it (Likely a Moog Sub 37) I kind of got a notion that I'll pull the trigger on one of them just got to decide which.

Manbird · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2018, 10:21:16 PM »

Oddly or not, I've settled into using my RE-20 mainly as a reverb unit. So simple, so old-school - Want reverb? Turn up the dial. Not a lot of finessing possible, just basic grunty reverb, but quite sweet sounding. I rarely use the RE-20 as "tape echo," mostly cos when I do, it reminds me it ain't the real thing, one of which I have back at my dad's. But yes, I'm quite fond of the sound and the lack of options regarding the RE-20 reverb.

megamarkd · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2018, 11:28:53 PM »

I've been using a Zoom MS-70CDR that does all the delay tricks including huge reverb. Lots of emulations of classic 'verbs. They all sound great to my ears, but I'm also very happy with Zoom effects in general. I own a couple of Zoom multitrack recorders and the effects on them prompted me to buy the delay so I didn't need to run the recorders as effects units when not recording.

Quote from: LoboLives on February 10, 2018, 07:49:54 PM

I was speaking to Alan Howarth over the weekend....

He's not still doing that crazy stuff revolving around mystical tuning frequencies that cleanse the soul (or whatever)? I'm hoping not, it's not included on his personal website which is a good sign.
It's sad when good trusting people get taken by smooth-talking hucksters and put their good name on pseudo science products. Hurtak is definitely making a buck from it all still....

LoboLives · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2018, 01:36:03 AM »

Quote from: megamarkd on February 11, 2018, 11:28:53 PM

I've been using a Zoom MS-70CDR that does all the delay tricks including huge reverb. Lots of emulations of classic 'verbs. They all sound great to my ears, but I'm also very happy with Zoom effects in general. I own a couple of Zoom multitrack recorders and the effects on them prompted me to buy the delay so I didn't need to run the recorders as effects units when not recording.

Quote from: LoboLives on February 10, 2018, 07:49:54 PM
I was speaking to Alan Howarth over the weekend....

He's not still doing that crazy stuff revolving around mystical tuning frequencies that cleanse the soul (or whatever)? I'm hoping not, it's not included on his personal website which is a good sign.
It's sad when good trusting people get taken by smooth-talking hucksters and put their good name on pseudo science products. Hurtak is definitely making a buck from it all still....

Not that I’m aware of. He’s mostly playing live and doing conventions. Shame he’s not being asked to do more soundtracks, I think his non Carpenter stuff like Retribution is his best work.