Reverb Vst Plugin Best
Reverb is one of the most important tools for audio engineers. It’s an audio effect used on every mix you’ll ever hear.
There’s so many reverb plugins out there. Deciding which one to use is a big challenge. And sifting through hundreds of plugins can sap your creativity pretty quick.
But if you know your way around the different types of reverb plugins, you’ll have head start on choosing the right tools to create the perfect ambience to enhance your mix.
Here’s a primer on the different styles of reverb and the 15 best reverb plugins for each reverb type.
- I have compiled a list of Reverb Plugins that won the poll for “Best Reverb VST” in my Professional Composers Facebook Group (you can join too). ValhallaDSP has risen up the last years as one of the most popular developers for Reverb plugins. This one is a true stereo algorithmic reverb, with twelve original reverb algorithms.
- Newest Free Plugins 3.3k Best Free Plugins 2.9k Best Free Instrument Plugins 1.3k Free Synth Plugins 457 Best Free Effect Plugins 1.6k Best Free Guitar Effect Plugins 52 Free Reverb Plugins 104 Free EQ Plugins 136 Free Plugins Host 100 Free Kontakt Instruments & Libraries 204 Best Free Drum VIs 115.
- The Best Reverb Plugins in Music Production. The reverb you choose can make a big difference in how your final mix will turn out. We discussed many different types of reverbs, and the best uses for them.
Like most plugin effects, reverb should be used in moderation. In fact, reverb is often used in such small amounts that it's only noticeable when temporarily removed from the mix. Now that we've covered the basics, let's take a look at 10 VST plugins that we reckon could well be the best available. For the engineers looking for a more modern and scientific reverb, FabFilter’s Pro-R Reverb is the best VST of 2020. Unlike previously mentioned reverbs that emulate units of the past, Pro-R is a brand new design. It gives the user full control of every aspect of the reverb’s sound and decay.
Electromechanical reverb
In the early days of audio, engineers discovered they could use transducers to create vibrations in a piece of metal.
These vibrations could be captured with an electromagnetic pickup like the kind used in electric guitars.
This led to the development of two main types of electromechanical reverb—spring reverb and plate reverb:
What is spring reverb?
Spring reverb takes advantage of the unique behaviour of a coiled spring. The transducer is fitted at one end of spring and the pickup is at the other.
Spring reverb has a darker, edgier character that can vary widely from spring to spring. It’s often found in classic guitar amplifiers.
Using spring reverbs will give you a sploshy, metallic reverb with lots of character.
Best spring reverb VST plugins
Free:Hotto Spring Reverb
Hotto Spring Reverb is a free, no-nonsense spring reverb that’s effective and easy to use.
Spring reverb has a darker, edgier character that can vary widely from spring to spring.
Cheap:Aegean Music Spirit Reverb
Aegean Music Spirit Reverb is an affordable and authentic way to get spring reverb onto your tracks. It also includes other tone shaping effects like delay and tube preamp emulation.
Pro:PSP Springbox
Using spring reverbs will give you a sploshy, metallic reverb with lots of character.
PSP Spring Box has a ton of control to dial in your perfect spring reverb sound. It can go from realistic vintage spring reverb to seriously weird textures.
Where to use it?
Spring reverb is at home on electric guitars, but you can use it anywhere where you need a grittier flavour of reverb.
What is plate reverb?
Plate reverb is the main style of reverb from the golden age of analog recording. It’s created by exciting metal with a transducer just like spring reverb.
However, giant metal plates are required to create high quality plate reverb, so today these devices are expensive and rare.
They’re well loved for a reason though. Plate reverbs create a very recognizable sound that blends well into a mix and doesn’t overpower the dry signal.
Best plate reverb VST plugins
Free:TAL Reverb 2
TAL Reverb 2 deserves to top the list of best free reverb plugins. Halftime vst free reddity. It’s a fantastic sounding reverb that’s modelled on a plate but can go from natural and realistic to lush ambient textures.
Plate reverbs create a very recognizable sound that blends well into a mix and doesn’t overpower the dry signal.
Cheap:VallhallaDSP ValhallaPlate
ValhallaDSP makes some of the best value-for-money reverb plugins. Sean Costello’s plugins are widely respected in the pro audio community despite their low price tag.
ValhallaPlate is a fantastic, inexpensive way to get into plate reverb.
Pro:UAD EMT 140 Plate
Universal Audio is the top name in vintage emulation and their plugins run on a dedicated hardware platform.
Their loving reproduction of the classic EMT 140 tube plate reverb is a smash hit. It’s incredibly authentic and sounds eerily close to a real plate.
Plate reverb uses
Vocals, snares, or anywhere else you need an even sounding reverb with smooth early reflections and distinctive character.
Algorithmic reverb
Algorithmic reverb uses digital trickery to create reverb. It usually works by using many cascaded digital delay lines to create the illusion of acoustic reflections. The earliest electronic reverb devices were algorithmic, so many of the classic sounds we associate with studio reverb were created this way.
Algorithmic reverbs aren’t always realistic since processing power was so limited in the early days. But they can still create a desirable and characteristic reverb sound that works in tons of mixing situations.
Best algorithmic reverb VST plugins
Free:Smartelectronix Ambience
Smarteletronix Ambience was one of the first quality free reverb plugins on the scene. And it’s still a great option for dreamy, ambient, algorithmic reverb.
Cheap:VallhallaDSP VintageVerb
Valhalla VintageVerb is a versatile algorithmic reverb with vintage style modes to simulate the frequency and sample rate limitations of 70’s and 80’s hardware reverbs.
Algorithmic reverbs aren’t always realistic since processing power was so limited in the early days. But they can still create a desirable and characteristic reverb sound that works in tons of mixing situations.
Pro:UAD Lexicon 224
The UAD Lexicon 224 is a painstakingly accurate replication of the classic vintage hardware. The original Lexicon 224 was one of the first readily available digital reverb units introduced to studios in the late 1970’s. It’s responsible for so many classic reverb sounds from that era.
Algorithmic reverb uses
Algorithmic works best for Synth pads, effects, or anywhere else you need a stylish, enveloping reverb.
Convolution reverb
Convolution reverbs create ambience through a mathematical process called (wait for it) convolution.
These reverb plugins use Impulse Responses to create their effect. Impulse responses are made by measuring the reverberation of a real space with a microphone and a specialized tone called an impulse.
Algorithmic works best for Synth pads, effects, or anywhere else you need a stylish, enveloping reverb.
The impulse response is a sonic profile that the plugin uses to apply its specific reverberation characteristics to your sound.
To put it simply, convolution reverb lets you use the ambience of any real world space inside your DAW.
Hot tip: Convolution can also be used to model things like speaker cabinets for electric guitar.
If you have an all purpose convolution plugin, you can use IRs of speaker cabs to get a convincing sound when you record amps direct.
Best convolution reverb VST plugins
Free:SIR Audio Tools SIR1 (Windows) LAConvolver (Mac)
These free simple convolution tools are capable of loading great sounding impulse responses. That’s the beauty of convolution! They may not be the most full featured plugins out there, but they can totally get the job done.
Cheap:Liquid Sonics Reverberate Core
Liquid Sonics Reverberate Core is an effective, inexpensive convolution reverb solution. It has the ability to load and tweak parameters of any impulse response.
Pro:Audio Ease Altiverb
Audio Ease Altiverb is the gold standard for studio convolution reverb. Its powerful convolution engine and IR collection are capable of creating extremely realistic and compelling acoustic spaces.
Convolution reverb uses
Close mic’d instruments or wherever you need natural, realistic sounding spaces. Convolution reverb is a great choice for acoustic instruments like strings and piano.
Non-linear reverb
There’s a few classic reverb sounds you might know that I haven’t covered yet.
I’m talking about special effects like gated and reverse reverb. These sounds are all examples of “non-linear” reverb.
Electromechanical, algorithmic and convolution reverbs all attempt to model real spaces—with varying degrees of success. Even though some examples are quirky and not at all realistic, they still have a “linear” decay.
Convolution reverb is a great choice for acoustic instruments like strings and piano.
That means the reverb rings out with the normal, uniform decrease in energy that would happen a real acoustic space.
Non-Linear reverbs throw that idea out the window. They’re the classic reverb “effects” from the 80s like gated and reverse reverb.
Best Non-linear Reverb VST Plugins
Free:Longsound MicroVerb VST
Longsound MicroVerb VST is an emulation of the Alesis Microverb hardware unit. This entry-level hardware reverb is known for its three non-linear presets, which sound pretty weird in all the right ways.
Cheap:ValhallaDSP VintageVerb
We’ll have to give this one to Valhalla VintageVerb again for its fantastic nonlinear algorithms.
Pro:UAD AMS RMX16
The hardware AMS RMX16 is another early digital reverb that has been painstakingly modelled by Universal Audio. It’s nonlinear presets are responsible for many of the gated reverb sounds on recordings from the 1980’s.
If other verbs are sounding just too…normal, try a non-linear style for a change of pace.
Non-linear reverb uses
Use non-linear reverb to create psychedelic special effects. If other verbs are sounding just too…normal, try a non-linear style for a change of pace.
Early reflections
You need a sense of space in your recordings for them to sound natural and inviting.
That’s why reverb is an essential element of every mix. And to use it properly, you have to know your tools.
So to recap:
The best reverb plugins are…
Best Reverb Vst Plugin
Whether you’re adding a realistic ambience to an acoustic guitar, creating a cavernous space for a synth pad or just trying to nail that classic 80’s gated snare, knowing which reverb to reach for is key.
Plate, spring, convolution, algorithmic and non-linear reverbs all have helpful applications in your music.
Try any of the plugins from this list see how the how the different types work for you.
Article Content
Let’s be honest, there are a lot of plugins available. Figuring out which is best, particularly when “best” is so subjective, is tough. For this article I want to focus specifically on reverb. I want to give you not just my favorite choices of plugins, but also a little bit about application, so that you can figure out what will likely work best for you.
By the way, these aren’t in a “ranking” order, because they all have their place and will be best in some cases but not in others.
1. Your Stock DAW Reverb
I just completed a mix for a new signee on a major last week. The feedback was very positive, particularly on my use of reverb. The two primary reverbs that I used on the record: My $3,950 Bricasti M7 (worth every penny!) and D-Verb, the stock reverb from Pro Tools. And I am not the only one. I hang with the top mixers and we talk shop. Stock plugins have their place right alongside the most expensive, flashy equipment in the world.
Favorite use: Kick and snare drums! There’s just something about that slightly trashy tone that makes the D-Verb “Church” preset, set very short, sound awesome on drums. Also, the “hall” set super short and tucked on Trap-style hi-hats is brilliant.
2. LiquidSonics Seventh Heaven
I demo’d this very recently and it’s an instant-buy for me. I am a huge Bricasti fan. Casey, one of the designers, joined me for an interview in my Mixing With Reverb tutorial, and…hold on…I need to calm myself down…ok. So, the one problem with the Bricasti is that it’s hard to own ten of them. I probably would if I could. There have been some attempts to recreate the Bricasti sound, and LiquidSonics has been the first company that I feel has done it convincingly. It’s not the cheapest software in the world, but the quality totally justifies the price.
Favorite use: Uh, Everything. I use the real deal for my lead vocals and/or feature instrument. Everything else I’m a confident in Seventh Heaven. Particularly sweeter melodic elements like piano, acoustic guitar and strings.
3. Lexicon PCM Bundle
While 7th Heaven gets shockingly close to my M7, the Lexicon PCM bundle is literally the spitting image of the 480L. It is the same algorithm housed in both the software and the hardware, with the only difference being the converters and amplification stage in between. The Lex algorithm is simpler and requires a bit more modulation to get a smooth tone, which gives it that signature “sparkly chorusy” sound. And that can be just perfect on a number of sources.
Favorite use: Anything that needs a bit of “magic.” That can be literally almost any source.
4. Altiverb
Altiverb is the leader in convolution reverb. Most reverbs we are discussing are algorithm-based, meaning they use math to turn a source into a reverberant version. Convolution means sample-based, where an impulse is generated through a physical room or device and the resulting tail is used to model the reverb. In other words, someone stands in a room, shoots off a starter pistol and records it. That recording is then used to generate what another sound would sound like if it occurred in the same space. Altiverb is generally used more in post-production for film, but it can be great for adding realistic space to a musical environment.
Favorite use: Anything that needs to sound like it’s in a live space. Drums and ensembles across genres, Classical and Jazz if the space needs augmenting.
5. UAD Oceanway
Now if we want scary realism — the UAD Oceanway is hard to beat. Technically this is a convolution reverb, although the description frames it as “dynamic room modeling.” In my mind, that just means really really good convolution. But whatever it is, the ability to perceive front-to-back depth is crazy realistic in this plugin. I would go as far as to say that this plugin alone comes close to justifying getting a UAD system.
Favorite use: Front-to-back imaging! Background vocals, percussion, ensembles and anything that’s meant to sit in the back of the sonic field — this is my immediate go-to. I love that feeling of being able to perceive the physical distance between the front of the stereo image and the back, and I’ll often look for one element in a mix to put back there, just to give my foreground an even greater sense of forwardness.
6. Waves Rverb
Now, I don’t use Rverb a lot. But there are two places where I like it. I like it very subtly on rap vocals. There’s this graininess that can add space while keeping things feeling not-too-polished. And I like it while tracking. This is very important! A lot of artists like to have reverb in their cue sends while cutting vocals — it helps them get into the vibe. With the more latency-inducing plugins, this isn’t really possible. However, Rverb is a pretty good reverb with very little latency.
Favorite use: I just told you. Tracking.
7. FabFilter Pro-R
I am a FabFilter fanboy, for sure. The FabFilter Pro-R is a very clean, open sounding reverb. It’s also super customizable (as are most FabFilter plugins). Now, we don’t always want clean and open. In fact, the Fab Pro-R is frequently the worst choice of verb for the job. But when we do want clean and open, nothing can beat it. Not my expensive outboard. Not a real room or echo chamber or plate. It’s kind of king of the heap in that regard.
Favorite use: EDM. The reverbs coming off of the synths in EDM records always seem to have an unnaturally clean quality. When I need to match that vibe, Pro-R is my go-to without much thought needed.
Of course, there are many reverbs out there. Even the reverbs in NI Guitar Rig can be pretty incredible given the right application.
So, what are your favorite plugins for giving your productions some space and depth?
Reverb Tutorial Playlist
Best Vocal Reverb Vst Plugin
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