What has been missing from Ableton Live over the last few years has been a good included convolution reverb plug-in. Now with Ableton 9 Suite and the inclusion of Max For Live there finally is one. This comes in the form of Convolution Reverb, and Convolution Reverb Pro. Let's take a look at these and explore their user interfaces. I’ll also show you how you can pull your audio samples into them to create your own unique convolution reverbs.
Love Ableton Live, but miss a built-in convolution reverb? In Live 9 you can find both a convolution reverb and use impulse responses to create your own spaces and effects. Gary Hiebner sounds it out.
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Step 1 – Convolution Reverb
This is the most basic form of the convolution reverb. It is located under Max for Live > Max Audio Effect. If you don’t see this device then make sure you have installed the Max for Live Essentials pack (https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/max-live-essentials). This includes the Convolution Reverb devices. When you first launch this device, you will be introduced with a window where you can ‘Drop IRs Here’. This is where Impulse Responses can be added.
An Impulse Response is a real space recording of an audio file that can be added to the convolution reverbs. This is the reason why these types of reverbs sound so real, because they incorporate the sound of real spaces into them as opposed to algorithmic reverbs. Included in Convolution Reverb is a selection of Impulse Responses.
Or you can add your own by dragging any audio file onto the ‘Drop IRs Here’ window. You can also change the Decay, Size and Predelay of the impulses. The Gain can be increased, the Width changed, and there is a Dry/Wet parameter to dial in how much reverb is applied.
Step 2 – Convolution Reverb Pro
With the Convolution Reverb Pro you have more flexibility with editing and manipulating these Impulses. Under Mode, you can either choose Single or Split. With Single you can set two different IRs under the A and B. This is a nice way to compare IRs. If you set the mode to Split it allows you to set an early reflection (Early) and a late reflection (Late). This way you can create your own amalgamated IR reverb with two different IRs.
The categorization of presents and IRs in the Convolution Reverb Pro is better arranged. With the Convolution Reverb you could only view the presets through the browser, but with the Convolution Reverb Pro that can easily be navigated through the plug-in. Under Type you can choose a category and there are some interesting ones such as Springs, Strange Spaces, and Experimental. Under this box is a list of the IRs available for that category.
There’s some great sounding rooms and halls all the way through to some strange, esoteric sounds such as those found under the Strange Places and Experimental categories.
Strange Places Underwater Reverb:
Experimental Ice Noise Reverb:
You have the same controls to edit the IR: Decay, Size, Predelay, Width, Gain, and Dry/Wet. Following this is a section where you can further edit and manipulate the reverb. Click on the arrow to expand the view to see the more options.
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Step 3 – Tweaking The Pro
First you have an EQ where you can carve out the sound of the reverb. Maybe you want to remove some of the high end from the reverberated signal. Next you can change the positioning of the reverb. It can be panned across the stereo field or you can use the Depth parameter to change its proximity effect. This allows you to either sit the reverb closer, or further back from the listener’s position.
Mod can be used to add some modulation to the reverb impulse. Adding some delayed modifications to the reverb source. Try switching between the Normal and Widen mode to hear the difference it makes, and between Mod I and Mod II.
The Damp section is another sound design tool that can be used to tailor the dampening or diffusing of the reverb sound through an EQ graph. There are 3 nodes in the EQ graph that can be altered. Under the EQ graph are Freq, Decay and Q parameters for each node.
Lastly, there is the Shape section where you can edit the start and end points of the impulse. Fades can be added, and the length can be changed. Or you can even reverse the audio impulse here for very different and unique sounding reverbs. Add a preset then go in and reverse it. Hear how it sounds on your audio. You might not want to use it throughout a song. But it works really well for short sections to add interest in a song.
Reverse Reverb:
Step 4 – Creating Your Own IR
Now that you know your way around the interface, let’s look at how to create your own IRs and apply it to your audio. I’m going to be working with a drum loop, but I want to transform it into something more with the convolution reverb, something a bit more interesting.
Drum loop:
I have recorded a clap sound of a room I was in. With a clap or bang sound you have a sharp initial attack and then the sound tails off depending on the size of the room and how the sound reflects off the surfaces such as the walls and ceiling. Other ways to record an impulse is to either pop a balloon, or use a starter pistol. They can produce sharper initial attacks with longer tails compared to the single clap method. There are more high-end ways to record impulses, but lets stick with these rough ways to record them.
Clap:
So find a room, and use a device to record your impulse. Either cart your rig with your microphone and computer, or simply use the recorder device built into your mobile device. Sure if you wanted excellent quality you could use a high-end field recorder. But even lo-fi devices like mobile phones can be used to record interesting impulses.
Now drag your recorded audio file into the Convolution Reverb Pro. I have added the Convolution Reverb Pro to a Send track. I will be sending my drum loop to this track. Jump to the EQ section and fine-tune this sample. I have boosted the low end and cut out some of the midrange, and the high end. Next I have moved over to the Position Tab where I have brought the position closer in the center.
Now onto the Shape tab. I have introduced a slight Fade In of 109ms and a Fade Out of 67.5ms The Early is set to 100%, the Length is set to a Realtime length of 16.1s and the Cascade is set to 73.2%.
The beauty of the Convolution Reverb Pro is that you can set up two different impulse responses and them split them to create this amalgamated impulse response reverb. So set the mode to Split. And the A and B where you place different impulse responses changes to Early and Late boxes. This being the early and late reflections of the reverb.
So the clap with the sharp initial attack will be my early reflection. Now I want to add a crazy sounding impulse response as a second option for the late reflection. How about the ABLCR Chord Vocal. Listen how different your audio sounds now with your own IR early reflection and a crazy late reflection with a melodic tone.
Drum Loop with Convolution Reverb: Conclusion
It’s great to finally have a convolution reverb plug-in included in Ableton, and a great one at that. There is a great selection of IR presets or you can reverb your own impulse responses and drag them into the reverb. By splitting the IRs you have a different early and late reflection, which really gives you some flexibility with your reverb settings.
Test out this convolution reverb with your future projects. Go and record your own IRs, and start bringing them into your Ableton projects.
For further Ableton productions techniques check out the following tutorials:
Related VideosFirst of all, you need to understand what type of reverb you’re looking for. This is because the type of reverb you choose will determine the output of the entire sound. Understanding the difference may be applicable to anyone and could help prepare you for future issues. In the end, it breaks down into these two categories: Convolution vs. Algorithmic. Convolution ReverbConvolution reverb uses what’s called an Impulse Response (IR) to emulate the reverb. The impulse response portrays how a signal changes when it runs through an acoustic environment using pre-recorded samples of real room situations. This results in a more natural and accurate sound, arguably making convolution reverbs the best reverb plugins. It does take more time to learn about and process on your computer, but many believe it’s worth it. Algorithmic ReverbStandard algorithmic reverb doesn’t work like convolution. It instead uses mathematical equations to accurately emulate the echoes and delays in a hypothetical room. The benefit of using this is saving processing power on your computer. These are also easier to handle as a standalone as well as stock reverb in other plug-ins. Since they’re mathematically represented, they may not sound as accurate as convolution reverbs, but they still bring great quality to the table. Because of this,we’ve included both Algorithmic and Convolution reverbs and have labeled them accordingly. Alright, here are 23 of the best reverb plugins on the market: Jump to the best free reverb VST plugins section! Best Reverb Plugins: FabFilter Pro-R [199 USD]Algorithmic This is one of the best reverb plugins available and it's one of a kind. This is because of the revolutionary ‘Decay Rate EQ’ feature that allows you to add or remove frequencies/decay from the reverb. This is a great tool for when you’re mixing a track and it becomes noticeably muddy. The crazy part about this EQ is that it’s parametric allows for complete customization and flexibility. Because of this feature, their EQ allows much more room for creating your own amazing presets. Pro-R also offers a huge selection of its own diverse and well-made presets. The EQ isn’t the only feature that impressed us though. A few other amazing features to set it apart from the rest are MIDI learn, A/B previewing, smooth parameter transitions, and really useful tips offered throughout the plugin. All the features mentioned above make this a top-notch plugin that can be used across all genres. For complete specifications and pricing, visit here! Option 02: Liquid Sonic’s Seventh Heaven Professional [69-299 USD]Convolution/Algorithmic (Fusion-IR) Liquid Sonic uses new technology creating a ‘Fusion-IR,’ which is a form of convolution, but it also uses algorithms to create more organic responses. Because of this, this technology allows them to create sounds that can’t be made with standard convolution. The point of the Fusion-IR is to represent over 230+ different presets that imitate the sound of the popular reverb hardware rack—the Bricasti M7. Recreating this classic piece of hardware resulted in an organic and beautiful reverb sound. The Fusion-IR alone is a reason to test the waters with this plugin. To check out the complete feature list and pricing, visit here! Option 03: Lexicon’s PCM Native Reverb Bundle [599 USD]Algorithmic Lexicon offers a complete bundle of seven different reverbs with hundreds of corresponding presets that guarantee incredible quality. As a huge part of their history and experience, Lexicon has been in the reverb game since the 1970’s. Because of this, they have been able to perfect their craft over time to create some of the best reverb plugins in the market. While it may have a vintage history, much like the new FabFilter reverb plugin we mentioned earlier, this model offers a graphical EQ for reflection adjustments when you need to fine-tune your reverb. Because of their well-known quality, this reverb has been widely used in Hollywood films and radio production. These qualities are represented by these reverb modules:
To read full specs and information, check it out here! Option 04: ValhallaRoom [50 USD]Algorithmic ValhallaRoom is widely known for it’s simple yet clean output. This is mostly due to the perfect selection of controls and knobs they have to offer. In this version of Valhalla, they offer an early and late section. ‘Early’ meaning shorter bursts of reverb and decay, while ‘late’ is more controlled lengthy decay. The decay in this plugin can simply be controlled by three frequency bands. Due to its simplicity, this allows for quick adjustments and getting your desired results much quicker. You view more and purchase the plugin here! Option 05: Waves IR1 Convolution Reverb [299 USD]Convolution Ever want to record in some the world's best venues for their reverb? Now you can..sort of. Waves gathered impulses from many of the greatest venues to allow you to capture the most perfect reverb you could imagine. Altogether, this has resulted in over 100 incredibly accurate impulses, so don’t let the old-school GUI fool you. World class venue not enough? No problem. You can also capture and create your own convolution reverbs! With these features and others, such as a parametric EQ, it makes the IR1 one of the best reverb plugins and accurate convolution reverbs in the market. You can view more and buy it here! Option 06: D16 Group Toraverb 2 [€69]Algorithmic The algorithm in this reverb plugin allows you to virtually create any style of reverb. This is because Toraverb doesn’t have set algorithms for reverb styles such as spring, room, hall, or plate. In fact, they created a whole new algorithm that allows for complete creativity. Algorithms aside, this plugin has some other amazing features as well. For example, the fact that you get two parametric EQ’s or custom modulated tails for realistic reactions is crazy! Crazy also describes this vintage-vibe it’s going for with the GUI. We’re loving the way they created a hardware look to their plugin. It sets the mood. You can check out more information on their site, here! Option 07: Softube TSAR-1 Reverb [249 USD]Algorithmic The TSAR-1 is an extremely powerful algorithmic stereo reverb with tons of character. Whether you want this reverb to sound vintage or dreamy, it can provide you with the sound you need. This is mostly because of the incredible selection of presets Softube provides within the plugin. However, creating your own hasn’t been easier. Because of its simple and favorable design, you can easily navigate around to quickly learn and begin making reverbs of your own. This plugin is a must-have if you’re into creating true stereo reverbs. You can view details here! Option 08: Audio Ease Altiverb 7 [595 USD]Convolution Ever see a plugin with a bunch of images in it? The Altiverb 7 reverb plugin offers a large selection of impulses recorded from various halls and venues around the world. To get a better understanding, they’ve included images of these venues. This allows you to see how big the room is, the style of the room, and the quality. Because of this, it gives producers the chance to see how certain rooms affect certain sounds on a reverb response. While containing the basics of controls, the image and impulse response qualities are a huge win for this plugin. Check out more prices and information, here! Option 09: HOFA IQ-Reverb [150 USD]Convolution Labeled as the first vintage convolution reverb, HOFA really holds their ground with this amazing reverb plugin. As a part of their vintage vibe, they offer a collection of controls such as positioner, modulation and vintage gating. This allows them to completely stick to the vintage output they’re aiming for. Like most reverb plugins, IQ-Reverb comes with three adjustable frequency ranges and a collection of pre-recorded impulses, allowing you to experience real life venues and samples. Overall, this is one of the best reverb plugins if you’re going for a vintage natural reverb sound. You can view more information on this plugin, here! Option 10: Valhalla VintageVerb [50 USD]Algorithmic While it may not be a vintage convolution reverb like the previous option, this is the closest you’ll get to vintage with an algorithmic reverb. With their latest version of VintageVerb, they offer three different color modes. These include the options 1970’s, 1980’s and now! This isn’t the only reason Valhalla takes two spots on this list. This is also because of its high-quality and amazing algorithms that it has to offer. Here are some of its algorithms:
Best Convolution Reverb
Trust us when we say Valhalla is an incredible company that makes some of the best reverb plugins. You can check out more, here! Option 11: EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverberator [199 USD]Algorithmic Looking for a straightforward plate reverb? We got you. Not only does it represent an old-school plate reverb visually, but the quality it provides is accurate too. With the selection of three different plates, it allows you to tone in on the different types of plates to apply to your mix. This can result in fun and interesting experimenting when changing other functions of the plugin. Some of those functions include stereo adjustment, modulation, EQ, and depth control. Make sure to check this plugin out, it’s definitely one of the best reverb plugins that offer a realistic plate sound! You can check out more about this plugin, here! Option 12: Waves H-Reverb Hybrid [349 USD]Convolution/Algorithmic (Fusion-IR) Waves is taking advantage of the new fusion/hybrid of the convolution and algorithmic reverbs. Usually, convolution reverbs have less control and algorithmic reverbs have more control. But if you combine the two, this allows for ultimate control while still getting that accurate impulse sound. Some of the controls you have access to are EQ, dynamic control, ADA analog modeling, and much more. You can also access a collection of artist presets provided with the plugin. These are always great to have for quick-use and reference on how to create your own. Oh, did we mention it has 5.1 surround control? Yeah. It does. For full specs and information, check out their site here! Option 13: 2CAudio Aether Reverb [249 USD]Algorithmic Look at all of those features in the picture above… As you can tell, this is another of the best reverb plugins because it allows for ultimate customization and sound design. If you’re not in the mood to create your own reverb sound, don’t worry though. There are over 1,300+ different resources available with this plugin and even expansions to further the collection. This will allow you to reverse engineer, learn more about reverb ,and see how the pro’s get the clean reverb you’re trying to achieve. Because of all the features included, you’ll never run out of ideas, and that’s why we put this plugin on this list. To see full specs and further information, head over here!
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Best Free Reverb VST Plugins: TAL-Reverb-2Algorithmic This option is by far our favorite free reverb plugin, and here’s why.. TAL offers an extremely clean and lush reverb effect right out the gate. With simple controls such as high, mid and lows for EQ you’ll be able to control the outcome of your reverb frequencies. To follow these knobs, you have room size, pre-delay and the width. These are all basic controls, but that isn’t the only thing we love about TAL-Reverb II. The overall output of this reverb is surprisingly accurate and easily accessible. It’s a very basic plugin with a lot of power behind it while keeping it light on your CPU. Check out the site and download here! Option 15: Acon Digital’s Reverb SoloAlgorithmic Looking for something simple and straight to the point? Then this might just be the reverb for you. As you can see, this free reverb plugin is short and sweet, as it only offers a single knob to control the size and richness of the reverb. And the thing is, it still pushes out an incredible quality compared to some of the best reverb plugins. Alongside the simple one knob, it also allows you to quickly A/B the difference, cycle through presets, and undo or go forward. Towards the bottom, you’ll find a dry to wet slider, which is very common for all reverbs. This slider simply controls the intensity of the reverb compared to the dry signal. Don’t let the simplicity of these plugin fool you though. We were very impressed! Download the plugin here! Option 16: Variety Of Sounds epicVerbAlgorithmic Variety Of Sounds puts out a few handfuls of effect plugins, and this one is our favorite by far. EpicVerb is a free reverb plugin that has two different modes. These modes result in six different stereo early reflection models. To control these models, you’ll be provided with basic controls like time, damp, and pre-delay. This is a very basic, yet powerful plugin. We definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a high-quality free reverb plugin. Download this plugin here! Option 17: Voxengo OldSkoolVerbAlgorithmic Voxengo put out this OldSkoolVerb as a free plugin, but don’t let that stray you away. The quality of the algorithms in the OldSkoolVerb makes it one of the best reverb plugins. A lot like the Reverb Solo plugin, it’s controlled with very basic features. A simple knob for pre-delay, space, time, and width allows you to control the reverb parameters for whichever mode you select. It also provides the option of a simple three-band frequency EQ. And to finish off the great simple features, it offers a dry mute button that allows you to hear just the reverb effects separately. Download this plugin for free here! Option 18: KR-Reverb FSAlgorithmic Simple and straight to the point, KR-Reverb FS is one of the easiest reverbs to use. The features that make it extremely easy to use are the six simple sliders that control the early size, diffusion, late size, decay, listener position, and dry/wet. Those features are some of the most important ones found in some of the best reverb plugins, and they cover it perfectly. KR-Reverb is a great free reverb VST plugin. Download the plugin here! Option 19: Mo’VerbAlgorithmic Mo’Verb is another free plugin that with only basic controls can be compared with some of the best reverb plugins. And you might be surprised to learn that some of the basic controls this free plugin has are ones that many paid plugins don’t even have. One of those basic controls is three separate EQ’s. These EQ’s control the early, late, and the wall. This allows complete control of your reverb with the most simple way to do it. And to top it off, Mo’Verb offers both input and output meters. With these meters, you can easily track how much the reverb affects the volume of your track for proper mixing. If you’re looking for a great free plugin, this is a must-have! Download the plugin here!
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Option 20: Max For Live Convolution Reverb Pro [Ableton Only]Convolution This will make you want to switch to Ableton. Natively, Ableton Live doesn’t offer a convolution reverb. It offers a standard algorithmic reverb that does the job, but this convolution is where it’s at. Because it doesn’t offer it natively, you’ll have to download Max for Live. Max for Live is an instrument and effect builder for Ableton, but it also comes with its own modules already made. One of these modules is their perfection of a plugin, Convolution Reverb Pro. By looking at the picture above, you’ll notice an abundance of crazy features, from parametric EQ, modes for the EQ, decay and sizing options, and even an IR selector that displays the audio file. All these amazing features allow for complete toning in on your reverb to achieve the sound you want. Price: Max for Live comes with Ableton Live 9 Suite To purchase Ableton, head over here! Option 21: Fruity Convolver [FL Studio Only]Convolution We would be silly to not mention FL Studio’s native plugin. Fruity Convolver allows you to quickly load custom impulses in to add your own reverb, special effects, or other sounds to your track. Because of the impulse section, they added many options to customize and stretch your sample to fit exactly how you want. One of the many cool customizable features this plugin has to offer is the wet stereo separation. This allows you to control how wide the signal from the reverb is compared to the dry. It’s also worth mentioning, this plugin is running on the same engine as the second option on this list, Seventh Heaven. So, if you’re an FL Studio user, don’t push this plugin aside. Price: Comes with FL Studio Visit more specs and information on the plugin here! Option 22: Logic Pro X’s Space Designer [Logic X Only]Convolution Space Designer is probably one of our favorite convolution reverbs as far as unique features stand. This is mainly because of the option to choose between synthesized impulse responses and an actual sampled impulse response. Space Designer gives you the best of both worlds, because although it’s still a convolution, it gives you the option to use real audio samples that were made digitally, rather than an algorithm. Another unique feature of Space Designer is the IR Sample section, which lets you change just about anything. Some of the changes that can be made are the stereo separation, length, sample rate, and density. If you’re using Logic Pro X, try using this before you search for something. Sometimes the gold is right in front of you. To read a full review of Space Designer, check this out! Option 23: ANWIDA Soft DX Reverb LightAlgorithmic DX Reverb Light is a free quick, easy-to-use algorithmic reverb that allows creating small room and large room emulations. While it may seem too simple, it definitely makes up for that in quality. A lot of the quality is offered in a collection of presets to work with. These presets can push the reverb from mono>stereo or stereo>stereo. Check out this free plugin to see what we mean by the quality! Download it here! ConclusionIn the end, choose the reverb that fits you best, free or paid. Some people like the way their free reverb sounds more than the higher-end options. This is mostly because every producer has different styles or sounds they’re trying to achieve. Due to this, we created this large list to put some of the most diverse reverbs on display. Here’s a list with some of the best reverbs plugins:
Ableton Live 10 Convolution Reverb
Sir Convolution Reverb
They each have special features that have make them some of the best ones to choose from. We hope this list helped you decide in which reverb to choose! Which do you think are the best reverb plugins? Let everyone else know in the comment section below!
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