Classic Recording Studio Gear
Vintage Digital
The Evolution of Reverb
Reverb, or reverberation, is a critical element in audio production, providing depth, space, and atmosphere to sound. Its journey from the humble stairwells of the 1940s and 50s to the sophisticated digital reverbs of today is a fascinating one, reflecting both technological advances and creative ingenuity.
Early Beginnings: Stairwells and Chambers
In the early days of audio recording, producers sought ways to add a sense of space and depth to their recordings. One of the simplest and most effective methods was using natural reverb from stairwells and echo chambers (usually basements). By placing a microphone at one end of a stairwell and a speaker at the other, they could capture the natural reflections and decay of sound waves bouncing off the walls. This technique was widely used in the 1940s and 50s, providing a rich, organic reverb that enhanced vocal and instrumental recordings.
The Plate Reverb
The introduction of the EMT 140 Plate Reverb
The introduction of the EMT 140 plate reverb in 1957 marked a significant milestone in reverb technology. The EMT 140 utilised a large metal plate suspended within a frame. Sound was sent through the plate via a transducer, and the resulting vibrations were picked up by contact microphones.
This method produced a smooth, lush reverb that quickly became a staple in recording studios. The EMT 140 offered a more controlled and consistent reverb effect compared to natural methods, making it a favourite among engineers and producers.
Of course, many other plate reverbs emerged after the success of the EMT 140. However, few of those have remained in the consciousness of engineers today. Unlike most of its contemporaries, the EMT 140 is still in use around the world.
The EMT 140 was used on these classic recordings
The Spring Reverb
Around the same time that plate reverbs were gaining popularity, spring reverbs also started to make their mark. First developed for use in guitar amplifiers, spring reverb consists of one or more metal springs through which sound is sent. The vibrations travel through the springs, creating a distinctive reverb effect characterised by a “boingy” or “twangy” sound.
The Spring Reverb ‘tank’ showing the simple method used to create an artifical reverb sound.
Spring reverb found its niche in the world of electric guitars and became a defining feature of many classic amp models. It was particularly popular in surf music and rock and roll during the 1960s. While it may not offer the same lush, expansive sound as plate reverbs, the unique character of spring reverb has ensured its continued use and popularity in both vintage and modern audio equipment.
The Klark Teknik DN-50 Spring Reverb was introduced in 1976, and is most famously used on the Eurythmics song Sweet Dreams.
The Digital Revolution
The arrival of the EMT 250 Digital Reverb
The EMT 250 is often referred to as R2D2 as it resembles the fictional robot character in the Star Wars, but its large levers (see to the right) made tweaking the EMT 250 a breeze.
As technology advanced, the desire for more versatile and manageable reverb effects led to the development of digital reverbs. The EMT 250, introduced in 1976, was the first digital reverb unit and revolutionised the audio industry. It used early digital signal processing (DSP) techniques to simulate reverb, offering unprecedented control over decay times, pre-delay, and other parameters.
The EMT 250’s ability to produce a wide range of reverb effects made it an instant classic, and it set the stage for future digital innovations. Its unique interface made the unit look like something out of a sci-fi movie, but as digital technology moved on (and it did so quite rapidly) there was no longer a need for the relatively large size of the EMT 250, and manufacturers like Lexicon managed a far more compact and practical solution with the release of their first digital reverb, the Lexicon 224.
The EMT 250 was used on these classic recordings
Types of Digital Reverb
Digital reverb has continued to evolve, and today, two types dominate the landscape:
Algorithmic Reverb
Algorithmic reverb uses mathematical algorithms to simulate the reverb effect. By adjusting parameters such as room size, decay time, and diffusion, users can create a variety of reverb sounds. Algorithmic reverbs are highly versatile and are often used in real-time applications due to their efficiency and low latency. All early digital reverbs such as the EMT 250 and Lexicon 224 are algorithmic designs.
Convolution Reverb
Convolution reverb, introduced in the late 1990s, uses impulse responses (IRs) to recreate the acoustic characteristics of real spaces. An IR is a recording of an acoustic environment’s response to a brief sound, like a clap or a sine wave sweep. By convolving an audio signal with an IR, convolution reverb can accurately reproduce the reverb of any recorded space, from famous concert halls to unique soundscapes.
The Convolution Reverb
The Sony DRE-S777 Sampling Digital Reverberator introduced audio professionals to a revolutionary approach in sound processing. This advanced digital effects processor recreates the natural reverberation of concert halls, theatres, and sound stages with unmatched depth, presence, and richness. Unlike conventional processors, the Sony DRE-S777 achieves this naturalism through sophisticated processing (Convolution Reverb) that blends audio signals with sampled data (Impulse Responses) from actual acoustic environments.
The Sony DRE-S777 was not only the last effects unit Sony ever made, it was also one of the finest convolution reverbs ever made.
The VST Plugin Explosion
The digital era has also given rise to a plethora of VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins that emulate various reverb methods. These plugins offer the convenience of software-based reverb, allowing producers to access a wide range of effects within their digital audio workstations (DAWs). Some popular reverb VST plugins include:
- Valhalla VintageVerb: Known for its versatile and lush reverb algorithms, VintageVerb offers a range of vintage-inspired reverb effects.
- Altiverb: A convolution reverb plugin that features high-quality impulse responses from real spaces, making it a go-to for realistic reverb.
- FabFilter Pro-R: Combines intuitive controls with high-quality algorithmic reverb, providing a user-friendly interface and excellent sound.
Audioease’s Altiverb is one of the best convolution reverbs on the market, offering everything from stairwells to pyramids!
Vintage Reverb Impulse Responses for Altiverb
From the inventive use of stairwells in the early days of recording to the sophisticated digital reverbs of today, the evolution of reverb technology has profoundly impacted audio production. Each innovation, from the EMT 140 plate reverb to the EMT 250 digital reverb and beyond, has expanded the creative possibilities for musicians, engineers, and producers. With the continuous development of VST plugins, the future of reverb looks promising, offering even more tools for shaping the sonic landscape.
