Digital Reverb

Digital reverb, also known as artificial reverb, is a type of audio effect used in recording studios to simulate the sound of a natural acoustic environment. The first digital reverb units were developed in the late 1970s, with early examples including the EMT 250 and the Lexicon 224. These early digital reverbs used a combination of digital signal processing and analogue-to-digital converters to create a convincing simulation of different acoustic spaces. Digital reverb quickly became popular in the recording industry, as it provided a more flexible and cost-effective solution than traditional mechanical reverbs or echo chambers. Digital reverb units could simulate a wide range of acoustic spaces, from small rooms to large halls, and could be easily adjusted and automated to create dynamic and complex reverb effects. Over time, digital reverb technology continued to evolve, with improvements in processing power, algorithms, and user interfaces. Today, digital reverb is an essential tool in the recording industry, and a wide range of software and hardware reverbs are available to suit different recording needs and budgets. Despite the advances in digital technology, however, many recording engineers still value the unique character and sound of traditional mechanical reverb units, and these continue to be used in certain recording environments.

Released in 1986

EMT 246 Digital Reverb

The EMT 246 Digital Reverb, introduced in 1986, delivered exceptional sound quality with the renowned EMT 250 algorithms in a compact and affordable format. Succeeding the EMT 244 and 245, it offered advanced features for natural room simulation and creative effects.
Released in 1986

AKG ADR 68K Digital Reverb + Effects

The AKG ADR 68K is a multifaceted digital audio processor. Although it produces superb reverberation, it is far more than just another digital reverb. It produces a wide range of useful time-based effects.
Released in 1987

Boss RRV-10 Digital Reverb

The Boss RRV-10 Digital Reverb, released in 1987 put digital reverb within reach of every musician.
Released in 1987

Yamaha REV5 Digital Reverberator

The Yamaha Rev5 was a digital effects marvel upon release. It skillfully emulated natural and plate reverberations, granting precise control and superior sound quality. With a 44.1 kHz sampling frequency, it delivered clear, transparent sound across the 20 Hz to 20 kHz spectrum. This was groundbreaking in its time.
Released in 1987

Korg DRV-3000 Dual Digital Effect Processor

The Korg DRV-3000 is designed and constructed to professional specifications and incorporates sophisticated state-of-the-art LSI technology to create a wide variety of superb effects.  The Korg DRV-3000 can be used in virtually any music situation where high-performance sound processing is required and is particularly suited to MIDI applications.
Released in 1987

Korg DRV-2000 Digital Reverb

The Korg DRV-2000 Digital Reverb is a creative digital reverb that responds like a musical instrument – because it responds to the way you play. The Korg DRV-2000. Much more than a professional 24-bit digital reverberation unit. Much more than a MIDI compatible multi-effects unit, featuring 16 programs like Gate Reverb, Stereo Echo, Flanger, Space Pan, and dual effects programs like Reverb and Echo and Reverb and Chorus.
Released in 1988

Alesis Midiverb II Digital Effects Processor

For anyone holding out on buying the original Alesis Midiverb, the Alesis Midiverb II was enough to convince them it was time to jump on board, including Tommy Emmanuel.
Released in 1988

Alesis Microverb Digital Reverb

The Alesis Microverb represents a clear breakthrough in signal processing technology, utilising the Alesis R.I.S.C architecture. The Alesis Microverb provides clean quiet: professional digital reverberation with the cost and simplicity of spring units. The entire digital processing system is contained on a single chip, developed by Alesis.
Released in 1988

Lexicon 480L Digital Effects System

For many engineers, the Lexicon 480L is the pinnacle of digital reverbs and has never been bettered, not by Lexicon or anyone else. The Lexicon 480L came along in 1988 and has remained in place at most studio around the world as it simply cannot be replaced by a plugin according to those who own them and love them.
Released in 1988

Alesis QuadraVerb Digital Effects Processor

BY 1988 Alesis were on a roll, and with the release of the Alesis Quadraverb, they took things to the next level and continued to dominate the market for home recording. The Alesis Qudraverb’s party trick of course, was that it could use up to four different effects, reverb, delay, pitch and equaliser, simultaneously. And it did so with 20k bandwidth!
Released in 1988

Akai AR900 Midi Digital Reverb

Akai could have gone down the path of trying to compete in the lower end of the multi-effects market with the likes of Alesis, but instead aimed to produce a high quality dedicated reverb, with the Akai AR900 being the end result.
Released in 1989

Alesis Microverb II

The Alesis Microverb II represents a clear breakthrough in signal processing technology. Utilising the Alesis R.I.S.C. (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture. The Alesis Microverb II provides clean, quiet, professional digital reverberation with the cost and simplicity of spring units, in a highly compact enclosure.