Best Free Stereo Reverb Vst
- Best Free Stereo Reverb Vst Software
- Best Free Vst Reverb Plugins
- Best Free Stereo Reverb Vst Plugins
- Best Reverb Vst For Vocals
- Spring Reverb Vst Free
- Before we dive into the best free reverb vst plugin. Since we know the importance of using reverb, I would be recommending some of the best free reverb effects plugins in the music production scene right now. TAL-Reverb 3 is designed to be used as a stereo plate plug-in, which is the replacement of its predecessor (TAL-Reverb-II).
- Next in our “Best of Free VST” series, we scoured the internet for five of the best free reverb plugins out there to get your feet (and sounds) wet. All the plugins listed have versions compatible with both Mac and Windows and are relatively up-to-date with current operating systems.
- MangledVerb combines reverb and distortion to give you a stunning effect, it sends a stereo reverb into distortion, and when that is done, you get a plugin that is capable of creating lush reverbs, ripping distortion leads and sound-sculpting musical chaos.
- 7 Best Free Stereo Widener VST/AU plugins for Music Producers on a Budget Getting a wide stereo sound in mixes or recordings is one of the most desired techniques in music production. And as there are actual ways you can accomplish this using recording techniques like Blumlein or mid-side techniques, we often find that we need to apply stereo.
Getting a wide stereo sound in mixes or recordings is one of the most desired techniques in music production.
And as there are actual ways you can accomplish this using recording techniques like Blumlein or mid-side techniques, we often find that we need to apply stereo widening to already recorded tracks within our DAW.
One of the best ways to do this is with a dedicated software plugin. Quite likely, your DAW may have something within the lines of a stereo widener, and there are many good quality paid versions out there.
But we decided to take a look at some of the best free stereo widener VST and AU plugins available for download in this guide. Let’s check ’em out!
Best Reverbs VST Plugins 2020: Similar Articles. The 8 Best Free Reverb VST Plugins (2020) How to make a beat in FL Studio. 5 Best Audio Interfaces on a Budget Our Top Picks (2020) Ultimate List of FREE Sample Packs in 2020. 64-bit 2018 2019 analog au bass best DAW delay Download easy Editor edm eq fm free free. download full fx help high sierra hip hop izotope MAC mastering microsoft mixing mojave native instruments osx os x plugin Plugins release reverb sine sound design studio synth synthesizer techno trance vst windows working.
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Free Stereo Width Plugins
Here we go over some of the most effective free stereo widening plug-instructor available, all of which can do a great job of making individual tracks bigger and wider.
With simplified control and undeniably great sound, these free plug-ins are excellent alternatives to costly and impractical hardware solutions and esoteric studio techniques.
The List
Plugin Roundup
iZotope’s Ozone Imager is the free standalone plug-in version of the imaging technology found in the company’s own Ozone mastering suite. Although it has a much simpler set of controls than its more fully-featured counterpart, Ozone Imager is nevertheless capable of narrowing or widening the stereo image of your audio to a remarkably precise degree.
Like most of the components of Ozone, Imager provides immediate visual feedback that enables intuitive setting of the parameters. The plug-in even has a vectorscope and a correlation meter that aid in precision sound-staging during mixing and mastering.
Best Free Stereo Reverb Vst Software
Voxengo’s Stereo Touch employs mid/side coding in transforming the most basic mono sources into rich stereophonic tracks. Best suited to mono sources that don’t have a lot of sharp transients, it is especially effective for widening acoustic and electric guitars, synthesizer pads, and vocals. With the spacious and expansive “surround” produced by this plug-in, you no longer have to devote time and channel space to double tracking.
Stereo Touch also works on multi-channel input signals, processing each one independently as separate mono signals. The stereo streams are then combined to produce a single stereo signal at the output.
Whether you are looking for a quick way to add stereo imaging or you want to widen a mono source, Stereo Touch will deliver like a champ.
A1Audio’s A1StereoControl does exactly what it says on the tin: give you precise control over stereo imaging. Even though it is equipped only with a single knob, you can expand or limit your tracks’ stereo width to a remarkable degree.
One of the best things about A1StereoControl is how easily it helps you sidestep a common issue when “stereoizing” bass sounds. The plug-in has a “Safe Bass” algorithm that centers all the low frequencies below a user definable threshold. This keeps bass and other low-end sounds right at the center of the stereo spread, where they won’t cause any phasing issues.
Even without the dedicated mid/side controls found in other imaging plug-ins, A1StereoControl prevents your low end from causing any issues when collapsed to mono.
MeldaProduction’s MAutopan is more of a panning plug-in than a dedicated stereo imager, but it is quite a capable one at that. The plug-in employs a unique modulation system that consists of continuously adjustable oscillators. Each of these oscillators may combine predefined shapes, custom waveforms, and algorithmic post-processing.
The result is a tremendous degree of control by which you can define the stereo placement of your sounds.
MAutopan actually handles more than just mono and stereo sources. The plug-in is also capable of processing up to eight channels of surround audio, making it a useful tool for game and film audio production.
QuickQuak Audio’s UpStereo is a sort of classic in stereo imaging circles, with a set of simple controls that can make short work of stereoizing any mono source. It employs a fixed frequency EQ, a stereo widening unit, and a loud switch, all of which result in bigger, wider, and louder tracks.
Unlike most other stereo widening plug-ins, UpStereo comes with an option to push the sound into overdrive. Combined with the stereo widening capabilities of the unit, this makes it possible to produce individual sounds that stand out without the need for extensive processing.
Brainworx’s bx_solo is a free stereo imaging plug-in offered for free to everyone who signs up at Plugin Alliance. Employing the infinitely useful m/s processing technique, it gives you a surprising degree of control over the placement of sounds in the stereo spread.
A comprehensive range of solo features are included with the bx_solo, giving you the ability to hear the left, right, middle, and side channels while tweaking. This feature alone adds a lot of functionality to any DAW, very few of which allow for such flexibility.
Xfer Records’ Dimension Expander is a spatial expander modeled after the popular Boss/Roland Dimension D chorus effect. By splitting audio into four parts, flipping the phase of two streams and then delaying them, the plug-in produces rich, lush, and wide textures that retains punch and clarity.
Admittedly, the Dimension Expander is a bit of a one-trick pony. But the trick is a pretty damn impressive one.
And considering the relative rarity and cost of the Dimension D in the vintage market, this free plug-in will make a welcome addition to your suite of stereo imaging plug-ins.
Top Pick
The Ozone Imager is pretty much the one to beat in this roundup. Offering all the flexibility, control, and great sound that iZotope has become known for, it can handle most every stereo widening need you can think of and then some.
That being said, the Voxengo Stereo Touch, the A1StereoControl, and MAutopan all deserve special mention as well. Going well beyond the capabilities offered by most stereo imaging plug-ins, and or all of these three will find a welcome place in any mix engineer’s arsenal.
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.
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. 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
Best Free Vst Reverb Plugins
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
Best Free Stereo Reverb Vst Plugins
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…
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.
Best Reverb Vst For Vocals
Plate, spring, convolution, algorithmic and non-linear reverbs all have helpful applications in your music.
Spring Reverb Vst Free
Try any of the plugins from this list see how the how the different types work for you.