Able to warp across distant galaxies with a simple knob twist, Eventide Blackhole offers an otherworldly reverb plugin to musicians of all styles. Featuring an easy to use interface similar to MangledVerb or UltraTap, Blackhole lets you begin your journey with minimal effort. Of course, it sounds great!
Eventide Blackhole Features
The Same Classic Reverb Algorithm from the H8000FW, DSP4000
Intuitive User Interface
Mono/Stereo I/O
Ribbon Control and Hotswitch
50 Presets from Richard Devine, Sigur Ros, Flood, Vernon Reid, and more
In short, Blackhole is one of the top reverb plugins on the market. If you specialize in spacerock, space ambient, or simply space, put it on your shortlist. We highly recommend it.
The Intuitive Eventide Plugin Interface
As noted earlier, Blackhole sports a similar interface as MangledVerb, UltraTap, and other Eventide plugins with the same virtual form factor. The familiar Hotswitch and ribbon controller let you switch between parameter settings in unique and intuitive ways. The knobs and other controls are laid out in an easy to follow manner.
Eventide Blackhole sports an intuitive interface. Image by author.
A menu bar at the top of the plugin helps you manage presets – both your own and 50 from a few industry legends, like Richard Devine, Sigur Ros, and Flood. Input and output faders – each with its own meter – frame Blackhole’s interface on both sides. Expect no problems simply diving in and using Blackhole, and its mono/stereo I/O provides additional flexibility for your setup.
The Classic Eventide Reverb Sound
Blackhole first appeared as an algorithm in Eventide’s hardware effects units, like the DSP4000 and the H8000. Its huge sense of space makes it useful for musical applications set among the stars. We previously noted that if you are a spacerocker or take part in spacey ambient projects, this reverb plugin lies directly in your wheelhouse.
The Gravity knob serves as Blackhole’s decay parameter. The leftmost settings are used for reverse reverb, giving the plugin additional flexibility. The rightmost settings are suitable for intergalactic voyages. Use Gravity in tandem with the Size parameter to dial-in the reverb of your otherworldly desires.
Predelay works as expected; letting you control the time before the reverb effect begins. Syncing it to the tempo in your DAW is another option. The Low and High parameters provide a measure of filtering to the overall effect; use these with the resonance parameter for additional fun.
The Mod Depth and Rate controls add a subtle sense of movement to the reverb. It also can lessen the ringing in the overall sound. Slamming the Feedback parameter lets you take your reverb to infinity. The Sigur Ros preset uses this to great effect. As Nigel Tufnel would say: “you can go out and have a bite and you’d still be hearing that one.”
Ultimately, Eventide Blackhole ranks as one of the top reverb plugins on the market. Of course, as a psychedelic electronic spacerock musician, I’m likely biased a bit. Give it a whirl in your setup to truly travel those mystic galaxies.
When it comes to excellent effects, musicians have trusted Eventide for decades. This golden rule applies to both hardware and software. Their legendary status throughout the industry remains unchanged.
Recently, the company released Anthology XI, the latest version of its “all-in-one” plugin bundle. If you are in the market for a full library of effects, this needs to be on your short list. We previously reviewed MangledVerb, UltraTap, and Fission (now known as Physion); all three are included in Anthology XI.
Don’t forget there are over 2,900 presets included in the Anthology bundle; some from music industry legends, like Suzanne Ciani, Vernon Reid, and Tony Visconti. Over the next few months, expect additional full reviews of most of effects contained within Eventide Anthology XI. This page serves as an overview of the entire collection, while also providing a landing spot for our complete reviews of the individual plugins.
Note that Anthology XI is available for $1,799, but a variety of update plans are available if you own previous Anthology versions as well as individual Eventide plugins. Some options are a cheap as a few hundred dollars. A 30-day fully-functional free demo is also available.
Eventide Anthology XI Effect List
Let’s provide a quick overview of all 22 Anthology plugins, along with a link to our full review if available.
H3000 Band Delays
Looking for something to split an audio signal by frequency band, which then lets you add delay or other tweaks to each separate band? If so, Eventide’s H3000 Band Delays plugin needs to be in your wheelhouse. Expect our full review in the future.
H3000 Factory
The H3000 Factory provides a software simulation of Eventide’s classic H3000 Ultra-Harmonizer. Combining pitch, delay, modulation, and filtering, its in-studio applications abound. A TabMuse review of the H3000 plugin is also on the way.
Octavox
Not only useful for vocal harmonization, Eventide Octavox is able to process any incoming tone, including synths, guitars, and even drums. Panning and delay are also possible, adding some rhythmic flexibility to the proceedings. Our full review is coming down the pike.
Physion
Physion, formerly known as Fission, serves well as both a utility and experimental effect. Able to split an audio signal into its transient and tonal components, Fiss-uh-Physion lets you tweak both signals with a host of delays, reverbs, and more. Check out our full review here.
Fission — now Physion — in action in the studio. Photo by author.
Quadravox
Similar to Octavox, Quadravox performs similar harmonization functionality with four voices. Expect us to cover both of Eventide’s “vox” plugins in one overarching review someday soon.
UltraTap
Essentially a tap delay on steroids, UltraTap offers everything from mindfreaked rhythmic delays to huge reverberated swells. It’s one of the most fun plugins in the Anthology collection. Check out the TabMuse review at this convenient link.
Eventide UltraTap in action. Photo by author.
2016 Stereo Room
Searching for a top notch reverb plugin? Look no further than Eventide 2016 Stereo Room. Yes, that was a vintage year for reverberation. Expect us to dive into a full review shortly.
Blackhole
Got space? Eventide Blackhole does. A reverb plugin capable of simulating otherworldly large spaces and more, Blackhole is perfect for spacerockers and ambient musicians. Check out our full review.
MangledVerb
When you need a mashup between state of the art distortion and that classic Eventide reverb, MangledVerb is your choice. It works great on synths and drums in our studio. We’ve got a full review for your perusal.
MangledVerb in action. Check out that Guy Evans beat. Photo by author.
Tverb
No, Tverb isn’t a reverb with an endorsement from Mr. T. The “T” belongs to Tony, as in Visconti, the legendary producer of David Bowie and others. It even lets you place virtual microphones within a simulation of Berlin’s Hansa Tonstudios, so you can be heroes. We’ll be reviewing this shortly.
UltraReverb
UltraReverb serves as the Swiss Army Knife within Eventide’s plugin collection. Comprised of nine high-end reverb algorithms from Eventide hardware units, this is one reverb you need in your DAW. A review is soon-come.
FL201 Instant Flanger
This flanger plugin is modeled from the mid-70s hardware original. Current Anthology owners will be able to download it when it becomes available.
According to Eventide: “The current version of the FL201 Instant Flanger plug-in is not yet available stand alone because it falls short of capturing the distinct organic sonic quality of the hardware.”
H910 Harmonizer
The H910 Harmonizer is the plugin version of the world’s first digital processor. Expect a wide range of in-studio uses; something perfect for experimentation. A dual version of the effect is also part of the package. Our review is on the way.
H949 Harmonizer
The H949 Harmonizer takes the H910 to another level, just like the hardware original. The fact Jimmy Page and Suzanne Ciani both loved the 949 is enough recommendation. Expect a full TabMuse review someday.
Omnipressor
The first dynamic processor ever gets its own software plugin. Eventide Omnipressor warrants experimentation with your own compression needs. Our review arrives soon.
PS101 Instant Phaser
The PS101 Instant Phaser models the original hardware unit, which holds a revered status as one of the first hardware effects units ever made. So there.
As with the FL201, its actual release is delayed. Eventide: “The current version of the PS101 Instant Phaser plug-in is not yet available stand alone because it falls short of capturing the distinct organic sonic quality of the hardware.”
EChannel
EChannel serves well as a DAW channel strip with low CPU overhead. A gate, EQ, and compressor highlight its functionality. Expect our review later this year.
EQ 45
The Eventide EQ 45 plugin simulates the classic Urei 545 equalizer. A parametric EQ with Butterworth filters, EQ 45 provides a host of useful functionality. Our review is soon-come, likely paired with the EQ 65.
EQ 65
The EQ 65 works in a similar manner as its brother, but this time simulating the Urei 565 Filter Set. Eventide calls it the “Frequency MacGyver.” Their wittiness will be celebrated in our upcoming review.
Precision Time Align
Precision Time Align – as its name hints – lets you slide a track forward or backward in time. This is a perfect utility for getting the right feel in a song. We will try and slide our full review forward in time.
UltraChannel
A more robust channel strip than its little brother, the EChannel, UltraChannel provides a host of Eventide’s effects in one convenient swoop. Dynamics, pitch shifting, EQ, delay, and more are all included. Expect our review in good time.
Obviously, Eventide Anthology XI provides the perfect way to get all of the company’s plugins in one “package.” Keep checking back on this full review page as we link to our individual reviews once they are added.
