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Tag: reverb effects

  • Surf’s Up with the Fuse Audio Labs VREV-63 Reverb Plugin

    Surf’s Up with the Fuse Audio Labs VREV-63 Reverb Plugin

    In the market for a new spring reverb plugin? Check out the new Fuse Audio Labs VREV-63! It promises those vintage 60s sound spaces suitable for old-school and new-school music projects. The skeuomorphic guitar amp user interface also hearkens back to the Surf Music era. Check out the following press release for more details.

    Fuse Audio Labs VREV-63 1
    The VREV-63’s interface provides that vintage guitar amp feel. Image courtesy Fuse Audio Labs.
    Fuse VREV-73 2
    The rear of the VREV-63 interface also provides that vintage guitar amp feel. Image courtesy Fuse Audio Labs.

    Fuse Audio Labs launches VREV-63 Surf Spring Reverb plug-in as ripping reincarnation of celebrated Sixties-vintage tube-driven spring reverb

    DUESSELDORF, GERMANY: truly analog-sounding plugins developer Fuse Audio Labs is proud to introduce its VREV-63 Surf Spring Reverb plug-in — presented as a ripping reincarnation of a celebrated Sixties-vintage tube-driven spring reverb recognized as the godfather of surf guitar sound — as of February 9…

    By being hooked up in front of an amp, the splashy sound of the mysterious box from which VREV-63 draws its inspiration has, itself, inspired countless dub, garage, jazz, reggae, rockabilly, and spaghetti western artists.

    Arguably even easier to use than the real thing — certainly more convenient in a modern music production environment, VREV-63‘s reverb intensity and time are set with the DWELL knob, while the TONE control allows the treble to be dialed back to just the right degree of brightness. A fundamental — yet switchable — part of the lush sound is the famous tone suck effect that impacts high frequencies, emerging from the authentic emulation of the tone and mixer circuits.

    Faithfully following in the original’s flexible footsteps, VREV-63 is greatly enhanced by some popular modifications, including the CAP (capacitor) C10 mod for a deeper and richer reverb sound, easy tube rolling between a NOS 6K6 and the hotter 6V6, and a selection of three different spring tanks — namely, 3-SPRING, SHORT, and STOCK. Thanks to its integrated KICK UNIT, users can also enjoy ‘kicking’ the reverb all night long — no need to kick their precious hardware to achieve the same sound anymore and risk damaging it in the process!

    Put it this way: “Its juicy reputation is well earned, and yet this outstanding reverb is by no means limited to surf expeditions, twangy splatter sounds, or crazy freak endeavors.” So says Fuse Audio Labs CEO Reimund Dratwa, concluding, “Time has proved it to sound equally beautiful and different on strings, synths, vocals, and many other instruments as well — just give it a ride… the springs are calling!” 

    VREV-63 is available at an attractive 50%-discounted introductory promo price of only $29.00 USD until March 9, 2024 — rising thereafter to its regular price of $59.00 USD — directly from its dedicated webpage, which includes more in-depth information, here: https://fuseaudiolabs.com/vrev63.html

    Note that 14-day trial versions of all Fuse Audio Labs plugins without any restrictions are also available to download for free from here: https://fuseaudiolabs.com/plugins.html

    Get a feel for VREV-63 while watching Fuse Audio Labs’ lust-inducing introductory video here:

  • Review: Travel Deep Space with Eventide Blackhole

    Review: Travel Deep Space with Eventide Blackhole

    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
    • Tempo Sync with Host DAW
    • Supports Most Popular Plugin Formats
    • Available as Part of Eventide Anthology XI or Separately

    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
    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.


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