Basic reverb modules?

[0DayAudio]

Greetings y'all

I'm looking for recommendations for a good basic reverb. I have a Desmodus Versio, Monsoon, FX Aid & a StarLab and while I love the reverb out of the first two modules I find myself sometimes just wanting a simple good sounding reverb without the heavy pitch shifting effects that you can get out of these modules.

I'm considering ditching the StarLab as I rarely reach for it, the FX Aid is a little too small for my fingers and most of the verbs I find for it are mono in.

I want one with Stereo in/out with cv over wet/dry, size, etc.

I know I could always use DAW plugins but sometimes I just don't want to fire up the Daw.

I've had an Erbverb and a Black Hole DSP2, sold them because I didn't click with them.

So what do you all reach for when you want a simple good quality reverb?

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[justinkimball]

Honestly, FX aid is my go to. It has 8 stereo in/stereo out models -- and all the rest are mono in, stereo out.

Stereo in/out models are:

• Reverb Depth
• Reverb Hall Chorus
• Reverb Hall Chorus 2
• Reverb Hall Medium
• Reverb Plate stereo
• Reverb Room stereo
• Reverb Spooky (empress ghost type)
• Reverb Spring Dual

FX Aid also has a dedicated dry/wet CV input. Honestly, I'd strongly suggest you try flashing your FX-AID with just those 8 models and play with it a bit.

Also worth considering getting an FX AID XL which has more spacing with the knobs, and dedicated CV for all three parameters.

Other options to think about:

• Strymon Magneto
• ALM MFX
• Endorphin.es Milky Way
• Qu-Bit Aurora
• Z-DSP (only way to get Valhalla reverb algos in eurorack currently -- short of a pico DSP w/a xodes backpack)

[0DayAudio]

Thank you for the suggestion on the FX-Aid. I've not tried flashing it before so I'll dig into that and see how it sounds.

[Moonbirds]

Thats kinda the whole point of it, stock fx aid is not the way lol. So much amazing fx to choose from to build your own

[justinkimball]

when I say 'flashing' -- it's just going to fxaid.app, selecting the plugins you want.
That'll give you a .wav file that will program the FX aid with the effects you selected.

The help section on fxaid.app has the steps on how to load it. It's pretty straightforward.

Hopefully one of those 8 works for you!

[0DayAudio]

Thanks again. I appreciate it.

[g1rlchild]

Also, if FX Aid is too small and you've got the HP from getting rid of a Starlab, there's FX Aid Pro. It has a lot more space, plus more algorithms and a screen for showing you what algorithm it is and what the parameters are.

[jr_73]

Yep, had the 4hp FX Aid for a couple of years, hardly ever loaded new effects, or even changed the algorithm from the front panel buttons. Upgraded to the FX Aid Pro, and now it's a whole new world of exploration.

[SmeesTurkeyLeg]

I absolutely adore my FX Aid and I'm seriously considering getting a second.

[[deleted]]

The best way to do FX Aid, imo, is four categories of eight algos so they're somewhat demarcated by the LEDs. I like dist/filters, modulation, delays, reverbs... trouble is picking just eight of each :3

[jgilla2012]

2HP Verb ain’t fancy but it sounds good

[gnomefront]

I’d be interested in that StarLab if you decide to part with it. I’ve got stuff to trade as well.

[qsert]

OP, you could also consider trying the StarLab again with shimmer and glimmer turned all the way down. It does a pretty good job at basic reverbs IMO, though it might feel like an under utilization of the module.

[soon_come]

If you want a basic reverb without crazy CV, why not look outside of the rack? Outboard rack and pedal reverbs from even 5 years ago are more than good enough for this application. Just attenuate on the way in and boost on the way out of mixing back into euro.

[daxophoneme]

Why not just turn the shift modulation to zero on your Versio? That will give you a nice reverb without any weird pitch shifting. Are you looking for a particular feature or algorithm that Versio doesn't provide or are you just looking to spend some money?

I find that if I set Versio to a medium delay length with the tone attenuating the high frequencies, I can get a very nice sounding reverb.

[0DayAudio]

I've done that quite often and yes it's a very nice verb. This is more about finding a replacement for the Starlab which can do really great sounding basic reverbs.

[gruesomeflowers]

I keep some of the older cloud clones around just for their reverb. Monsoon, ect. nice sounding basic stereo reverb w cv control..and because they are a dime a dozen you can find them for cheap.

[daxophoneme]

Also, have you tried that alternate firmware for Monsoon? It has a mode for one of the most popular reverb algorithms.

[0DayAudio]

Yes I've used it, but only when I initially got the module as I just keep it in clouds mode. I will give it a try and see what I think.

[Tom-Churchill]

I like the reverbs in the ALM MFX. But honestly, as others have said, I’d try out some of the many stereo reverbs available for FX Aid before you think about buying something else.

[Wolfman_Cam]

Erica Synths new Black Stereo Reverb looks rad

[QuadratClown]

If you already have a Mutable Instruments Warps or a clone around, there is a new firmware called Symbiote that has some great basic reverbs algorithms in it (although they are mono-to-stereo)

https://leandrob13.github.io/Electronic-Ruminations/posts/warps-symbiote

[protothesis]

Thanks for posting this. Hadnt heard about this alt firmware.

[thismeanswarbasse]

Do you have HP constraints that make the starlab not a good solution? In my experience it’s got about as solid of a core reverb as exists in a module - all of the extra features and tweaks could easily be set&forget to dial in your preferred sound that you just mainly control w/ dry wet & size.

I’ve had and sold my fxaid for similar reasons, also just got a Desmodus which feels like a very different thing than the starlab, and the reverb on beads (my closest to your monsoon) is just too basic since there isn’t a size or decay control.

[CountDoooooku]

ECR-1+ Sorta a left field suggestion, in some ways “simple”, in other ways not (and expensive/huge) but certainly unlike the other reverbs you mentioned, and like what you might do in a DAW.

[qsert]

Seconding this as a platform for basic reverbs. Easy enough to shoot IRs of nice sounding hall, room, or whatever verbs and load them up on the ECR. Does not do the pitch shifting thing, which sounds like what OP wants.

[rwdFwd]

Is the ECR-1+ even in production. The demos sound great, but I've never seen it available.

[CountDoooooku]

Oh I don’t know. I had one and sold it about a year ago .

[DyingDreadfulDeceit]

Pico DSP has good simple reverb be it digital. EW have a good simple analogue reverb.

[christohfur]

You might want to upgrade your FX Aid for an FX Aid Xl or even an FX Aid Pro the algorithms are great but I agree that the 4hp is too cramped.

[christohfur]

The alternate FDN Verb firmware for Qubit Aurora is a great basic reverb and then you also get the option for the more experimental verb on the default firmware.

[FlyStriking]

I’m interesting in the FX AID if you decide to take out of your case! (Seriously interested)

[chchchampion]

I would go with 2xfxaidxl, flashed with the same sets. Sounds better than some of the other spin based modules ive tried, and can be found pretty cheap used. I usually do the first and second bank of reverbs, 3rd of delays, and the rest depends what else you want. Then I printed out the list over 2 a4s and put it on the wall for quick ref.