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Old 01-09-2016, 04:33 AM   #1
BerkeleyBernie
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Default Favorite (free/cheap) reverbs for simple acoustic guitar + baritone vocal?

I don't plan on doing anything too sophisticated for a while, focusing on singer/songwriter guitar + vocals (baritone), and sometimes just guitar instrumental. I've got decent mics and pres, so, other than my currently untreated room (to be addressed in the future), I can get pretty decent sounding tracks.

With all the options out there, I'm looking for recommendations on reverbs for this application, whether impulses to throw in Reaverb, or plugins (I'm on a Mac). Wouldn't mind suggestions on compressor plugins or EQ as well, or whole chains you like (for the voice, and separately for the guitar). I've spent most of what I want to spend, other than room treatment, so I'm looking for free to cheap here.

I've started mid/side recording the guitar, which I like. I'll try some simultaneous recording, but most likely to record the guitar first, then do vocal takes later.

So what do you like for subtle treatment of this kind of material?

Thanks.
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Old 01-09-2016, 06:24 AM   #2
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For eq and reverb, Reacomp and ReaEq should cover most of your needs.
Free and good sounding reverb are : Tila, EpicVerb.

For cheap, you can try Klanghelm plugins, Valhalla reverbs, TDR eq and comp...
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Old 01-09-2016, 07:03 AM   #3
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some impulse response files (to drag into reaverb):
http://www.samplicity.com/bricasti-m...lse-responses/
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Old 01-09-2016, 08:14 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BerkeleyBernie View Post
So what do you like for subtle treatment of this kind of material?
PSP 2445. I recommend at least giving the demo a spin. I rarely recommend anything to anyone as there are so many great options these days and folks' tastes are so varied. But for acoustic guitar and vox this thing is really nice. I've only had it a week or so. I recorded something and used it on an aux for the vox. I spent some time trying to track down how my vocal sounded as if it was very, very subtly double tracked. I totally loved the effect but I had not routed anything anywhere so I figured another take had sneaked in to the main vox by accident via the Reaper mega-routing. Nope. It was a lucky freak of the 2445 preset I'd created. Anyhoo, this is my favourite for minimalist git/vox. Very clear, simple GUI and really easy to dial parameters in quickly. Sounds beautiful on certain material.



ns
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Old 01-09-2016, 12:03 PM   #5
BerkeleyBernie
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PSP 2445. I recommend at least giving the demo a spin. I rarely recommend anything to anyone as there are so many great options these days and folks' tastes are so varied. But for acoustic guitar and vox this thing is really nice. I've only had it a week or so. I recorded something and used it on an aux for the vox. I spent some time trying to track down how my vocal sounded as if it was very, very subtly double tracked. I totally loved the effect but I had not routed anything anywhere so I figured another take had sneaked in to the main vox by accident via the Reaper mega-routing. Nope. It was a lucky freak of the 2445 preset I'd created. Anyhoo, this is my favourite for minimalist git/vox. Very clear, simple GUI and really easy to dial parameters in quickly. Sounds beautiful on certain material.
Just looking at the video demo, I like the simplicity of controls, should be able to quickly dial in exactly one's desired ambience. Nice natural tone. I'll try the demo, and keep in mind for when I feel I have something worth the extra expense.
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Old 01-09-2016, 12:20 PM   #6
BerkeleyBernie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sinkmusic View Post
For eq and reverb, Reacomp and ReaEq should cover most of your needs.
Free and good sounding reverb are : Tila, EpicVerb.

For cheap, you can try Klanghelm plugins, Valhalla reverbs, TDR eq and comp...
I downloaded the Klanghelm MJUCjr the other day, looks like a good simple compressor. Unfortunately, the Tila and EpicVerb are Win only.
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Old 01-09-2016, 05:47 PM   #7
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These verbs i've used over the years and i found then all ok
for certain things ( some are better than others for different scenarios )

Ambience - Smartelectronix
MVerb - Martin Eastwood
OldSkoolVerb - Voxengo

There are some others but not sure about Mac versions ( i'm on Win ) these i think ! are for Mac also.

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Old 01-09-2016, 06:37 PM   #8
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one of the best ones i've found over several years has been freeverb2, not to be confused with freeverbToo or freeverb3

it's kind of hard to find now, but i could upload a copy if you need it.
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Old 01-09-2016, 07:40 PM   #9
BerkeleyBernie
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Originally Posted by Nystagmus View Post
one of the best ones i've found over several years has been freeverb2, not to be confused with freeverbToo or freeverb3

it's kind of hard to find now, but i could upload a copy if you need it.
Found this, but Mac version doesn't appear to be a standard format.
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/GVerb#Freeverb2

Sure, please upload, I'd like to check it out. Thanks.
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Old 01-10-2016, 07:47 AM   #10
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Tal reverb 4

Voxengo old Skool verb

Reaverb with voxengo impulses

TDR Nova is fantastic for your purposes

Ignite amps PTeq-1a is a lovely pultec style EQ for taming lows and highs

Mjuc Jr is free and a great comp

Check out Stillwell The Rocket for a super fast comp, great for vocal and acoustic

Limiter No6 has a great compressor section
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Old 01-10-2016, 12:47 PM   #11
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Bang for the buck reverbs is Valhalla for me.
Have the Room and trying to decide between the vintage verb and shimmer for the next one.

At $50 a pop you wont find much else in the rice range that sounds as classy.
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Old 01-11-2016, 10:24 PM   #12
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Thanks for all the suggestions. I've downloaded a bunch and will play around, sure to be some that will satisfy my present needs.
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Old 01-12-2016, 12:46 AM   #13
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No one mentioned the Sanford Reverb, which is number 3 on BPB top 50 free VST of 2015. I've not really had much chance to play aroud with it but it does sound (and look ) pretty good.

http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2015...sanford-reverb
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Old 01-12-2016, 01:53 AM   #14
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No one mentioned the Sanford Reverb, which is number 3 on BPB top 50 free VST of 2015. I've not really had much chance to play aroud with it but it does sound (and look ) pretty good.

http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2015...sanford-reverb
First one I found, looks great, but PC only.
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Old 01-12-2016, 07:58 AM   #15
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all reverbs are free if you know where to look

just bring the recording of your bass, a PA and a field recorder to a cave, an airplane cockpit, wherever they let you. then you can have all the free reverbs you need.
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Old 01-12-2016, 11:28 AM   #16
BerkeleyBernie
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all reverbs are free if you know where to look

just bring the recording of your bass, a PA and a field recorder to a cave, an airplane cockpit, wherever they let you. then you can have all the free reverbs you need.
Haha, I actually plan to do that, have a Zoom H5. My apartment stairs hallway is a pretty nice chamber, often sit out there with my guitar. Any tips or links on setups for good results (i.e. where to set up mics in relationship to speaker, what mic type/configuration, etc)?

Maybe just use one figure 8 mic, null pointed at speaker, then dupe track and flip polarity like in M/S recording?
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