Music • Sound • Video • Art

Well, maybe nothing that dramatic.

For years I’ve been jonesin’ for a “professional” convolution reverb like Audioease’s Altiverb. I’ve got some freeware, shareware convolution plugs around, and a ton of algorhithmic reverbs (and some very good ones too). But Logic’s Space Designer is about it on the convolution front for me, so unless I’m using LOGIC, I really don’t have anything.

I remember when Altiverb was released as the first convolution reverb plug-in 2001. It was expensive. The sound was amazing. But if I remember correctly, there was little on offer in the way of editing to tailor the sound and there was certainly no automation of parameters in real time. Those three things stuck in my head: Amazing sound, limited editing, expensive.

Fast forward a decade. I’ve been toodling away with Space Designer, importing IRs, modifying envelopes, adjusting parameters and generally getting decent results. I half-way pay attention and watch Altiverb evolve. Ah, but it’s expensive, and rigid, right? So it’s not much of an option.

Then VSL release Mir. Wow. Editable parameters, gorgeous interface, interesting technology. The demos are amazing, and the flexibility compared to Space Designer is incredible…whoa VERY expensive (and Windows only for the moment). Onward…

Still, I keep hearing references to the superior sound and options available in Altiverb. Hetoryn is grappling with the same issues in his VSL podcasts. He eventually plops down the cash to pick up Altiverb 5. (This podcast is from 2006; I’m working my way through the back catalog of podcasts.) He then proceeds to wax poetic about the product and, most helpfully, provides a couple of examples of songs mixed with Space Designer and with Altiverb. Even in my noisy little Prius I can hear the difference.

So I check out the announcement for Altiverb 7 at NAMM…

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Hmmm. Folks who buy Altiverb 6 now get a free update to Altiverb 7 when released. Hmmm.

Then I check out the video demos for Altiverb 6…

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Whoa. This thing …is REALLY FLEXIBLE. You can automate parameters pretty much IN REAL TIME. The IRs and interface make this as much a sound design tool as a great reverb…

…AND Sweetwater has it available on its 3 payment plan and via electronic delivery.

So I’m done. I installed it last night…!

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A couple of quick observations. I’ll post more later:

Worth the stretch if you can do it...

• The sound quality IS amazing.
• The editing options are phenomenal.
• You know when you are dealing with a mature, professional tool because the design and interface make almost intuitive sense. This of course impacts your workflow in positive ways.

Well, gotta run. Do check out the links. And think about the stretch to get this (if it is a stretch for you). It appears to be well worth it (and I wish I had done this earlier).