I bit the bullet, took the plunge, crossed the rubicon…
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.
