Are you looking for the reverb that best suits your playing style? In this article, we’ll introduce you to all the different types of guitar reverb and detail their sounds and uses:
The different types of reverbs
1. Plate Reverb
Plate Reverb is one of the earliest forms of artificial reverberation. It takes its name from the fact that it uses a suspended metal plate to create sound reflections. Often used in the recording studios of the 1950s and 1960s, Plate Reverb offers a rich, dense sound, characterized by smooth reflections and a warm atmosphere.
It’s ideal for adding vintage ambience and gentle reverberation to your guitar.
2. Spring Reverb
Spring reverb simulates the echo created by metal springs. It is often associated with the tube amplifiers of the 1960s, offering a characteristic surf rock and blues sound. Spring reverb is appreciated for its retro feel and distinctive spring effect.
It’s ideal for creating a retro sound, especially for blues and classic rock.
3. Room Reverb
Room Reverb attempts to reproduce the natural acoustics of a room. It offers a more subtle, natural sound, simulating the echo created by the walls, ceiling and reflective surfaces of a room. Room Reverb is versatile and suitable for a variety of musical styles.
It is ideal for adding a realistic, natural ambience to your sound.
4. Convolution Reverb
Convolution Reverb uses real recordings of acoustic spaces to recreate their sonic signature. The result is an extremely realistic and precise reverberation, ideal for those seeking an authentic rendering. Convolution Reverb is often used in the studio to simulate the acoustics of renowned venues.
It’s ideal for bringing professional studio quality to your recordings.
5. Hall Reverb
Hall Reverb recreates the spacious, majestic acoustics of a concert hall or large-scale hall. This type of reverb offers impressive sonic scope, flooding your signal with multiple reflections. Hall reverb sounds are often used to create epic atmospheres, adding an immersive, cinematic dimension to your music.
Ideal for grandiose compositions and impressive solos, Hall Reverb lends a sense of grandeur to your sound, leaving a memorable imprint on the listener.
6. Gated Reverb
Gated reverb is a reverb that cuts off abruptly after a certain time, creating a dramatic, percussive effect. Popularized in the 1980s, this technique has been used on many iconic recordings. It offers a strong contrast between the dry signal and the reverberation, creating unique, powerful ambiences.
Gated Reverb adds a dynamic, explosive dimension to your sound, ideal for pop, rock and electronic compositions.
7. Shimmer Reverb
Shimmer Reverb adds a celestial touch to your sound by adding higher harmonics to the reverb. This technique creates an ethereal, luminous ambience, often associated with atmospheric soundscapes. Shimmer Reverb is popular in genres such as post-rock, shoegaze and ambient music.
It adds a magical, supernatural dimension, ideal for expansive, evocative sound arrangements.
8. Chamber Reverb
Chamber Reverb simulates the acoustics of a reverberant chamber, offering a more controlled and precise reverberation. Often used in recording studios, Chamber Reverb adds depth without sacrificing clarity. It is particularly suited to recordings where a more discreet reverberation is desired.
Chamber Reverb provides a subtle, elegant ambience, perfect for a wide range of musical styles.
9. Modulated Reverb
Modulated Reverb fuses modulation effects, such as chorus or tremolo, with reverb to create a complex, ever-changing sound texture. This combination brings extra richness and liveliness to your sound, ideal for those seeking sonic experimentation.
Modulated Reverb is often used for ethereal atmospheres and unique instrumental passages, offering a varied and captivating sonic palette.
Analog/digital, how do reverbs work?
Analog Reverb Pedals :
The analog reverb effect usually begins with a transducer, often a spring-loaded chip or a metal plate, depending on the type of reverb. The sound from your guitar is sent through this transducer, which picks up and modifies the signal by simulating sound reflections from a reflective surface. The processed signal is then mixed with the dry (unprocessed) signal to create the desired reverberation effect. The reverb level can be adjusted using the pedal controls.
Analog reverb pedals are appreciated for their warm, organic sound. They are often sensitive to playing dynamics, producing subtle responses according to the intensity of the guitarist’s playing.
Digital Reverb Pedals :
The guitar signal is converted from analog to digital at the pedal input. The digital signal is then processed by a built-in digital processor, which simulates the reverberation using algorithms. Once digital processing is complete, the signal is converted back to analog and sent to the amplifier.
Digital reverb pedals often offer a greater variety of effects and adjustable parameters. They can produce reverberation that is often more precise and realistic, thanks to sophisticated algorithms. Many digital pedals also save and recall presets, offering great flexibility on stage or in the studio.
Recognized reverb pedals
Strymon BigSky
The Strymon BigSky is a digital reverb pedal renowned for its high-quality reverb algorithms and versatility. It offers a wide range of reverb types, from room sounds to more experimental ambiences. With intuitive controls and the ability to save presets, it’s equally popular with guitarists in the studio and on stage.
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail
The Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail is a simple yet powerful analog reverb pedal. It offers classic spring, Plate and Hall sounds, with a warm, organic tone. The simplicity of its design makes it a popular choice for those seeking a basic reverb with exceptional sound quality.
Boss RV-6
The Boss RV-6 is a versatile digital reverb pedal offering a variety of effects, from classic reverb to more modern ambiences. It also features Shimmer and Dynamic modes, allowing guitarists to explore unique sound textures.
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath
The EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath is an experimental reverb pedal that pushes the boundaries of creativity. It creates massive, textured reverberations, perfect for soaring atmospheres and experimental ambiences. With unique controls such as “Length” and “Diffuse”, it offers infinite possibilities for sculpting unique soundscapes.
TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2
The TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 is a versatile digital reverb pedal featuring a variety of reverberant effects, including modulated reverbs and shimmer sounds. One of its distinctive features is the “Mash” mode, which allows guitarists to modulate the effect according to the pressure exerted on the pedal, adding an expressive dimension to their playing.
