DP-6 Convolution Reverb - Conclusions?

[mckelly]

Any thoughts on the covo reverb bundled with 6? I am wondering how it compares to Altiverb. I'm determining whether it would be better to upgrade to 6 or to stick with 5 and purchase Altiverb. I know the latter is the standard bearer with respect to convolution processing, however, if there are comparisons to be drawn I would like to hear them.

Thanks,

MK

[richardein]

I prefer Altiverb. More IR"s and they sound better. The DP6 convo, however, is convenient and sounds fine. haven't tried importing any ir's into it.

[Shooshie]

While the Waves convolution reverb and Altiverb may be close to a tie, sonically, I think there is a difference between MOTU's convolution reverb and Altiverb. MOTU's did not sound as "clear" or something like that. Adjectives fail us when we talk about sounds, so I won't attempt to describe it. Maybe someone will load the same IR into each, and post the results in an A/B fashion for us to hear.

Shooshie

[kassonica]

Well I've used it a couple of times now but have not really sat down and tweaked it though and I think it's a massive improvement over the other verbs in DP. I've imported one IR into it that function seems to work just fine and seamlessly.

As for a comparison between Proverb and Altiverb to my ears the Altiverb is just that bit lusher and some of it's IR's (the wendy Carlos 250 plate) are incredible.

Having said that though I can't see why you can't find decent IR's for it (not saying that the one's there aren't any good either as I've only tried a couple) and use them with great results. It's has many more functions then the Altiverb and is very tweakable.

I say that for a bundled plugin it is excellent and too my ears sounds better then the Logic one.

[mckelly]

Thank you for the great responses. In addition to all the other bells and whistles in DP 6, it seems like a no brainer for me then.

I can at least speak for myself, but I'm happy MOTU has finally started bundling more goodies with DP.

MK

[Spikey Horse]

Does the DP6 info say where / by whom/ when/ how the stock IR's were captured?

Just curious really - but I would say, even if Audioease do say so themselves, their long experience in capturing IR's of real spaces is probably a big factor as to why they sound so great. For example some of their earlier IR's do not sound so great compared to the newer ones. (this is a generalization though, plus not all IR's in Altiverb are captured by Audioease).

[Shooshie]

AudioEase definitely has the edge on IR capture. They've been doing this a long time, and I've noticed the same thing. I think they've learned how to approach any new space, especially concert halls. They find the sweet spots and bring home the cream. When recording in a concert hall, I've always spent an irritatingly large amount of time looking for the right place to put the microphones. Moving them a foot in any direction can affect the sound. It's a believe it or not story, but finding the right place to set up (including height) can make cheaper mics sound like the best mics. Well, maybe not really, but it certainly gets you an "upgrade." Stands to reason that the same principle is at work when making IR's. You can tell from the pictures of their setups that they've gotten more persnickety over the years, and they DO sound better now than they did when they started. I've been trying to persuade them to come to Dallas and do our hall. It's an amazing hall, and would be an asset if it were done "right," which would mean with various partition settings in the reverberation baffles that can be set by remote control, if I recall correctly. It's a life-follows-art approach, where reverb is applied in parallel to the main sound, rather than an actual part of the hall. Anyway, AE say they will do it, but that it has to fall within their scheduling somehow. They don't make that many trips to mid-America. Still, the ones they give us are very nice.

Shooshie

[wheever]

I think ProVerb sounds like a tin can on vocals for me, no matter what I do. It's worked for other stuff, but I don't use it on vocals.

[James Steele]

I think ProVerb sounds like a tin can on vocals for me...

Hyperbole alert! It's not that bad at all, IMHO. Granted opinions are just those, but you characterization seems a bit harsh.

[Volantiz]

The big thing about Altiverb is the library. But it is possible to buy really good third party IR-packs that works with proverb. I use this one: MoReVoX - RetròVerb 2.0

If someone can find any similar packages with high quality IRs, please share

[taylor12k]

i use this plug in for strange convolution mangling. using the IRs from Synaesthesia and Kaleidoskopy to achieve strange effects... while i use altiverb for "reverb"...

the nice thing about ProVerb is that you can have a track running... and an open folder of IRs on your desktop, and just drag the .wav or .aif file from the desktop to the ProVerb window and it immediately loads that IR.. so for auditioning IRs, especially when you're looking to it for odd effects, it's amazing. very fast and stable.

i usually do this with the mix at 100% so i'm just getting a stretching and airy sound. this, for me, is one of the best new features in DP6.

but, i agree, that altiverb is still king for the natural reverbs.,. but, we can have both!

[twistedtom]

I like the sound of it but I always adjust the settings to get it to sound the way I want. Best of all it did not cost $500 bucks extra. I must admit I do feel if you make loads of money at music and it is your living it would be wise to buy every tool you can.

[wheever]

I think ProVerb sounds like a tin can on vocals for me...

Hyperbole alert! It's not that bad at all, IMHO. Granted opinions are just those, but you characterization seems a bit harsh.

Now, Now, James, I did qualify it by saying "for me!" And this remains true. I just don't like it on my vocals.