Definitive Guide to Plug-In Reverbs

Man, I gave up. Went back to the KSP8.

....but, the built in IR reverbs in Cubase and Logic both do fine for me for most things, as they both have actual stereo input matrices, which is a big f'n deal the way I use reverb-and it turns out VERY few plug ins do. Space Designer (Logic) seems to have a smoother sound (might just be the IRs?)....I have the LexiPCM bundle for lush "reverb as effect".

It's funny, I just got back into demo mode....you know--when you have other things you really NEED to do so instead you demo new plug ins? Anyway--I pulled up the latest 2cAudio (B2)--called up a room preset, it ate my entire quad core, and I shut it down. That better sound like the greek god of reverb, you know? I mean--my computer's old, no doubt (Core2Quad), but ehh....maybe while the demo is still active, I'll call up it's own project just a few tracks or something....just to hear the majesty. If it makes me want to ditch the KSP8, I'd gladly build a new computer to keep it all ITB.

My experience is outboard and sometimes the UAD EMT 140 some IRs work as well, depends on the source sound.
But most often HW delivers a true impression of depth and dimension.
You don't have to spend a lot of cash to have some fun with hw reverb.

Start with an Midiverb II, used form e-bay for 30$.
This will be your first AH moment.

After this go up into 90s verbs you can find many good ones for cheap.
Even units which have not been used a lot.

EDIT:

Not to forget the Breverb which worked well for me - after I understood the interface.
One of the best native reverbs, but very upfront good for lead vocals. 
I would not use it for a traditional plate sound.

 

I have some fine old 80s and 90s hardware verbs... just wondering about the software ones and so far, thanks for some great input!

I just tried Acon Verberate and Izotope Nectar 2 (a vocal processor with a great de-esser, etc, and reverb) and they were both surprisingly lush and natural.

I've also been using and liking Valhalla, Relab is very impressive and big sounding

For a while I was on SSL X-Verb and Lexicon PCM Native, very good

the latest one that really surprised me is the free UAD2 one, RealVerb Pro. It's just such a perfect sounding very traditional kind of reverb. Makes me want to try the other UADs, they just seem to do a lot of stuff well from compression to EQ to reverb...

Cubase has a pretty nice built in convolution reverb called REVerence that I use from time to time.

after all this madness... I seriously doubt I'm going to be buying reverb hardware any time soon.

I have the 250, 140, Truverb and others, but I gravitate to the Cubase Revelation, Reverence and Roomworks for a lot of my work. I lean on a tweaked version of the Warm Wooden Church mode a lot when it comes to acoustic stuff and the Echo Room A and B along side the 250 plate for electric mixing. I do have a few analog options like the Demeter Real Verb, the Ibanez SDR 1000+ and several guitar pedal options like the Wampler Faux spring verb,the Cathederal by Electro-Harmonix and my favorite box, the Benado effects PB-1 for electric guitar, lapsteel and similar instruments. I think the blending of analog and digital is a real key in getting the E to F dimension I strive for.

R

Exponential verbs and Valhalla here. Covers everything I need. LX480 is great as well but feels a bit shakey on my system.

I know the Bricasti is really, really good...I had one here for a night that I picked up for cowboycoalminer - and I have to say, I didn't think it was necessary. I think Cowboy sold it too. I get worked up into a frenzy with some of this stuff and just convince myself I'll never be able to record a decent piece of music without it...then I get "said" piece and go, "do I really need this thing?"

Touche...

I have done that with the Studio A and the Bright Plate setting, but I still prefer having more than one reverb, particularly for vocals and guitars. I've never have felt comfortable bouncing, because I'm always tweaking EQ and compression. It would be nice to have 3 high quality reverbs like the Bricasti. Hopefully some day.

Yep we live in a time when even the cheapest crap will not keep you from mameing a great recording!
I think back to the days of Fostex X15s and think god are we lucky, I would have killed for the $60 used AKG C3000 when I was 15-20!

It's all about results, when I'm getting exactly what I want from my gear, that's when I'll stop buying and trying, I've been in studios where I'm like "yup, that's the shit right there", I'm just not there yet. I do believe u can get to a point where it's different, not better.