ORIGINAL: bitflipper

The only real difference between "hardware" and "software" reverbs is where the processing happens - in an outboard dedicated DSP or in the box by your CPU. (Unless you have a "real" hardware reverb like an EMT plate.)

Obviously, moving the processing out of the box relieves the load on your computer and allows the designers to use more CPU-intensive algorithms. Theoretically, that could open the door to higher-quality effects. Sometimes, it does. The high-end Lexicons are about as good as it gets.

However, IMO, this advantage is not worth it if it requires an extra conversion. It's really only worthwhile if the outboard hardware accepts a digital inputs and provides digital outputs. Only if you never leave the digital domain will you get the performance benefit without the quality hit. But even in this close-to-ideal scenario, you'll still have to deal with the added latency.

If:
- you just want high-quality reverb, and
- you add reverb only after tracking (so that latency is not a problem), and
- you don't have 2-3 grand burning a hole in your pocket
then just stick with Perfect Space and start cruising the 'net for impulse files until you find some you like.

But if you have the bread, pick up a Lexicon PCM96. Get me one too, while you're at the store.

ORIGINAL: bitflipper

quote:
ORIGINAL: bitflipper
But if you have the bread, pick up a Lexicon PCM96. Get me one too, while you're at the store.

Too bad they aren't shipping yet.

Any day now. But I have heard them, and they sound amazing.