Whether you’re looking for realistic room simulations, warm and vintage sounds, or something to get your creative juices flowing, we’ve compiled a list of the best paid and free reverb plugins available (as of 2023).
Let’s dive in!
Pro-R by FabFilter
I have been a fan of FabFilter for some time now, but with Pro-R, they have really outdone themselves!
This reverb plugin is incredibly simple to use while still offering an unprecedented level of sonic versatility.
The Character and Distance knobs allow you to quickly dial in the perfect sound for whatever musical context you’re working on.
The Post EQ is a fantastic feature that lets you get rid of any unwanted frequencies or accents in the reverb tail without the need for an extra EQ plugin.
Pro-R doesn’t just recreate existing spaces but rather creates its own unique sonic worlds. Whether you’re looking to create a lush and ambient soundscape or an intimate, close-up atmosphere, Pro-R has got you covered.
I’m confident that FabFilter’s Pro-R plugin will be the go-to reverb option for any producer. It’s simply outstanding!
Even Dave Pensado, of Grammy award-winning fame, has praised this plugin.
No cons here – just pros!
Check the current price on PluginBoutique.
SP2016 by Eventide
The Eventide SP2016 is a studio rack processor that was introduced in 1982.
Some of the most legendary names in audio production have used it to create their trademark sound, including Dave Pensado, Alan Sides, George Massenburg, and more.
The plug-in version includes emulations of Room (Vintage/Modern), Stereo Room (Vintage/Modern), and High-Density Plate (Vintage/Modern) algorithms. With the Position control slider, it is easy to make a reverb effect that sits perfectly in your mix.
The S2016’s reverb can be heard on recordings by Talking Heads, Adele, and many more famous artists.
Price-wise, it is a bit on the expensive side but worth it for those who are looking for truly classic and signature sounds that you can only get from the SP2016.
Check the current price on PluginBoutique.
Oxford Reverb by Sonnox
The Oxford Reverb by Sonnox is a versatile and excellent-sounding plugin that I have enjoyed using in my reverb mixes.
The Early Reflection, Reverb Tail, and 5-band Oxford EQ sections give you all the tools you need to create rich sound spaces.
The ability to control all parameters allows the professional engineer to build virtual spaces freely depending on artistic needs.
Many pre-set options are also available for those who may not have the time to fiddle and get creative.
Sound-wise, the Sonnox Oxford Reverb is among the best reverbs ever created. Price-wise… well, it’s quite expensive, but you may get a nice deal through sites like PluginBoutique.
I would recommend this plugin for those looking for natural-sounding room reverbs with the most flexible control.
Plus, you can never have too many reverbs in your home studio arsenal!
Enjoy!
Check the current price on PluginBoutique
TSAR-1 by SoftTube
The TSAR-1 is a powerful, modern reverb algorithm that produces natural and believable results.
It sounds like somewhere between a real room and a dreamscape, perfect for experimental music and sound design.
With its True Stereo Algorithm and five simple sliders, the TSAR-1 is easy to use but also highly versatile.
The clearly labeled presets make it a breeze for newcomers – all you need to do is find one that works for you and tweak it if needed!
Price-wise, it’s a great deal – you get a lot of value for your money. Plus, SoftTube’s customer support is top-notch!
Check the current price on PluginBoutique
Twangström by U-He
U-He’s Twangström is the perfect tool if you’re looking to add a little twang and rock-and-roll flavor to your music.
The use of classic reverberation tanks, MIDI control, and modulation matrix make it incredibly easy to create unique, interesting sounds that will give your tracks more character than ever before!
If you’re into spring reverbs and weird tones, then Twangström is the perfect box of tricks for you. Sounds interesting on guitars, synthesizers, and even lead vocals.
And what’s even better, the pricing is a steal for such an awesome piece of the plugin.
Little Plate by Soundtoys
Looking to add a touch of plate reverb (and maybe even a little bit of twang) to your music? Look no further than the Soundtoys Little Plate plugin.
This faithful recreation of the iconic EMT 140 plate reverb is easy to use but also highly versatile.
By setting the Decay Time to infinity, the reverb tails on Little Plate never fade away.
Additionally, the Low Cut filter helps keep your mixes clean by getting rid of low-frequency build-up.
The Space Modulator introduces slight modulation into the reverb tail for a thicker and smoother sound – perfect for adding that elusive touch of character to your tracks.
The interface is one of the best I’ve seen and has only a few but powerful knobs to tweak.
With Little Plate, you can get that classic vintage sound without breaking the bank.
Highly recommended!
Check current price on PluginBoutique
BLEASS Reverb
BLEASS reverb is one of the cheapest on the list, but not to be underestimated.
It offers a wide range of features, including filters, a freeze toggle button, a frequency shifter/waveshaper X/Y panel, and a side-chained compressor for the ducking effect.
The three stages of the BLEASS Reverb are the input stage (with gain and early reflections pre-delay controls), the reverb stage (with size modulation and length controls), and the ducker stage (compressor side-chained on dry input).
The/Y panel of the reverb stage applies a set of fine-tuned frequency shifters as well as a waveshaper to mutate your reverb space on the go!
You get all that for under $20, which is an absolute steal.
The only downside would be that the interface is a bit complex and will take some time to get used to.
Sound quality is also good, and it almost competes with some of the more expensive reverbs.
All in all, BLEASS Reverb is an excellent choice for those on a budget but still looking for a wide range of features and great sound quality.
Check the current price on PluginBoutique.
Protoverb by U-He
This free plugin by U-He offers a unique and experimental reverb experience.
Protoverb is perfect for creating truly out-of-this-world sounds – anything from subtle room resonance to more extreme, unnatural reverberations can be achieved with just a few clicks.
What makes this plugin truly stand out is that no two sounds are ever the same. By combining random values and different room characteristics, Protoverb has the ability to generate an endless amount of unique and interesting sounds.
If you’re looking for something a little different and don’t mind experimenting for hours on end to get just the right sound, then Protoverb should be at the top of your list.
TAL-Reverb-4
Here’s another free reverb plugin for you!
TAL-Reverb-4 has a modulated vintage reverb sound that gives your tracks that 80s character. The sound is very diffuse, making it perfect for long reverbs.
The sound quality is great, and the controls are easy to understand. You can adjust many parameters of your reverb to get interesting tones.
The only downside is that it only supports stereo channels, but for the price of free, that’s not really a negative!
Free stock DAW reverb plugins
Most DAWs come with stock reverbs that can do the job. Let’s not forget to mention them too!
These are good starting points if you don’t want to shell out money for third-party plugins.
Avid Pro Tools Reverb One
Finally, a free reverb that can compete with the big boys. Reverb One is an AAX reverb processor that allows you to precisely control the reverberant characteristics of your mix.
With its range of features and ability to compete with more expensive plugins, Reverb One is a great choice if you’re an Avid Pro Tools user.
Logic Pro ChromaVerb
ChromaVerb is the pinnacle of reverb technology. It’s like having a dozen top-of-the-line reverbs all in one plugin. With its advanced features and wide range of sounds, ChromaVerb can be used on any track to add depth and realism.
I’ve been using it on vocals, guitars, drums – you name it. Get that vintage or modern sound you need with ChromaVerb for free if you own a Logic Pro X license.
Wrapping up
There are many more reverb plugins on the market for you to explore. I hope this article has helped point you in the right direction and given you some insight into what’s available, depending on your budget and needs.
We’ll update this list periodically with new options – keep an eye out for more great reverb plugins in the future! Happy mixing!