A good spring reverb?

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 8:15 pm

What would you use a spring reverb for in a recording studio? I love my spring reverb in my Fender amps and in my Rivera Fandango, but is there any other application of spring reverb in a recording situation, even in recording my own guitar I've gone "clean" and added reverb to taste (BAM) in the DAW. I don't remember anyone every recording my amp's spring reverb, but then my limited recording experiences has been in producer's apartments in New York or dark and dank budget dungeons in New Jersey.

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 10:38 pm

I used to use a stereo Orban, which was great. You might be able to find one cheap secondhand somewhere. But also the latest edition of Sound On Sound had a small news item about a new spring reverb that had some interesting additional uses. Sorry, can't remember any details but check the mag out. The article is in the front section news pages from memory.

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:47 pm

Maybe you can check this !
it's a german compagny :

http://www.vermona.com/en/produkte/retroverb/retroverb.html

Sound intersting no ? Wink

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2003 1:48 pm

and it's cheap (like 400 €)

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 9:19 am

Quote:

Originally posted by snail:
One more option is the PAIA kit, its pretty easy to make and supposedly offers some nice high quality spring reverb.

ya beat me to it. Very Happy

PAIA RULES!!!

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2003 6:50 am

there's a valverb at evilbay right now - one day to go.
here's the link.

I've been hunting for a valverb for ages but I'm located in Germany and this seller will only ship to the US.

too bad...

Michael

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 9:21 am

If you can find an old hammond organ, there is a great little spring reverb that can easily be removed. Rca in/out. Sounds big.

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2003 11:27 am

I suppose you want a simple Hammond type enclosed guitar amp style verb, but let me tell you about the Multi-Track Dual Equalized Spring Reverb circa early 70's.

This thing was a master piece of OPAMP technology for the time. I have seen one for sale on the web search Multi-Track dual equalized reverb.

This was a production reverb. The design uses subtractive equalization to shape the sounds before sending signals to the separate and individual spring assemblies. There were 2 sets of springs per channel. Each set was the standard Hammond, however they had different gauges of springs, X 2 channels.

The signal was tuned for each set to apply the signal without the common sprongy sound associated with these type units.

The gain after equalization was massive, allowing this unit to extend response out to 7K, making sibilant sounds travel with pinpoint accuracy.

Hearing this, you would not even realize it is a spring unit. The unit was powered externally with a power one + - 15 volt supply with current foldback. Each input channel were balanced, had a drive level, clip led, high/low shelving EQ, and output level control.

Outputs were balanced, the unit could be used in unbalanced configuration, and had a +30db input gain switch, for -10 and less gear.

The company that manufactured these units were located in Hollywood, and also produced the Vari-Band series of parametric EQ's if anyone remembers them. These products, along with consoles, and recorders were designed for the movie industry.

The reverb was 2 rack units, and was about 18" deep. There is virtually nothing that can't be repaired in this unit, with the exception of the power supply. The little OP Amps are readily available, and plug into sockets.

If you were lucky enough to get hold of one of these, you would not be disappointed.

--Rick

Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2003 9:05 pm

The Biamp MR 140 wasnt too bad I had one for a number of years, had input level, 4 band eq and output level. Balanced I/O too if I recall. Sounded better than the Furman unit back in the 80's.
Great British Spring and The Masteroom XL 305 were better than the Biamp in terms of smoother reverb and less boing.
I still have my broken Masteroom XL-500..which is a 3ru unit controller with Plate-Room-Hall selection, paramatric eq on both channels and variable decay. Connected by a 50ft to a 4 ft chamber that contains 6 elemets (springs). Three for each channel obviously - one that simulated plate, one for room, and the longest one for hall. Best sound I've heard from a spring, retailed for $4,000 back in 1982. Its currently not working now..I do plan to resurrect it and figure out how to make it quieter, the DBX compander cards went on it.

Good luck on your search..

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