Panagement 2.0 Free Edition by Auburn Sounds It doesn’t emulate any particular hardware reverb unit but perfectly captures the character and tone of vintage reverb effects of the 80s.ĭownload: Cloud Seed (32-bit & 64-bit VST plugin for Windows) It is the kind of tool every sound designer needs in their arsenal.Ĭloud Seed was developed with C# and C++ and only works in Windows-based VST host applications. Not a plugin you’d use to recreate natural spaces like rooms and small halls, but perfect for simulating huge halls and surreal spaces. More of a special effect than a mixing utility, Cloud Seed can transform any sound into a wonderfully lush, evolving pad. You can think of it as a freeware alternative to commercial plugins like Valhalla Shimmer ($50) or even Eventide Blackhole ($199).
It’s worth noting that TAL-Reverb 4 can only be used on stereo sources.ĭownload: TAL-Reverb 4 (32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX plugin Windows & macOS)Ĭloud Seed is the way to go if you need a huge 80s-style reverb effect.
The sound is very diffused and particularly suitable for long reverb sounds. The algorithm is adjusted to sound good on a wide range of sound sources, which makes sense since the plugin is based on the reverb effect used in Togu Audio Line’s excellent TAL-Sampler virtual instrument.
The front panel only features six knobs and a single button, making TAL-Reverb 4 one of the most streamlined reverbs on this list. This plugin is perfect for producers who want a great-sounding reverb with a simple user interface. TAL-Reverb 4 was recently updated with a new user interface and a new algorithm that sounds even smoother than before. An extended version of the plugin called OldSkoolVerb Plus (49.95) is also available, adding a powerful spatialization module to the feature set of the freeware edition.ĭownload: OldSkoolVerb (32-bit & 64-bit VST/VST3/AU plugin for Windows & macOS)
Loosely mimicking the sound of classic reverb units by Lexicon and Eventide, OldSkoolVerb is a decent freeware alternative to plugins like UltraReverb ($199), PSP 2445 EMT ($149), TSAR-1R ($99), BREVERB 2 ($169), and others. The plugin includes five different delay modes (room, hall, plate, and more), a 3-band equalizer, pre-delay, time, stereo width, and damping controls. It delivers all the basic reverb types while sprinkling a bit of vintage digital reverb flavor on top. OldSkoolVerb is our favorite all-around reverb plugin. Dragonfly is equally effective as a mixing tool for simulating realistic rooms and a sound design utility for creating huge and artificial sounding spaces.ĭownload: Dragonfly Reverb (32-bit & 64-bit VST plugin for Windows, macOS, Linux) The sound of the room can be adjusted using multiple tone controls, as well as by tweaking its size, width, diffusion, and other properties. The plugin covers a range of room types, from small recording rooms and studio-like spaces to small and large halls. The user interface is equally good, with easily accessible controls and direct access to all the algorithm’s parameters. It is based on the Freeverb 3 Hibiki algorithm, which sounds simply amazing. OrilRiver consumes around 4% of available CPU resources on our test machine, leaving room for multiple reverb instances with different settings (small room, large hall, etc.).ĭownload: Orilriver (32-bit & 64-bit VST/VST3 plugin for Windows & macOS)ĭragonfly Reverb was released late in 2018 and quickly became one of the most recommended freeware reverb plugins. The CPU hit is unusually low for a reverb plugin, especially considering the sound quality on offer. The two GUI skins allow the user to choose between lighter and darker color schemes. Also included is a 3-band equalizer for further shaping the color of the reverbed signal. The plugin offers a choice between twelve early reflection models and five types of reverb tail, with additional room size, diffusion, damping, and modulation controls. The interface is well-organized, with an intuitive control scheme that makes it easy to tweak the simulated space’s dimensions and tone to your liking. Capable of delivering beautiful hall reverbs and simulating the reverberation of smaller rooms, it is our go-to reverb effect in most mixing scenarios.Īpart from its excellent sound quality, OrilRiver also delivers in the user experience and workflow departments. It is a versatile, feature-packed, and great-sounding stereo reverb effect that is on par with some of the best commercial reverbs on the market.
OrilRiver is the best freeware reverb VST plugin you can download right now. Share your thoughts about the featured plugins, and feel free to let us know if there’s a reverb VST plugin that should be added to the list. You’re more than welcome to leave a comment on this page. See also: Best FREE Convolution Reverb VST Plugins