Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Replacement

[loopzilla2]

Hi everyone!

It's time for me to accept that the beloved Lexicon PCM reverbs aren't transitioning to the modern era. So sad.

What reverbs are you using in high-end mixes? Everyone (good) I talk to is still limping along with the Lexicons in Rosetta.

After spending a bit of money on alternatives I'm dissatisfied with the results. I'd like to share what I've bought to see if anyone has suggestions I've overlooked.

Stratus 3D
Symphony 3D
Relab LX 480
Raum
SSL Native Flexverb
Fab Filter Pro-R2
Crystaline
Seventh Heaven
Altiverb 8
EW Spaces II
Waves Abbey Road
Revolver
(I’ve decided I don’t like the tails of Impulse reverbs, although the McDSP Revolver is a shining star among the bunch).

Antares Vocal Reverb
The Waves stuff
The Soundtoys stuff
TSAR-1
The Plugin Alliance Stuff

These are all great products, but they all sound ‘cold’ and have mids and tails that are too grainy for my taste. Many also each have that odd low-midrange frequency buildup that ‘expensive-sounding’ reverbs don’t.


Here’s what I DO like:

The PCM reverbs
Reverb One (the old standby. Really nice. Not a PCM though)
Valhalla Super Massive (yes. Just a big fat yes, but it’s a one-trick pony)
Waves True Verb (yeah, it’s cheap but it does it’s thing)

When I actually turn on hardware:
PCM 96s
PCM 80
The Original Midiverb II (22 and 28 still sound better than most plugin reverbs - so surprising. Try it!)


I’m hoping someone will say “yes - I know what you mean. X reverb is a great substitute given what you’ve tried already.”

Please chime in!

Thank you :)

[JFreak]

Stratus, Symphony and VSS4 all have their distinct color. Sonnox Reverb is also good, but very clean. Eventide Reverb has tons of color, but if you want it you better buy whole Anthology pack around it.

[thin ice]

Reverb One to replace the sound of old Yamaha SPXs on drums.

Revibe II has some great Hall sounds.

I'd like to try the UAD 480, but don't want hardware to use it.

Relab or Seventh Heaven is about the best for me, but I see you don't like those.

[Eric Lambert]

There's a grain/texture to those Lexicon verbs that was unique. Similar to 480-era Lexicon but not quite as pronounced. The plugin was cleaner. Some would simply say more hi-fi. However we'd describe it, yes, I know what you mean.

I've always considered that thick, colored Lexicon sound to be Mount Everest, probably because I lusted after a 480L for many years as the company was getting started. And I grew up in an era where that sound was on many favorite recordings.

About the replacement. I have a LOT of plugin reverbs and the one I've always felt most similar to the classic Lex sound is Tai Chi from Liquidsonics. It brings the familiar depth, width, grain and color that I love for productions that call for that Lex tonality. Highly recommended.

I love Michael's evolutions, created via Exponential Audio, and they're top-tier, but a different character. Still massively appropriate and apropos, but just different. A step in a different direction from his earlier PCM Native work, according to my ears.

As far as products you may have missed, I'd demo Cinematic Rooms by Liquidsonic. It's earned a strong reputation, for good reason. One of my favs for cleaner, authentic verb.

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by Eric Lambert

I love Michael's evolutions, created via Exponential Audio, and they're top-tier, but a different character. Still massively appropriate and apropos, but just different. A step in a different direction from his earlier PCM Native work, according to my ears.

These have worked very well for me.

[Eric Lambert]

Originally Posted by TOM@METRO

These have worked very well for me.

For me as well. Some of my favs.