There are 17 reverb algorithms here, each with three modes of “color.” It’s this latter function that earns the plugin the name of “Vintage Verb”, allowing you to model sounds from the 70s and 80s, or use a full-bandwidth “modern” mode. This no-frills reverb doesn’t mimic the look of a vintage unit or come with sprawling 3D display, but instead focuses on sound alone, modeling three distinct eras of reverb. Valhalla makes it easy to forget about the glitz and glamour of other plugins and focus on the sound. It’s probably the only choice considering only 250 physical units were ever made which retailed at a whopping $20,000 back in 1976! Universal Audio has managed to recreate the unit for the masses and, if the rest of the plugins weren’t already enticing enough to make one want to invest in a system, this one alone might do it. If you want the sound used on Purple Rain and Stadium Arcadium, then the UAD EMT 250 is for you. The phaser is handled manually using the white lever of the unit, giving you tactile control over how it reacts.
The 250 has a phaser and a grungy chorus built-in that both sound as unique as the reverb does. This tool is more than just a reverb, too. The reverb blends with other sources seamlessly, creating dimension without overloading the frequency spectrum.
Once it’s put into the context of a mix, it’s very clear why the 250 is as iconic as it is. It’s a very scooped and clearly emulated response of how a reverb should sound. Unlike other reverbs on this list, the 250 sounds undeniably digital. It would go on to inspire companies like Lexicon and AMS to create their own iconic units. Their EMT 250 was the first-ever commercially available digital reverb system, and still one of the most sought-after. Waves Abbey Road PlatesĮMT was no stranger to innovation. It’s fantastic-sounding, and these vintage-style plates work wonders on any number of sources. If you have a UAD system already, this plugin should definitely be among your tools. While you don’t need these options to achieve a great sound, the flexibility is there to craft the reverb to your taste.Īs always, UAD plugins come with the caveat of requiring a DSP accelerator.
That gives you two unique vintage tones as well as a modern update to play around with.Īs this is a plugin, you have more flexibility over the sound than the original unit including controls over the width of the reverb, as well as modulation parameters. Plates A and B use the original EMT electronics system, and plates that had intentionally not been tuned in years for a more “vintage” tone, whereas plate C emulates a plate that was refurbished with new Martech electronics and was fully serviced and tuned before emulation. Universal Audio modeled three of that studio’s original EMT 140 units to create this massively accurate plate reverb plugin.
This simulation quickly caught on and became part of the iconic studio sound of the 50s and 60s, quickly earning a spot in The Plant Studios, famous for recording Prince, Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Wonder. The German company EMT created the first plate reverberation unit in 1957.