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Where to find good IRs for a convolution reverb?
I'm just discovering the world of the convolution reverb, and IRs.
I'm looking for sounds like Strymon BigSky, and other spacious reverbs, in particular. Mostly I will use the IRs for ambient, drone, mostly for synths and processed field recordings. Maybe for some ambient guitars too later (I have something on my wishlist for my Mac).
I'm wondering three things:
- Which is the better choice for a Convolution Reverb / IR loader on iPadOS (and preferably iOS too). I will be adding a Convolution Reverb for desktop too.
- Where do I start to look for IRs to use in these?
- Will I be able to use the same IR files in the iOS versions, as in a desktop plugin, or are there different types I need to know about?
Comments
Some (mostly high end) convolution reverbs have their own format, but generally they are a standard wav file, that captures the reflections of a physical room... so they can be shared across platforms/plugins.
The good thing about IR is that it captures a real place, the bad thing is that it may sound too static.
The main difference between these plugins is, if they and how they tackle this issue (via additional modulation or additional envelopes etc).
Google will help you find many sites with IRs.
Here you can grab few good ones...
https://stash.reaper.fm/tag/Reverb-Impulses
Also you can create your own...
Thanks for your help, I'll take a look.
https://samplicity.com/bricasti-m7-impulse-response-files/
You could have just typed 'ir' in the search box. Plenty of results
For a convolution app, Thafknar is very highly regarded, lets you install IRs.
Also, take a look at AltiSpace 2. It includes a huge group of vintage hardware reverbs (check the manual), and lets you install your own as well.
I am too in for a reverb like the sound from Strymon BigSky/Blackhole, and currently looking into https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/stratosphere-cloud-reverb/id1516751210 instead of a IR. The problem with most IRs are that the sound gets cut-off on longer reverb tales, and you have hardly any overal control over it. It’s great for vintage stuff like shorter reverbs and springs, but for loooooong ethereal reverb tails I find the options to be very very slim.
Thanks, I already did that, funnily enough.
I wanted to know what's around now, today. Hence the post.
You could of course, just ignored my post and not commented, also.
Have a great day. Hope it gets better.
Thanks. I'll take a look.
Oh, interesting, I never really understood AltiSpace 2 (or convolution reverb). Today is a good day to learn.
altispace 2 reverbs end short to many times for me, like the tail stops too sudenly
I wish the old Altispace was available as an AUv3. V2 doesn't seem to support a volume envelope on the IR and the UI is barely readable in bright light.
I have Stratosphere, for a very long time now. It's one of my favourite reverbs, along with Alteza and BlackHole. I find it good for so much.
Wonderful, thank you.
THAFKNAR is efficient and doesn’t have a fixed limit on the tail length which is nice if you have extra long IRs (which I do). If you have true-stereo IRs (most stereo it’s are mono-stereo), it can handle them (not many people have them and they only make a difference in some contexts). If you have a good ir library I think it is a good choice.
Altispace 2 has a nice collection of irs included but has a limit on the tail length (which doesn’t matter to many).
Generally, having at least one convolution reverb is a no brainier. On top of the reverbs it can provide, it can offer a lot more... guitar cabinets, mic responses etc... these are useful sound shaping tools that can really add a lot of character.
How does Stratosphere compare to BlackHole?
Very different. It isn’t a better vs worse thing. I suggest listening to examples to get a sense of the character.
I believe it is documented what the tail limit is. It might be something like 15 seconds.
Also, search in the Audiobus wiki. There are links to some IR libraries and some useful info about convolution reverbs.
And another note... I would say for reverb duties IRs are unlikely to be good replacement for the above mentioned algo based reverbs, but they are good complementary tool next to them...
IRs are great for natural reflections, while the above mentioned ones are great for ‘over the top’ unnatural stuff.
this s not an inherent IR problem . Either you are using poorly recorded IRs or a convolution app that truncates long IRs . The latter is specific to the app. not all convolution apps truncate IRs. (THAFKNAR doesn’t, for instance).
Long IRs are computationally quite intensive and may need long buffers.
Here's a few I've collected from various sources.
Impulse responses by Fokke van Saane: https://fokkie.home.xs4all.nl/IR.htm
Synverb Impulse Response Library: http://www.syberdelix.com/syverb/
Masters of Music Impulse Response Guide and Free Download Packs: https://masters-of-music.com/impulse-response-guide-and-free-download-packs-1000s-of-free-impulses/
Acoustic IRs: http://acousticir.free.fr/spip.php?rubrique2
OpenAir (large spaces IRs): https://www.openair.hosted.york.ac.uk/?page_id=36
Impulse responses from amps: https://www.soundwoofer.se/blog/about/top-20-list/
Joshua Casper (loads of IR's): https://www.joshuacasper.com/blog-post/convolution-reverb-impulse-responses/
https://www.airwindows.com/airwindows-impulses/ has some good ones. Check out his plug-ins too if you haven’t, no UI’s but totally free plug-ins and the guy is a genius.
By the way, if you ever want to experience the most insanely echo-filled room to sample your own very long impulse responses, just find a large indoor handball court. Hard surfaces everywhere and echoes for days.
So much to explore here, thank you.
Now there's a trick that's new for me. I shall explore further, thank you.
I don’t think anyone has mentioned the Nembrini IR Loader. I tried the others and this one was the simplest and most intuitive while offering plenty of control. Excellent for guitar cabs, of course, but also as a general purpose host.
I keep meaning to get this:
https://venustheory.gumroad.com/l/underworlds
Impulse Response files have been around a little while now. I was introduced to them through a few of the “guitar amp sim” apps we have on iOS like THU and GE Labs, which led me to apps like Thafknar and iConvolver -
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/iconvolver-impulse-response-reverb/id1042911823
Now they’re everywhere, and there’s tons of apps that support loading IR files (Altispace, Rhino, etc)
But I really got a crash course in IRs when a buddy of mine gave me this MOOER GE-200 multi-effects pedal, which is basically the hardware version of their iPad app “GE Labs”.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gelabs-effects-guitar-amps/id1506701208
With this hardware (guitar effects pedal), I’m able to download and use 3rd party IR files, which then led me to “Premium” IR files such as those sold at “OwnHammer”. I ended up buying the “(r)evolution bundle” and IIRC it was like 25-30 bucks.
There’s thousands of free IRs out there, sometimes you’ll find really good ones, but if you want premium, have a look at OwnHammer.
https://www.ownhammer.com/impulseresponses/wav/eol.html
That could be a nice addition for anyone's IR library.