Waves H-Reverb

Chapter 1 - Introduction

1.1 Welcome

Thank you for choosing Waves! This user guide will help you get the most out of your new Waves plugin. To install software and manage licenses, create a free Waves account at www.waves.com. An account allows you to track products, renew your Waves Update Plan, participate in bonus programs, and stay updated. Familiarize yourself with the Waves Support pages (www.waves.com/support) for technical articles, installation help, troubleshooting, specifications, company contact information, and news.

1.2 Product Overview

Waves H-Reverb is a pioneering algorithmic FIR reverb based on Finite Impulse Response technology, designed to provide lush, spacious, and warm reverberation effects. It offers a fresh approach to digital reverberation by fusing classic reverb concepts with innovative features. H-Reverb features a collapsible interface, with the collapsed view offering essential controls and the expanded view providing advanced controls for detailed sound shaping. Its preset library includes a vast collection of halls, rooms, plates, and nonlinear reverb presets created by top sound engineers. H-Reverb's engine combines the strengths of synthetic feedback-based reverbs and IR convolution-based reverbs.

Beyond basic reverb controls, H-Reverb offers enhanced features for depth and dimension. Input echoes replicate the input signal with discrete or diffused outputs. Output echoes generate replicas of the reverb effect for added warmth. The Internal Dynamics section provides Compression, Ducking (lowering reverb loudness when the dry signal is present), and DeEssing (creating bright reverbs by controlling sibilance). Modulation options include AM Depth and Rate for stereo sensation and FM Mix for chorusing and flanging effects. An input drive control adds richer harmonics, and analog modeling is applied to the output.

1.3 Concepts and Terminology

FIR vs. IIR Reverb

Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters are fixed in length, while Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filters use a feedback loop and decay through a recurring attenuation factor. IIR filters use consistent calculation resources regardless of reverb time and create a comb filter, but have limitations in creating gated or reversed reverbs due to linear decay. FIR reverbs consume more resources with longer times but offer more control and lack inherent coloration. While most commercial synthetic reverbs use IIR, FIR is used in IR Convolution reverbs. H-Reverb utilizes synthetic parametric controls for superior quality and flexibility compared to IIR/feedback-based reverbs.

1.4 Components

WaveShell technology allows Waves processors to be split into smaller plugins called components, offering flexibility in configuration. H-Reverb provides two sets of time components: regular (up to six seconds of reverb time) and “long” (up to 12 seconds). The long components use approximately 30% more CPU. Components are available in various channel configurations, including mono, mono-to-stereo, stereo, and surround formats (5.0, 5.1, 5-to-5, 5.1-to-5.1).

1.5 WaveSystem Toolbar

The toolbar at the top of the plugin allows saving/loading presets, comparing settings, undoing/redoing steps, and resizing the plugin. For more information, click the icon in the upper-right corner to open the WaveSystem Guide.

Chapter 2 – Quick Start Guide

H-Reverb launches with its collapsed GUI, providing quick access to essential controls like reverb time, pre-delay, ER selection, and mix. Follow these steps to get started:

• Launch the Waves H-Reverb plugin on your reverb aux buss or track insert.
• Send a signal to the reverb aux and listen to the default preset.
• Cycle through presets using the next/previous preset arrow controls on the toolbar.
• Use the load menu to find presets categorized by application (Hall, Plate, Room, etc.) or by renowned sound engineers and producers.
• Experiment with controls once a preset is found. Advanced controls can be toggled on/off even in the collapsed GUI.
• Expand the GUI to explore more advanced controls.
• Familiarize yourself with the advanced controls; the more you use the plugin, the better you will understand its functions.

Chapter 3 – Interface and Controls

3.1 Interface

The H-Reverb interface features a graphical display at the top showing the reverb's response. Below are the main controls:

• Pre Delay: Controls the initial delay before the reverb tail.
• Build Up [s]: Controls the time it takes for the reverb to reach its peak level.
• Size: Adjusts the density of early reflections and the buildup slope.
• SYNC: A button, likely for tempo synchronization.
• REVERB TIME: Sets the duration of the reverb decay.
• ER SELECT: Allows selection of Early Reflection models, with controls to cycle through them ([Previous ER], [Next ER]) or open a selection menu.
• ER/Tail: Balances the gain between Early Reflections and the reverb tail.
• WET: Controls the output level of the reverb effect.
• Dry/Wet: Mixes the direct signal with the reverb effect.
• Output: Controls the overall output level of the plugin.
• Expand: Button to reveal advanced controls.
• Tabs/Buttons: INPUT ECHOES, OUTPUT ECHOES, DYNAMICS, MODULATION provide access to specific sections.

3.2 Controls

3.2.1 Main Controls

Pre-Delay Mode

Free/Sync; Default: Free. Precedes the reverb time with a pure delay. The pre-delay control has two options: Free (default) and Sync.

• Pre-Delay Free: Sets pre-delay time in milliseconds, independent of tempo. Range: 0-500 ms; Default: 24 ms; Reset: 0 ms.
• Pre-Delay Sync: Sets pre-delay time in note-length values, synced to tempo. Range includes fractions like 1/2, 3/8, 1/3, 1/4, 3/16, 1/6, 1/8, 3/32, 1/12, 1/16, 3/64, 1/24, 1/32, 3/128, 1/48, 1/64, 3/256, 1/96, 1/128; Default: 3/256.

Buildup Time

Range: 0-2 seconds; Default: 0.025ms. Determines how long the reverb takes to reach its peak level. Allows for special effects like ghostly 0.5-second to 2-second buildups, creating reverse-like verbs.

Reverb Size

Range: 0.5–2; Default: 1. Controls the density of early reflections and the slope of the buildup. A factor of 1 distributes ERs evenly. Higher values create wider gaps and a more gradual buildup typical of larger spaces; lower values condense them for a faster buildup and a sense of a smaller space.

Reverb Time

Range: 0.1 to 6 seconds (regular H-Reverb) or 12 seconds (Long H-Reverb); Default: 4.21 seconds. Sets the duration of the reverb decay envelope, i.e., the time it takes the reverb to decay by 120 dB. The decay is linear until affected by advanced controls like X-Time and X-Gain.

ER Select

Range: 1–10; Default: 5. Selects an ER Model from ten options. The display shows the ER number and a schematic of its time and gain. Arrows ([Previous ER], [Next ER]) cycle through models; clicking the display opens a menu for selection.

ER/Tail Balance

Range: 0-100; Default: 73.2. Controls the mix between ER gain and tail gain. The midpoint (50) represents unity gain for both.

Dry/Wet

Range: 0-100; Default: 100. Controls the mix between the direct path and the effect. The default (100% wet) is suitable for auxiliary send setups. For channel inserts, it balances the dry and wet signals.

Output

Range: -24 to +18 dB; Default: 0 dB. Controls the output level.

Reverse

On/Off; Default: Off. Reverses the reverb time envelope for breathy, upward-swelling, reverse-type reverb.

3.2.2 Advanced Controls

3.2.2.1 Decay Envelope

Controls the shape of the reverb decay.

• X-Time: The percentage of the reverb time during which the transition between decay and release occurs.
• X-Gain: Range: -120 to +12 dB; Default: -60 dB. Defines the gain at the cross-point between the first and second decay slopes.
• Density: Range: 0–100%; Default: 100%. Full density results in a uniform, smooth sound; low density creates sparse individual echoes.

3.2.2.2 Input Echoes

The Input Echoes section replicates the input audio using up to 6 delayed taps, which can be fed discretely to the effect's output or into the reverb generator.

• Type: Seven echo types are offered as internal presets. Examples include:
• Discrete: Range: -inf to 0 dBFS; Default: -18.4
• Diffused: Range: -inf to 0 dBFS; Default: -29

3.2.2.3 Output Echoes

The Output Echoes section comprises a series of four delayed replicas of the overall reverb effect, adding warmth, depth, and dimension.

• Amount: Range: 0–10; Default: 5.81. Controls the gain of the output echoes.
• Size: Range: 0–100%; Default: 65%. Controls the timing and interval between the output echoes.
• Tone: Range: 0-10; Default: 7.2. Controls brightness (0 is the darkest setting, 10 the brightest).

3.2.2.4 Dynamics Section

This section allows compression of the wet path (reverb tail) using a detector on either the wet or dry path, effectively ducking the reverb when the dry signal is present. The DeEss mode creates bright reverbs with reduced high-frequency spray on sibilants.

• Dynamics Section On/Off: Provides a button for fast A/B comparison of the section's contribution.
• Mode: A 3-state toggle selects between three modes: Duck, Comp, and DeEss.
• Duck: Keys dynamics from the dry signal, ducking the wet signal when the dry signal is present.
• Comp: Keys dynamics from the wet signal, compressing its dynamics to make it less linear.
• DeEss: Applies a de-essing filter on the input (dry signal is unaffected). When DeEss mode is selected, the Recovery control is replaced by a Range control.
• Threshold: Range: 0 to -50; Default: -18. Controls the compressor threshold (0 = +10 dBFS, -50 = -40 dB).
• Recovery (available in Comp and Duck modes): Range: 30-3000 ms; Default: 300 ms. Controls the compressor's release time.
• Range (available in DeEss mode): Range: 0 to -24 dBFS; Default: -18. Specifies the de-esser's maximal reduction.

3.2.2.5 EQ Controls

H-Reverb's EQ controls are located near the EQ graph on the left-hand side of the expanded GUI. They include special shelf filters that can cut down to -80 dB, functioning like a cut filter. These are used for filtering early reflections, while the reverb tail can be shaped using high and low shelves and two bell filters.

• ER Filter: Controls located atop the EQ graph. ER filters simulate wall material absorption of high frequencies. Higher cutoffs/gains simulate reflective materials (glass, marble); lower cutoffs/gains simulate softer materials (drapes).
• ER Filter Frequency: Range: 1000–14000; Default: 2958.
• ER Filter Gain: Range: -80 to +12; Default: -22.5.
• Reverb EQ: Bands are sorted in vertical columns, processed from left to right.
• LoShelf: On/Off; Freq: 20–1000Hz (Default: 240 Hz); Gain: -80 to +12 dB (Default: 0).
• LoBell: On/Off; Freq: 60–4000 Hz (Default: 604 Hz); Gain: -24 to +12 dB (Default: -1.0 dB); Q: 0.26–6.5 (Default: 0.7).
• HiBell: On/Off; Freq: 1000 Hz to 15 kHz (Default: 2398 Hz); Gain: -24 to +12 dB (Default: 0 dB); Q: 0.26–6.5 (Default: 0.7).
• HiShelf: On/Off (Default: On); Freq: 2000–16000 Hz (Default: 2192 Hz); Gain: -80 to +12 dB (Default: -30.9 dB).

3.2.2.6 Time Filters

The Time filter section offers control over three modes: Damping (default), Envelope, and LFO. The graph dynamically changes based on the selected mode.

• Damping Mode: Classic mode. The graph displays frequency response on the X-axis and reverb time ratio on the Y-axis. Damping ratio relates to reverb time; for example, a 4-second reverb time with low damping at 400 Hz and a ratio of 1.5 means mids/highs decay in 4 seconds, while frequencies below 400 Hz decay in 6 seconds.
• Damping Controls:
• LF Cutoff: Range: 50–1600 Hz; Default: 721 Hz.
• LF Ratio: Range: x0.1−x2; Default: x1.20.
• HF Cutoff: Range: 1000–15000 Hz; Default: 3699 Hz.
• HF Ratio: Range: x0.1−x2; Default: x0.89; Reset: x1.
• Resonant Filter Modes – Envelope and LFO: Common controls include F1 and F2 (defining sweep range start/stop frequencies), Type (HiPass/LoPass), Q (filter slope/resonance), Mix (blend of filtered/non-filtered response), and Flip (sweep direction).
• Envelope Controls: F1: 100–15000 (Default: 100); F2: 100–15000 (Default: 6695); Filter Type: HiPass/LoPass (Default: LoPass); Q: 0.5–10 (Default: 1.2); Filter Mix: 0–100 (Default: 100); Flip: F1>F2, F2>F1 (Default: F1>F2).
• Envelope Sweep Speed: Set as a percentage of the reverb time.
• LFO Sweep Speed: Set using a rate control (Hz) or a relative sync rate based on note duration and BPM.
• Envelope Res Filter: Attack Time: 0–100% (Default: 0%); Decay Time: 0–100% (Default: 34.4%).
• LFO Res Filter: LFO Rate Mode: Free/Sync; LFO Free Rate: 0.1–20 Hz (Default: 2 Hz); LFO Sync Rate: Various note durations (e.g., 4/1, 3/1, 2/1, 1/1, 1/2, 3/8, 1/3, 1/4, 3/16, 1/6, 1/8, 3/32, 1/12, 1/16, 3/64, 1/24, 1/32); Default: 1/32nd note.

3.2.2.7 Modulation

Adds stereo sensation via Amplitude Modulation (AM) on the input and frequency-modulated (FM) replicas at the output for a chorusing or flanging effect.

• AM Depth: Range: 0-100; Default: 20. Controls AM depth on the reverb effect input, creating stereo movement.
• AM Rate: Range: 0-100; Default: 20. Controls AM speed (lower is slower, higher is faster).
• FM Mix: Range: 0-100%; Default: 100%. Mix value that introduces flanging (0%) or modulating detune (100%).

3.2.2.8 Global Section

Contains overall settings including drive, tempo, and analog/digital modeling options.

• Drive: Range: 0-100; Default: 0. Pushes the input against a clipper, like a vintage hardware reverb, to make the wet signal harmonically richer.
• Tempo Source: Internal/Host; Default: Host. Selects whether the tempo is set by the host or manually.
• Tempo: Sets the reference tempo for input echoes and other tempo-synched controls.
• Analog: On/Off; Default: Off. Turns on analog modeling in the style of the Waves NLS plugin.
• Digital: Off/12 bit/8 bit. Quantizes reverb to lower bit rates for lo-fi sounds reminiscent of vintage digital reverbs.

3.2.2.9 Surround Section

Provides controls for surround sound configurations, including balance, EQ, and center channel reverb.

• Surround EQ: Controls for the balance and hi/lo EQ of the surround (rear) channel outputs.
• Surround LoShelf Freq: Range: 20–1000 Hz; Default: 240 Hz.
• Surround LoShelf Gain: Range: -80 to +12 dB; Default: 0.
• Surround HiShelf Freq: Range: 2000–16000 Hz; Default: 4604 Hz.
• Surround HiShelf Gain: Range: -80 to +12 dB; Default: -6.
• Center Gain: Range: -60 to 0 dB; Default: -6 dB. Controls the level of the Center speaker reverb.
• Front/Rear Balance: Range: -100 to 100; Default: 50. Controls the balance between front and rear channels (-100 = Surrounds only, 100 = Front Stage only).