[sdiy] Reverb opinions, please

[Cornutt, David K]

From: Tom Arnold [mailto:xyzzy at sysabend.org]
> I have an Alesis MidiverbII.  It was $30.  So far its the 
> only digital effect I
> have ever fallen in love with.  Its 12bit so its a little 
> trashy/warm sounding,
> yet clean enough to be a good reverb.  I particularly like 
> any of the "Dark"
> settings on it.  

I've got one of those too.  I use it both for an effect and
to add reverb to problematic tracks.  Headroom is pretty good
for an early-generation digital device.  One thing I really
like about it is that it will change patches on the fly without
glitching, which a lot of more recent (and expensive) reverbs
won't do.  Disadvantage: no tweaking of effects whatsoever,
other than dry/effect level.  It only responds to program
change messages and there are no other front panel knobs
besides levels and mix.

> 
> Major drawback with it IMHO besides the worlds worst power 
> connector, is that it
> has RCA jacks on the back.  

Really?  Mine has 1/4" jacks.  Maybe someone who owned it
before me modded it.  

> 
> I tried some of the "newer" alesis reverbs and didnt like the 
> sound.  Just too
> clean for my taste.

I had the same experience with a Midiverb IV, and I've heard
other people say that.  For some reason, the later versions
of the Midiverb just don't sound as good.  The M-IV I tried
seemed to be emphasizing the highs on all of the reverb
algorithms; a very artificial sound (and not in a good way).