Aaltoverb
by Madrona Labs · Reverb · Modulatable reverb with freeze
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Aaltoverb is a reverb from Madrona Labs with smooth, click-free modulation of size, decay and tone.
Each main parameter has its own syncable LFO, and a freeze control holds an infinite wash without loop artifacts. It costs $35.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Sound Design, Vocals, Guitars. Genres: Ambient & Cinematic, Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: freeze, synths, smooth, ambience, electric guitar, sound design, cinematic, infinite, inspired by, live performance, MIDI-controllable, mixing, pads, standalone app, tempo-synced, vocals, wet.
What it does
Aaltoverb is Madrona Labs' standalone performance reverb, inspired by the reverb in its Aalto synth. Its idea is that every main control can be moved, or modulated, smoothly and without clicks, so the space itself can change while you play.
- Size: sets the dimensions of the space and can be swept in real time without clicks.
- Decay: a T60 control (seconds for the sound to fall by 60 dB) that works together with size and extends to infinity.
- Freeze: an endless wash with no audible loop points.
- Tone: works more like a DJ mixer isolator than a normal EQ, from a muffled low-end thump to a strong high-end lift.
- LFOs: an individual, host-syncable LFO for each main parameter, added in version 2.0.
- MIDI learn: also added in version 2.0, through a new popup interface.
Version 2.0.3. The demo has a reminder sound every minute and patch saving disabled.
Source: Madrona Labs product page
When to use it
Aaltoverb is a small, inexpensive reverb for performance and sound design rather than for realistic mixing spaces. Compared with Valhalla Supermassive and Eventide Blackhole, it has far fewer modes and presets, but its per-parameter LFOs and click-free size changes make slowly moving and frozen spaces easy to set up. Unlike FabFilter Pro-R 2 or Valhalla Room, it offers no detailed early reflections or decay EQ for placing sources in a room. Its tone control is a single broad sweep, which keeps it quick to use live.
- Best for: ambient washes, frozen pads and modulated reverb on synths and guitars, and live tweaking.
- Genres: ambient, cinematic, experimental and electronic music.
- Look elsewhere if: you need realistic rooms or detailed early reflections for mixing; Valhalla Room or Pro-R 2 suit that better.
Where to buy
- Madrona Labs: $35
Tutorials and reviews
- Aaltoverb 2.0 quickstart
- Madrona Labs releases Aaltoverb v2.0 - Adds M1 compatibility
- Treat x Bitwig Polygrid + Madrona Labs Aalto Verb 2.0 Beta
- Aaltoverb 2 Presets - Free download
- Treat x Madrona Labs Kaivo + Aalto Verb (is ambient bliss!)
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