80s Spaces

Name: 80s Spaces
Price: 24.99 USD
Author: Nomad Factory

by Nomad Factory · Reverb · 1980s convolution reverb

Not rated yet

80s Spaces is a convolution reverb built around the reverbs and space effects of 1980s records, with 250 impulse responses and 510 presets.

It references 12 classic units including the Lexicon 480L, EMT 250, AMS RMX16 and Yamaha SPX90. It lists at $149 and is on promotion for $24.99.

Best for: Vocals, Drums, Keys & Synths, Guitars, Sound Design. Genres: Pop, Rock & Indie, Electronic & EDM, Ambient & Cinematic.

Keywords: 80s, impulse-response based, convolution, gated, preset-driven, retro, synths, vocals, drums, classic, digital classic, hardware emulation, snare, wide, 70s, bright, chorus, dark, mixing, resizable UI, rhythmic, samples & loops, sound design, vintage.

What it does

80s Spaces is a convolution reverb built to recreate "the typical reverbs and space effects" of 1980s pop and rock records. Instead of an algorithm, it plays impulse responses taken from 12 reference reverb units of that era.

Library: 250 impulse responses and 510 presets, based on units such as the Lexicon 480L, EMT 250, AMS RMX16 and Yamaha SPX90.
Reverb section: pre-delay, attack, decay and gate controls, so you can shorten a long tail or chop it into a gated-reverb effect.
Movement and width: a chorus control to add motion to the tail, and a width control for the stereo image.
Tone: low-cut and high-cut filters, plus color and tilt EQ to darken or brighten the reverb.
Levels: input and output level and a dry/wet balance, so it works as an insert or on a send.
Display: a parameter readout with a waveform overview of the reverb, in an interface resizable up to 200%.

Version 2.5.1 is current (release dated 27 October 2025). It is often discounted (the product page showed a promotional price at the time of writing), and it is part of the Integral Studio Pack. A free demo is available.

Source: Nomad Factory product page

When to use it

80s Spaces is the quicker route to ready-made 1980s reverbs, gated drums included, at a budget price. Compared with Valhalla VintageVerb, it gives sampled versions of specific units rather than algorithms, so it has less control over the tail's shape and modulation. Relab LX480 recreates one Lexicon unit in full depth and is more editable; 80s Spaces gives a snapshot of many units in one plugin. Unlike FabFilter Pro-R 2, it has no detailed decay EQ or analyzer. It suits producers who want to dial in an era's sound from presets rather than build spaces from scratch.

Best for: gated snares and toms, big 1980s vocal and synth spaces, and retro pop and synthwave production.
Genres: synthwave, synth-pop, pop, rock and retro electronic music.
Look elsewhere if: you want deep algorithmic editing (VintageVerb), a faithful single Lexicon (LX480), or a clean modern reverb with visual EQ (Pro-R 2).
Tip: KVR users single out the gated presets on snare for an instant 1980s drum sound.

What producers say

KVR users are uniformly positive, especially about its 1980s character and value.

KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 6 reviews (2018 to 2025), praising the gated-reverb sounds, the range of sampled units and the presets; one called it "perfect for the 80s genre (and others too)".
Value: several reviewers single out the price, one calling it "one of the best software reverb plugins" for the money.
Synthwave: two reviewers called it essential for synthwave and retro production, and one suggested trying the demo first.

KVR user reviews

Where to buy

Best Service: $24.99
Nomad Factory: $24.99 (regular $149)
Audio Plugin Deals: $179

Tutorials and reviews

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