RP-Reverse

Name: RP-Reverse
Price: 36.67 USD
Author: Rob Papen

by Rob Papen · Multi-FX · Tempo-synced reverse effect

Not rated yet

RP-Reverse reverses incoming audio in tempo, with several record trigger modes.

It has distortion, two analog-modeled filters, a comb filter and an LFO, with separate volume and mute for the reversed audio, for $39.

Best for: Drums, Vocals, Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.

Keywords: reverse, tempo-synced, vocals, drums, analog-sounding, creative, keys, synths, electric guitar, samples & loops, mixing, sound design, steep learning curve, visual feedback.

What it does

RP-Reverse is a Rob Papen effect that records incoming audio and plays it back reversed, synced to the host tempo. The developer pitches it at drum loops, vocals and instruments, as a tool "for the creative minded artist".

Recording modes: Manual, Audio (triggered when the input passes a threshold) and Host (synced to playback), so you choose how and when audio is captured.
Reverse buffer: adjustable length up to 60 seconds, with tempo sync, and attack and decay controls for fading the reversed audio in and out.
Display: shows the waveform and timing of what is being captured and reversed.
Shaping: a distortion stage, two analog-modeled resonant filters and a comb filter on the reversed signal.
Modulation: one LFO with several waveforms that can move the reversed audio and the filters.
Mix control: a separate volume dial and a mute button for the reversed audio, built for DAW automation.

The current version is 1.0.0. A demo is available.

Source: Rob Papen product page

When to use it

RP-Reverse is the better pick when reversing is the only effect you need and you want it to follow the tempo without bouncing audio. Compared with Effectrix2, it has no step sequencer and none of the other glitch effects, but its three recording modes and long buffer give more control over the reverse itself. Next to Stutter Edit 2 or Transit 2, it is cheaper and narrower, aimed at backward swells and fills rather than build-ups and stutters. Unlike those, it also lacks an envelope follower, so movement comes only from its single LFO.

Best for: reversed drum fills, vocal swells and backward synth, keys and guitar effects, synced to tempo.
Genres: electronic, hip-hop and pop.
Look elsewhere if: you want many glitch effects in one sequencer; Effectrix2 does more.
Tip: use the Audio mode's threshold trigger to capture hits automatically, and tame the reversed part with the filters.

What producers say

The one hands-on review found it a clever, affordable tool for backwards effects, with a learning curve.

Computer Music (MusicRadar, 2019) called it "a well-designed tool for backwards FX and rhythm design", praising the novel concept, the clear waveform display, the filters and LFO, and its results on vocals.
Criticisms: no quick switch between forward and reversed sound, a workflow that feels unintuitive at first, and no envelope follower for modulation.
Usage note: the review found it works on drum loops, percussion, synths, keys, guitars and vocals, given careful settings and filtering.

MusicRadar / Computer Music review

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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