Oxford Reverb

Name: Oxford Reverb
Price: 318 USD
Author: Sonnox

by Sonnox · Reverb · Algorithmic reverb

Not rated yet

An algorithmic stereo reverb with separate early reflection and tail sections, each with size, shape and stereo image controls.

A built-in 5-band Oxford EQ shapes the reverb, and dispersion, phase and absorption controls tune its texture. It runs with zero latency, so it also suits tracking.

Best for: Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Acoustic Instruments, Keys & Synths. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: algorithmic, low latency, room, hall, drums, vocals, electric guitar, mixing, tracking, zero-latency, creative, extreme, plate, post-production, steep learning curve.

What it does

Oxford Reverb is Sonnox's algorithmic reverb, built on the idea that "reverb should sound natural and enveloping, sitting in, rather than on a mix." It first appeared as the Sony Oxford Reverb and gives detailed control over early reflections and the tail.

Early reflections and tail: separate paths, each with adjustable size, shape and stereo image, so the sense of room and the decay can be set independently.
Reverb EQ: an integrated 5-band Oxford EQ shapes the frequency response of the reverb.
Texture controls: dispersion, phase and absorption settings for realistic or more creative spaces.
Presets: over 120, from small rooms to concert halls.
Open design: the algorithm is not locked into preset types such as hall or plate; the space is built from the parameters.

KVR lists version 4.04.0.

Source: Sonnox product page

When to use it

Oxford Reverb sits alongside mixing reverbs such as FabFilter Pro-R 2 and Valhalla Room: all three aim for natural space you can set precisely. Its workflow is less friendly and visual than Pro-R 2's, and it costs far more than Valhalla Room; Oxford Reverb is the pick if you want separate control of reflections and tail and a built-in Oxford EQ. For character and lush effect sounds, it goes less far than VintageVerb or Blackhole.

Best for: natural rooms and halls for vocals, guitars, drums and acoustic instruments in music and post-production mixes.
Genres: any genre that needs realistic space, from pop and rock to acoustic, orchestral and film.
Look elsewhere if: you want fast, preset-driven or experimental ambient sounds, or a lower price.
Standout: independent early reflection and tail design with the Oxford EQ built in.

What producers say

Users and reviewers praise its sound, flexibility and low resource use; the main caveat is a learning curve with its non-standard controls.

Sound On Sound (2005) Mike Thornton, reviewing the Sony Oxford version, called it a "great-sounding reverb which has something new to offer," though the controls take learning.
Sweetwater users rated it 4.9/5; one (2015) called it "extremely flexible and infinitely adjustable," another (2014) noted it "has zero latency so it can be used in tracking."
CPU: a Sweetwater reviewer (2006) said it holds up to convolution reverbs "while using considerably less CPU power."

Where to buy

Sweetwater: $318
Plugin Boutique: $318
Sonnox: $329.99 (Listed at £279.99; converted at £1 = $1.3247 (ECB rates, 29 Sep 2026))

Tutorials and reviews

Similar plugins

Renaissance Reverb by Waves · Algorithmic reverb · $32.93
FlexVerb by Solid State Logic · Algorithmic reverb · $149
Verberate 2 by Acon Digital · Algorithmic reverb · $99
MasterVerb 7 by Wave Arts · Algorithmic hall and plate reverb · $129
UltraReverb by Eventide · Algorithmic reverb · $93.08
bx_rooMS by Brainworx · Algorithmic reverb · $100
MH HaloVerb by Metric Halo · Algorithmic reverb · $99
OldSkoolVerb Plus by Voxengo · Algorithmic reverb · $34
FutureVerb by Valhalla DSP · Algorithmic reverb · $50
Kleverb by Klevgrand · Algorithmic reverb · $59.99

All reverbs