Reverb is an effect that can easily be taken for granted by guitarists. It comes built in to a lot of amps and is usually controlled by a single knob. And once the right setting is figured out, it’s basically left alone. However, reverb can be used creatively to add depth, invoke a mood, create space and motion, add tonal differences, or to highlight or engulf a note or performance. Producers and engineers have always used reverb in subtle or overt ways. Whether it’s meticulous menu-diving on a plug-in to find just the right reverb algorithm to make a vocal sit comfortably in a mix, or moving multiple mics around a room to add depth and dimension to drums, the “space around the note” is very powerful stuff.
Fortunately for us guitar players, tapping into all of this sonic goodness is as easy as plugging in a pedal. Reverb pedals have come a long way in recent years; the technology has simply gotten smaller and more affordable, which has opened the floodgates of possibilities. Here are six recent additions to the Sweetwater lineup that cover a wide variety of ‘verbs and have definitely gotten my attention.
MXR Reverb
The MXR Reverb combines deep, complex-sounding reverb with ease of use in a compact format, which is no easy feat! Right away, the sounds are fantastic and the controls are straightforward. Stepping through the different algorithms shows this pedal’s range and versatility. The addition of an expression pedal jack and TRS stereo output adds even more options while still retaining its small footprint.
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath
Other-worldly is the best description for Afterneath. This is a truly unique take on reverb. Combining multiple short delays with the capability of regenerating them back into each other, the sounds in this pedal range from the bottom of the deepest, darkest cave to a bright, ping-y reverb swarm. Afterneath excels at creating cavernous, atmospheric textures.
T-Rex Creamer
At the other end of the spectrum is the T-Rex Creamer. This is a bread-and-butter reverb pedal that sounds great and just plain works. All three algorithms: Room, Spring, and Hall, perform exactly as you would expect them to. They’re voiced really well for guitar, so dialing in the appropriate sound is quick and intuitive. If you need a no-fuss reverb that goes from short and reflective to large and spacious — with some optional “boing” — the Creamer does it with style and ease.
BOSS RV-6
BOSS has always been good at giving you the features and options you need to create a wide variety of usable sounds and the RV-6 keeps that tradition going. Eight different modes, ranging from Room and Hall to Dynamic and Shimmer, an expression pedal input, stereo I/O, and excellent sounds make the RV-6 another BOSS classic.
TC Electronic T2
The T2 is specifically going after huge, lush reverbs. The 10 onboard sounds are like giant clouds or a tunnel at the bottom of the ocean. Part of their Toneprint series, the algorithms are dense and complex with a lot of sonic interest.
Strymon BigSky
“Big” is the operative word here, on every level: sounds, options, tweakability, and programmability. The Strymon BigSky has 12 reverb types, 300 presets, eight knobs, and three switches onboard, and sounds that are inspirational. This is a do-it-all reverb pedal.