The Song Fight Bulletin Board

Anyone have any experience with the Alesis PicoVerb ($79 US)? Expanding the rig to include a mixer which has an FX loop/bus/thingy, and thought a hardware reverb might be a better thing to include than the software stuff I'm currently abusing. On one hand, I know I get what I pay for, but on the other, that's low enough to be extremely attractive if it doesn't half suck.

I have used the Alesis Quadraverb and that wasn't bad, just give you an idea of what I thought of Alesis reverbs. Not sure where the picoverb stands on the Alesis pecking order. Don't expect it to be a 224x though.

We use the predecessor to this model for practice, the MicroVerb, and it's not half bad. I've never used it for recording though, so it's hard to say about that. At least it's 24 bit vs. the 16 bit MicroVerb. I guess it comes down to your application. If you're looking for just a bit of a wash over type reverb effect or basic delay, this will probably meet your needs. If your looking for something just a little more lush and realistic sounding, the Lexicon M110 and the TC Electronic M300 might fit the bill for around $199.

I've only used their... MIDIVerb, I think? And that is in a live setting. It's not bad, but I think you'd be better off springing for a good software reverb. They sound better and they're a whole lot easier to work with. Waves' reverbs are stellar.

The Quadraverb 2 and Roland GP-100 are what I use for hardware effects. You can hear the two of them on ... all my SF tracks, pretty much. Haven't tried the one you're asking about, though. I do like the immediacy of hardware effects, but it's harder to set up patches using the little wheel and buttons than on a software effect.
-bill

i've got the alesis Microverb 4 and a Midiverb 3. The Microverb 4 i bought many years ago to use with my fourtrack, so it doesn't get much use these days. I break it out occaisonally for people who need reverb on their vocals to sing and I used it for a cool drum effect in LD's coverfight entry. It is good, and I am glad i have it for those instances. I'd rather use the software stuff I have now for my mixes though. there is so much good stuff.

I'd be happy to sell you the Midiverb 3 if you are interested.

Be well,
Ken

You guys rock, thanks! I love this place.

hey guys, remember, where possible please put up a demo mp3 of whatever you're talking about. if you don't have hosting space for a demo, let me know and we'll host it on sf.net

jb

good idea, jb. hey rabid, if you want demos of my stuff i can make some tonight. let me know.
-bill

hey bill, no, I think I'm good, thanks.

Although that does bring up an interesting point: There could be a reference piece of music/song available here in dry form, broken into tracks that can be used by anyone to illustrate examples and effects and mixing techniques and such, y'know?

Sort of a baseline thing, since we're all running very different rigs, software, and all those other variables.

Rabid Garfunkel wrote:hey bill, no, I think I'm good, thanks.

Although that does bring up an interesting point: There could be a reference piece of music/song available here in dry form, broken into tracks that can be used by anyone to illustrate examples and effects and mixing techniques and such, y'know?

Sort of a baseline thing, since we're all running very different rigs, software, and all those other variables.

Hey that's a pretty great idea! PAGING BRAD.

There's a lot of variables to consider so if this baseline thing happens, people should be sure to clearly state "I used the fifth variation of this type of plate effect with the mix set on the device @ 50% and subbed to the mains through my" well you get the idea.

I've got a lexicon unit, and it's pretty fun. At the club there are three reverb units at my disposal: the same lexicon, a Yamaha spx, and an alesis midiverb. The midiverb is pretty much all I use up there. Jillions of settings, and it's easy to customize shit.

Example: I often customize the delay on it. I estimate the bpm of whatever the band is playing, and it usually comes out pretty close. ~100bpm will do pretty well for most tempos as long as the tap decay is reasonably fast.

Anyways, the midiverb is an awesome unit, very versatile. But, my crappy lexicon thing serves me well at home.

But I would say, for home recording, stick with software reverb. You'll have more control, and everything will be more managable.

Listen to some of Sober's early fights for some excellent use of reverb.



I have a Digitech Studio Quad 4 with some decent reverbs on it, but I just use software nowadays. There are numerous free reverb plugins. The only one I have tried is <a href="http://magnus.smartelectronix.com/">Ambience</a>. It sounds good, but is quite a hog.

-craig

starfinger wrote:Listen to some of Sober's early fights for some excellent use of reverb.

Har har har.