TC Electronic Broadcast 6000 - Manual (Page 13)

TC reverb algorithms: an introduction
English Manual 9
TC reverb algorithms:
an introduction
The TC Reverb Palette
Until 15 to 20 years ago, digital reverb was
mostly used as a generic effect applied to many
sources of a mix. Nowadays, where more aux
send and returns are at disposal, new approach-
es have emerged. Elements of the mix are be-
ing treated individually, adding room character,
flavor and depth in more creative and complex
ways.
At TC, we call this a Source based approach,
and we have put more than 30 man-years of de-
velopment time into design and refinement of
Source based room simulation.
When Generic digital reverbs were invented, they
stretched the DSP power and memory band-
width capabilities of their time; and Source spe-
cific processing was completely out of the ques-
tion. Even though we may now consider Generic
types to be less than ideal, they still have appli-
cations for which they may be chosen instead of
their Source based cousins.
The large reverb and room simulation palette of
Reverb 6000 allows the user to choose whatever
principle suits a present need.
Reverb 6000 algorithm overview
Algorithm
Name Input For-
mat Output
Format Reverb
Type
Rev 3 Stereo Stereo Generic
VSS™ 3 1 Source Stereo Source
VSS™ 3
SR 1 Source LtRt Source
NonLin 2 Mono Stereo Generic
DVR 2 Mono Quad Generic
VSS™ 4 2 Sources Stereo Source
VSS™ 5.1
Source 4 Sources 5.1 Source
VSS™ 6.1
Reverb 5.1 or 6.1 5.1 or 6.1 Generic
VSS™ M4 4 x Mono 4 x
Mono
Generic
Below you will find a suggestion of when to use
what.
Generic Reverb
Generic reverb is primarily a flattering sustain ef-
fect which can be added to many sources of a
mix, or a complete stereo or multichannel stem.
It adds little character but also does no harm,
because the effect is blurred or washed out.
If early reflections are offered, there are only few
of them and they play a rudimentary role. There-
fore, a strong localization is not imposed on the
signal, which is what you want when one reverb
is used on many sources.
For a graphical artist, the equivalent tool to Ge-
neric reverb would be a paint brush.
Generic Reverb Pros
– 1st choice for composite, mixed material and
stems
– 1st choice when used with multichannel joy-
stick on console or DAW
– 1st choice for adding to classical main micro-
phone pick-up
– Works well on moving sources
– Prettier than life
– Quick and easy to use.
Generic Reverb Cons
– Blurring takes away character from individual
sources
– Pitch modulation may be a problem with some
material
– Mono compatibility often compromised to ob-
tain extra width
– Imaging inferior to Source based reverb.