The recent discussion about the Vienna Suite and my problems with my current convolution reverb was leading me to another test. The last time, I was just testing EQ and Compression, but since I got last time a deal on an UAD, I was passing on Vienna Suite (hmmpph - not a good idea in retro) .
Last year on Musikmesse, I was listening to Dietz' presentation of MIR, and the great sound of Konzerthaus and the sound stage. It was exactly the sound I wanted to create, but time, budget and ability do not allow for MIR.
When I was using my actual Convo Reverb, I always had the problem, that (in my ears) it sounded shattered, tin cup style, always way to "wet". I used all Rooms avaliable on the Internet. The only reasonable results I was getting where with some plate reverb emulations, but this is not what you are looking for in an orchestral master mix.
As more I was blown away by re-testing Vienna Suite Convolution (Thanks Paul for the extension period). Just by using presets, I was getting the exact results, clear, with orchestral head room, warm, not "schmettering", unbelievable, just what I wanted. Then I thought, it is the quality of the IR, but by taking the exact same free IR's from the Internet, the Vienna Suite returned premium quality sound.
I tried to find out where the difference came from. I played all day, A/B'ing tweaks and parameters, but my "old" Convo comes not near this one.
I guess it is the "Dietz" factor as in MIR - when you have a "vision" (or better a "sound") in your head for your creation, than you create a complete different product than only looking at the tech side or the marketing side of it.
I don't want to be unfair and name the other product - it is not free, but still has its merit and is not "bad" - but it can't stand against the "Konzerthaus" IRs in the Vienna Convolution Reverb (IMHO). It seems to be not true that all convolution are using the same algorithm. There is more than one difference.
The question was also in comparison to the vast array of rooms in Altiverb - but for me (personally) it is more and more a question of focus. Yes it is great to have rooms from Sydney Opera to Jumbo cockpit - but you rarely use them in a regular mix. You take one or two that you (and your ears) love and use them regularly. And the additional IRs from VSL are all more than sufficient for VI related mixing. And if you want to add the ultimate special effect IR, take the Quantec "Taj Mahal" from EchoChamber (free) - great eternal reverb with more than some 10 sec tail
As for the "rest" of the Suite pack - I think they are all premium and you have to try it out . Everybody can test it - and they all can stand out against all the usual major plugs. Just the presets alone are priceless - (including all the names with the grain of "Wiener Schmäh" - just cool)
This weekend test will leave me with a serious budget problem - still have 29 days to solve it.
chhers hs
Too old for Rock n Roll. Too young for 9th symphonies. Wagner Lover, IRCAM Alumni. Double Bass player starting in low Es. I am where noise is music.
