There's life in the old spring yet, and there's still no more cost effective way of producing reverb. This month we look at a wide selection of the models currently available.

Fostex 3180

This 2U rack mounting reverb unit was reviewed in the very first issue of HSR way back in September 83. It's still in circulation, and, although about to be withdrawn, enjoys a good reputation. It may be used as a true 2-channel stereo device or may be run in the more common 'mono in-stereo out' configuration. In addition to the spring generated reverb, the unit incorporates a BBD delay line which gives 24mS of pre-delay for greater depth.

In all other respects this is a 'no frills' device, there being no EQ or even mix controls, but the sound quality is good if a little lacking in low frequency response. Actually this is no bad thing as low frequency reverb tends to muddy up a mix and this one sounds very clean. Twanging on transients is minimal and this is one of the few spring units that sound good on drums. The recommended selling price is £344.95 and further details are available from Turnkey, (Contact Details).

Great British Spring Mk3

Manufactured by Bandive in the UK, this distinctive unit is instantly recognisable. Built into a piece of plastic waste pipe rather than the more conventional rack case, this device is intended for wall mounting in permanent studio installations. Available in either balanced or unbalanced versions, the GBS features true 2-channel operation and it utilises a separate power supply to keep hum pick-up to a minimum. The only control is an input level adjustment so this really is designed to be used in conjunction with a mixing desk and there's no provision for EQ, a mix control or output level adjustment. Despite its apparent simplicity, this is one of the best sounding, most vice-free spring units around in the budget price range and at its currently reduced selling price of £112.67, it represents excellent value for money. At this price, it would be worth buying one for vocals, even if you have a digital unit already as it's often handy to have two reverbs at mixdown. As a general purpose reverb, this one is hard to beat. Reviewed HSR June 84. Further details from Bandive, (Contact Details).

Cutec AE410 Reverb/Delay

This modestly priced little unit is rather unusual in that it offers not only reverb but an analogue delay to boot. The delay section allows the user to create echo effects using a maximum delay time of 300mS and a feedback control allows repeat echoes to be created. Like it's predecessor, the AE400, it is housed in its 1U case, the AE410 is a single channel device which means that it is strictly mono and the restricted bandwidth of the delay section (3.5kHz) limits its usefulness in professional applications but it can still be used to good effect for adding interest to home recordings. One useful feature is the inclusion of footswitch sockets for live use and at £162, this little unit deserves close attention if your funds need to be spread thinly. The AE400 was reviewed in HSR September 84. The AE410 features an improved spring.

Further details from MTR, (Contact Details).

Vesta Fire RV-2

This is a true 2-channel unit and it comes as a neat 2U package. No fewer than eight springs provide a smooth reverb effect and an input limiter is fitted to minimise twanging problems caused by excessive input transients. Again the facilities are pretty basic with no EQ and no dedicated mix control but the sound quality is good and a respectably low background noise is maintained. A low cut switch is provided if you need to reduce the low frequency reverb content and at £294, this unit is worthy of serious consideration if you can't stretch to a digital unit but still need that bit extra in the way of quality. Reviewed HSR Jan 85. Further details from MTR, (Contact Details).

Vesta Fire RV-3

This is another 2-channel unit from Vesta but this time comes in the form of a 1U package. This model has similar facilities to the RV-2 but has an additional noise gate and 3-band EQ section for further flexibility. When used as a stereo reverb unit fed from a mono signal, a couple of phasing tricks are employed to widen the stereo image and the RV-3 is well insulated against vibration, a common failing on budget spring units. At £221, this is another device worthy of serious consideration. Reviewed HSR Jan 85. Further details from MTR, (Contact Details).

Third Generation GR2

This smart looking 1U reverb unit features both XLR and jack connectors and it is configured as a true 2-channel device which means that it can be used to process one stereo signal, two mono signals or it can add stereo reverb to a mono signal. The unit is well made and features an input limiter as well as a variable high pass filter and a mix control. The sound quality is fair but tends to be fluttery on percussive sounds. Reviewed in HSR July 85, the GR2 will set you back £249.55 and you can get more information from Third Generation Audio Products/Adam Hall Supplies, (Contact Details).

JHS SL5300

This must be one of the cheapest reverb units on the market and so it offers the beginner working with very limited resources a chance to experiment with reverb. It is a 1U rack mounting package and all the signal connections are on the front panel in the form of jacks. A 3-band EQ is provided, there is a mix control and there is also provision for the connection of a footswitch to bypass the effect. The unit is strictly mono and the sound quality is obviously not as good as that of more expensive units but it's a start. Reviewed in H&SR Jan 86, this little box will cost you £75 and further details can be obtained from John Hornby Skewes, (Contact Details).

Accessit Stereo Reverb

Manufactured by the British company Bandive, this reverb unit is slightly unusual in that the control section and the springs are housed in separate cases. This is not a passing whim but allows the control module to retain the same compact physical size as all the other Accessit modules whilst making use of longer springs.

It has Input Level and Mix controls as you might expect and even a peak LED is included to help you optimise the drive level but there's more still. A single band sweep EQ section has been designed in to add further tonal flexibility and this covers the range of 1 kHz to 7.5kHz.

The spring section uses six springs and so gives a fairly rich sound with a good stereo depth but it is susceptible to twanging on percussion, but then aren't they all? This is a good all round budget reverb though not to my mind as smooth as the Great British Spring produced by the same company. The Accessit Reverb costs £145.48 and further details are available from Bandive, (Contact Details).

And Finally

With digital reverbs now popping up at under £400 pounds, it would seem that the more expensive spring reverbs are due to take their place in history alongside the dinosaur. On the other hand, a good budget unit does make reverberation available to those for whom £400 is still too much to spend on an effects unit. Also the spring does have a characteristic sound and whilst this may not be flavour of the month on percussion, it can provide a very natural means of enhancing vocals or electronic instruments.

This roundup is by no means exhaustive, though it does represent a fair cross section of what has been available over the last couple of years. Some of the more expensive models are dueto be withdrawn as they can't compete with budget digital units but you may still be able to find a second hand one at a price to suit you.

All prices include VAT.