Convolution Reverb in Live 9: Space is the place
Available with the release of Live 9 Suite, the Convolution Reverb is an exciting new creative device for bringing new space to your sounds. See and hear more about the Convolution Reverb in a new video, then read on for insights into convolution, including some from Ableton sound designer Christian Kleine.
You don't need to understand what's going on under the hood in order to use Live's Convolution Reverb, but it's a fascinating process to learn about. A reverb based on the mathematical process of convolution, takes an "impulse response", or "IR" - a sample from a real-world space - and uses this to digitally simulate the reverberation of that space. "Only a convolution reverb can capture the ambience of a real space, or real hardware, and recreate it on a computer." explains Ableton sound designer Christian Kleine. "With a convolution reverb, you can easily access the reverb of many spaces, and still tweak them."
Made in collaboration with Alex Harker at Huddersfield University, Live 9's Convolution Reverb offers zero latency for a lush, natural sound. The Convolution Reverb also includes over 200 IRs from professional acousticians, featuring spaces from around the world, vintage hardware, experimental sounds, and more. Christian Kleine personally contributed IRs from his collection of rare instruments and effects, including vintage plate echos, spring reverbs, tape delays, and more.
Live 9's Convolution Reverb includes Convolution Reverb Pro, a device which allows for extended tweaking options such as EQ, damping, modulation, and more. "The reverse function in Convolution Reverb Pro is especially nice." says Christian. "You can modify an original IR to something completely new, and then resave the design as a new preset." Convolution Reverb Pro also allows for combining two IRs - one for early reflections, and one for late - for a hybrid sound that combines elements of multiple spaces.
Live 9's Convolution Reverb also comes with the IR Measurement Tool device, which facilitates the creation of personal IRs. Use the IR Measurement Tool to get a perfect sample from your own hardware - or just drag and drop an audio file into the Convolution Reverb device. You don't even need to stick to reverberant spaces - try out a variety of sounds, and explore new spaces.