Simple Reverb User Guide
Six distinct reverb types from intimate to infinite
Getting Started
Quick Start
- Download the installer from your Ouaricon Audio account
- Run the installer — it installs both VST3 and AU formats automatically
- Open your DAW and scan for new plugins
- Insert Simple Reverb on a track or send bus
- Enter your license key (OUA-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX) when prompted
System Requirements
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| macOS | macOS 10.13+ (Intel and Apple Silicon native) |
| Windows | Windows 10+ (64-bit) |
| RAM | 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended |
| Formats | VST3, AU |
| DAW | Any VST3/AU-compatible host |
Installation Paths
macOS:
- VST3:
~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/O-SimpleReverb.vst3 - AU:
~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/O-SimpleReverb.component
Windows:
- VST3:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\O-SimpleReverb.vst3
Interface Overview
Simple Reverb features a straightforward interface designed for quick workflow. Choose a reverb type, adjust the space parameters, balance wet/dry, and shape the tone with the filter.
Philosophy
Simple Reverb is designed to remove the "in-a-box" feel from digital recordings without overwhelming your mix. Each reverb type has its own distinct character and DSP algorithm, making this plugin a versatile tool for everything from subtle ambience to vast soundscapes.
Parameters
| Parameter | Range | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Booth, Room, Hall, Spring, Plate, Ambient | Room | Selects the reverb algorithm. Each type has unique DSP characteristics. |
| Character | Warm ← 0-100% → Bright | 50% | Alters the tonal quality and texture of the reverb tail. Lower values = warmer/darker, higher values = brighter/airier. |
| Low Cut | 20-400 Hz | 100 Hz | High-pass filter cutoff frequency. Removes low frequencies from the wet signal to prevent muddiness. |
| Low Cut On | On / Off | On | Enable or bypass the low-cut filter. |
| Wet | 0-100% | 30% | Level of the reverb (wet) signal. |
| Dry | 0-100% | 100% | Level of the original (dry) signal. |
| Decay | 0.5x-2.0x | 1.0x | Multiplier for reverb tail length. Each reverb type has a base decay time; this parameter scales it. |
| Size | 0-100% | 50% | Perceived virtual room dimensions. Affects early reflection spacing and overall spaciousness. |
Reverb Types
Each reverb type uses a distinct DSP algorithm with unique characteristics:
Booth
Character: Small, tight space with minimal early reflections and short decay.
DSP: 3ms pre-delay, high-pass filter at 150 Hz
Best for: Adding presence without distance. Great for close-miked vocals, drums, and dialogue. Keeps sources upfront while removing the "dead" feel of a completely dry recording.
Room
Character: Natural mid-sized space with balanced early reflections and diffusion.
DSP: 15ms pre-delay, neutral frequency response
Best for: Versatile everyday reverb. Works on nearly any source. Creates a sense of recorded-in-a-room realism without calling attention to itself.
Hall
Character: Large concert hall with rich, spacious tail and long decay.
DSP: 50ms pre-delay, subtle modulation, gentle high roll-off
Best for: Orchestral music, pads, ballads, and cinematic content. Adds grandeur and depth. Use sparingly on dense mixes to avoid muddiness.
Spring
Character: Classic spring reverb emulation with characteristic metallic resonance and "boing."
DSP: 20ms pre-delay, all-pass dispersion network (creates chirp), 4.5 Hz flutter modulation, +4 dB boost at 800 Hz
Best for: Guitar (surf, rockabilly, indie), keys, and retro vibes. Adds vintage character and movement.
Plate
Character: Dense, smooth metallic reverb with fast build-up and even decay.
DSP: 8ms pre-delay, ring modulation shimmer, bright tilt (+3 dB at 5 kHz)
Best for: Classic on vocals, snare drums, and percussion. Adds lush body without washing out the source. Studio standard since the 1960s.
Ambient
Character: Ethereal, shimmering space with maximum diffusion and slow modulation.
DSP: 35ms pre-delay, 0.4 Hz slow modulation, soft high-frequency damping
Best for: Atmospheric textures, pads, cinematic soundscapes, and experimental music. Creates vast, otherworldly spaces. Can easily dominate a mix — use judiciously.
Presets
Simple Reverb includes 24 factory presets (4 per reverb type):
Booth
| Preset | Description |
|---|---|
| Vocal Booth | Close vocal presence |
| Drum Close | Tight drum ambience |
| Tight Room | Small reflective space |
| Whisper | Intimate, minimal reverb |
Room
| Preset | Description |
|---|---|
| Small Room | Compact natural space |
| Live Room | Medium reflective room |
| Studio A | Professional studio ambience |
| Jazz Club | Warm, intimate venue |
Hall
| Preset | Description |
|---|---|
| Concert Hall | Large classical venue |
| Cathedral | Sacred, expansive space |
| Theater | Mid-sized performance hall |
| Ballroom | Elegant, spacious hall |
Spring
| Preset | Description |
|---|---|
| Surf Guitar | Classic surf reverb |
| Dub Echo | Deep spring with delay feel |
| Vintage Spring | Retro amp spring tank |
| Twang | Country/rockabilly spring |
Plate
| Preset | Description |
|---|---|
| Studio Plate | Classic vocal plate |
| Shimmer Plate | Bright, shimmering plate |
| Vocal Plate | Dense, smooth vocal reverb |
| Lush Plate | Rich, enveloping plate |
Ambient
| Preset | Description |
|---|---|
| Pad Wash | Subtle pad enhancement |
| Infinite Drone | Very long, vast space |
| Ethereal | Otherworldly shimmer |
| Cloud Nine | Soft, dreamy ambience |
Managing Presets
Presets are stored at:
macOS: ~/Library/O-SimpleReverb/Presets/
You can create custom presets and share them by copying preset files to this directory.
Troubleshooting
Plugin Not Appearing in DAW
- Rescan your plugin directories in your DAW's preferences
- Verify the plugin is installed at the correct path (see Installation Paths above)
- On macOS, check that Gatekeeper hasn't blocked the plugin (System Settings → Security & Privacy)
- Restart your DAW after installation
Too Much Reverb / Sounds Washed Out
- Lower the Wet level (try 15-30% as a starting point)
- Raise the Dry level to maintain source presence
- Enable Low Cut and raise the frequency to 150-200 Hz
- Reduce Decay for a shorter tail
Reverb Sounds Muddy
- Enable Low Cut On and increase the cutoff frequency
- Reduce Size to create a smaller, tighter space
- Try a different reverb type (Booth or Room instead of Hall/Ambient)
- Lower the Decay multiplier
No Reverb Tail / Too Short
- Increase Decay multiplier (try 1.5x or 2.0x)
- Increase Size to 70-100%
- Check that Wet level is sufficient (at least 20-30%)
- Try Hall or Ambient types for longer, more obvious tails
Reverb Sounds Too Metallic or Artificial
- If using Spring type, this is characteristic — try Room or Hall for naturality
- Adjust Character toward the warmer side (lower values)
- Reduce Decay — excessive decay can emphasize artifacts
License Activation Issues
- Check your internet connection
- Verify the license key format is correct:
OUA-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX - Ensure you haven't exceeded the 3-machine activation limit
- Contact [email protected] if problems persist
High CPU Usage
- Simple Reverb is CPU-efficient, but complex reverb types (Hall, Ambient) use more processing
- Try simpler types (Booth, Room) if CPU is a concern
- Check your DAW's buffer size — increase it if you're not recording