Wave Alchemy Radiance is a plate reverb plugin that meticulously emulates the iconic sound of the EMT 140 plate reverb unit. This digital recreation aims to capture the warmth, depth, and character of seven different EMT 140 plates, each with its unique sonic signature. Radiance goes beyond mere emulation by incorporating modern features and controls that expand the creative possibilities of the classic plate reverb sound. The plugin offers a user-friendly interface with intuitive controls, allowing users to shape the reverb’s character, tone, and spatial qualities with precision. Radiance provides a range of reverb times, from short and tight to long and spacious, making it suitable for various musical genres and production styles. The plugin’s advanced features include modulation options, ducking capabilities, and a comprehensive EQ section, enabling users to fine-tune the reverb effect to fit seamlessly into their mixes.
Pros:
• Authentic emulation of seven EMT 140 plate reverbs
• Extensive modern features for creative sound shaping
• Intuitive user interface with visually appealing design
• High-quality presets covering a wide range of applications
• Flexible routing options including mid/side processing
Cons:
• CPU usage can be relatively high, especially with multiple instances
• Learning curve for utilizing all advanced features effectively
Wave Alchemy’s Radiance offers an impressive array of features that combine vintage authenticity with modern flexibility. At its core, the plugin provides seven distinct plate reverb models, each capturing the nuances of different EMT 140 units. Users can switch between these models to find the perfect plate character for their source material.
The main control section allows for adjustment of fundamental reverb parameters such as decay time, pre-delay, and mix level. The decay time ranges from 0.1 to 10 seconds, accommodating everything from tight ambiences to expansive soundscapes. The pre-delay can be set in milliseconds or synced to the host tempo, offering rhythmic flexibility.
Radiance includes a comprehensive EQ section with low and high shelving filters, as well as a 4-band parametric EQ. This allows for precise tonal shaping of the reverb tail, enabling users to sculpt the frequency response to sit perfectly in the mix. The EQ can be applied globally or separately to the early reflections and late reverb components.
The plugin features two types of modulation: Flux and Ensemble. Flux introduces subtle pitch variations and movement to the reverb tail, adding richness and depth. Ensemble provides a chorus-like effect, widening the stereo image and creating a more lush, expansive sound. Both modulation types can be fine-tuned to taste.
Radiance incorporates a ducking feature that allows the reverb to respond dynamically to the input signal. This helps maintain clarity in the mix by reducing the reverb level during louder passages and swelling it back up during quieter moments. The attack, release, and threshold controls enable precise tailoring of this effect.
The plugin’s advanced page offers even more sound-shaping tools. The Character control allows users to choose between Clean, Vintage, and Gritty modes, each imparting a different flavor to the reverb tail. The Gritty mode, inspired by the SP-1200 sampler, adds a unique lo-fi quality to the sound.
Stereo width control is provided on both the input and output stages, with the ability to adjust the width separately for low and high frequencies. This feature is particularly useful for creating wide, immersive reverbs while maintaining a focused low end.
A built-in gate with adjustable threshold, attack, and release times allows for creative effects like gated reverb or for taming excessive reverb tails. The gate can be triggered by the input signal or via MIDI, offering additional creative possibilities.
Radiance also includes a transient shaper that can soften the attack of the input signal before it hits the reverb, resulting in a smoother, more cohesive sound. This feature is particularly useful for percussive sources.
The plugin’s preset management system is robust, offering a wide range of factory presets categorized by instrument and style. Users can easily save and recall their own presets, and a randomize function provides inspiration by generating new settings with a single click.
When comparing Radiance to similar plugins, it stands out for its combination of authentic vintage emulation and extensive modern features. While plugins like Waves Abbey Road Plates or Universal Audio’s EMT 140 offer excellent emulations of specific plate reverbs, Radiance provides a broader palette with its seven plate models and advanced sound-shaping tools. Compared to Valhalla Plate, another popular plate reverb plugin, Radiance offers more detailed control over the reverb character and a wider range of modulation options. However, Valhalla Plate is more CPU-efficient and may be preferred for simpler applications. Eventide’s SP2016 Reverb plugin, which emulates another classic hardware unit, offers a different flavor of vintage digital reverb. While it excels in certain areas, Radiance provides more flexibility in terms of plate emulations and modern features.
This plugin is best for:
• Producers and mix engineers seeking authentic plate reverb sounds
• Sound designers looking for creative and flexible reverb options
• Musicians wanting to add depth and dimension to their tracks
• Post-production professionals needing high-quality reverb for audio-visual work
• Electronic music producers desiring vintage-inspired effects with modern control
Wave Alchemy Radiance is a powerful and versatile plate reverb plugin that successfully bridges the gap between vintage charm and modern functionality. It offers an impressive level of authenticity in its emulation of the classic EMT 140 plates, while providing an extensive set of tools for shaping and manipulating the reverb sound. The plugin’s intuitive interface makes it accessible to beginners, while its advanced features offer depth for experienced users. The inclusion of seven distinct plate models gives users a wide palette of reverb characters to choose from, making Radiance suitable for a broad range of musical styles and production needs. While it may be more CPU-intensive than some simpler reverb plugins, the sound quality and flexibility it offers justify the resource usage for many users. Overall, Radiance stands out as a top contender in the crowded field of reverb plugins, offering a compelling blend of vintage authenticity and modern innovation.