I did a bit of a simple onboard reverb shootout between:
Analog Keys
Analog Rytm
Digitakt
Octatrack MKII
The results:
I found that the DT’s reverb is about as similar as it can be to AK / AR.
Where as OT’s Dark Reverb has a mid forward resonance ring to it that is unique among the four.
Which is better is entirely subjective. Every tool is a weapon if you hold it right.
I do enjoy modulating the Time/Shvg/Shvf parameters on OT’s Dark Reverb, using LFOs and conditional trigness locks.
The DT clip illustrates a high/mid forward push in the dry sound (sample). Certainly adding to the “hi fi” sound the DT is becoming popular for. On the Rytm, these frequencies aren’t as forward, though the peaking filter can remedy that.
About the comparison:
Original source is an Analog Keys synth patch. Audio recorded with Allen&Heath Qu-Pac.
it also seems to me that the OT Dark Reverb has potential for longer decay… and also a wider range of variability in the long decays whereas A4/AK doesnt have as much variability in the long decays, but rather more variability in the short decay stuff… purely in terms of how the TIME/DEC knob functions on each unit … also worth noting the OT has 2 other kinds of reverbs, and they all have additional setup type options on a second page as well
however, in general Id say the A4/AK reverb is much more “instant gratification” in terms of dialing it in… the OT verb can get super crazy in ways the others cant, and that means you have to be much more precise in dialing in any kind of “musically proper” type verb
Thanks for comparison, they all sound nice. It seems like the OT colors the sound a bit more, which I dig. Do you have any more examples of the OT dark verb? I’m actually getting a little tired of the hi-fi cleanliness of the DT reverb. Perhaps I need to tweak it a bit more.
the OT is probably the most flexible multi-FX unit in existence… and thats my favorite use for it by far - although I do use the sequencer and sampling at the same time as well, the FX and the scenes and all that is the big deal for me, and its really big…