ValhallaDSP explained

ValhallaDSP is a company and brand name for multiple digital reverberator and delay plugins for Macintosh and Windows computers made by Sean Costello.

History

ValhallaDSP as a company was founded by Sean Costello,[1] who handles coding. Kristin Costello handles graphics and marketing.[2]

Sean Costello has always been interested in the interaction between musicians and the academic and professional worlds.[3] He has co-written academic papers about reverberation, including a 2009 paper about using algorithmic reverberation with the Ambisonics system[4] and a paper about implementing a digital simulation of a spring reverb.[5]

ValhallaDSP was founded in 2009; Sean worked as an audio DSP designer and consultant for about a decade before founding his own company.[6] Before Valhalla DSP, Sean Costello had his first plugin work made public[7] when he provided four reverb algorithms for the Audio Damage EOS reverb plugin which was initially released in 2009;[8] one of those four algorithms was not available until 2017, when Audio Damage released EOS 2.[9] [10]

Don Gunn has helped Sean Costello with R&D/preset design for ValhallaDSP's plugins.[11]

Products

ValhallaDSP makes a combination of reverb, delay, and sound effect plugins.[12]

Reverb-centered plugins

These plugins are designed primarily to provide reverberation effects.

Valhalla Room

Valhalla Room is a reverb plugin which mainly simulates the acoustics of realistic rooms and halls, although it can also be used for special effects. It has 12 different algorithms. ValhallaDSP says this reverb is best for "idealized room impressions".[13]

One review felt that, while Valhalla Room sounds really good, it sounds more "hyper-real and lush" than "gritty and realistic". They also felt that its user interface could use some improvement.[14]

Valhalla Vintage Verb

Valhalla Vintage Verb is a plugin with the sounds of various late 1970s and 1980s digital reverberators, including ones which sound like Lexicon[15] and EMT[16] reverbs. This plugin has been used song such as Hello and Water Under the Bridge by Adele,[17] as well as on Lana Del Rey's album "Lust for Life".[18]

It is possible to change the decay rate of different frequencies, and the early and late diffusion can have separate settings.[19]

As of May 2023, the plugin has 20 different algorithms,[20] including:

ValhallaDSP says this reverb is best for the sound of "old school digital hardware reverbs". One review feels that while it is excellent for getting the unreal larger than life sound of a classic Lexicon reverb, it does not work as a subtle reverb effect and is not a reverb for every occasion.

Valhalla Plate

Valhalla Plate is a plug in which simulates the sound of a plate reverb or small chamber. It has 12 different algorithms.[21]

ValhallaDSP says this reverb is best for the sound of "warm and dense reverbs of the 1960s and 70s". Third party reviews of Valhalla Plate have been generally positive,[22] [23] but one review pointed out that "it won't serve all needs", since it only simulates plates and small chambers, and does not emulate larger spaces.[24]

Valhalla Supermassive

Valhalla Supermassive is an effect unit which can run various types of delays and reverbs; it is good at, among other things, emulating large spaces. It is a free download.[25] [26] [27]

Delay and sound effect plugins

These plugins provide a combination of delay, sound effect, and reverberation effects.

Valhalla ÜberMod

Valhalla ÜberMod is a plugin which is geared towards delay effects, but can also create reverberant effects.

Valhalla Shimmer

Valhalla Shimmer provides a combination of reverberation and pitch shifting, inspired by the sound of some 1980s Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois collaborations.

Valhalla Freq Echo

Primary a sound effect, the free Valhalla Freq Echo plugin provides a combination of delay and a Bode frequency shifter. This is mainly for making unusual sounds.

Valhalla Space Modulator

Valhalla Space Modulator is a plugin, free with the purchase of any other ValhallaDSP plugin, which simulates some kinds of flanging and pitch shift effects.[28] [29] [30]

Valhalla Delay

Valhalla Delay is a plugin which simulates the sounds of a number of vintage delays, including tape based delays (such as the sound of Roland Space Echo, Maestro Echoplex, or reel to reel based tape delay units), "bucket brigade" delays, 1980s digital delays, and delays with pitch shifting.[31] It features a "ghost" mode which combines delay with frequency shifting.[32]

This plugin can do both classic delay sounds and unusual sound effects.[33]

Valhalla Delay is on Music Radar's list of five best plugins released in 2019,[34] and they consider it the best delay plugin in 2020.[35]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Plugin Manufactures: Valhalla DSP. Splice - Royalty-Free Sounds.
  2. News: Valhalla DSP: ÜberMod, Freq Echo, Shimmer, Room, VintageVerb, and Plate reverb plug-ins. Baccigaluppi. John. https://archive.today/20191130150605/https://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/111/ubermod-freq-echo-shimmer-room-vintageverb-and-plate-reverb-plug-ins/. 2019-11-30. live. Tape Op.
  3. Web site: An Introduction. Costello. Sean. ValhallaDSP. 2008-12-27.
  4. Adapting artificial reverberation architectures for B-format signal processing. Anderson. Joseph. Costello. Sean. Ambisonics Symposium 2009.
  5. Spring Reverb Emulation Using Dispersive Allpass Filters in a Waveguide Structure. Abel. Jonathan S.. Berners. David P.. Costello. Sean. Smith. Julius O.. 2006-10-01. Audio Engineering Society.
  6. Web site: Manifesto. ValhallaDSP.
  7. Web site: EOS is released. Costello. Sean. 2009-06-05.
  8. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20090520090148/http://www.analogindustries.com/blog/entry.jsp?msgid=1242320696530. 2009-05-20. dead. Eos Screenshot.... These algorithms were written by Sean Costello under contract to Audio Damage, and are very, very good.. Analog Industries.
  9. Web site: Audio Damage releases Eos 2 Algorithmic Reverb Plugin. KVR audio.
  10. Web site: Audio Damage announces EOS reverb plugin (post #182). Randall. Chris. The "new" algorithm has always been in Eos, and is part of the original set supplied to us by Sean.. Gearslutz.
  11. Web site: Sending my heart…(or my snare to a reverb). Gunn. Don. you may recognize my name from my preset banks in ValhallaVintageVerb and/or ValhallaPlate. ValhallaDSP. 2017-04-21.
  12. News: Review: Valhalla DSP Reverbs. Arnold. Lynda. Ask.Audio.
  13. Web site: Digital Reverb & Delay Plugins - Valhalla DSP Plugins. ValhallaDSP.
  14. Web site: ValhallaDSP ValhallaRoom: A straight-to-the-point algorithmic reverb workhorse. Music Radar.
  15. Web site: ValhallaDSP VintageVerb: Time-travelling reverb plugin. https://archive.today/20191130141910/https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/tech/valhalladsp-vintageverb-574692. 2019-11-30. live. MusicRadar.
  16. Sterne. Jonathan. Space within Space: Artificial Reverb and the Detachable Echo . Grey Room. 60. 110–131. 10.1162/GREY_a_00177. 2015.
  17. News: Greg Kurstin: "Hello" from the Inside. https://archive.today/20160123195358/https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/in-action/gregkurstin-adele/. 2016-01-23. dead. Apple.
  18. News: Inside Track: Lana Del Rey 'Lust For Life'. https://web.archive.org/web/20170921124715/https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/inside-track-lana-del-rey-lust-life. 2017-09-21. live. Sound on Sound.
  19. Web site: ValhallaDSP Reverbs: Quick Start Guide. Loopmasters.
  20. Web site: Valhalla VintageVerb; Listen: Valhalla DSP has come unstuck in time.. ValhallaDSP. https://archive.today/20191130142246/https://valhalladsp.com/shop/reverb/valhalla-vintage-verb/. 2019-11-30. live.
  21. Web site: Valhalla Plate: You will ride eternal, shiny and chrome.. ValhallaDSP.
  22. Web site: Valhalla DSP Valhalla Plate review: A must-have for any effects toolbox. Music Radar.
  23. Web site: Review – Valhalla Plate from ValhallaDSP. SoundBytes Magazine. 2015-11-03.
  24. Web site: Valhalla Plate Review – Not Your Average Reverb. Dove. Dave. AudioNewsRoom. 2015-11-23.
  25. Web site: Valhalla Supermassive could be the best free reverb/delay plugin you download this year. MusicRadar. Rogerson. Ben.
  26. Web site: Valhalla Supermassive: Make some space.. 2020-05-19.
  27. Web site: Valhalla DSP Supermassive, Free Plugin Packed With Super Lush Delays & Reverbs.
  28. News: Valhalla DSP: SpaceModulator Flanger Plug-In. Tape Op. Baccigaluppi. John.
  29. News: Valhalla DSP Plugins: Shimmer, VintageVerb, UberMod and SpaceModulator. Reed. Steve. Worship Leader Media.
  30. Web site: Valhalla SpaceModulator: Earth Shattering Kaboom.. ValhallaDSP.
  31. News: ValhallaDelay Offers Seven Delay Modes Including Reverse Pitchshifting. Russell. James. Electronic Musician.
  32. News: Effects experts Valhalla DSP release new Delay plug-in. Resident Advisor. Smith. Mark.
  33. News: Valhalla Delay: Delay Plug-in . Ingils. Sam. https://archive.today/20191130142759/https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/valhalla-delay. 2019-11-30. Sound on Sound.
  34. Web site: The 5 best new plugins/software of 2019. Music Radar.
  35. Web site: The best VST plugins 2020: the finest synth, drum machine, sampler and effect plugins you can buy right now. Music Radar.

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