Waves Magma Springs: A Dive into the Depths of Reverb

The Magic of Spring Reverb

Spring reverb is a sound that's both nostalgic and timeless. It can make some things sound vintage, and other things sound fresh. Its metallic twang has defined eras, and its springy resonance adds a personal touch to mixes that you need to hear. Some reverbs melt into the mix, while others boast a distinctive character. Spring reverb does both. Once it’s on, you can no longer imagine the part without it. This could explain its cult following since the 1950s.

Introducing Magma Springs

Waves Audio, a name that needs no introduction in the world of audio plugins, has introduced Magma Springs, a collection of their seven favourite types of spring reverb.

The plugin models seven spring reverb units, each delivering its own sound, character, and impact:

1. 50’s takes us back to the birth of Rock & Roll. Tap into the melancholic side of old Memphis Blues records with this type.
2. Twang offers that Tele-into-Vox sound that simply can’t be described any other way.
3. Motor City has serious size and weight and epitomizes that ‘old-school’ Soul and R&B sound.
4. Classic gives you that big, warm and versatile spring reverb sound that can make almost any element sit beautifully in the mix.
5. California is about maximum vibe. Its brighter tone makes vocals float gorgeously above the mix.
6. Heavy sounds as if you were to strum a Les Paul into a blown-out Fender cabinet in a large hangar.
7. Dark Space is based on a well-loved hardware unit, this spring reverb type is the essential sound of Dub, and will send any production element lightyears away.

Magma Springs is driven by the analog Magma tube sound, with a workflow offering easy results. With pre-delay and feedback controls, it opens up more creative FX options.

Comparable Spring Reverbs

While Magma Springs offers a unique take on spring reverb, there are several other plugins on the market that offer similar functionality. These include:

Paid-for spring reverb plugins:

• Softube Spring Reverb (€89): reverb plugin with adjustable springs
• Audiothing Springs ($69): spring reverb with 17 springs and built-in EQ
• Eventide Spring ($99): includes tempo sync
• Arturia Spring-636 ($99 or $49 on sale): physically modelled spring reverb with vintage character
• Fuse Audio Labs VREV-305 ($59): 70s style spring reverb emulation | Fuse Audio Labs VREV-140 ($59): 50s EMT 140 style reverb emulation‍
• Soundtoys Little Plate ($99): Simple but effective EMT 140 spring reverb plugin | Soundtoys Super Plate ($149): Extended bigger sibling of Little Plate‍
• Universal Audio AKG BX 20 ($199 or $99 sale): Official AKG emulation, both in native and UAD hardware accelerated format‍
• Valhalla DSP Plate ($50): Quality plate reverb from the eponymous Valhalla DSP stable

Free spring reverb plugins:

• Fuse Audio Labs VREV-666 (FREE): quality character spring reverb, as tested in musicmanta.
  

Each of these plugins offers its own unique take on spring reverb, and may be worth considering as alternatives to Magma Springs.