Focusrite FAST Verb

THE AI-POWERED COLLECTIVE PLUGINS BRANCH OUT INTO REVERB.

As the name suggests, this new plugin is all about reverb. As with the previous FAST tools, one of the headline features here is the analysis tool powered by Sonsible’s AI tech. Simply play some audio into the plugin, hit Learn and the AI will suggest a reverb preset for you based on what it thinks will work best. To help this process, users can define a source type – including drums, vocals, keys, guitar and more – and then tailor the reverb style more by choosing between Natural, Balanced and Artificial options.

While it would be a misnomer to say there is a definitive right or wrong way to apply EQ or compression, it’s certainly true that there are broad principles that define a standard way to treat certain instruments with each of those effect types. Reverb often comes down to taste as much as anything, as well as a balancing act with everything else going on in your mix.

In terms of the AI suggestions, FAST Verb’s results were best in Natural mode. It’s great at generating subtle reverb effects you don’t really notice until the plugin is disengaged – the kind that can add a realistic sense of space and depth to, for example, a DI’d guitar or synth. Suggestions in Balanced or Artificial modes could at times sound unnatural without being overtly creative.

That said, beyond the AI tool, FAST verb has some great features that make it a deceptively handy creative effect. The interface is excellent, offering a clear visual representation of the main reverb parameters that responds dynamically to the output signal. It lets users adjust the size, position and pre-delay by dragging and extending/shortening each stage. In a particularly nice touch, these settings can be locked to project tempo, which makes it great for creating extreme, rhythmic spatial effects.

An advanced view brings up sliders to adjust reverb colour, monophonic bass cutoff and a high-pass filter. The best tools, however, are the Reverse, Bounce and Freeze modes, which can adjust the movement of the effect and create some really wonderful, unnatural digital reverbs. They sound particularly cool on percussive sounds when in tempo-locked mode.

What FAST Verb excels at then, are either instantaneous ‘natural’ verbs or far-out creative effects, but it’s at its weakest when used for applications in between. Still, what FAST verb does well isn’t quite like anything else on the market, and those capabilities are undoubtedly worth the price.

VERDICT

FAST Verb is great for AI-generated ‘natural’ reverbs or far-out creative tweaking, but it has some weak spots in between these two poles.

PROS

Great for instant ‘natural’ space. Tempo-locked and reversed effects are a lot of fun.

CONS

Artificial and Balanced AI modes are less effective. Not the best for large hall reverbs.

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