Wave Alchemy – Pulse v1.1.0

In 1984, an entry-level digital reverb was released that had a profound impact on modern music. Over the past 30 years, the original PCM-60 has found its way into almost every high-end studio and has become synonymous with the tight, punchy reverb of the 80s.

Characteristics

Original PCM reverb

PCM stands for Pulse Code Modulation, a technology introduced in the early 1980s that has since become the dominant method of digital audio processing. The technology has improved greatly over the years, but in 1984 it was considered what we would now call lo-fi, grainy or unrealistic. This was in stark contrast to the records and spins of the 1960s, which sounded organic, natural and clean.

However, fast forward almost 40 years and it is these characteristics that make the reverb so desirable today. Its sound is distinctive, punchy and unmistakable.

The original unit was limited in its capabilities and was often used as a send on a mixing board, where EQ, compression and other studio processing could be used to further enhance it. With Pulse, we’ve not only implemented custom DSP and tone controls to bring this classic into the modern era, but we’ve done it in a way that makes setting it up effortless and effortless – whether you’re a producer looking for fast, professional results, or a songwriter just starting to work on their own vocals…

Form

The initial part of a sound is often the loudest, called the transient. Loud transients can cause a reverb to sound thin or weak because the delay, or tail, of the sound is much quieter.

Pulse’s Shape control solves this problem by intelligently reducing the volume of the transient to make the Reverb signal lusher, thicker, and darker in tone, without altering the original dry signal or requiring unnecessary sends and additional processors like traditional reverbs.

Modulate

Our custom Flux control was developed based on our years of experience using hardware reverbs. One of the most important elements that all great reverbs have in common is the sense of space and movement they create.

Flux creates the same behavior and sonic depth through clever level-dependent filtering and creative modulation. When used subtly, it can add a subtle sense of 3D movement and depth. At extreme levels, you can explore whole new worlds of lush chorus-like modulations and lo-fi textures.