D16 Group

Still, we assume, a member of their
afordable SilverLine family of plugins, the
second generation of D16’s spangly algorithmic
reverb plugin comes eight years after the launch
of the irst . Toraverb (10/10,
146) blew us
away with its stunning sound and great value,
and while one of the biggest changes made for
Toraverb 2 (VST/AU/AAX) is a doubling in price,
the hope, of course, is that the new features will
balance the scales and maintain the VFM factor.
On refl ections
For v2, Toraverb’s layout has been rethought
and rebuilt from the ground up, not only to
accommodate several added knobs, but also
to streamline worklow and make it more
logical. The Early and Late Relections controls
– previously all visible at the same time but now
too numerous in the ER department for that to
be practical – are each tabbed in a shared panel.
As before, both incorporate a single parametric
EQ band, but this has been expanded to include
high and low shelving options alongside the
established bell ilter shape.
The rest of the adjustable Early Relections
parameters now number six (they totalled just
three in version 1), with Size, Difusion (the
‘latness’ of the relective surface, afecting the
multidirectionality of the relections) and
Attenuation (the absorption of the relective
surface) joined by Bass Cut, Crosstalk and
Modulation. Bass Cut is the same as its
equivalent in the Late Relections section,
applying a high-pass ilter with cutof sweepable
from 0Hz to 22kHz; while the all-new variable
Crosstalk emulates the real-world phenomenon
of sound directly audible in one ear being
relected within the physical space to be heard
in both ears.
In the original Toraverb, modulation could
only be applied to the tail, but Toraverb 2 puts
independent Modulation parameters in both the
Early and Late sections, bringing a touch (or a
istful!) of organic wobble, richness and colour
to both elements of the sound.
Apart from the Modulation knob, the Late
Relections section remains unchanged from
that of v1, comprising Size, Bass Cut, Difusion,
Attenuation and Feedback controls, the last
stretching the tail out to a continuous wash at
high levels, and partnering nicely with the new
Ducking parameter (see Mixing and ducking).
Tora! Tora! Tora!
The rest of Toraverb 2’s enhancements are less
weighty, but all welcome. The Pre Delay time
can now be synced to host tempo; the Big GUI
option makes the plugin usable on high-res
displays; and D16’s proprietary preset browser
enables searching and tagging of patches.
Toraverb was already a irst-class reverb, but
the iner control ofered up by the sequel makes
it even more of a must-have. The separate
modulation of early and late relections, ducking
and mid/side mixing justify the price rise on
their own, and the new GUI signiicantly
improves usability. Sonically, Toraverb 2 is all
about the lexibility, solidity and overall quality
of its difusion network, which makes it easy to
conjure up spaces and ambiences of all kinds. A
couple more EQ bands wouldn’t go amiss, and
clearer diferentiation between the Early and
Late sections with coloured backgrounds seems
like an obvious tweak, but once again, D16’s
superb algorithmic reverb scores full marks.
Web www.d16.pl
D16 Group
Toraverb 2 €69
The reverb of choice for countless electronic producers around
the world gets its irst full version update. Let’s see what’s new…
Verdict
For Beautiful sound
Versatile and adaptable
Separate ER/LR modulation
Mid/sides mixing and ducking
Real-Time and Oline quality settings
Against Only one EQ band in each
Relections section
Even at its increased price-point,
Toraverb 2 is still one of the biggest
bargains in music software – don’t miss it
1 0 / 1 0
Alternatively
ValhallaDSP ValhallaRoom
166 » 8/10 » $50
Another irresistibly cheap
pro-quality reverb plugin,
with four algorithms onboard
PSP Audioware EasyVerb
NA » NA » $69
Nine quality reverb
algorithms wrangled in a
straightforward interface
Toraverb’s mixing functions took in a balance
(XFader) control for the Early and Late
relections, plus knobs for Wet Gain and Dry/
Wet FX mix. Toraverb 2 goes much further.
The Early and Late signals are now
governed by their own Gain dials, and can be
individually panned from left to right, or
adjusted in terms of mid/sides stereo
balance. Then there’s the FX Curve knob,
which alters the mix curve of the Dry/Wet FX
control, from a regular crossfade to both
signals outputting 100% at the centre point,
with the dry signal attenuating as FX is
twisted clockwise, and wet falling away as it’s
turned anticlockwise.
Best of all, though, is the Ducking section.
Raising the Ducking parameter increases the
amount of compression applied to the wet
signal whenever the dry signal is present,
regardless of Dry/Wet mix, with the Att/Rel
knob setting the attack and release timing.
Perfect for decluttering overwhelming tails.
Mixing and ducking
March 2018 / COMPUTER MUSIC / 97
d16 group toraverb 2 / reviews <
CMU253.rev_toraverb2.indd 97 21/12/2017 11:23