Audio Damage Ratshack Reverb: A Digital Reincarnation of an Analog Legend
In the world of plugins, there are those that strive for crystal-clear purity, and then there are those that celebrate the warmth, imperfections, and character of analog equipment. Audio Damage’s Ratshack Reverb definitely belongs to the latter. This plugin is not just another delay; it’s a detailed and loving emulation of a legendary, though humble, device from the past – the “Realistic Electronic Reverb,” affectionately known by many as the “Ratshack Reverb” due to its place of origin (the Radio Shack store chain). An interesting fact: despite its name, “Reverb,” the original device was a pure analog delay, built on Bucket Brigade Device (BBD) chips. And Audio Damage has meticulously recreated that very essence, not the misleading name.
The Sound of Yesterday, the Convenience of Today
What makes Ratshack Reverb so special? It’s its unique, slightly lo-fi, yet extremely musical character. The sound of BBD delays differs from digital delays. The repeats don’t just fade away; they gradually lose high frequencies, becoming softer and more blurred with each cycle. This creates a dense, “warm” atmosphere that’s perfect for adding depth without feeling sterile.
Audio Damage didn’t stop at emulating the basic delay. They modeled one of the original’s most interesting “features” – the ability to feed the signal into a microphone input. This inevitably led to a pleasant, non-aggressive overdrive, which added fatness, punch, and characteristic analog compression to the sound. This feature is carefully reproduced in the plugin, allowing you to easily get that same “dirty,” yet musical tone. You can use this saturation separately or in conjunction with the delay to create effects ranging from gentle warming to expressive distortion that perfectly “sits” the sound in the mix.
Key Features of Ratshack Reverb:
- Authentic Analog Modeling: Accurate reproduction of the BBD delay, including the natural high-frequency roll-off and pitch shifting when adjusting the delay time – just as it happens in real analog devices.
- Modeled Inputs (Mic/Line): The ability to use the microphone input to add characterful overdrive and signal saturation before the delay section.
- Cross-Platform Presets: Convenient XML-based preset manager with copy/paste functionality, which even supports transferring presets between the desktop and iOS versions of the plugin via Handoff.
- Modern Interface: Fully vector, high-resolution, scalable user interface that looks great on any monitor and easily adapts to your needs.
- Forget About Batteries: All the power and character of the original without the need to search for power sources!
Who Is This Plugin For?
Audio Damage Ratshack Reverb will be a great addition to the arsenal of producers and musicians who appreciate vintage sound and are looking for a delay with a special character. It’s ideal for processing:
- Guitars: from barely noticeable slapback to long, decaying repeats with pleasant saturation.
- Vocals: adding presence and atmosphere, creating a “retro” recording effect.
- Synthesizers: expanding the sound field, adding texture and movement.
- Drums/Percussion: creating interesting rhythmic patterns, adding “fatness” to individual elements.
This is a plugin that doesn’t strive to be perfectly clean or transparent. Its strength is in its imperfections, its character, its ability to instantly transport your sound to another era. If you’re looking for a delay with soul, Audio Damage’s Ratshack Reverb is worth your attention.
