Let’s help you get your synthesizers sounding luscious and majestic with the best reverb pedals for synths.
Quick answer: Strymon BigSky is our top choice if you’re looking for plenty of controls, and full, rich sound reverbs to your synth. If you’re looking for something a little affordable, take a look at Zoom MS-70CDR. Even though it is cheaper, you definitely won’t be disappointed by it’s ease of use, wealth of effects and great sound quality.
It’s hard to imagine a piece of music that wouldn’t benefit from nice and lush reverb.
The same could be said about any given instrument, including, of course, vocals. But when it comes to synthesizers, when combined with reverb, they can sound even more inspirational. If you are a studio producer, there’re lots of different reverbs to choose from, but if you, at least, occasionally do some gigs, pedals are a way to go.
So, in this article, we’ll take a look at a few more options.
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Top 10 Best Reverb Pedals for Synths
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Strymon BigSky
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Zoom MS-70CDR
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Strymon blueSky
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Eventide H9 Max Multi-effects Pedal
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Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo Reverb Pedal
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Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Pedal
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Boss RV-500 Reverb Pedal
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Catalinbread Talisman Plate Reverb Pedal
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EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V3 Reverb Pedal
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Walrus Audio Descent Reverb/Octave Machine Pedal
Best Reverb Pedals for Synths Reviews
Strymon BigSky
Pros
- 10 different types of reverbs
- Very meticulous controls
Cons
- A bit bulky
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Strymon BigSky offers you 10 different types of reverb, starting from a simple hall and tape echo to very intricate and complex non-linear and shimmer modes. Furthermore, all of those modes are highly customizable.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with Strymon BigSky as it has a lot of presets that easily match your style and needs. It has a pretty straightforward UI and awesome build. Users value the atmosphere which this pedal creates, it’s simply incredible.
What we think
If for some reason, you thought that Strymon BigSky isn’t versatile enough, it has both stereo inputs and outputs, expression pedal connectivity, and MIDI-learn. The only thing that we found a bit frustrating is the size of this pedal. Chances are you already own quite a few pedals, so for this one, you’re going to need a bigger pedalboard.
Bottomline
Strymon BigSky is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for an extremely versatile and capable reverb pedal with a stunningly beautiful sound.
Zoom MS-70CDR
Pros
- Additional chorus and delay
- 86 effects total
Cons
- Limited controls
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Zoom MS-70CDR is an extremely powerful processor with 86 different effects that include various types of reverb, chorus, and delay. Those effects could be chained and engaged simultaneously and if that isn’t enough, it also has a built-in chromatic tuner.
User impressions
Users like Zoom MS-70CDR for being a fun and versatile pedal, and has 6 effects that could be stacked. It is said that the amount of effects and the ability to stack those effects makes you forget about using VST plugins forever.
What we think
To be completely honest, we were skeptical about this device at first. Back in the day, we stumbled across an early Zoom 707 and weren’t particularly impressed, but Zoom MS-70CDR exceeded our expectations to the point of sheer amazement.
Bottomline
Zoom MS-70CDR is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for a very powerful digital effects processor in a very compact body. But be warned, though, customizing included presets could be a bit of a challenge.
Strymon blueSky
Pros
- 3 different types of reverbs
- Simple and intuitive controls
Cons
- None that we know of
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
With Strymon BlueSky, you can choose between plate room and spring reverbs and each could be spiced up with 2 different types of modulation. Mod gives you a very complex and evolving modulation, and the shimmer gives you a modulation with evolving pitch-shifting.
User impressions
Users say that Strymon blueSky is a simple yet outstanding pedal that has got enough features to please even the captious person. It’s said to be a very flexible, clear, pristine, ambient reverb that adds a real depth to your sound.
What we think
What is impressive about Strymon blueSky is that it’s an extremely simple and intuitive device, but yet versatile and more than capable. With just a few switches and 5 knobs, you can produce an impressive amount of intricate and beautiful reflections.
Bottomline
Strymon blueSky is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for a very intuitive and simple digital reverb with great capabilities and streamlined design.
Eventide H9 Max Multi-effects Pedal
Pros
- Multi-effects pedal
Cons
- Only one effect can be run at the time
- Not enough physical buttons to make changes in parameters
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Eventide H9 Max is a very versatile effect processor that features 12 reverb algorithms on top of various delays, modulation effects, and a pitch-shifter. The dedicated app features 500 different presets to choose from.
User impressions
Users like Eventide H9 Max Multi-effects Pedal Users for superior sound quality, versatility and a huge number of various presets. Users add that the app is very easy-to-use and you can quickly get the hang of it. Also, this pedal doesn’t cloud your tone but enhances it in all the best ways.
What we think
At a first glance, Eventide H9 Max Multi-effects Pedal might feel a bit pricey, but when you realize that you actually get 52 effects instead of one, the price starts to make perfect sense.
Bottomline
Eventide H9 Max Multi-effects Pedal is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for an extremely versatile and capable effects processor with a very impressive sound and capabilities.
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo Reverb Pedal
Pros
- Hall, Spring, and Plate reverbs
Cons
- Limited controls
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo Reverb Pedal is a very simple, but yet powerful reverb unit that features Hall, Spring, and Plate modes and one singular knob that controls the amount of reverb.
User impressions
Users agree that Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo Reverb Pedal has a very simple design, yet it’s versatile. Users value this pedal for being extremely easy to use and having a great sound.
What we think
If you like to spend countless hours tweaking things, then Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo Reverb Pedal probably isn’t for you. But if you like to achieve great results on the go, this pedal might be just it.
Bottomline
Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Neo Reverb Pedal is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for a very simple and minimalistic reverb pedal and doesn’t want to spend too much time adjusting the sound.
Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Pedal
Pros
- Great design
Cons
- Just a spring reverb
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Pedal is a digital emulation of a Fender 6G15 spring reverb unit which was extremely popular in the 60’s, especially amongst surf guitarists. This pedal has a very convincing and authentic sound which is controlled by 4 knobs. What is really interesting is that a volume knob controls a built-in preamp which can give you a rather clean and transparent boost.
User impressions
Users say that Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Pedal gives you a vintage tone and transfers you to the 60’s. Also, users find it to like that this pedal has an onboard preamp, is durable, and has a long lifespan.
What we think
On one hand, it’s hard to justify a considerable amount of money on a pedal that does just one thing. Albeit in such a fashionable way. On the other hand, Catalinbread Topanga is such a great spring reverb pedal that you might actually find the price to be very competitive.
Bottomline
Catalinbread Topanga Spring Reverb Pedal is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for a very capable vintage spring reverb pedal and isn’t particularly interested in other types of reverbs. And if you already have other reverb pedals, this could be a splendid addition to your collection.
Boss RV-500 Reverb Pedal
Pros
- 12 different types of reverb
- 21 reverb algorithm
Cons
- Fairly large pedal
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Boss RV-500 Reverb Pedal is an extremely well-built effects processor that features 12 different reverb types with 21 separate algorithms. It also has a very extensive library of presets and the ability to engage two effects simultaneously with the addition of a very conveniently placed Tap-Tempo.
User impressions
Users like Boss RV-500 Reverb Pedal for the huge number of presets and options to choose from. Also, if you find time to understand the incredible programming capability, you will achieve truly amazing results. Also, this pedal is said to give you more dimension and realism.
What we think
Boss RV-500 Reverb Pedal is a very impressive processor but we’d really wish that it would be a bit smaller. Its size could provide some inconvenience for frequently gigging musicians with an already extensive setup. Other than that, there’s no reason not to have one, especially considering how reasonably it is priced.
Bottomline
Boss RV-500 Reverb Pedal is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for a very budget-friendly reverb processor that provides a vast variety of spatial treatment. Although the price is very reasonable for such a device, it doesn’t sound cheap and absolutely nothing indicates that costs were cut.
Catalinbread Talisman Plate Reverb Pedal
Pros
- Great design
Cons
- Just a plate reverb
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Catalinbread Talisman Plate Reverb Pedal is a digital recreation of a legendary EMT reverb that was used in Abbey Road Studios. It has a very lush and rich sound and 5 control knobs that let you customize the sound a bit further. It’s also built like a tank and has a pretty sleek design.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with the Catalinbread Talisman Plate Reverb Pedal because of the sweet sound that it gives. Users are in awe of the distortion and damper noises that are similar to those that you can get with a real plate. High-pass can be downright drenched in reverb, or you can mix it to subtle as you want.
What we think
If you like spring reverbs, chances are you are pretty fond of plate reverbs also. This pedal follows the same philosophy as a previous Catalinbread entry on this list, it does one thing but does it really well.
Bottomline
Catalinbread Talisman Plate Reverb Pedal is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for a handcrafted boutique plate reverb pedal that has a very distinguishable vintage flavor. You may consider it to be a bit expensive especially when we took into consideration its competition but the quality of sound and the sheer joy that it provides you with are truly priceless.
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V3 Reverb Pedal
Pros
- Excellent quality of sound
Cons
- Pretty niche device
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V3 Reverb Pedal is a very unique and distinctive reverb pedal that provides you with original and pretty unusual evolving shimmer algorithms that sounds very modern and complex. It has very simple but yet powerful controls that let you drastically change the shape of the reverb thus changing the overall atmosphere.
User impressions
Users like EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V3 Reverb Pedal for its versatility and ability to provide you with truly incredible tones that no other pedal achieves.
What we think
It wouldn’t be very wise to expect from EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V3 Reverb Pedal some conventional plate or spring reverb sounds. It clearly wasn’t built for that and some might considered it to be a significant downside. It’s a very niche device that was made for ambient experimentation and uninterrupted creativity. And this is exactly how it should be used.
Bottomline
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath V3 Reverb Pedal is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for a very creative and unique reverb pedal that lets you easily create ever-evolving ambient soundscapes and experimental textures. It also could be used in a more conventional type of projects but it would still give it some modern experimental flavors which is a very nice thing to think about.
Walrus Audio Descent Reverb/Octave Machine Pedal
Pros
- Additional octave
- Whole reverse and shimmer reverbs
Cons
- None that we know of
See price @ Amazon / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Walrus Audio Descent Reverb/Octave Machine Pedal is a digital reverb pedal that lets you create lush ambient textures and symphonic shimmers. It has a hall, reverse and shimmer algorithms and the ability to add one octave below or above to the signal. It has six additional controls that let you customize the sound pretty extensively.
User impressions
Users say that Walrus Audio Descent Reverb/Octave Machine Pedal sounds fantastic with a lot of dark vibes and undertones. Despite only having three settings, you can dial in just about any reverb you want, from subtle echo to cavernous halls.
What we think
What we really liked about Walrus Audio Descent Reverb/Octave Machine Pedal is that although you can easily make it sound over the top, you can as easily make it sound very contained or even subtle. It’s truly amazing how much versatility you can get from the device that was clearly designed to have a very noticeable effect on the sound.
Bottomline
Walrus Audio Descent Reverb/Octave Machine Pedal is a perfect choice for someone who is looking for a digital reverb pedal that lets you create ambient soundscapes effortlessly but at the same time can be used as a subtle flavoring tool. Although the device is considerably large, the connectors are in a such convenient way that it wouldn’t take much space on your pedalboard.
Reverb Pedals for Synths Buying Guide
Digital reverb
Alongside the naturally occurring reverberation that recording studios provide, various engineers used different devices to simulate and capture reflections. Amongst those devices, the most iconic probably would be a plate reverb unit which was introduced in the late 50’s by German engineers. Spring reverbs became extremely popular in the 60’s and, due to their relatively compact size, were often built-in to guitar amplifiers and keyboard instruments. Nevertheless, those analog devices were comparatively bulky and not particularly gig friendly, so in 1976 EMT introduced the first digital reverb. And today, we can enjoy digital emulation of classic reverbs in a very convenient and relatively inexpensive form of stompbox pedals.
Important features
Usually, when we talk about stompbox pedals, we think about electric guitars, but history tells us that guitars’ stompboxes work pretty well with synthesizers, so the best reverb pedals for guitars might as well be the best reverb pedals for synths. In fact, since synths usually have more complex timbres and, in some cases, polyphonic sound, they can benefit from reverb stompboxes even more than guitars. And since synthesizers are all about sound shaping, we decided to include the most versatile reverb pedals we could think of with a few reasonable exceptions.
