Let’s get you mixes and tracks that special sheen, sounding pronounced and bright, with the best plate reverb plugins available on the market today.
Quick answer: Soundtoys Little Plate is a popular option, as it’s like having the original EMT 140 plate reverb plugin (on which it’s based on that made electromechanical reverbs so popular) at such a reasonable price.
Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates is a great choice for someone who is looking for an affordable and good-sounding plate reverb that is based on 4 classic Abbey Road EMT 140 reverb plates.
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Table of Contents
- About Our Top Choices
- The Top 7 Best Plate Reverb Plugins
- Plate Reverb Plugins Reviews
- The Buying Guide
- FAQs
About Our Top Choices
Soundtoys Little Plate
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Soundtoys Little Plate is a popular option, as it’s like having the original EMT 140 plate reverb plugin (on which it’s based on that made electromechanical reverbs so popular) at such a reasonable price.
Pros
- Extended reverb decay time
- Optional modulation
- Space Modulator feature
- Affordable
Cons
- iLok Account required
Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates
See price @ Waves Audio / @ Sweetwater
It’s clear as day why Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates is a popular option. It’s based on 4 models of Abbey Road Studios EMT 140 reverb plates that give you sonic glory. Also being very affordable definitely helps.
Pros
- Four original bass cut positions
- Based on 4 classic Abbey Road EMT 140 reverb plates
- Affordable
Cons
- May be a bit too hard on the CPU
Top 7 Best Plate Reverb Plugins
- Soundtoys Little Plate
- Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates
- denise Perfect Plate XL
- PSP Audioware 2445 EMT Vintage Reverb Processor
- Arturia Rev PLATE-140
- IK Multimedia T-RackS Sunset Sound Studios Reverb
- Relab Development LX480 Complete Reverb
Best Plate Reverb Plugins Reviews
Soundtoys Little Plate
Pros
- Extended reverb decay time
- Low-cut filter knob
- Space Modulator feature
- Affordable
Cons
- iLok Account required
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
It’s no wonder why Soundtoys Little Plate is a popular option, as who wouldn’t like to obtain a plugin with such a reasonable price. Little Plate is based on the original EMT 140 plate reverb that made electromechanical reverbs so popular.
Best features and specs
Soundtoys Little Plate allows you to add the sound of vintage plate reverb to tracks that you compose. Also, it has a Low-Cut filter knob that helps you to tame low-frequencies buildup and 25 presets that can be easily dialed in at any time.
User impressions
Users say that Soundtoys Little Plate is a very straightforward and easy-to-use plugin that sounds just beautiful.
What we think
What we especially like about Soundtoys Little Plate is that it has an extended decay time, which lets us create almost infinite reverb that never seems to decay. We like the Space Modulator feature, since it produces cool-sounding chaotic variations that make tracks sound thick and smooth.
Bottomline
Soundtoys Little Plate is a great choice for someone who is looking for an affordable, easy-to-use, straightforward plate reverb that is based on the well-known EMT 140. With this reverb, you can create and enjoy never-ending reverb. Note that in order to proceed with this plugin, you have to have an iLok account.
Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates
Pros
- Four original bass cut positions
- Based on 4 classic Abbey Road EMT 140 reverb plates
- Affordable
Cons
- May be a bit too heavy on the CPU
See price @ Waves Audio / @ Sweetwater
It’s clear as day why Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates is a popular option. It’s based on 4 models of Abbey Road Studios EMT 140 reverb plates that give you sonic glory and is very affordable.
Best features and specs
Waves Audio meticulously modeled the acoustic properties of each of the 4 plates, as well as harmonic distortion of the driver, pickups, and output amps. Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates have Bass Cut control, Treble, Drive, Analog, and Crosstalk knobs.
User impressions
Users like Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates for giving rich, deep and lingering reverb as well as adding sweetness and punch to the instruments. Many say that this reverb shines the most when being added to the drums section. Also, the majority of users add that they are fond of the interface as it’s simple to use and stylish.
What we think
What we like the most about Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates is how its GUI shows the plate with vintage controls under it. We are fond of tiny details such as a rotary wheel that looks like it was taken away from a submarine hatch and old-school quadrant faders. Of course it has nothing to do with the sound, but of course, the sound is pretty much amazing anyway.
Bottomline
Waves Abbey Road Reverb Plates is a great choice for someone who is looking for an affordable and good-sounding plate reverb that is based on 4 classic Abbey Road EMT 140 reverb plates. It has a really unique GUI that is incredibly easy to use. Note that sometimes it may be way too hard on the CPU.
denise Perfect Plate XL
Pros
- Affordable
- Rotator and Ducker
- Resonator
- Detune and Saturation
Cons
- None that we know of
See price @ Plugin Boutique
denise Perfect Plate XL offers you a unique possibility to manipulate your tracks with out-of-the-world sound quality. It gives ultimate control over tweaking the important aspects of the plate’s sound, which results in many more possibilities for shaping and combining reverb styles.
Best features and specs
denise Perfect Plate XL offers you the best natural reverb possible thanks to their unique TXVerb™ technology. Also, it has features such as a resonator, detune and saturation, rotator, and ducker.
User impressions
Users like denise Perfect Plate XL for being a very capable unit and offering unique functions. Users praise FX modules that are responsible for shaping the plate sound and adding greater value. Also, some users emphasized that this reverb really got their creative juices flowing.
What we think
What we like about denise Perfect Plate XL is that it has an EQ Graph that allows us to set the reverb’s color by shaping its frequencies and resonances. Also, we find its GUI to our liking as it’s minimalistic, elegant, and resizable.
Bottomline
denise Perfect Plate XL is a great choice for someone who is looking for a stylish-looking plate reverb plugin that offers you a lot of useful features and 5 FX that control and shape how the plate sounds.
PSP Audioware 2445 EMT Vintage Reverb Processor
Pros
- Emulation of classic EMT 244 and EMT 245 plate reverbs
- Created in collaboration with Dr. Barry Blesser
Cons
- iLok Account required
See price @ Sweetwater
PSP Audioware 2445 EMT gives a unique possibility to put the sound of the two legendary plate reverbs, EMT 244 and EMT 245, in your DAW. What’s more, this plug-in was created in collaboration with the innovator Dr. Barry Blesser, considered one of the grandfathers of the digital audio revolution.
Best features and specs
PSP Audioware 2445 EMT lets you apply each of the reverbs that is based on or them both at the same time. Also, you can use Reflections and pre-Delay in each of the 3 modes. This reverb has 16 reverb Times and when you interact with the click at the bottom panel, you get more cool controls such as output Width, high-pass filter, Low and High-frequency reverb time adjustment, and LR Balance.
User impressions
Users like PSP Audioware 2445 EMT for a great, dense, rich, and colorful sound, as well as offering two plate reverbs in one plugin. Users add that most of the time, they use it for the drums or mix bus.
What we think
For as long as we can remember, we have been stunned by the elegance and charm of old-school gear. We are attracted to the way PSP Audioware 2445 EMT looks. We find it extremely useful that each knob has a different, color since it helps to tell the functions apart without the need to look for the name of the knob.
Bottomline
PSP Audioware 2445 EMT is a great choice for someone who is looking for a vintage two-in-one plate reverb plugin that is feature-packed and has a very memorable GUI.
Arturia Rev PLATE-140
Pros
- Affordable
- Emulation of EMT 140 plate
- Punchy, Classic EMT, and Modern model selections
- Blend and Width controls
- Post Equalizer
Cons
- UI may be way too old-school and simplistic
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Arturia Rev PLATE-140 is based on the legendary EMT 140 and lets you access classic decays owing to a straightforward layout. Additionally, you have the possibility to saturate the tracks with the help of the Drive feature and choose between 3 plate settings that are operated by an ultra-60’s Decay Time selector.
Best features and specs
Arturia Rev PLATE-140 allows you to find a gentle balance between mono and stereo by leveling out the Wet/Dry signal. Also, Arturia has included a lower panel that hosts a High-Pass Filter, Pre-Delay, period-correct chorus emulation with a dedicated post equalizer.
User impressions
Users agree that Arturia Rev PLATE-140 is a good choice if you need to add a retro feeling to the sound of the track. Users add that its Punch mode is especially good for drums and Modern mode as a daily reverb for all tasks.
What we think
It’s always a pleasure when a highly-trusted and well-respected manufacturer does its job marvelously by saving the spirit of the good old days while creating a plug-in. Arturia Rev PLATE-140 is such a joy to look at, as well as work with.
Bottomline
Arturia Rev PLATE-140 is a great choice for someone who is looking for an detailed emulation of a legendary EMT 140 with a lot of useful features included. Note that it has a very old-school UI, so if you’re not a fan of such looks, you might want to look elsewhere.
IK Multimedia T-RackS Sunset Sound Studios Reverb
Pros
- Acoustic of iconic Sunset Sound studios
- 3 plate and spring reverbs
- Fresh convolution engine
- Pre Delay and Decay Time controls, EQ, and mic options
Cons
- None that we know of
See price @ Sweetwater
IK Multimedia T-RackS offers you a unique possibility to experience the acclaimed vibe and sound of the well-known Hollywood recording studio. You can try the whole package of convolution reverbs that reflect the soul of every studio, live chamber, booth, and plate of Sunset Sound.
Best features and specs
IK Multimedia T-RackS includes 3 plate and spring reverbs, a new convolution engine that ensures ultra-realistic sound, Decay Time and Pre Delay controls, EQ, and mic options. Also, it can work inside T-RackS 5 Shell or as a standalone unit.
User impressions
Users like IK Multimedia T-RackS, as it offers accurate emulation that simulates the actual experience of being between rooms, booths, and live chambers.
What we think
What we like about IK Multimedia T-RackS is the abundance of options that this plugin offers in terms of reverbs. We also agree that the emulation is really good.
Bottomline
IK Multimedia T-RackS is a great choice for someone who is looking for an emulation of the well-recognized whole studio, including plate reverbs.
Relab Development LX480 Complete Reverb
Pros
- Additional unique features
- 4 routing configurations
- Customizable
- Quick controls
Cons
- Not exactly budget-friendly
- Available in 64-bit only
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Relab Development LX480 is based on the famous Lexicon 480L, which is considered to be one of the best reverbs ever built. It offers you to try iconic reverb sounds such as Plate, Room, Twin Delays, Random Halls, Panorama, Ambiance, and Hall.
Best features and specs
Relab Development LX480 has the Dual Engine that helps in creating distinctive reverb sounds by choosing one of the 4 routing modes such as Single, Cascade, Mono Split, and Stereo Split.
User impressions
Users like Relab Development LX480 for giving the exact retro sound that they’re looking for, as it’s very close to perfection. Users add that with this plugin, it’s really easy to be more creative.
What we think
We like Relab Development LX480 for built-in low and high pass filters that are an excellent choice when it’s needed to control the bottom and top frequencies of the reverb to keep the mixes clean.
Bottomline
Relab Development LX480 is a great choice for someone who is looking for emulation of Lexicon 480L, which is highly customizable and offers a lot of useful features. Note that if you’re looking just for a plate reverb, there are other options available on this list.
Plate Reverb Plugins Buying Guide
What is a plate reverb?
Plate reverb is a device that uses a transducer that causes metal plates to vibrate and then those vibrations are caught by pickups on the reverb.
Why would you need a plate reverb plugin?
Plate reverbs offer you unique sonic characteristics that other effects aren’t able to offer. To be more specific, the vibrating plate creates a bright-sounding effect, which, applied to any instrument or vocal, makes everything more distinguishable.
Important features
When choosing a plate reverb plugin, you should pay attention to the authenticity of emulation, realism, and tweakability.
Authenticity of emulation
It’s not a secret that gear that looks vintage and reminds us of the good old days is liked by many audio engineers and music producers. Of course, there are some that are in favor of modern looks, but when it comes to plate reverbs that are based on emulations, it’s only natural that those who preserved old-school looks might catch your eye.
Realism
Here you should be checking the sound, whether those emulations sound close to the original. The closer, the better.
Tweakability
Ideally, the interface of the plugin should be pretty straightforward, with a moderate number of knobs to tweak the settings. There shouldn’t be too many of them, but not just one. Look for a golden middle.
How to choose the right one for you?
When you are choosing the best plate reverb plugins for your needs, you should pay attention to the authenticity of the emulation and the proximity of the sound to the original one. Also, it should be pretty easy to tweak, so it’s better to choose those that don’t have a crowded front panel.
FAQs
What is plate reverb best for?
For anything that needs more volume and depth in the mix and be more enhanced, starting from instruments up to the vocals.
When to use plate reverb?
When you have vocals that need to stand out from the rest of the mix when applied on lead vocals, plate reverb adds a spotlight, and when plate reverb is used on backing vocals, it can make them sound really in the background. Also, you can add plate reverb on your drum bus if you want to achieve epic sound through added depth. When applied to strings, plate reverb will help to achieve silkiness and enhance dramatic sound.
Is plate reverb good for vocals?
It works well with vocals for a few reasons. Firstly, with the help of plate reverb, you can make vocals stand out from the mix. And secondly, it will help the vocals sound unique due to the somewhat unnatural sound of the plate.
