The Eventide Space has solidified its reputation as a premier reverb effect, favored by musicians and producers for its remarkable sonic capabilities both on stage and in the studio. Its adaptability is further enhanced by its availability in two formats: a physical stompbox and a software plugin, catering to a wide array of users and musical scenarios.
Table of Contents
- Exploring the Hardware – Eventide Space Stompbox
- 1.1 Design and Build Quality
- 1.2 Core Features
- 1.3 Connectivity and Control
- Unleashing the Software – Eventide Space Plugin
- 2.1 Cross-Platform Compatibility
- 2.2 Familiar Interface
- 2.3 Expanded Control
- Diving Deep into the Algorithms
- 3.1 Classic Reverbs
- 3.2 Unique Eventide Sounds
- 3.3 Other Notable Algorithms
- Utilizing Space for Different Instruments and Applications
- 4.1 Guitars
- 4.2 Vocals
- 4.3 Drums
- 4.4 Synths
- 4.5 Mixing and Mastering
- FAQ – Answering Common Questions
Section 1: Exploring the Hardware – Eventide Space Stompbox
1.1 Design and Build Quality
The Eventide Space stompbox embodies a sense of robust construction and superior quality, featuring a sturdy metal chassis and a design that aligns with the timeless aesthetics of Eventide’s stompbox lineage. The knobs provide a gratifying tactile response when adjusting parameters, while the heavy-duty metal footswitches assure dependable performance even during the most demanding live sets.
1.2 Core Features
The Space stompbox is powered by a sophisticated effects engine built around:
- 12 Reverb Algorithms: These are no ordinary reverb algorithms. Each of the 12 distinct algorithms has been meticulously designed and refined over years of development. They represent the culmination of Eventide’s mastery of spatial effects, drawing inspiration from the company’s legendary rackmount effects units. These algorithms encompass the essential reverbs like Hall, Room, Plate, and Spring, but the Space transcends the conventional, inviting sonic exploration with algorithms like Blackhole, Shimmer, and MangledVerb.
- 100 Presets: The Space is not just about the algorithms—it’s about the sonic tapestry it weaves. With 100 presets readily available, you have access to a vast repository of captivating reverb sounds. These presets are meticulously curated, presenting a wide spectrum of options, from classic, spacious reverbs to experimental, ethereal soundscapes. Eventide has even included artist presets crafted by some of the industry’s most celebrated producers and guitarists.
- Real-Time Control: While presets offer an excellent starting point, the Space empowers you with the freedom to tailor every nuance of your reverb sound. The pedal boasts 10 knobs that grant tactile, real-time control over various parameters. This level of hands-on control facilitates fine-tuning and subtle adjustments, ensuring you can precisely sculpt the ideal reverb for your instrument or mix.
1.3 Connectivity and Control
The Eventide Space is engineered to be a versatile sonic tool, seamlessly integrating into any rig:
- Stereo Inputs and Outputs: Broaden your sonic horizons with the adaptability of stereo connectivity. Stereo inputs and outputs enable you to create expansive, immersive soundscapes that capture the full depth and richness of the Space’s reverb algorithms.
- MIDI Control: The Space effortlessly incorporates into your MIDI setup with its comprehensive MIDI implementation. Switch presets on the fly and dynamically modulate parameters using any standard MIDI controller, making it perfect for live performance and intricate studio automation.
- Expression Pedal Input: Infuse your reverb sound with a new dimension of expressiveness. Connect an external expression pedal and gain the power to manipulate any parameter in real-time using your foot. This opens up a world of possibilities for gentle swells, dramatic washes, and everything in between.
- Aux Switch Input: Desire even more hands-free control? The Aux Switch input allows you to connect an external footswitch for toggling between different parameter settings. You can configure custom “hot switches” to instantly transform your reverb sound during a performance without needing to touch the pedal’s knobs.
- USB Connection: The USB port is a gateway to extended functionality. Connect the Space to your computer and harness the capabilities of Eventide Device Manager (EDM) software. EDM provides deep editing capabilities, preset management, and MIDI control directly from your computer. The USB port also facilitates firmware updates, ensuring your Space pedal is always running the latest features and enhancements.
Section 2: Unleashing the Software – Eventide Space Plugin
The sonic magic of the Eventide Space is not limited to the physical world. The Eventide Space plugin delivers all the power and auditory opulence of the hardware pedal directly to your digital audio workstation.
2.1 Cross-Platform Compatibility
Regardless of your music production platform, the Space plugin has you covered. It’s available for both Mac and Windows operating systems and is compatible with all major DAW software. This ensures a streamlined workflow and effortless integration into your current studio setup.
2.2 Familiar Interface
If you’re already acquainted with the Space stompbox, the plugin’s interface will feel instantly familiar. It’s designed to mirror the layout and functionality of the hardware pedal. This consistent design language ensures an intuitive and seamless transition from the physical to the digital domain.
2.3 Expanded Control
While the plugin faithfully preserves the essential features and sonic signature of the stompbox, it also unveils new control options and creative avenues:
- Increased Automation: Harness the power of your DAW’s automation capabilities. The plugin allows you to meticulously automate every parameter, enabling you to design elaborate and evolving reverb effects that dynamically shift over time.
- Detailed Parameter Visualization: Witness your sound come to life. The plugin interface provides visual representations of all parameter adjustments, providing a deeper understanding of how your tweaks shape the overall reverb sound.
- DAW Integration: Capitalize on the advanced features of your DAW. The plugin seamlessly integrates with your DAW’s routing and mixing architecture, granting you unparalleled creative routing possibilities and allowing you to deploy the Space plugin in countless ways within your projects.
Section 3: Diving Deep into the Algorithms
3.1 Classic Reverbs
- Hall: The Hall algorithm is the essence of spaciousness and grandeur. It authentically recreates the vast sound of a large concert hall, imparting a luxurious and immersive reverb particularly suited to instruments like grand piano, strings, and expansive ambient textures.
- Room: The Room algorithm imbues your audio with a more intimate and organic ambience. It’s perfect for introducing realism and depth to vocals, acoustic instruments, and drums, faithfully simulating the natural reverberations of a well-designed room.
- Plate: The Plate algorithm is renowned for its dense, metallic timbre, evocative of vintage plate reverb units. It excels at adding a lustrous sheen and classic warmth to electric guitars, vocals, and other sounds, making them shine in a mix.
- Spring: The Spring algorithm emulates the quintessential “spring reverb” sound frequently found in vintage guitar amplifiers. It’s distinguished by its characteristic twang and lively bounce, making it an ideal choice for surf rock, blues, and other genres that demand a vintage, surf-inspired sound.
3.2 Unique Eventide Sounds
- Blackhole: Journey into the uncharted sonic realms with Blackhole. This algorithm is conceived to conjure immense, otherworldly reverbs that seem to draw sounds into an endless void. Use it to craft ethereal pads, boundless textures, and experimental sounds that transcend conventional spatial dimensions.
- Shimmer: Shimmer is the algorithm for sculpting angelic, heavenly voices, sparkling synths, and majestic sonic landscapes. It intertwines reverb with cascading octave shifts, resulting in a sound that shimmers and glimmers, imbuing your audio with an ethereal quality.
- MangledVerb: Inject your sounds with grunge, grit, and an industrial edge with MangledVerb. This algorithm melds distortion with reverb, yielding a heavily textured and distorted reverb that can range from subtle grit to extreme sonic destruction. It’s perfect for imparting chaos and aggression to your audio.
- ModEchoVerb: ModEchoVerb takes you on a psychedelic odyssey through sound. This algorithm seamlessly blends modulation, echo, and reverb to produce perpetually evolving soundscapes brimming with dynamic textures. The result is a complex and swirling effect that can inject depth and movement into everything from guitars to vocals to full mixes.
3.3 Other Notable Algorithms
- Dual Verb: Unleash a cosmos of spatial textures by combining two reverb algorithms. Dual Verb empowers you to forge intricate, hybrid reverbs by fusing any two of the Space’s algorithms, opening up limitless possibilities for sonic experimentation.
- Reverse: Reverse reverb is a timeless sound design technique, and the Space pedal makes it incredibly easy to achieve. This algorithm generates a reversed reverb tail, resulting in a sound that swells in volume instead of decaying. Utilize it to craft dramatic rises, alien textures, and unique transitions.
- DynaVerb: DynaVerb is meticulously crafted to respond to the nuances of your playing dynamics. It imparts subtle reverb that complements your performance, becoming more prominent when you play louder and receding when you play softly.
- TremoloVerb: TremoloVerb is a distinctive algorithm that unites tremolo and reverb, producing a pulsating, rhythmic effect. It’s ideal for creating throbbing pads, hypnotic textures, and lively soundscapes that ebb and flow with your music.
Section 4: Utilizing Space for Different Instruments and Applications
4.1 Guitars:
The Eventide Space is a guitarist’s sonic playground, capable of transforming guitar tones in limitless ways. Whether it’s subtle ambience, rich, ethereal textures, or massive, stadium-filling soundscapes you seek, the Space can deliver. Experiment with the diverse array of algorithms and presets to uncover a universe of sonic possibilities for both clean and distorted guitar sounds.
4.2 Vocals:
Space can breathe new life and expressiveness into vocal recordings. The Room algorithm adds natural depth and a sense of warmth, while the Plate algorithm bestows a classic sheen and character. Elevate vocals to an angelic level with Shimmer, or evoke haunting, ethereal qualities with Blackhole.
4.3 Drums:
Space is a potent tool for shaping drum sounds. The Room algorithm can generate realistic drum room simulations, adding authentic space and depth. Blackhole and Shimmer can morph drum sounds into unearthly textures. Inject grit and punch with MangledVerb to give your drums a raw and powerful character.
4.4 Synths:
Space is perfectly suited to expanding the dimension and texture of synthesized sounds. Sculpt evolving pads, swirling textures, and vast soundscapes using algorithms like Blackhole, Shimmer, and ModEchoVerb. The Space has the power to transform even the simplest synth patches into dynamic, evolving sonic tapestries.
4.5 Mixing and Mastering:
Space is a valuable asset during mixing and mastering. It can be applied to entire mixes to add depth, cohesion, and a sense of unified space. The delicate reverbs of the Room and DynaVerb algorithms are particularly effective for introducing a touch of natural ambience and enhancing the overall sonic image of your mix.
Section 5: FAQ – Answering Common Questions
Q: What’s the difference between the stompbox and the plugin?
A: The stompbox is a physical piece of hardware, ideal for live performance and processing guitars and other instruments directly. The plugin is a software-based counterpart of the Space, offering seamless integration within a DAW environment for extensive automation and precise parameter control within your recording software. The crucial point to remember is that both the stompbox and the plugin offer the same set of legendary Eventide Space reverb algorithms. Choose the format that best aligns with your workflow and needs.
Q: Can I use Space for instruments other than guitars?
A: Absolutely! Space is a remarkably versatile reverb effect that can be applied to a vast range of instruments and audio sources. Vocals, drums, synths, keyboards, and even full mixes during mixing and mastering can benefit from the sonic richness of the Space. The key is to experiment with the various algorithms and explore which sounds best complement your chosen instrument or audio.
Q: What are some notable artists or producers who use Eventide Space?
A: Eventide Space is a go-to effect for countless industry veterans, with a diverse array of artists and producers incorporating it into their signature sounds. This includes sonic innovator Richard Devine, the acclaimed production duo Flood & Alan Moulder (known for their work with Nine Inch Nails, U2, and Smashing Pumpkins), Vernon Reid of Living Colour, Jonsi & Alex of Sigur Ros, prolific producer John Agnello (known for his work with Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and Kurt Vile), and Amadeo Pace of Blonde Redhead, among many others.
Q: Is there a way to update the firmware on the Space stompbox?
A: Yes, updating your Space stompbox to the latest firmware is a straightforward process. Download the firmware updates from the Eventide website and install them using Eventide Device Manager (EDM) software. Simply connect your Space to your computer via USB, launch EDM, and follow the on-screen prompts to update the firmware. EDM also allows for effortless preset management and remote control of the pedal via MIDI from your computer.