The Best Reverb Pedal in 2023: A Comprehensive Review

Can you imagine playing your favorite song on the guitar, and it sounds just as it does in a concert hall? With the best reverb pedal in 2023, you can create that sophisticated, echoing tone right from your bedroom.

This article gives you a comprehensive review of the best reverb pedals on the market, analyzing their features, benefits, pros, and cons. Whether you’re a professional guitarist fine-tuning your sound or an amateur musician creating sonic magic in your garage, this guide will help you find the perfect reverb pedal. So, tune your guitar, plug in your amp, and let’s dive into the realm of reverb pedals.

TC Electronic Skysurfer Mini Reverb Pedal

Overview

The TC Electronic Skysurfer Mini Reverb Pedal is a well-crafted, pocket-friendly reverb solution that delivers a wide array of rich and immersive reverb sounds. This compact device is an evolution of the larger Skysurfer reverb pedal, retaining the sturdy build quality and user-friendly interface that made its predecessor popular among musicians. Just like the original, the mini version features controls for reverb, mix, and tone. It comes equipped with a non-latching footswitch, mono input and output jacks, and a 9V center-negative power jack. The pedal draws 100 mA of power and comes in a robust metal casing.

Key Benefits

• Compact and cost-effective: Ideal for small or portable setups without compromising on sound quality.
• Versatile reverb options: Offers an array of reverb sounds from bright and lively to warmer tones.
• Durable build quality: Encased in a sturdy metal enclosure, it ensures longevity and reliability.
• User-friendly: The control set mirrors that of its larger counterpart, ensuring ease of use.

Pricing

When it comes to value for money for reverb pedals, the TC Electronic Skysurfer Mini Reverb Pedal is an absolute steal. It offers an impressive range of features and robust quality that you’d usually expect from higher-priced pedals, making it a fantastic choice for those on a tight budget.

Pros & Cons

From our perspective, the Skysurfer Mini has many significant advantages. The sound quality from their reverb pedals, for instance, is bright and lively, with hard-surface reflections that add an extra dimension to the reverb. The tone knob also allows for greater customization, enabling players to dial in warmer and more nuanced reverb tones. Each reverb mode has its own distinct character, opening up a world of creative possibilities.

However, it’s important to note that the Skysurfer Mini may not deliver the same lushness or depth as some of the more expensive digital reverbs out there. While it does offer a fairly realistic and expansive sound in all modes, it might not satisfy those seeking a more premium reverb experience. But considering its price point, we believe that it more than delivers on its promise of providing versatile and quality reverb sounds.

Fender Tre-Verb Digital Reverb & Tremolo Pedal

Overview

The Fender Tre-Verb is a digital reverb and tremolo pedal aimed at providing the distinct classic Fender amp tones in a compact and practical unit. This pedal stands out with its stereo inputs and outputs and user-friendly controls for fine-tuning the tremolo and reverb effects. With three different tremolo voices and multiple reverb tank emulations, users are offered a myriad of sound variations. Designed with the sound of genuine Fender amp tremolo and reverb effects in mind, this pedal includes classic reverb voicings based on Fender’s renowned spring reverb units from the 1960s, as well as multiple tremolo modes.

Key Benefits

• Provides classic Fender amp tones through their reverb pedals
• Features intuitive controls for adjusting the tremolo and reverb effects
• Offers three different tremolo voices and multiple reverb tank emulations, allowing for a wide range of sounds
• Designed to replicate the sound of genuine Fender amp tremolo and reverb effects
• Includes classic reverb voicings based on Fender’s renowned spring reverb units from the 1960s, as well as multiple tremolo modes
• LED-illuminated controls for easy visibility on stage
• Durable construction for long-lasting performance

Pricing

As far as the best reverb pedals go, the Fender Tre-Verb Digital Reverb & Tremolo Pedal is considered a more affordable alternative to pedals, such as the Strymon Flint, which is known for its versatile tremolo and reverb options.

Pros & Cons

From a personal perspective, the Tre-Verb offers a lot of advantages. For one, it’s a budget-friendly option with classic Fender amp tones that can’t be easily replicated. The LED-backlit knobs and tap tempo function for the tremolo effect are practical features that add value. It’s also worth mentioning that the Tre-Verb is praised for its vintage, muddy tone, making it ideal for atmospheric post-metal riffs and blues licks.

On the flip side, while great at what it does, the Tre-Verb is less versatile when compared to some other pedals, like the Strymon Flint. This may be a consideration if you’re seeking a wider variety of tremolo and reverb options in one pedal.

Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 Reverb

Overview

The Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 is a compact, affordable, and feature-rich reverb pedal that is cherished by musicians across all genres. Known for its superior sound quality and versatility, this pedal offers 11 distinctive reverb styles, including spring, hall, plate, reverse, echo, tremolo, modulated, dynamic, auto-infinite, shimmer, and polyphonic. Every type of reverb presents unique sonic characteristics, enriching the user’s musical experience. What sets it apart from other reverb pedals on the market is its hidden parameters and secondary knob modes, which provide further customization and control over the reverb effects, thereby making it a truly inspiring musical tool.

Key Benefits

• Offers a collection of 11 different reverb styles, catering to a broad spectrum of musicians.
• High-quality and inspiring sounds, with each reverb style having unique sonic characteristics.
• Availability of hidden parameters and secondary knob modes for additional customization of reverb effects.
• Suitable for a wide range of settings, from small fly-date boards to recording sessions.
• Intuitive controls to adjust the FX level, time, and tone of the reverb.
• Versatility and high adaptability for use by guitarists, bassists, and other musicians.

Pricing

As far as the best reverb pedals go, the Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 is widely known for offering substantial value for its cost. Despite its rich features and offerings, it is an affordable choice for musicians seeking high-quality reverb effects.

Pros & Cons

From a personal standpoint, Oceans 11 stands out with its easy-to-use and intuitive controls, offering options to tweak the FX level, time, and tone of the reverb. Its versatility and adaptability make it an excellent choice for guitarists, bassists, and other musicians. The range of settings it can be used in is quite impressive, making it as suitable for small fly-date boards as it is for recording sessions needing spatial sounds.

The only downside, if it can be considered one, is the absence of preset options. However, with its wide range of sounds and adjustable parameters, the Oceans 11 is undeniably a valuable tool for any musician looking to add depth and dimension to their sound.

Fender Reflecting Pool Delay & Reverb Pedal

Overview

The Fender Reflecting Pool Delay & Reverb Pedal is a meticulously designed pedal that provides a diverse range of ambient effects. Not only does it combine delay and reverb in one compact pedal, optimizing your pedalboard space, but it also allows you to control each effect individually or in unison. This pedal is engineered with a sturdy, yet lightweight chassis and features LED-backlit knobs for clear visibility during on-stage performances.

Key Benefits

• Offers wide-ranging ambient effects in one pedal, from delay to reverb.
• Saves pedalboard space due to its combined design.
• Separate footswitches for delay and reverb effects, allowing independent or combined use.
• Sturdy build with a lightweight chassis and LED-backlit knobs for on-stage visibility.
• High-quality algorithms and diverse tones, ranging from digital to analog and tape emulations.
• Advanced control over the decay, damp, and level of the reverb as well as the low-frequency roll-off for specific reverb types.

Pricing

As far as the best reverb pedals go, the Fender Reflecting Pool Delay & Reverb Pedal offers extensive features and a high-quality build, positioning it as a premium product in the market.

Pros & Cons

From our perspective, the Fender Reflecting Pool Delay & Reverb Pedal has numerous advantages. The delay component includes tap tempo with a variety of subdivisions for precise delay time control. It even offers modulation options, ranging from subtle chorusing to more noticeable pitch fluctuations. A standout feature is the ability to add a secondary repeat linked to the main repeat, enabling intricate rhythmic echoes.

On the reverb side, there are three selectable types to choose from: Hall, Room, and Special, each with three variations. The pedal also includes stereo outputs, inputs for an external tap footswitch, and a switchable buffer. Both the delay and reverb sections feature controls for precise effect customization.

However, as with any product, there could be potential downsides depending on individual needs and preferences. Without specific pricing information, it’s hard to assess the cost-effectiveness of the pedal. Additionally, the multitude of controls and options could potentially be overwhelming for beginners.

TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 Mini Reverb Pedal

Overview

The TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 Mini Reverb Pedal is a compact gadget that retains all the best features of its predecessor, such as its small size, true-bypass functionality, and the iconic red chassis. The new version, however, brings more control to your fingertips, with three knobs for Tone, Level, and Decay, as against the single-knob design of the original HOF Mini. What’s more, the HOF 2 Mini also incorporates a pressure-sensitive MASH footswitch for hands-free tweaking of specific reverb algorithm parameters. The pedal includes all the original algorithms from the Hall Of Fame series, like Church, LoFi, Spring, and Hall, and these presets can be beamed into the pedal via the micro USB port or the TonePrint app.

Key Benefits

• Compact size and true-bypass functionality make it easy to incorporate into any setup.
• Three control knobs for Tone, Level and Decay, replacing the single knob design of the original HOF Mini.
• The innovative MASH footswitch allows for hands-free tweaking of specific parameters for each reverb algorithm.
• Retains all the favorite algorithms from the original, including Church, LoFi, Spring, and Hall, which can be loaded via the micro USB port or the TonePrint app.

Pricing

We recommend checking the updated price on the TC Electronic’s official website or licensed retailers for the pricing of their best reverb pedals.

Pros & Cons

From my experience, the redesigned TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 Mini Reverb Pedal brings several advantages, starting with the additional control knobs. These knobs enhance the playing experience by fine-tuning the tone right on the spot, especially the Tone knob, which is superb for taming high frequencies. The new Shimmer algorithm is also an excellent addition; it creates a sparkling effect perfect for ambient volume swells and shoegaze sounds.

The MASH footswitch is another welcome feature, allowing for a new level of expressive capabilities when used in conjunction with the TonePrint app. However, as with any music gear, it may take some time to get used to all these features and make the most out of them, which some might see as a downside.

Overall, the HOF 2 Mini is a worthy successor to the original pedal, offering great sound quality and versatility in a compact size and a wide range of options for musicians. The updated TC Electronic’s TonePrint Editor also offers a seamless experience, making it easy to customize presets and parameters.

Boss RV-500

Overview

The Boss RV-500 is more than just your average reverb processor pedal; it’s a complete sonic toolbox that caters to a wide variety of musical genres and instrument types. From traditional reverb effects like spring, plate, hall to the glistening shimmer effect, this pedal has got it all. Designed for both studio recording and live performance, we find it impresses with its rugged steel case, easy-to-navigate interface, and innovative features. The RV-500 boasts a dual-engine A/B mode that lets you run two reverbs simultaneously and even add a digital delay to each reverb patch. Plus, it comes with detailed emulations of classic Roland products such as the RE-201 Space Echo and the SRV-2000 Digital Reverb.

Key Benefits

• A diverse range of reverb effects: From standard spring, plate, hall to the ethereal shimmer effect.
• Dual-engine A/B mode: This allows two reverbs to run at the same time, with the option to add a digital delay to each reverb patch.
• High-quality sound: The RV-500 uses 32-bit A-D/D-A converters and 32-bit/96kHz floating-point processing.
• Convenient connections: Features MIDI I/O, an external footswitch/expression jack, and a USB port for use with the free RV-500 Editor/Librarian software.
• Versatile power options: The pedal can be powered by either batteries or an external power supply.
• Accessible interface: The stompbox format with three footswitches and a backlit LCD screen makes it easy to operate.

Pricing

As far as the best reverb pedals go, the Boss RV-500 is an investment that delivers excellent value for its features and performance. It comes pre-loaded with firmware v1.02.

Pros & Cons

From our experience, the RV-500 packs a punch with its wide range of reverb effects, from room, hall, plate, spring, shimmer, and more. Its detailed control over parameters like pre-delay, effect level, high EQ, and low EQ gives you unparalleled control over your sound. One of the unique selling points of this pedal is the ducker for every preset and the ability to add modulation and EQ to the delay stage.

This pedal has received lots of positive feedback for its sound quality, versatility, and user-friendly interface. However, some users have pointed out that the RV-500 could benefit from firmware updates and a more detailed manual. As with any product, it’s not without its drawbacks, but for us, the pros far outweigh the cons.

Strymon BigSky

Overview

For those seeking a comprehensive and advanced reverb pedal, the Strymon BigSky definitely ticks all the boxes. Recognized as one of the top-rated reverb pedals in the market, this pedal is celebrated for its outstanding sound quality and multifunctionality. It boasts 12 different algorithms, providing a plethora of reverb effects, from the subtle to the deeply immersive. Designed with a user-friendly interface and an accessible banking system, the BigSky makes preset selection a breeze. Particularly, musicians who extensively use clean tones or those who play in genres such as pop, soft rock, or Christian contemporary worship would find this pedal highly beneficial.

Key Benefits

• Impressive range of reverb effects from 12 different algorithms
• User-friendly interface coupled with a simplified banking system for preset selection
• Exceptional tone quality that can be adjusted from bright and crisp to warm and mellow
• Unique mix control for customizing dry/wet blend per patch
• High-quality build featuring sturdy knobs and connectors

Pricing

As far as reverb pedals go, the Strymon BigSky, being a high-end reverb pedal, comes with a price tag of around $480. While this may seem like a significant investment for guitarists, the unparalleled sound quality and functionality it offers certainly make it worth the price.

Pros & Cons

From our experience, the control knobs on the BigSky are a definite pro. These allow for precise adjustments of parameters such as decay time, pre-delay, mix, tone, and modulation. In terms of build, the pedal is robust, with high-quality connectors and knobs, and a clear LED display. The choice between true or buffered bypass and an all-analog dry signal path gives users more control and customization options.

The BigSky offers extensive control and functionality, including programmable presets and adjustable parameters for each sound. However, it’s worth noting that it does not offer USB connectivity. On the flip side, it does come with an expression pedal input, a cabinet emulation switch, and MIDI I/O, which are wonderful additions for any musician.

What Is A Reverb Pedal?

A reverb pedal is more than just an effects unit; it’s a crucial tool that brings depth, warmth, and ambience to a guitar’s tone. Adding a reverb effect to your music is akin to placing your sound in a particular space or environment. This is achieved by adding reflecting sounds to your guitar’s signal, which creates an illusion of depth and breadth. This emulating effect can range from intimate, small rooms to expansive, echoing halls. By creating such illusions of space and environment, a reverb pedal lends a more immersive and natural quality to your sound.

There are many attributes to what makes the best reverb pedals, or even a great reverb pedal. There are many things you’ll need to consider, such as plate reverb, spring reverb, reverb modes, reverb tones, expression pedal, wet and dry signals, modulation control, mode switch sockets, onboard presets, synth like sounds, signal chain, trail mode, reverb tail, analog reverb and analog reverb pedals, a versatile reverb pedal, room reverb – basically all your reverb types.

While reverb pedals come in various designs and forms, most of them function using digital sound processing (DSP). Some high-end models, however, might employ springs, tubes, or other analogue components to achieve a more organic sound. Notably, many modern reverb pedals offer stereo input and output capabilities, which means they can produce stereo effects or accurately replicate organic environments.

Reverb pedals offer many types of reverberation effects, including spring, plate, hall, room, and more. Each type provides a different character and style to the reverb, thus offering an extensive palette of tonal possibilities. Among the variety of pedals available in the market, the Coppersound Pedals line is highly regarded for its spring reverb effect. On the other hand, the Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 is celebrated as an excellent reverb and delay pedal, offering several of the company’s best reverb and delay algorithms.

Beyond basic reverberation, reverb pedals also commonly feature additional effects such as modulation or distortion. Such supplemental effects further enhance the overall tone and feel of the music. For instance, Red Panda Particle V2, known as one of the best reverse reverb pedals, offers infinite tweaking abilities and includes delay and harmonic tremolo effects.

Choosing a reverb pedal ultimately depends on the specific needs and preferences of the guitarist. While one might prefer a basic, affordable option, another might opt for a high-end, feature-packed processor. Hence, it is recommended to experiment with different pedals and settings to discover what best suits your needs and musical style. Regardless of the range in price, the benefits and transformative impact of a reverb pedal on a musician’s output are undeniable.

What Does A Reverb Add To Your Guitar Tone?

A reverb pedal is an essential tool in a musician’s arsenal, typically used by guitarists to add depth and breadth to their tone. It works by simulating the sound of your guitar playing in a specific space, adding reflections and decay to the signal. This creates an illusion of playing in a particular environment, ranging from small, intimate rooms to large, expansive halls. This sense of space and dimension lends a more natural and immersive quality to your sound.

Most reverb pedals operate by digitally recreating the effect using digital sound processing (DSP), though some may contain springs, tubes, or other analogue components. They come in a variety of types, including spring, plate, hall, room, and more, each offering a different style and character of reverb. For instance, the best spring reverb pedal is said to be from the Coppersound Pedals line, with products like the Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 lauded as the best for reverb and delay.

Moreover, some reverb pedals offer additional features like modulation, shimmer, and delay, opening a world of creative possibilities. They can also add supplementary effects to the reverb, such as modulation or distortion, thereby enhancing the overall tone and feel of the music. Notably, the Red Panda Particle V2 is recognized as the best reverse reverb pedal due to its infinite tweaking ability and the inclusion of delay and harmonic tremolo effects.

While the choice of reverb pedal ultimately depends on a guitarist’s specific needs and preferences, it’s recommended to experiment with different pedals and settings to discover what best suits your needs and musical style. The price range of these pedals varies significantly, with affordable, simple options available alongside high-end, feature-packed processors. Regardless of the price point, the benefits and transformative impact of a reverb pedal on a musician’s output are undeniable.

Riding The Echo Wave: A Final Stand on Reverb Pedals

As we wave goodbye to our exploration of reverb pedals, it’s clear to see why they’ve become such an indispensable fixture in musicians’ gear arsenals. They offer artists an enormous sonic palette to work with — from the TC Electronic Skysurfer Mini Reverb Pedal’s bright and lively reflections to the Fender Tre-Verb’s vintage amp tones.

The Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 Reverb’s 11 distinctive styles provide a musical smorgasbord of reverb flavors, while the Fender Reflecting Pool Delay & Reverb Pedal offers a dual experience of delay and reverb effects.

Meanwhile, the TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2 Mini Reverb Pedal adds the convenience of compactness and easy-to-use controls. And finally, the Boss RV-500, a full-fledged sonic toolbox, brings high-end studio-quality reverb within reach of every musician.

Choosing the right reverb pedal is crucial to achieving your desired sound. Whether it’s for an intimate solo performance or a large-scale gig, remember that the best reverb pedal is not just about the price or features; it’s one that resonates with your unique style and enhances your musical expression.