IK Multimedia has released Sunset Sound Studio Reverb, a reverb plug-in that recreates the legendary Sunset Sound recording studio in Los Angeles. Using VRM (Volumetric Response Modeling) technology, it meticulously captures the studio's echo chambers, plate and spring reverbs, and even its custom consoles. Its four modes—CHAMBER, LIVE ROOM, ISO BOOTH, and PLATE/SPRING—offer a wide range of sounds with straightforward controls. From drums to vocals, you can tailor the ambience to each instrument and bring a professional mixing environment into your DAW.
A Reverb Plug-in That Recreates a Legendary LA Studio
IK Multimedia has released Sunset Sound Studio Reverb, a convolution reverb that recreates the rooms and equipment at Los Angeles' Sunset Sound, one of the studios that has contributed most to music culture worldwide.
Source: IK Multimedia Official Website
Sunset Sound is a recording studio founded in 1958 by Tutti Camarata, a recording director at Disney Studios. Initially an exclusive studio for Disney, it recorded sound for films such as Mary Poppins and One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
After opening its doors to outside clients in 1962, it expanded into three studios. Hit recordings by the Doors, the Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Prince, and many others were made there, including more than 200 gold records.
Owned and operated by Tutti Camarata's son, Paul Camarata, Sunset Sound continues to welcome world-class artists. With its three rooms constantly in use, custom acoustics and consoles, fully equipped echo chambers, and extensive microphone collection, Sunset Sound is a dream destination for musicians.
The idea of a plug-in recreating a studio may not immediately mean much to you. However, sound recorded through the carefully tuned room ambience of a great studio can give a mix an exceptional sense of cohesion and presence.
This plug-in also includes carefully sampled versions of Sunset Sound's top-quality facilities and equipment, including its echo chambers and plate and spring reverbs.
How to Use T-RackS Sunset Sound Studio Reverb
VRM (Volumetric Response Modeling) Technology
Sunset Sound Studio Reverb uses IK Multimedia's proprietary VRM™ (Volumetric Response Modeling) technology. It delivers a realistic sense of space that sets it apart from conventional convolution reverbs.
True to that description, the sound is remarkably natural, without an obviously artificial quality. Its freshness makes mixing feel enjoyable all over again.
The Sound of a Studio Console
To recreate the acoustics of Sunset Sound's three studios, impulse responses were recorded using the microphones housed at the studio.
Physical modeling was also used throughout the signal chain, including Sunset Sound's custom consoles—the API-based Sunset Sound Custom, the Class A discrete Neve® 8880, and the API/DeMedio® Sunset Sound Custom—and its preamps. Combined with VRM, this approach aims to reproduce even the smallest details.
The sound is warm, with a pleasing amount of added harmonics that makes it easy on the ears. Applying the reverb feels like a way to take your sound to the next level.
A Simple, Clear Control Panel
Sunset Sound Studio Reverb has a straightforward panel whose operation is easy to understand at a glance.
Select a reverb mode and its options, then set the pre-delay, decay time, filters, stereo position, and other controls.
Despite this simplicity, the combinations offer a surprisingly broad range of sounds. The design also helps you achieve the ambience you have in mind quickly.
Characteristics of Each Reverb Mode
CHAMBER
Chamber reverb is created by playing a source through a speaker in a room called an echo chamber, then recording the resulting reverberation with a microphone. Sunset Sound Studio Reverb's chamber sound is exceptionally clear and dense, giving the impression of something beyond an ordinary chamber.
I found that its settings opened up many possibilities: cut an appropriate amount of low end for vocals, or shorten the decay slightly to create a reverb that helps the entire mix blend together.
LIVE ROOM
LIVE ROOM arguably shows VRM at its best, recreating the ambience of a carefully tuned studio.
The sound can be summed up in one word: realistic. It adds just the right sense of distance and warmth to a dry source.
Used as though it were a room microphone for drums or strings, it blends with the source and conveys a pleasing sense of air moving around the sound.
Each studio has a completely different character, so being able to choose one to suit the mood of the song is another welcome feature.
ISO BOOTH
ISO BOOTH recreates an isolated booth that is smaller than a live room.
Rather than functioning primarily as a conventional reverb, I found that it really shines as a sound-shaping tool: adding a subtle sense of air, or giving you the sound of a source passing through top-quality microphones and consoles.
On drums and percussion, it adds warmth and a useful amount of punch through its harmonic character. I think it has the power to turn even a somewhat cheap-sounding source into something usable.
PLATE/SPRING
The plug-in also includes the well-maintained vintage hardware reverbs actually used at Sunset Sound.
The famous EMT 140 and the relatively bright-sounding Echoplate broaden your options for shaping a sound to suit the song.
The AKG BX-20E spring reverb feels different from the spring reverbs commonly built into guitar amps: its tail extends smoothly and has a sense of depth. I found it versatile enough to work beautifully on vocals as well.
At the time of the original 2020 article, Sunset Sound Studio Reverb had an introductory price of ¥17,990, compared with its regular price of ¥29,990.
I highly recommend this reverb, so be sure to listen to what it can do!
How to use T-RackS Sunset Sound Studio Reverb by IK Multimedia, a reverb plug-in that recreates a legendary studio space.
I highly recommend this reverb, so be sure to listen to what it can do!
🎥 YouTube: https://t.co/nxscUj17fx
📝 Article: https://t.co/0ouNi3alqt#DTM #DAW pic.twitter.com/BCsL3vtL5d
— SLEEP FREAKS (@SLEEPFREAKS_DTM) March 22, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does Sunset Sound Studio Reverb work with DAWs?
Yes. It supports major DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, and Ableton Live, and is available in plug-in formats including VST and AU. Check the official website for detailed system and format compatibility requirements.
Q2. Is it suitable for beginners?
The simple panel layout makes operation intuitive and accessible to beginners. Choose a mode and adjust basic parameters such as pre-delay and decay time to create the ambience you want.
Q3. What is the regular price?
The original 2020 article listed a regular price of ¥29,990 and an introductory price of ¥17,990. These are historical prices from the article.
Q4. Which instruments is it best suited to?
It can be used with all kinds of instruments, including vocals, drums, strings, guitars, and percussion. Selecting the appropriate mode lets you shape the sound to suit the mood of the song.
NEW ARTICLES
Latest English Articles
