Waves TrueVerb Tutorial: Room Size, Distance and Dimension

Waves TrueVerb is a long-established reverb plug-in. This guide explains how to use it on a send and how to model a physical space. Room Size specifies room volume in cubic meters, while Distance sets the distance from the sound source; early reflections and pre-delay are calculated automatically. Together with Dimension, which shapes stereo spread, these controls can be adjusted to create a natural, spacious reverb.

TrueVerb: A Longstanding Favorite

TrueVerb is one of the classic products from long-established plug-in maker Waves.

It was offered free during the 2015 Black Friday sale,
so some readers may have been using it for the first time then.

Let’s revisit its features and how to use them.

Tutorial Video

Questions and Answers from the YouTube Video

Does it work well on vocals too?

Yes, it can be used on vocals. Depending on the song, try presets labeled Plate or Vocal as a starting point. The settings and amount of effect will be important.

Purchase the product: https://bit.ly/3e5lZ3O

Waves Central: Authorizing Waves 9.6 and Later
A guide to the updated Waves Central plug-in authorization process.

Turn Off Direct When Using a Send

Reverb is often used with a send/return setup.
In that case the return should contain only the wet effect.
In TrueVerb, turn off the Direct switch in the level section at the lower right
to produce a 100% wet signal.

Adjusting Dimension

In TrueVerb, Dimension adjusts the character
of the early reflections.

Higher values make the reverb appear to spread farther left and right, and can also
affect the perceived position of the source. Adjust it with the sound’s place in the whole mix in mind.

Adjusting Room Size

TrueVerb’s Room Size represents the room’s volume in cubic meters.
For example, a setting of 8,000 represents a room measuring 20 meters in width, length and height.

By modeling a real space this way, early reflections and pre-delay are
calculated and set automatically, a key feature of TrueVerb.

Adjusting Distance

Distance represents the distance from the sound source in meters.
Think of it as how far away you are listening within the room defined by Room Size.

If Distance exceeds the length of a side of the room—20 meters when Room Size is 8,000—the blue line turns red.
This does not mean you must never exceed it when designing a sound.

Adjusting Distance automatically changes the balance of early reflections and reverb,
creating a different sense of distance from the source.

This parameter is closely related to Dimension and Room Size.
Try adjusting them together to find the atmosphere you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How should I set up TrueVerb on a send?

Use a 100% wet signal on the return. Turning off Direct in the lower-right level section removes the dry signal.

Q2. What is Room Size?

It represents the volume of the virtual room in cubic meters. For example, 8,000 corresponds to a room measuring 20 meters on each side.

Q3. What does Distance change?

It specifies the distance from the source in the modeled room, in meters. The balance of early reflections and reverb adjusts automatically, changing the perceived distance.

Q4. What does Dimension do?

It shapes the character of the early reflections. Higher settings spread the reverb farther left and right and affect the perceived position of the source. Adjust it with the overall mix in mind.