Looking to capture the sound of your favourite hardware reverb and use it digitally? In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to create your own convolution reverb impulse responses (IRs) using free tools — perfect for bringing analog effects like spring reverbs into your DAW workflow with zero hassle.
I recently faced this exact challenge. I wanted to use my Behringer 636 analog spring reverb in a more seamless way inside my digital setup. Routing audio in and out of a DAW every time? That gets tedious. That’s where Convolution Reverb comes in.
🎛️ What Is Convolution Reverb?
Convolution reverb is a powerful technique that uses a sample of a real acoustic space or hardware unit — called an Impulse Response (IR) — to recreate that reverb digitally. Once you’ve captured an IR of your favorite gear, you can use it in any convolution reverb plugin. That means:
✅ No more complex routing
✅ Consistent results
✅ Instant access to your favorite reverb sound in any project
🛠️ Why I Needed a Better Solution
Logic Pro comes with Space Designer, a great convolution reverb plugin with a built-in IR utility. But there’s a catch: once you capture an IR using Logic, you can only use it within Logic. I wanted something cross-platform and free, so I could use it in other DAWs like Ableton, Reaper, or FL Studio.
✅ Free Tools to Create Impulse Responses
Here’s the setup that worked best for me:
1. IR Capture by Wave Arts
A standalone application that lets you send a frequency sweep to your hardware and record the result.
🔗 Download IR Capture from Wave Arts
Setup Steps:
- Choose your audio interface input/output
- Select the sweep method (not MLS)
- Adjust amp level (I used -12 dB)
- Set your reverb length (e.g. 5 seconds)
- Save in 24-bit WAV format
Make sure your hardware unit is connected correctly (e.g. I used the Aux input on the Behringer 636). Once you’re happy with your settings, hit Start, and IR Capture will generate a sweep and record the reverb response. You’ll end up with a WAV file ready for convolution.
🔊 Using Your IR in Convolution Reverb Plugins
Now that you’ve created your impulse response, it’s time to load it into a plugin. Here are a few free convolution reverb plugins that work great:
✅ Convology XT (by Wave Arts & Impulse Record)
Highly recommended. Comes with a clean interface, great presets, and lets you load custom IRs.
- Drag in your IR file
- Adjust parameters like hold, release, and EQ filtering
- Save your own presets
✅ Melda MConvolutionEZ
A streamlined, efficient convolution reverb from Melda Production. Drag and drop your IR and you’re ready to go.
✅ Free Convolve by Venn Audio
Simple interface with dry/wet controls and basic functionality.
✅ Space Designer (Logic Pro Only)
If you use Logic, just drag your IR into Space Designer, and you’re set. Great for Mac users.
🧪 Bonus: Tweak Your IR for Better Convolution Reverb
In Convology XT, I recommend:
- Increasing hold/release times for longer tails
- Rolling off low frequencies to clean up the reverb
- Saving your favourite combos as presets
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Final Thoughts
Creating your own impulse responses is easier than you think — and it’s a powerful way to bring your favourite analog gear into your DAW. With IR Capture and a free convolution plugin like Convology XT, you can digitise any hardware reverb and make it part of your everyday workflow.