Relab - Q82 Natural Resonance Reverb

Q82 is Relab's recreation of the Quantec QRS, the early-80s German room simulator prized for its very realistic ambience and long, natural decays. Version 2.0 makes it a dual-engine reverb, for mixers and film engineers who want depth that sounds like a real space rather than an effect.

Resonance, not just reflections

Most reverbs model how long sound takes to bounce around. The QRS approach is frequency-based, using resonators to imitate how a real room behaves, and that's where its natural, enveloping quality comes from. Relab used machine-learning analysis of the hardware to capture not only its sound but its changing, slightly unpredictable character.

Two engines, two units

Q82 combines two reverb systems, each with four outputs, so you can set width and front-to-back depth separately in real time. There are two algorithms: a pristine, factory-spec German unit and a characterful, time-worn US unit, so you can pick between cold precision and an aged, richer tone. Enhance mode builds a three-dimensional space with very little audible reverb, which is great for adding depth without wash.

Modulation and control

Relab's eight-voice ACE modulation adds subtle movement to the tail, and bandwidth control runs from 4kHz to 16kHz with a resonant curve calculated from the original hardware's limits.

The sound

Q82 is dark, deep and real. It's superb on orchestral and acoustic sources, ballads and anything that needs to sound like it was recorded in a room. It's less flashy than a 480-style plate, and not the one for bright pop vocals; that's LX480 territory. For a simpler version, see Q82 Essentials.

Features

• Dual-engine reverb with four outputs per engine
• German factory-spec and time-worn US algorithms
• Resonator-based room simulation
• Enhance mode for depth with minimal reverb
• Eight-voice ACE modulation
• Bandwidth control from 4kHz to 16kHz
• Machine-learning capture of the hardware's dynamic character

System requirements

• Version: 2.2.0
• Mac: macOS 10.15 or later. AU, VST3 and AAX (64-bit). Runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
• Windows: Windows 10 or later. VST3 and AAX (64-bit)
• 2GB RAM minimum
• Licence: iLok, authorised to your computer or an iLok USB key (a free iLok account is needed). One active device at a time

SOUND7 is an authorised Relab Development reseller. Digital delivery: licence activation code sent by email.

Demo