Erbe-Verb

Make Noise 20HP
REVERB EFFECTS

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Modeless continuously-variable stereo reverb, co-designed with Tom Erbe (SoundHack). All seven parameters under CV control; Size sweeps coffin-to-heavens without algorithm boundaries. Syncable reverse.

Patch Ideas · 7

★ Gated reverb
Mult source → Signal In AND → MATHS CH 1 Trig · MATHS Rise = 12:00, Fall full CCW (linear response) · MATHS CH 1 OUT → Mix CV · Mix knob sets max wetness (attenuates the CV) · each trigger opens the reverb then slams it shut — 80s drum-gate sound.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 6 connections. Modules: Erbe-Verb, Source, Mult, CH 1, Output. Signals: 4 audio, 1 cv, 1 gate.Erbe-VerbSourceMultCH 1OutputSize: ~2:00 (plate)Decay: 12:00Signal InaudioMix CVcvLaudioRaudioOutaudioInaudioOut 1audioOut 2gateTriggateOUTcvLaudioRaudio11. gated wetaudiocvgate
★ Decay Hell (infinite feedback on demand)
Sine voice → Optomix CH 1 (plucked via MATHS cycle) → Signal In · Start from Hall settings · Pressure Points Pressure Out → Decay CV (attenuator full CW) · pressing a PP plate pushes Decay into infinite feedback, releasing returns to hall · hands-on feedback performance.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 6 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Erbe-Verb, STO, CH 1, CH 1, Pressure Points, Output. Signals: 3 audio, 1 cv, 1 gate.Erbe-VerbSTOCH 1CH 1Pressure PointsOutputSize: 3:00 (hall)Decay: just below unityDecay CV Att: full CWSignal InaudioDecay CVcvLaudioSUBaudioSignal InaudioStrikegateOutaudioEORgatePressurecvLaudio11. push to infinityaudiocvgate
Synced reverse slapback
Clock → Tempo In · Reverse ON (button) · Pre-Delay set for 1/2 · clock-aligned reverse slapback on every note · modulate Size with slow LFO for shifting reverse-room character · patch clock to Speed via Tempo too for a musical internal modulation rhythm.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Erbe-Verb, Clock, Source, LFO, Output. Signals: 3 audio, 1 cv, 1 clock.Erbe-VerbClockSourceLFOOutputSize: ~12:00 (room)Pre-Delay: 1/2 (noon-ish)Reverse: ONTempoclkSignal InaudioSize CVcvLaudioRaudioOutclkOutaudioOutcvLaudioRaudioaudiocvclock
★ Shimmer drone
Size full CW · Pre-Delay full CW · Decay 2:00 · Depth full CW (Shimmer, Ergodic max) · Speed 12:00–3:00 · drone source → Signal In · Mix 100% · upward shimmer octave-cascades on sustained tones · slow CV on Tilt keeps motion fresh.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Erbe-Verb, Drone, Slow LFO, Output. Signals: 3 audio, 1 cv.Erbe-VerbDroneSlow LFOOutputSize: full CW (heaven)Pre-Delay: full CWDecay: 2:00Depth: full CW (Shimmer)Mix: 100% wetSignal InaudioTilt CVcvLaudioRaudioOutaudioOutcvLaudioRaudioaudiocv
Self-tuning feedback via CV Out
Any source → Signal In · Decay set just past noon · CV Out → MATHS CH 2 In (attenuverter full CCW to invert) · CH 2 Out → Decay CV · as reverb grows, CV Out opens MATHS inverter which clamps Decay down · automatic runaway-prevention lets you sit near feedback edge safely.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 4 modules and 4 connections. Modules: Erbe-Verb, Source, CH 2, Output. Signals: 2 audio, 2 cv.Erbe-VerbSourceCH 2OutputDecay: ~1:00Decay CV Att: to tasteSignal InaudioDecay CVcvCV OutcvLaudioOutaudioIncvOutcvLaudio11. self-regulation (invert CH 2)audiocv
Pre-Delay metallic FM
Source → Signal In · audio-rate sine VCO → MATHS CH 2 attenuverter → Pre-Delay CV · Size 12:00 · Decay 1:00 · audio-rate modulation of Pre-Delay produces clangorous metallic tones that scale with modulation frequency — use attenuation to dial in FM index.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 5 connections. Modules: Erbe-Verb, Source, VCO, CH 2, Output. Signals: 4 audio, 1 cv.Erbe-VerbSourceVCOCH 2OutputSize: 12:00Decay: 1:00Signal InaudioPre-Delay CVcvLaudioRaudioOutaudioSineaudioInaudioOutcvLaudioRaudio11. audio-rate metalaudiocv
Momentary reverse stabs
Drum source → Signal In · Size 1:00 (plate) · Pre-Delay 11:00 · Mix 50% · snare hits also gate → Reverse Gate · each snare triggers a short reverse burst of its own tail · pre-delay CV from sequencer randomizes buffer-length reverse lengths.
▸ Show diagram
Patch diagramPatch diagram with 5 modules and 6 connections. Modules: Erbe-Verb, Drums, Mult, Sequencer, Output. Signals: 4 audio, 1 cv, 1 gate.Erbe-VerbDrumsMultSequencerOutputSize: 1:00 (plate)Pre-Delay: 11:00Mix: 50%Signal InaudioReverse GategatePre-Delay CVcvLaudioRaudioOutaudioInaudioOut 1audioOut 2gateCVcvLaudioRaudioaudiocvgate

Behaviors

Size as continuous space Size knob or Size CV

Unlike reverbs with algorithm modes, Size sweeps continuously through coffin→room→plate→hall→ambient→heaven. Modulating Size dramatically morphs the virtual space — slow modulation crossfades between rooms, fast modulation produces metallic pitch-shift artifacts.

Pre-Delay clock sync clock → Tempo In

With Tempo In patched, Pre-Delay control becomes bipolar selector over divisors/multipliers (1/12, 1/8, 1/6, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1/1, 3/2, 2/1, 3/1, 4/1, 6/1, 8/1, 12/1) with 1/1 at noon. Speed also follows the incoming clock.

Reverse buffer button or gate → Reverse Gate

Plays the Pre-Delay buffer backwards for reverse-reverb. Reverse buffer size = Pre-Delay setting: 42ms–500ms internal, 0.1s–5.46s when synced. Gate-momentary for rhythmic reverse effects.

Depth polarity (Cyclic vs Ergodic) Depth knob or CV

Bipolar Depth chooses type of internal modulation. CCW from noon: Cyclic — multi-phase chorus, subtle to doppler-swirl. CW from noon: Ergodic — random room dimension shifting, becoming granular. Full CW: 'Shimmer'. Note: at noon Speed has no audible effect.

Infinite feedback past unity Decay > 100% (past CW)

Decay is feedback-based. Past unity (100%) the reverb self-sustains / drones indefinitely. Useful for freeze/infinite halls — press/hold a gate to Decay CV (via attenuator inversion) to punch into infinite feedback.

Absorb feedback response Absorb CV or knob change

Absorb is feedback-based and slower than Size/Pre-Delay. Use slow envelopes, LFOs, or clocked Pressure Points sequences for best audible effect. Greater impact when Decay is higher. Full CCW = no diffusion, 0 damping; 10:00 = full diffusion, 0 damping; full CW = full + full damping.

Tilt as final tone Tilt knob or CV

Tilt is the last operation in the algorithm — does not affect energy or feedback. Bipolar EQ tilt like a rocking see-saw. Slow Tilt modulation with long decay gives phase-shifting character.

CV Out envelope-follower reverb tail produces energy

CV Out tracks the reverb signal loudness. Patch to Decay CV (with attenuverter inversion) for an automatic 'reigning in' of feedback before it runs away. Patch to Size CV for space-reshaping based on density. Patch outside Erbe-Verb to open other modules with reverb tails.

Pre-Delay audio-rate FM audio → Pre-Delay CV

Pre-Delay accepts audio-rate CV without an attenuator. Modulating at audio rates produces metallic, clangorous tones. Attenuate through a MATHS channel first or the effect can be overwhelming.

Controls

Signal Input Level Input gain. Unity at 3:00. Past 3:00 introduces gain and possible overdrive.
unity: 3:00 · clips above
Output Mix Dry/wet blend. Acts as attenuator for Mix CV when patched.
0%: dry · 100%: wet · ~11:00 typical
Global Size Large grey knob. Sets size of virtual space, coffin to heavens. Defining parameter.
35 cu ft – 9.3 million cu ft · CCW: coffin · 12: room · 1-2: plate · 3: hall · 4: ambient · CW: heaven
Size Size CV Att Bipolar attenuator for Size CV.
bipolar
Internal Mod Speed Speed of internal modulation. Has no effect when Depth at noon.
internal clock: 0.5 – 256 cps · ext clock: 1/48 – 9000 cps
Pre-Delay / Reverse Pre-Delay Time before first reflections. Also sets Reverse buffer length.
internal: 7ms – 500ms · ext clk: bipolar divisors 1/12–12/1 (1/1 at noon) · reverse: 42ms–500ms int / 0.1s–5.46s ext
Global Absorb Combined diffusion and damping. Feedback-based — slow response.
CCW: 0 diffusion, 0 damping · 10:00: full diffusion, 0 damping · CW: full diffusion + damping
Absorb Absorb CV Direct CV input for Absorb. No attenuator.
±5V
Internal Mod Depth Bipolar. Sets amount and type of internal modulation. 12:00 = off.
CCW: Cyclic (chorus) · noon: off · CW: Ergodic (granular) · full CW: Shimmer
Depth Depth CV Att Bipolar attenuator for Depth CV.
bipolar
Output EQ Tilt Bipolar tone tilt. Last stage — independent of reverb energy.
CCW: +12 dB low / -12 dB high · noon: flat · CW: -24 dB low / +24 dB high
Tilt Tilt CV Att Bipolar attenuator for Tilt CV.
bipolar
Global Decay Unipolar. Reverb tail length. 100% = unity (infinite); past 100% = self-oscillating feedback.
0 – 120% · feedback past 100%
Decay Decay CV Att Bipolar attenuator for Decay CV.
bipolar
Pre-Delay Reverse Button toggles Reverse on/off. Reverses the Pre-Delay buffer for reverse reverb.
button · Reverse LED flickers at buffer length

I/O

IN · 11

  • Signal In 10Vpp
    AC-coupled mono input. Unity ~3:00 on Level.
  • Mix CV 0V to +5V CV
    Unipolar Mix CV. Mix knob becomes attenuator when patched.
  • Size CV ±5V CV
    CV for Size. Bipolar.
  • Speed CV ±5V CV
    CV for internal modulation speed.
  • Pre-Delay CV ±5V CV
    Unity-gain CV for Pre-Delay. No attenuator — use external VCA/MATHS channel for attenuation. Audio-rate yields metallic tones.
  • Absorb CV ±5V CV
    Direct CV for Absorb. No attenuator.
  • Depth CV ±5V CV
    CV for Depth (bipolar).
  • Tilt CV ±5V CV
    CV for Tilt (bipolar).
  • Decay CV ±5V CV
    CV for Decay (bipolar).
  • Reverse Gate ≥1.5V GATE
    Momentary Reverse. 1.5V trigger to activate.
  • Tempo ≥1.5V · ≥6ms wide CLK
    External clock sync. Pre-Delay and Speed follow divisions/multiples. Needs ≥1.5V, ≥6ms wide.

OUT · 3

  • L (Mono) Out 10Vpp · AC coupled
    Left channel — also serves as mono output.
  • R Out 10Vpp · AC coupled
    Right channel.
  • CV Out 0 – 10V ENV
    Envelope follower of reverb energy. Rises as reverb signal gets louder. Useful for feedback automation (patch to Decay/Absorb CV).