Free Impulse Response Libraries

Here is an online library of impulse responses from various sources. For those who use convolution reverbs, having a good and varied selection of IR’s is a great way to flavour many different tracks and closely match concert venues.

All reverbs use one of two processing methods, algorithmic or convolution. Algorithmic reverbs use calculations based on hypothetical rooms and spaces to give the reverb its sound. Although it tends to be more artificial sounding, typical of the iconic hardware reverbs of the past 35 years, it is at times the perfect effect required by the music.

Convolution reverbs use pre-recorded samples of real rooms and spaces to build Impulse Response (IR) files of those spaces. The incoming audio signal convolves with the IR to create the reverb sound. Although they require significantly more processing power they are much better at simulating real spaces than algorithmic reverbs.

Popular convolution reverbs:

Altiverb

Space Designer (Bundled with Logic)

Waves IR1

Knufinke SIR1 (Free)

Impulse Response Library’s are all over the internet. Here are two worth checking out to start building your library. The first is a multitude of different sources and can be found here. The other is by Voxengo and includes links to other free plugins as well.

If you have other IR sources feel free to leave the links in the comment section.