EMT 250 Alternatives: The Iconic 1970s Digital Reverb
Get the sound of that classic digital reverb.
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We’re looking at EMT 250 alternatives for getting the classic reverb sound, used on so many hit records for vocals, drums, and synthesizers.
In this Article:
About the EMT 250:
Easily one of the most famous reverbs of all time, the EMT 250 was the first digital reverb unit to be made commercially available in 1976. Also affectionately referred to as “R2-D2”, “The Robot”, or the “Spaceheater”, the 250 was designed in Germany by Dr. Barry Blesser, Peter Bermes, and Karl Otto Bäder, the Technical Director at EMT Studiotechnik GmbH.
Although only 250 units were ever produced, the EMT 250 had a major impact on the recording industry, with its lush, warm sound showing up on albums like Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Prince’s Purple Rain. If you come across one on the second-hand market, you’re likely to pay well over $20,000 for one today. However, there are other ways to get a similar sound:
- Add a bit reduction effect to your stock algorithmic reverb in your DAW and set it to 12-bit 24 kHz
- Valhalla Vintage Verb has a Sanctuary algorithm inspired by the EMT 250, as well as a 1970s colouration setting
- Audio Ease Altiverb has IR settings created from the EMT 250
- Most multieffects pedals have at least one “vintage digital” algorithm
- The PSP 2445 is modelled on reverbs with a similar sound to the EMT 250
EMT 250 Alternatives: Wave Alchemy Dawn
Wave Alchemy Dawn is a flexible plugin recreation of the EMT 250 reverb that can deliver the classic sound you’re looking for, but it can also be used to design more modern, unconventional spaces. There are three main parts to the plugin, the primary control screen with the EMT 250 controls, the patch browser, and the FX page where you can dive into deeper settings.
With almost every reverb parameter within the Dawn interface, you can choose between modelling the original EMT 250 sound and introducing more modern characteristics. Like the original, there is a Space mode for creative sound design, but there is also a transient smoothing control, a ducking control, and a choice of the Flux pitch mod or Ensemble (Dimension D) chorus effects.
The modern reverb mode extends the frequency response and tightens the low-end, and you can make additional tonal adjustments with the low and air controls. Meanwhile, the FX page provides access to the gate and ducking controls, the width controls and crossover point, the EQ, and the character modes (Gritty, Clean, and Vintage).
EMT 250 Alternatives: ERS EMpTy250
As you’re well aware, the concept of creating plugin versions of classic studio gear is nothing new. So once a developer has found that holy grail algorithm that captures the sound character of the original hardware, there is very little to improve upon, except compatibility with different platforms.
The EmptyRoomSystems 250 plugin was designed by Dutch developer Harrie Munnik and released back in 2009. This awesome native plugin strips the EMT 250 functionality down, so you only have access to the famous reverb algorithm, which is all you need. With the other effects out of the way, dialling in perfect reverb sounds is a breeze.
The ERS 250 reverb plugin is supported and distributed by DDMF, and is compatible with all major platforms in 32 and 64-bit, including Apple Silicon. What’s more, iPad users will be thrilled to know that this plugin is also available for iOS in AUv3, via the App Store.
EMT 250 Alternatives: tc electronic DVR 250
The DVR 250 is part of tc electronic’s Icon Series Legacy Native plugin bundle, convincingly bringing the EMT 250 reverb into your DAW. All the functions of the classic reverb unit are available, and the preset library also draws from tc electronic’s extensive legacy in reverb design.
One thing that makes the DVR 250 unique is the fact that you can stack the various effects and control the mix amount for each individual effect program. This allows you to create layered, multidimensional sounds from a single plugin, as you can add delay, echo, phasing, chorus, and space to the classic reverb algorithm.
For effects like reverb vocal throws used in modern Pop and EDM, this is a great function to have, as it allows you to create wide, textured sounds with seemingly endless reverb tails in seconds. Although, the DVR 250DT controller is no longer available, the native plugin is still a great option for getting that legendary reverb sound. Get it at Thomann.*
EMT 250 Alternatives: Universal Audio EMT 250
Believe it or not, the Universal Audio EMT 250 plugin has been around for the best part of two decades, which almost makes it a classic in its own right. This plugin is only available in the UADx format, so you’ll need either a Satellite or Apollo hardware DSP accelleration system to be able to run it in your DAW.
The UAD EMT 250 recreates every aspect of the vintage unit, from the delay, echo, space, chorus, and phasing effects, all the way down to the choice of front and rear outputs, and even the noise generated by the original EMT 250. The plugin is easy to use, because you can only have one effect program active at a time, and the levers immediately become respective parameter controls for the selected effect.
Overall, the UAD plugin version is still one of the best recreations of the EMT 250 available and it has been endorsed by EMT Studiotechnik. If you already have a UAD DSP hardware system, you can get the plugin individually or in one of the many bundles available. Get it at Thomann.*
EMT 250 Alternatives: Strymon Cloudburst
Inspired by the BigSky’s “Cloud” reverb machine, the Cloudburst pedal draws from vintage digital reverb technology of the 1970s. The interface is inviting, with controls for decay time, pre-delay time, tone, modulation amount, and wet/dry mix. In addition, there is a dynamic Ensemble effect that responds to the level of the input signal.
Don’t be fooled by its relatively simple appearance; the Cloudburst uses an ARM Processor and is equipped with a discrete JFET preamp input, so you won’t have the high noise floor associated with vintage reverbs. Meanwhile, the Cloudburst comes with 300 presets and can operate in mono, mono-to-stereo, or stereo modes.
There is also a plugin version of the Cloudburst that offers the flexibility of the DAW environment and an amount control for the ensemble effect, as well as Infinite and Hold Freeze functions. Overall, the Cloudburst is a great go-to reverb option in whichever format you choose to use. Get it at Thomann.*
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