TC Electronic’s VSS3 Stereo Source Reverb plug-in is now ported over to AAX Native (and other host DAW Native versions) from the original Pro Tools TDM-only version. VSS3 (Virtual Space Simulation) had been a mainstay reverb in all my mixes because of its smooth and realistic reverbs and ambiences based on algorithms from TC’s flagship TC6000 hardware processor.
VSS3 allows for easy reverb/ambience construction by offering complete control over the size and reflective patterns of the early reflections coupled with programming the exact nature and tonality of the reverb tail. I like the Focus Field at the bottom of the compact GUI—it allows for dragging in any six parameters you use most.
A big part of the sound of VSS3 comes from the extensive collection of 24 different Early Reflection types. You’ll have: theatres, phone booth, small rooms, car park, airport, even a forest all with a choice of a small, medium, large or fixed Early sizes. You may also adjust the Early Color, the Early Position for either a Close or Distant listening position, and Early L/R Balance.
VSS3 has extensive collection of Factory presets that you can modify and build your own library of User presets. Everything I remember from the TDM version is back in my Pro Tools HDX sessions and I’m starting to incorporate it as part of my mixing template from now on! I highly recommend it!
TC Electronic VSS3 sells for $199 with PowerCore/TDM cross grade at $99.
Check: https://www.tcelectronic.com/vss3-native/
Barry Rudolph is a recording engineer/mixer who has worked on over 30 gold and platinum records. He has recorded and/or mixed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, the Corrs and more. Barry has his own futuristic music mixing facility and loves teaching audio engineering at Musician’s Institute, Hollywood, CA. He is a lifetime Grammy-voting member of NARAS and a contributing editor for Mix Magazine. barryrudolph.com
