In Summary

Going Deeper

UJAM UFX Reverb promises a different kind of space-maker to let creatives twist and go. With sounds extending beyond time-based effects, we check out some of the things that could make it a hit with professionals as well.

Reverb With A Twist

Straight-ahead reverb treatments have been within most studios’ reach for decades, however getting signature effects for voices or instruments used to involve stringing together a reverb, delay, or maybe a bit of both, along with other treatments such as EQ, modulation, or saturation. While the ubiquitous multi effects units that sprang up in the 80’s scratched the studio effects itch for many years, creating chains of devices in the DAW is now trivially simple (and affordable). More recently, the multi-effects concept has started to make its return in the audio plugin world.

UJAM UFX Reverb

UFX Reverb is the latest creation from German instrument and effects alchemists UJAM. Sporting ten reverb algorithms that fire into Filter and Finisher stages, UFX Reverb lets engineers conjure the kind of hybrid effects that make memorable sounds. In line with the company’s twist-and-go ethos, the emphasis is definitely on creativity and getting a sound fast with its large blue Escher-esque wheel that flashes its anything-goes credentials.

On its ambiences, UJAM elaborate:

UFX-REVERB is an algorithmic reverb, which means it’s not mainly focussed on super-realistic emulation of physical rooms, but on “creating” spaces that have a purpose - from underscoring an instrument’s lushness to glueing a track to the mix. It’s for people who want to create spaces, not just use them, and who want to go beyond physics.

In the video, we deploy UFX Reverb as the ideal sounds machine in an electronic production in need of a little magic. Across machine drums we use it for some classic non-linear ambience as well as some Megaphone filter for delayed transducer flavours. We also make full use of its Finisher and Filter blocks on synth lead and arpeggios to get some totally unique textures that take the mix from Okay to Oh Yeah in a few moves.

UFX Reverb Features:

• 10 algorithmic reverb modes.

• 25 creative filter models.

• Auto-ducking function.

• 50 Finishers.

Effect Or Process?

Although many reverbs can sound great without any external help, most will see some kind of intervention even if it’s just a little shelving EQ on the return. Beyond that, signature sounds can get pretty complex when modulation, distortion, and other creative treatments come into play for sounds that really stick.

With transformative distortion, saturation and filtering all on tap alongside its ambiences, UFX Reverb can sit comfortably across inserts or on returns depending on the situation. It must be said that the sounds are really very good, to the point where pros might like to see the option put the Finisher and Filter in front of the UFXR’s Mix control with that on reverb duties only. That would make UFXR even better as an insert effect, but I can see why UJAM would want to keep things simple; there are always extra instances around for those who want to fully exploit the sounds on offer here.

Half-insert, half parallel effect, UJAM’s unique take on creative reverb sounds great and is a lot of fun to use. Whether you’re an engineer or creator in the driving seat, if you want quick, easy signature sounds UFX Reverb is hard to beat.

A Word About This Article

As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.