ab vortEx X

What it does

A reverb built on spatial audio algorithms, which the developer calls a spacetime designer. It runs on a short control set: space, time, viscosity and separate dry and wet levels, with the feedback folded into space rather than given its own knob. An XY pad moves space and time together so both sweep in one gesture, and every parameter is exposed to the host for LFOs and automation. This is the stereo only light edition of the desktop ab vortEx, which adds ambisonic and surround output.

In the demo

Jade starts with an instance on every channel of a loaded session and shows the DSP meter before anything plays, then strips back to a sampled acoustic guitar and builds the sound up control by control. She drags the XY pad into the corners, where the tail becomes a frozen drone, then plays live guitar and sings through two instances and ends on drum loops.

Worth knowing

It asks a lot of the CPU, which is the reason the light version exists, so stacking instances needs a capable device. Anyone wanting a short room reverb for a mix will find it pulled toward long, moving spaces.