TC Electronic VSS3 TDM - Manual (Page 5)

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VSS Introduction
Constructing a Reverb Preset with the VSS™ algorithm
The following few paragraphs are thoughts about the usage of the VSS™ (Virtual
Space Simulation) algorithm. They should be taken as guidelines rather than fact.
The relationship of Early Reflections and the Reverb tail is very important in this algo-
rithm. Adjusting the balance between the Early Lev and the Rev Lev parameters is one
of the easier ways to make a HUGE difference in the sound of your reverb!
When you start building your preset you should try this:
First turn the Rev Lev all the way down and also turn the Dry level a little down (or all
the way down if you are in a send/return configuration). In a send/return configuration,
push up the return level. You should now hear Early Reflections, a little of the Dry sig-
nal and no Reverb Tail.
Then begin changing the Early Type and Early Size parameters until you select a room
shape that compliments the program material.
Re-adjust the wet/dry balance until it is pleasing, then bring up the Rev Lev until the
tail of the reverb becomes audible. Add just enough tail to make it work together.
Adjust the Decay time accordingly.
On some presets you may choose to have very little Early Reflections or none at all.
Certain "ambience" style presets might have little or no "tail". That is up to you.
The VSS3 was designed to have the smoothest Reverb tail ever developed but it is the
Early Reflections that define the "personality" of the room, so try to experiment with
this relationship! By using these parameters correctly you can create a BIG sound
without having a mix swimming in reverb wash.
Note: When using small room sizes and short Decay times on percussive signals, the
Reverb level and Early level must have an approx. level difference of 4dB in order to
prevent a slap effect.
Getting the most out of the Early Reflection Patterns
Early Reflections define the actual feel of the room, where the Reverb tail is the less
defined "bowl" of reflections that follows. The major part of the Early Reflection pat-
terns of the VSS3 are simulations of existing rooms and are based on a large number
of reflections (40-100), which have been processed through an advanced algorithm.
There are a number of different types and sizes covering a lot of different acoustic
spaces that you need for music and post production. As the patterns are simulations
of real rooms, the delay times of the first reflections are sonic and spatially "connect-
ed" to the direct signal. Using Pre Delay together with Early Reflections should there-
fore be considered very carefully, as the acoustic space created by the pattern tends to
"collapse" if too much Pre Delay is added. If you want the well known slap back reverb
effect, you should use Rev Delay on the Reverb tail instead and reduce the level of
the Early Reflections.