$40 vs. $4,000 Hardware Reverbs - Comparing the Lexicon 224XL and the Alesis Nanoverb

AUDIO: "'1000 Hummingbirds" by JUNATIME. From the forthcoming album, "Remember The Magic" on BIG EGO Records.

Comparing the Lexicon 224XL and the Alesis Nanoverb hardware digital reverb units using the Lexicon's Rich Plate and the Nanoverb's Plate Reverb algorithms on lead vocal and snare drum.

Thumbnail design by Michael Wysong.

[JUNATIME]

You already know how I feel about the Lexicon... but hearing them side by side.. whoa! Imagine how messy everything would've sounded with the wrong reverb!

[fernandes]

Very ggod video. I own a Lexicon MX300 and a Alesis Midiverb (1985) among other reverbs, the 224 is my goal, but I'll never be able to get one, When I heard the vocal track I find hard to spot the difference, between the 2 reverbs, but once, you mentioned the headroom, and isolated the snare track, it all became clear. I'll keep the Alesis because it was cheap ( 35 euros ), and the Lexicon (130 euros ) because it was discontinued and I haven't heard a Lexicon plug-in, that matches the exact sound of a hardware unit. Greatings from Portugal.

[wreignone]

I love the 224. Even in 2022 I haven't heard anything else that has such a satisfying verb sound.

[perroloco]

On the vocal line i first thought the Nanoverb really sound good, then I realized that it was the good vocal perfprmance that mede me like it

[PJmusica]

I thought the nano verb sounded pretty good. It would have been interesting if you pushed the reverbs more with an ambient track drenched with reverb, but in this case, I honest thighs the nano verb held it’s own.

[decadesofsegregation]

There is a reason Alesis Quadraverb and Midiverb ii are still used today by big names. They are not Lexicons and never tried to be.
Also old 90s Zoom and digitech units are still something else espeically for experimental & industrial music.

[Madrrrrrrrrrrr]

Bought a pcm 60 some months ago and most demo's are bad but this is a good example of that plate. Wish i could mod it. The engines are there.

[bontempo]

Man, she sounds like she was teleported from the 80s. Love it.

[HatredPrime]

Does 224XL have analog gainstage? That would explain difference of headroom on nanoverb, because nano doesn't have it, you go straight to AD with signal.

[nathanmcglothlin]

Not sure if this is the "proper" language, but the Alesis sounds processed, where the Lexicon sounds really natural to me. There are probably some use cases where that Alesis vibe would be the solution, but it doesn't feel right coming off a Big Ego record. One of the things I've long associated with a "Big Ego" sound is "real." Nothing feels doctored on the output I've heard (and purchased). Thanks for showing your work yet again!

[BigTrouble]

You need the Midiverb 2. That's the reverb that defined the '80's. I also think it's wrong comparing it to a Lexicon. It has it's own sound. I like having different units for different flavors. I also have Copicat, Space echo, Binson echorec, Dynacord tape echoes, each with their distinct personality. I had a PCM-91 but sold it. I thought it was boring.

[CM-cbkm]

I have a Lexicon Model 200 and a Alesis Quadraverb. I like them both for different things, but I the Model 200.

[amalgami]

thanks for this comparison. hmmm 4000$, thats a lot, but seems worth to those who care. I care. I wish they had a 500 series affordable version which still gives 80% of what this unit can do. I got my first analog gear, a channel strip and it made huge difference.

[mpo]

Wasn't the Alesis gauged for -10db? If the headroom ( or lack thereof ) was an issue, you definitely needed to compensate for that, or you are comparing blueberries to watermelons.

[JK-pujt]

I am looking for a hardware reverb that is comparable to my Valhalla Vintage Reverb plugin. Since you mentioned it, is there something between the two extremes compared here that you might recommend? (The Valhalla just feels great to sing through, but I'd like to not have to use a laptop when out playing live.) Thank you.

[MellowOutBeatz]

i dont know why people just do reverb solo on a instrument to hear the sound of the reverb

[davidkellymitchell]

Good vintage reverbs are like good vintage mics and compressors. They'll never go out of style. The only reason they don't cost 10 times more today than new is they made a zillion of them. Real EMT's probably still cost a fortune and a fortune to have them moved. 😆

[junosensis]

i think the best way is the 50$ valhallah vintage verb.... 😁

[XDarkstarXUnknownUnderverse]

The 224 sounds like my MX400XL. Lexicon beats the Alesis hands down unless you go for a more vintage vibe (retrowave etc).

[Synth]

Not sure what is the point of this. The 224 of course blows that little alesis box out of the water. And off the planet. The Lexicon rounds and gives body to the original sound while creating realistic space underneath. The Nanoverb just mixes crappy white noise while smushing the original sound, worsening both the mix and the vocal.