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HoRNet Plugins has introduced Spaces, a highly versatile algorithmic reverb plugin designed to simulate virtual acoustic environments with a level of realism and flexibility rarely seen in compact audio tools. At the heart of Spaces lies a sophisticated Digital Waveguide Network (DWN) engine, capable of reproducing the complex behavior of sound reflections and resonances that […]
HoRNet Plugins has introduced Spaces, a highly versatile algorithmic reverb plugin designed to simulate virtual acoustic environments with a level of realism and flexibility rarely seen in compact audio tools. At the heart of Spaces lies a sophisticated Digital Waveguide Network (DWN) engine, capable of reproducing the complex behavior of sound reflections and resonances that naturally occur within enclosed physical spaces. Whether you’re producing music, mixing vocals, designing immersive soundscapes, or working in post-production, Spaces allows you to recreate the sense of being inside a real room or hall—all within your DAW.
What sets Spaces apart is its focus on cubic room modeling, where the interaction between dimensions (height, width, and length) and the surfaces enclosing the space creates natural-sounding reverberation. Using DWN instead of convolution means that reverb behavior is calculated in real time, allowing for dynamic adjustments, custom room shapes, and greater flexibility without relying on static impulse responses.
To make room design intuitive, Spaces includes three carefully curated room presets—Small, Mid, and Large—each based on acoustically optimized ratios between the room’s dimensions. These proportions are known to produce more pleasant and musically useful reverberation, reducing the chance of unwanted resonances or phase problems. When one of these presets is selected, changing the height slider automatically adjusts the width and length to match the preset’s fixed ratio, streamlining the creation of good-sounding virtual environments.
If you’re after full control, Custom Room Mode lets you adjust the height, width, and length independently. As you manipulate these parameters, Spaces visually displays the room’s modal frequencies—the natural resonant frequencies that occur based on the room’s size and shape. These include axial, tangential, and oblique modes, all of which shape the tonal and temporal character of the reverb. Being able to see these room modes in real time provides powerful insight into how your chosen room setup influences the final sound.
Beyond room geometry, Spaces offers a detailed suite of controls that let you shape the reverb tail and overall spatial response with precision:
Reverberation Length: Determines how long the reverb persists, affecting the perceived size and liveliness of the space.
Reflections Amount: Controls the intensity of early and late reflections, which influence clarity and sense of enclosure.
Frequency Response: Allows you to filter the tonal balance of the reverb tail, useful for fitting the effect into a mix or emulating the absorbent qualities of different materials.
Stereo Width: Expands or narrows the spatial spread of the reverb to suit mono sources, wide mixes, or immersive listening formats.
Processing Quality: Lets you select the desired balance between CPU usage and audio fidelity, making the plugin suitable for both real-time tracking and high-end mastering.
These features make Spaces extremely adaptable, whether you’re trying to place a vocal in a cozy studio booth or create the illusion of a vast, reflective concert hall. And because everything is processed algorithmically, you’re not locked into static presets—you can morph the environment dynamically as part of your creative process.
The user interface is compact but highly functional, presented with a futuristic aesthetic HoRNet jokingly calls a “23rd-century GUI.” It features easy-to-read sliders, real-time visual feedback for room modes, and an intuitive layout that lets you stay focused on the sound, not the settings.
Spaces also includes 13 expertly crafted presets by Simon Scholl, offering instantly usable environments that cover everything from intimate rooms to wide-open halls. These presets serve as great starting points for quick application or as inspiration for your own room designs.
In terms of compatibility, Spaces supports both Mac OS X (10.6 and above, Intel) and Windows, operating in 64-bit environments. It’s compatible with all major DAWs and supports VST, AU, and AAX formats, ensuring seamless integration into your existing workflow. Whether you’re working on a studio machine or a mobile setup, Spaces performs reliably and efficiently.
Key Features at a Glance:
Digital Waveguide Network algorithm for real-time room simulation
Three fixed room proportions (Small, Mid, Large)
Custom Room Mode for full dimensional control
Real-time display of room modes
Reverb tail length, reflections amount, and frequency shaping
Adjustable stereo width and processing quality
13 built-in presets crafted by an audio pro
Sleek, modern interface
64-bit support on Mac and Windows
Compatible with VST, AU, and AAX
In conclusion, HoRNet Spaces is more than just another reverb plugin—it’s a precision tool for virtual room creation and realistic spatial design. With its combination of scientific modeling, musical usability, and flexible controls, it bridges the gap between technical depth and creative simplicity. Whether you’re looking to subtly enhance your tracks or build fully immersive audio environments, Spaces gives you the control, accuracy, and sound quality you need.
