Convolution reverbs are reverb effects that use impulse responses (IRs) to simulate an acoustic space.
I tested dozens of free convolution reverb VST plugins and listed the best ones in this article. For more software categories, return to our free VST plugins page.
An impulse response captures the sound of an acoustic or artificially simulated space. You can use it to emulate the characteristics of real-world places (churches, halls, arenas) and hardware reverb units in your DAW.
Loading a reverb impulse response in a convolution reverb plugin will apply its spatial properties to the processed audio signal.
Best Free Convolution Reverb Plugins
- Convology XT by Impulse Record
- MConvolutionEZ Convolution by MeldaProduction
- Magic7 by Wave Alchemy
- SIR1 by SIR Audio Tools
- Reverberate LE by LiquidSonics
- Halls Of Fame 3 Free by Best Service
- Easy Convolver by GSi Audio
- Atmospheres by ZAK Sound
1. Convology XT by Impulse Record
Convology XT is a free convolution reverb VST plugin developed by Impulse Record. It includes 70 reverb impulse responses captured from various vintage hardware reverb units.
Additional impulse responses are available for purchase on the developer’s website. More importantly, the plugin can load external impulse responses in WAV format.
Convology XT is the most advanced free convolver plugin because it offers many options for modifying the loaded impulse response file. The user can adjust the attack and decay time, pre-delay, and frequency response.
It is also possible to time-stretch the IR file and apply modulation to achieve a stereo-widening effect. The plugin doesn’t introduce any latency, which is rare among freeware convolution reverbs.
Convology XT can be downloaded completely free from Impulse Record’s website.
After installing and loading the plugin for the first time, enter the serial number provided at checkout to activate your license. The developers have also provided several tutorial videos to help new users get started with the plugin.
More info: Convology XT
Compatibility: 32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & macOS
2. MConvolutionEZ Convolution by MeldaProduction
MConvolutionEZ offers a wider range of impulse responses than Convology XT, but its feature set is less advanced. Using a pair of filters, the user can adjust the stereo width of the active impulse response and shape its tone.
Unfortunately, timing properties like attack and decay time can’t be customized. This significant drawback makes MConvolutionEZ less of a professional mixing tool and more of a beginner option for users just getting started with convolution reverb plugins.
Still, its ease of use and intuitive user interface are part of why I recommend trying it.
Much like Convology XT, MeldaProduction’s convolution reverb plugin can load external impulse responses in WAV and FLAC format.
Due to the convenient file browser located at the very center of the user interface, MConvolutionEZ is a great tool for testing newly downloaded impulse response libraries. The included reverb impulses sound pretty good, too.
More info: MConvolutionEZ
Compatibility: 32-bit & 64-bit VST/VST3/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & macOS
3. Magic7 by Wave Alchemy
Magic7 is a free Bricasti M7 emulation by Wave Alchemy. It uses convolution and a set of excellent Bricasti M7 impulse responses to bring a legendary reverb sound to your DAW for free.
So, it’s a convolution that only works with built-in impulse responses. You can’t import third-party reverb impulses into Magic7, but why would you?
The plugin captures the authentic sound of the Bricasti M7 reverb in great detail, l and it’s one of the best options to get a professional reverb sound for free.
Magic7 contains all the presets from the original hardware. However, you can also tweak the included presets using parameters like decay time, pre-delay, and ducking. The ducking option is pretty cool, as it lets you drop the reverb volume so that it doesn’t mask the main sound.
More info: Magic7
Compatibility: 64-bit VST/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & macOS
4. SIR1 by SIR Audio Tools
SIR1 is an old product (released in 2004.), but some users still swear by it.
Its simple user interface and rather capable feature set make it a useful tool even in this modern age of VST plugins.
However, SIR1’s biggest drawback is that it is only compatible with 32-bit VST plugin hosts on Windows. Mac owners and Windows users running 64-bit digital audio workstations are out of luck.
The user interface is well designed, with the file browser on the right, waveform display on the top, the control parameters on the left, and the spectrum display on the bottom.
The user can adjust the pre-delay time and the envelope of the loaded impulse response. The IR can also be time-stretched, which is a great feature for a convolution plugin. SIR1 has a fixed latency of 8960 samples and is optimized for low CPU consumption.
More info: SIR1
Compatibility: 32-bit VST plugin format for Windows
5. Reverberate LE by LiquidSonics
Reverberate LE is another older plugin on this list (released in 2006.) and it shares the same compatibility issues with SIR1.
In other words, it will only work in 32-bit digital audio workstations on Windows-based machines. If you happen to fall into that particular category of users, Reverberate LE is well worth a shot.
The plugin includes only a small collection of impulse responses, so it’s mostly up to the user to provide their own IR samples (WAV, AIFF, and FLAC files are supported). Once loaded, the impulse responses can be customized using the Reverberate LE’s envelope shaping and time-stretching controls.
The plugin also features a parametric equalizer which can completely alter the tone of the IR sample.
Reverberate LE can operate in zero latency mode, or in low latency mode when the graphics card is used for processing (an Nvidia chip is required for this). Stereo impulse responses are supported.
More info: Reverberate LE
Compatibility: 32-bit VST plugin format for Windows
6. Halls Of Fame 3 Free by Best Service
Halls Of Fame 3 Free is a stripped-down version of the Halls of Fame 3 – Complete Edition (€169) convolution reverb effect by Best Service which comes with over 1,500 reverb presets.
The free version only includes 27 reverb presets and doesn’t load external impulse responses. I’m including it on the list because the included reverb impulse responses sound exceptionally good.
The plugin features a selection of impulse responses captured from legendary hardware reverb units such as the EMT 240, AKG BX 20, Lexicon PCM96, and the Bricasti M7. The presets can be customized using detailed envelope and tone control parameters.
The user can adjust the pre-delay time, attack/release times, and trim the loaded impulse response. The plugin also features a 3-band tone control and a damping control for shaping the tone of the reverb tails.
Unfortunately, the download and activation procedures are a bit more cumbersome than I’d like to see. First, you will need to complete the checkout process, then download two individual installers for the plugin and the sound content, and finally authorize your Halls Of Fame 3 Free installation.
More info: Halls Of Fame 3 Free
Compatibility: 32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & macOS
7. Easy Convolver by GSi Audio
Easy Convolver is a free, lightweight convolution effect plugin by GSi. It is available in VST2 and VST3 formats for Windows and Linux.
The plugin lets you load any audio file and use it as an impulse response. You can, of course, load reverb responses, but you can also try experimenting with other types of audio.
The interface lacks any controls for customizing the loaded reverb. However, this simplicity can be an advantage for users who want a quick way to browse and test their collection of convolution reverb IRs.
The only available control is the dry/wet mix that lets you adjust the intensity of the loaded reverb. The plugin also comes with impulse responses sampled from actual gear, and you can download additional IRs online.
Easy Convolver also supports drag-and-drop IR loading, an excellent way to speed up your workflow. It remembers up to 100 IR files, allowing you to easily switch between your favorites without reloading them manually.
More info: Easy Convolver
Compatibility: 64-bit VST2 and VST3 plugin formats for Windows and macOS
8. Atmospheres by ZAK Sound
Atmospheres is a free convolution reverb plugin by ZAK Sound.
Instead of aiming to recreate real-world places, Atmospheres was designed to create unique and atmospheric sound effects. I often use it as part of my cinematic sound design setup.
The plugin features a simple interface with just two controls: a mix knob and a randomize button. While the mix knob adjusts the reverb effect as expected, the randomize button introduces subtle changes to various hidden parameters, giving unpredictable results with each use.
Randomization is my favorite feature, as it lets me load Atmospheres on a sound I’m working on and use the power of convolution reverb to transform the sound into something unique.
Atmospheres is built on unusual impulse responses (IRs), creating reverb tails with plenty of motion and adding texture to instruments and recordings. Despite its minimalist design, it can produce huge reverbs, making it ideal for sound design in ambient, cinematic, or experimental music contexts.
It performs exceptionally well on synthetic strings, arpeggios, and ambient guitar or piano work, adding a unique tonal character to the sound.
Atmospheres runs on VST3 and AU formats on Windows and macOS.
More info: Atmospheres
Compatibility: VST3 and AU plugin formats for Windows and macOS
Free Convolution Reverb IRs
Once you’re happy with your convolution reverb plugin of choice, it’s time to obtain some high-quality reverb impulse responses. Here are some of our favorite places to download convolution reverb IR files for free:
- Bricasti M7 Impulse Response Library by Samplicity
- Signal To Noize Impulse Responses
- Impulse Responses by Fokke van Saane
- Impulse Responses by Dubbhism
- Impulse Responses by Voxengo
- Impulse Response Library by EchoThief
- Airwindows Impulses
If you’d like to recommend additional convolution reverb impulses, please do so in the comments below.
For more freeware plugins and instruments, return to our Free VST Plugins page.
Last Updated on January 16, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
