Hi there!
Soundtoys, one of my favorite plugin makers, currently offers a free reverb plugin called Space Blender. It’s a wild one - perfect for creating huge, otherworldly spaces. It’s a fascinating plugin, and I’m glad to dive deeper into it with you.
Let me start with the essentials: SpaceBlender is currently available as a free download until May 22. And frankly, it's one of the most inspiring spatial tools I’ve come across in recent months. If you’ve ever worked with Eventide’s Blackhole or Valhalla Supermassive, this plugin sits in a similar creative space - but with its own distinct voice and features.
In the short video at the top of the newsletter, I put together a techno sketch to show the plugin in action. I’m working with a 909-style kick built from two layers, then used SpaceBlender to shape a rumble bass and add a subtle, rhythmic shimmer to the top.
You’ll also hear it on a synth line, where it opens up this dreamy, expansive quality I personally love. If ambient textures and evolving spaces are part of your sound palette, this one’s definitely worth exploring.
What sets SpaceBlender apart is its algorithm. Unlike traditional reverbs that often rely on feedback loops or convolution, this one uses a delay-based structure without feedback. That gives it a kind of clarity and contour - reverbs that have distinct beginnings and ends, rather than a wash that lingers indefinitely. It’s particularly effective for building complex textures that still leave room in the mix.
The plugin also stands out for its visual interface. You shape the reverb using an X/Y grid: one axis controls envelope shape (like gated, reverse, or bloom), the other adjusts intensity. With parameters for modulation, texture, and spectral color, you can morph between shimmering, smooth decays and chaotic, swarming tails. The Freeze function is a favorite of mine - great for capturing and looping ambient material in real time.
Soundtoys co-founders Ken Bogdanowicz and Andrew Schlesinger drew on deep DSP expertise when developing this, building on their work for Eventide’s DSP4000 Blackhole effect. The result blends retro-futuristic flavors - think Ursa Major Space Station, Lexicon 224 - with modern modulation and envelope control.
From a musical perspective, this opens up a lot of possibilities:
On pads or synths, SpaceBlender creates a lush sense of space and movement.
On drums or percussive sounds, you can use tempo-synced gated reverbs to add rhythmic punch without clutter.
And in ambient or experimental work, that Freeze function becomes an entire instrument in itself.
The Overall producer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, especially given that it’s being offered for free right now. It’s a generous move by Soundtoys, and one that gives producers a real opportunity to experiment with a tool that pushes the boundaries of what reverb can be.
If you’re curious about sound design, spatial mixing, or building immersive textures, this plugin invites exploration. Even if it doesn’t become your everyday reverb, it’s the kind of tool that sparks ideas - and that alone makes it valuable.
Let me know if you end up using it in a track - I'd love to hear how it inspires you.
Best regards,
Marcus
Electronic Music Mixing Mastering
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