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An introduction to Audio Ease Altiverb 8, based on information from the maker and distributors: what it does, how to use it and who it may suit. It is not scored.
Altiverb is a plug-in that makes your audio sound as if it was played back somewhere else, adding the acoustics of existing spaces to your own recordings or to your live audio.
— Audio Ease official site
What is Altiverb 8?
Altiverb is a convolution reverb from Audio Ease. It uses impulse responses (IRs) recorded in real spaces to add the acoustics of other places to your recordings. The current version on the maker's page is Altiverb 8.
The IR library holds hundreds of real recorded spaces: concert halls, churches, studios, scoring stages, echo chambers, hardware reverbs such as plates and springs, and everyday post-production spaces such as bathrooms and vehicles.
Altiverb 8 adds native Apple silicon support, Dolby Atmos up to 9.1.6, a new IR browser, a new IRTool and computer-based licensing (no iLok USB key required). VST3 and AUv3 plug-ins are provided.
The Regular edition handles mono and stereo, while XL supports mono through 9.1.6. They share the same IRs and controls, and Regular can be upgraded to XL for the price difference.
Library of real-space IRs
IRs recorded in real places such as concert halls, churches, studios, scoring stages and caves are included. It may be an option when you want a real space's acoustics on a recording.
Hardware reverb IRs
IRs of EMT plates, springs and digital units such as the 480, 224, RMX 16 and 250 are included. You may explore classic hardware reverb directions in one plug-in.
Decay, Brightness and Damping
Decay applies an exponential decay to any IR, shortening reverb time while keeping the room's character. Brightness layers a synthetic reverb to add highs, and Damping adjusts reverb length in three frequency bands.
Stage positioning
With mono or stereo input, you can move the speaker position on a virtual stage. The maker presents it for placing individual members of an ensemble or orchestra.
Dolby Atmos (XL)
XL supports up to 9.1.6 channels, and the main music-space IRs have been extended for Atmos. It may suit immersive mixes and film work.
IRTool for your own IRs
With the included sweeps and IRTool you can capture spaces and make your own IRs (IRTool is macOS only). IRs made this way may be used only in Altiverb.
Backward compatibility and free IR updates
The maker says Altiverb 8 opens sessions made with Altiverb since 2006 and sounds the same. New IRs are added for free, with no yearly support fees.
Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Convolution reverb |
| Formats | AAX Native / Audio Unit (AUv3, macOS only) / VST3, 64-bit (macOS Universal) |
| OS | macOS 14 to 27 (per the maker) / Windows 10 and 11 |
| Regular edition | Mono/stereo, up to 96 kHz |
| XL edition | Mono to 9.1.6, up to 384 kHz |
| Licensing | iLok account, activated on the computer (USB key not required; iLok Cloud not supported) |
| Pro Tools | 2022-2026 (per the maker) |
| Latest version listed | 8.2.7 (Dec 18, 2025) |
What is included and system requirements
- Altiverb 8 plug-in (AAX Native / AU / VST3)
- IR library of hundreds of recorded spaces (music spaces, hardware reverbs, post-production spaces)
- IRTool and sweeps for making your own IRs (IRTool is macOS only)
- Orchestral positioning presets
How to use it
- After purchase, get the installer from the maker's download page.
- Activate the license on your computer with an iLok account.
- Rescan plug-ins in your DAW.
- Insert Altiverb on the track or an aux you want to reverberate.
- Pick a space from the photo-based IR browser.
- Adjust reverb time with Decay.
- Refine tone with Brightness and Damping as needed.
- Use stage positioning to place the source on the virtual stage.
Space for vocals and band recordings
You may use real hall or studio acoustics to add depth to home-recorded vocals.
Post-production for film and narration
With IRs of everyday spaces such as bathrooms and vehicles, you may try placing dialogue into a scene.
Mixing orchestral and string libraries
Placing each section on the virtual stage may help arrange sample libraries as if played in a real hall.
Immersive audio (XL)
The XL edition, with Dolby Atmos I/O, may suit immersive mixes.
Who it may suit
- People looking for reverb based on real acoustic spaces
- People adding scene-appropriate acoustics in post and narration
- People mixing orchestral libraries with hall placement
- People working on Dolby Atmos projects (XL edition)
Good to know before you buy
- Regular is limited to mono/stereo and 96 kHz; XL covers surround/Atmos and up to 384 kHz.
- Licensing uses an iLok account. An iLok USB key is not required, but iLok Cloud is not supported.
- IRTool is for macOS; it is not available on Windows.
- IRs made with IRTool may be used only in Altiverb.
- The maker notes that automatic replacement of Altiverb 7 may not work in some DAWs.
How it differs from similar products
We do not pick a winner; the official figures are placed side by side.
Altiverb 8 XL / Regular
Per the maker's comparison, Regular supports mono/stereo I/O up to 96 kHz, while XL supports mono through 9.1.6 and up to 384 kHz. Controls and IRs are the same, and Regular can be upgraded to XL for the price difference.
Price
$595 (Audio Ease official site, checked 2026-10-27). Prices can vary by region and promotion, so check the official page before buying.
See Altiverb 8 on the product page
Sources: audioease.com (checked 2026-10-27)
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