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An introduction to Smartelectronix Ambience, based on information from the maker and distributors: what it does, how to use it and who it may suit. It is not scored.
Ambience is a reverb that rivals the quality of the best commercial reverbs. It also includes some unusual functions, like a gater and a very useful hold function.
— Smartelectronix official site
What is Ambience?
Ambience is a free reverb plug-in from Smartelectronix. Plugin Boutique describes it as something of a free VST classic, and its simple controls may make it a good first reverb to experiment with.
The basic controls are Dry for direct sound, Wet for processed sound, Time for decay length, Size for room size, Pre-Delay for the gap before the first echoes, and Width for stereo spread. Quality trades reverb quality for CPU usage, and Variation creates another version of the same room.
Unusual features include a gater that makes the reverb follow input dynamics, a Hold function that freezes the current reverb, and Damping and EQ sections that shape decay across bass and treble.
It is offered as VST for Windows and AU for Mac. The system requirements on the store page look old, so compatibility with current operating systems should be checked.
Basic room shaping
Time and Size are combined to shape the reverb. The description advises pairing a small room with a short time for natural results.
Dry/Wet and send use
Dry controls the direct sound and is set to -inf when used as a send effect. This makes it clear and useful for learning basic DAW routing.
Quality and Variation
Quality trades sound quality for CPU load, and very low settings can make fun effects. Variation creates another variant of the same room to avoid annoying ringing.
Damping and EQ
Damping controls decay of bass and treble separately. EQ is a large equaliser on the reverb, described as useful for cutting low end that makes it muddy.
Gating section
Makes the reverb follow the input dynamics, which can preserve rhythm while keeping a very wet reverb. The description warns it is not for natural reverb.
Hold
Freezes the reverb at its current sound and holds it indefinitely. The description says it can create lush pads from plucked strings or hi-hats.
Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Reverb |
| Price | Free |
| Windows | Windows XP or higher (VST, 32-bit supported) |
| Mac | Mac OS X (AU, 64-bit and 32-bit supported) |
| Download | Log in to a Plugin Boutique account to download |
What is included and system requirements
- Ambience plug-in (.dll for Windows, .component for Mac)
- README file with Mac installation instructions
- Several presets
How to use it
- Log in to your Plugin Boutique account and download Ambience.
- Unzip the downloaded file.
- On Windows, place the .dll in your VST plug-ins folder.
- On Mac, place the .component file following the README.
- Restart your DAW and rescan plug-ins.
- When using it as a send, set Dry to minimum.
- Pick a preset and adjust Time and Size.
- If it sounds muddy, cut the low end with the EQ.
A first reverb
With few controls, it may be a good way to learn reverb basics.
Dark ambient pads
The Hold function may help build sustained, pad-like textures.
Room reverb on a send
It may work as a basic send reverb that places vocals and instruments in a shared space.
Experimental sounds
Gating or very low Quality settings may produce unusual effects.
Who it may suit
- People starting with a free reverb
- People wanting to try unusual features such as gating and Hold
- Beginners learning reverb basics
- Users with older DAWs or 32-bit environments
Good to know before you buy
- Downloading requires logging in to Plugin Boutique.
- The listed requirements (Windows XP or higher, Mac OS X) are dated and do not mention current operating systems.
- The maker's own site (smartelectronix.com) could not be confirmed.
- The description warns that the gating section is not for natural reverb.
Price
Free to use (Plugin Boutique, checked 2026-10-27).
See Ambience on the product page
Sources: pluginboutique.com (checked 2026-10-27)
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