Springs

Springs is AudioThing's take on the vintage spring reverb, a category that has seen renewed interest as producers seek alternatives to algorithmic reverbs. The plugin combines convolution and modeling to emulate eight distinct spring tank designs, from long 6-spring configurations typical of vintage Fender amps to compact single-spring units. This range captures meaningful sonic variation - the longer tanks deliver warm, musical decay while smaller springs produce brighter, more resonant character with pronounced pitch artifacts.

The distinguishing feature is the integrated Baxandall EQ, a three-band tone stack derived from classic guitar amplifier designs. Unlike conventional parametric equalizers, Baxandall circuits exhibit inter-band interaction that produces smooth, musical curves rather than surgical surgical cuts. AudioThing's implementation adds a mid band with adjustable Q to the traditional bass and treble controls, allowing shaping of both the full mix or just the wet signal. This interaction between bands is sometimes unpredictable but often yields more organic results than linear EQ designs.

A bandwidth control preceding the spring emulation offers practical utility, allowing you to reduce boomy low-end or tame overly bright spring characteristics before they enter the reverb tank. This is particularly useful when processing full mixes rather than isolated sources.

Springs suits engineers and producers working in rock, alternative, and indie contexts where vintage spring character enhances drums, vocals, or guitars. It's equally valuable for those seeking reverb with hands-on character rather than transparent ambience. While not a comprehensive reverb solution, it excels specifically at delivering genuine spring reverb tonality with genuine control over its coloration.