In this tutorial, learn all about REV’s layout, as well as the Instrument and Timed Instruments engines. REV is the world’s first software instrument dedicated to reverse audio that’s handcrafted for composers, sound designers, producers, and DJs. With four distinct engines (each loaded with over 14GB of amazing content), REV is more than just a standard DAW reverse function.
Each section within REV has its own unique sound engine filled with synths, loops, pads, real instruments, pulses, rises, swells, and constantly-evolving content.
So if you’re looking for something modern to layer in a track, give REV a shot.
Rev’s layout
Like you’d expect from all Output products, REV is extremely intuitive, and the concept here is simple: Two different sound layers are controlled by the main page (which acts as a mixer). Either layer can be turned on or off. Likewise, it’s simple to modify a layer’s volume, tune, or pan.
All four sound engines in REV have a similar layout. With each, you’ll find the global effects at the bottom of the page. It’s easy to control and adjust these effects’ parameters. Though each engine has its own special effects, you’ll still find classics such as distortion, crushers, filters, reverbs, delays, and EQ.
In each of the engines (located on the left-hand side), you can access the stutter control. Choose the levels, rate of stutter, and whether you want it to sync to the tempo.
You’ll find the typical array of filters and envelopes on the right side. Everything is fully automatable, which gives you incredible control.
Rev’s Instrument engine
With the Instrument engine, freely play any instrument backward or create elaborate sounds on your own.
REV’s Instrument engine comes with 500 categorized patches that can be accessed from the main page. Pull up one and play it right away.
The engine has an impressive collection of categories such as fundamentals, simple and complex pads, pulses, swells, ReTron, slingshots, stutter one-shots, and percussion.
Each sound featured in these categories is based on a real instrument recorded by Output at their state-of-the-art studios in Los Angeles.
Once you’ve chosen the sound you want, dial in the exact length by using the global slider. Dragging the slider to the left will give you a longer note while dragging it to the right will provide a shorter one.
Timed Instruments
Timed Instruments are quite similar to Instruments, but here, instruments are played by note duration (not played freely).
In the middle of the panel, you’ll find a controller with three separate parameters: whole note, half note, and quarter note. Once you’ve opened up a session (at any tempo), play these notes at those lengths without having to dial in.
Timed Instruments can be extremely helpful when doubling chord progressions, filling out a track, or simply creating a reverse percussion that hits exactly on time.
So the next time you want to ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gniht ym tup you know what tool to use.
Now that you know about REV’s layout, Instrument, and Timed Instruments sections, go deeper. Check out the second part of our REV walkthrough for more useful tips!