Digital reverb plugins are absolutely incredible these days, and they can be essential for fine tuning your mix, but why not try getting out of the box and experimenting with sounds that literally no one else on earth has access to? There's a simple technique that transforms any room—from your bathroom to that echoey stairwell—into a custom reverb chamber that no plugin can match. All you need is a guitar amp and a mic, a re-amp box, and a willingness to get creative with your space.
While everyone else is scrolling through endless preset lists, you'll be using your hands, ears and imagination to craft reverb tones that are uniquely yours. The natural band-pass filtering of a guitar amp creates organic textures and frequency responses that digital algorithms simply can't replicate. Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about physically placing your sound in real space rather than just clicking through menus.
See It In Action ↓![]()
Why Re-amp Into Real Spaces?
The natural band-pass filtering of a guitar amp creates something no plugin can truly replicate: the organic interaction between your signal, the amplifier's frequency response, and the acoustic characteristics of your chosen space. This combination gives you a reverb sound that's uniquely yours—one that no one else has.
Whether you're working in a stairwell, garage, bathroom, or that weird concrete basement at your mate's place, each space has its own sonic fingerprint. The RA-10's clean, transparent re-amping stage ensures your audio hits that space exactly as intended, without any unwanted coloration getting in the way of the magic.
What You'll Need
- RA-10 Re-amp Box (or one half of the RA-20, or the re-amp stage of the RA-100—they all contain the exact same circuitry)
- Audio interface with at least one spare output
- Guitar amplifier (combo or head/cab)
- Microphone of your choice
- Balanced cable (XLR or TRS) for interface to RA-10
- Guitar cable for RA-10 to amplifier
- XLR cable for microphone back to interface
- A space with character (the more interesting, the better)
The Setup Process
Step 1: Connect Your Interface
Patch the RA-10 into a spare output on your audio interface using a balanced cable. The RA-10's transformer-balanced input will handle whatever your interface throws at it, so don't worry about level matching just yet. Run a standard guitar lead from the RA-10's output jack to your amplifier's input.
Step 2: Position Your Gear
Here's where the fun begins. Place your amp and RA-10 in your chosen reverb space—this could be as simple as the other end of your studio, or as adventurous as that multi-story stairwell you've been eyeing up.
Set up your microphone at the opposite end of the space from the amplifier. The distance and positioning will dramatically affect your results, so don't be afraid to experiment. A dynamic mic like an SM57 is great for close-up work, while a condenser will capture more of the room's natural ambience.
Run an XLR cable from your mic back to an available input on your interface. If you're working in a large space, you might need a long cable or an extension—plan accordingly.
Step 3: Send & Shape Your Audio
Create a send from your DAW track to the RA-10. Start with a conservative level and begin experimenting with the RA-10's controls:
Level Control: This passive attenuator determines how much signal hits your amplifier. Start around the 12 o'clock position and adjust to taste. Too little and your reverb might lack character; too much and you'll start pushing the amp into unwanted distortion (unless that's what you're after).
Z Control: The impedance control shapes the frequency response of your re-amped signal. MIN gives you a brighter, more present sound, while MAX rolls off some high frequencies for a warmer, more vintage character. Experiment with this alongside your amplifier's EQ controls.
Don't forget about your amplifier settings! The gain and volume controls, along with the EQ, are just as much part of your reverb character as the room itself. A clean setting will give you pure room sound, while adding some amp saturation can create anything from subtle warmth to full-blown psychedelic textures.
Step 4: Capture & Blend
Monitor the microphone signal in your DAW alongside your source audio. This is where the real creativity happens—you're not just capturing reverb, you're crafting a completely new sonic element.
Try different microphone positions:
- Close to the amp for more direct signal and less room
- Far from the amp for maximum spatial effect
- In corners for natural bass buildup
- Near reflective surfaces for interesting early reflections
Play with the volume relationship between your dry signal and the re-amped return. Sometimes a subtle blend adds just the right amount of life, while other times you'll want the room to dominate the mix entirely.
Pro Tips for Maximum Impact
Timing is Everything: The delay between your dry signal and the returned reverb can be used creatively. If your space is large enough, this natural delay becomes part of the effect—embrace it rather than trying to time-align everything.
Frequency Splitting: Consider sending only certain frequency ranges to your reverb chamber. High-pass filtering before the re-amp can keep low-end tight while adding spacious highs, or try the opposite for a warm, enveloping low-end reverb.
Multiple Mics: If you have spare inputs, try placing multiple microphones around the space. Mixing between them gives you even more control over the character and size of your reverb. You could even gate the most distant mic so it only comes on in loud moments for dramatic effect, like David Bowie's vocal on Heroes.
Amp Selection Matters: Different amplifiers will give wildly different results. A small practice amp might give you intimate, focused reverb, while a loud valve head through a 4x12 cab will fill even large spaces with rich harmonics.
Safety First: If you're venturing into unconventional spaces, make sure your equipment is safe and you have permission to be there. Also, consider your neighbors—re-amping can get loud!
Beyond Reverb
Once you've mastered the basic technique, start thinking beyond traditional reverb applications. This setup works brilliantly for:
- Vocal treatments that no plugin can match
- Drum room sounds with real character
- Synthesiser textures that breathe and move
- Sound design elements that feel organic and alive
The combination of the RA-10's clean re-amping stage and your chosen amplifier creates a unique signal path that's impossible to replicate digitally. Every room, every amp, and every mic position contributes to a signature that's entirely your own.
Need More Detail?
Check the RA-10 manual for comprehensive setup guides, DAW routing examples, and troubleshooting tips. The beauty of the RA-10 is its simplicity—once you understand the basic signal flow, the creative possibilities are endless.
Remember, there are no rules here. The best results often come from the most unexpected combinations, so don't be afraid to push boundaries and try something completely different.
Happy re-amping!
