Alesis MIDIVERB II | It's like liquid GOLD!

[@ladyapp-titude]

My brother had a MIDIVERB II back in the 80s. I visited him recently, after watching your video, and asked him, “What ever happened to that Alesis MIDIVERB you used to have?”, and he said it had been sitting unused all these years and that if he could find it, I was welcome to it! We found it in the basement, and he gave it to me for FREE, along with a Boss DR-550 drum machine! Can’t wait to try it on my TX81Z! Thanks for helping me unearth and rediscover a lost classic. The 80s live!

[@EspenKraft]

Awesome! :D

[@ricksanchezito8972]

You have a great brother!

[@iLL_Corvo]

Lucky dog 🐕

[@tranceemerson8325]

to put it plainly, the MIDIVERB II is magic.

[@RecMirage]

3:04 - 3:28 is sick. My favourite musical thing I’ve heard from you.

[@EspenKraft]

I can kiss my career as a composer goodbye I guess. ;-)

[@finebalance]

Fantastic piece of kit that must have graced thousands of records back in the day. I myself had a Yamaha R100 half rack unit that wasn't too dissimilar to the MIDIVerb.

[@andreassandberg9336]

Thanks Espen for an inspiring video! The Alesis Midiverb 2 was my first reverb unit,and I still have it in my outboard rack. Really need to use it more often now,I realise.👍😃🎵

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks Andreas!

[@andreassandberg9336]

@@EspenKraft Recently I noticed that my output knob seems to be out of order. When I turn the knob, the volume is the same regardless if it is on min or max. Is that a common issue with these units? Cheers!

[@BaconFire]

WOW! This brought back some good memories for me. We used this ALL the time on everything. I also have an Alesis Quadraverb on my rack mount guitar rig. Thanks for sharing this. :)

[@slunkmiester]

I found one of these units for $50 at my local Guitar Center and picked it up after hearing that the MIDIVERB II was how MBV got their reverse reverb on Loveless. I was blown away by the sound!

[@kiosko33hz]

I don't sell mine exactly for that Reverse effect. No plug in can simulate it;)

[@josejuan4405]

Excellent video demo, as usual. This is my first comment to you, although I am following you since a long time, along with my music mate James McPolish. I want to confirm with this message that you can modify the Midiverb II by replacing the stock OpAmps with TL074, as is stated on several webpages around the net. While doing the capacitors substitution I also did this mod and the machine works perfect. A special fx flavour still affordable in the second hand market. Thanks, Espen for your nice attitude and work!

[@EspenKraft]

Many thanks! :D

[@mthomas1091]

But wait! What does the TL074 do for it?? Why change the MidiVerb II’s classic sound?

[@josejuan4405]

@@mthomas1091 I read this on the net, and it was enough for me: "I noticed that the unit emitted a slight humn and a significant amount of noise when cranked up fully. I then remebered that the device has always been a little noisy. I realized that it might be a good idea to check whether the analog circuit could be improved upon. All opamps where LF347 and a little research revealed that the TL074 is compatibel and seemed to have better ratings. So I decided to replace all LF347 with TL074. I used sockets just in case that I where proven wrong and had to reverse it, which didn´t happen. I am quite stisfied with the improvement and really happy to have the unit back in working condition."

[@rickjames2043]

Thank you Espsen for another free concert maestro!!!! As always take care and be safe, Rick!!!!!!!

[@brightstarlit]

Hi! I picked one of these up today at a habitat for humanity (second hand charity store) here in the states for $6 US!! It’s pretty beat up, but just fired her up and she works great! I remembered watching this video 6 months ago and thought it sounded fantastic! Rare find for that price, but guess it was my lucky day! Cheers!🎉

[@EspenKraft]

NIce.

[@thesrabbit]

Great vid Espen! Love the MV II. I stack two of these together and record like that. Preset 28 into 29. Sometimes I’ll run the output through the Quadraverb “Taj Mahal” preset. When you start stacking, the reverb itself feels like an instrument. These things overdrive easily, but that can sound surprisingly good. For all 3 units I paid less than the cost of a BigSky. Looks like I need to explore usage with drums more!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@mrock828]

I'm such a sucker for an 80's gated reverb on drums :)

[@seanchristophersynthesizer6999]

What is funny is that I owned this in the late 80's and always visited the music stores in Southern California to try out the higher-end reverbs that I couldn't afford.....wishing so bad that I could. The Midiverb II always sounded too dirty and noisy to me, at least for the kind of music I was composing, but it's cool to see it making a comeback. :)

[@huntergalloway3944]

This reverb along with my Quadraverb II are my bread and butter in my studio! Loving the content as usual. Now I gotta get a R8 from your last video to go along with my RX-5!

[@PaGaNism]

Loved the Quad! I have an R8 Mk1 I'll be willing to part with for the right amount of money. I also have 4 ROM cards and an M256d RAM card.

[@Drumsdude123]

How do you value your Quadraverb 2 compared to MV2? Is it as great as Midiverb 2?

[@dalelaushman8749]

Nice video! I had a MVII for 20+ years before parting with it to pick up a Lexicon PCM 80. The MVII is a great and super simple unit.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@culturedslob]

I got mine last year for $40. Nice for giving mono tracks a stereo width, awesome for synths. I’ve been putting gated verb on my drum machine and sampling the hits. Lots of texture and vibe

[@74goldenjet]

Nice sounds! I have a Midiverb, desktop model. Alesis 'first reverb unit? A different beast, but I love it. Sounds awesome on drum machines. Now you made me want one of these too.

[@jezgomez]

Another fantastic video, thank you Espen. I used to hang around Boundary Row studios, London, back in the early 90s and know how many classic dance tracks used this. It's just so "musical" fir want of a better word. Absolutely love mine

[@timcarleton]

I was so over not having one anymore until this video.

[@heinzvoll7798]

Back then I was about to get myself my first digital reverb / multi effects processor. I didn't have much money, so I took a look at the Alesis Microverb first. But I wanted a little bit more, so next I considered the Midiverb (the Mk II version had already come out). A little later, I ended up buying a Boss SE-50 (not only because I'm admittedly a Roland geek). It sounds great and it's very versatile. I still use it today with some of my other vintage gear. Well, thanks to this great video I now know that I couldn't have gone wrong with the Midiverb II either 😀 Cheers!

[@KozmykJ]

My mate did wonders with a Quadraverb and an Akai S700. The Midiverb did all the vocal FX in the band I gigged with in the 90s. I too lusted after a Quadraverb, I ended up with an SE-70 ... 👍

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@heinzvoll7798]

@@KozmykJ Later I got myself an SE-70 too. I have both the SE-50 and the SE-70 to this day. The SE-70 is a great guitar multi effects processor but to my personal taste the reverb on the SE-50 sounds better, really rich, warm and complex - far superior for example to the rather cheap an thin sounding onboard reverb effects of the Roland D-110 and U-220.

[@lennartholmberg7845]

I have two of those and will never sell them. They really take your synths and stuff back to the 80s!

[@donovandwyer9758]

Thanks for the demo! You should make another based on just the two unique Bloom presets #45 and #49... heard on countless 90's Warp records and still unmatched today.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@burger659]

this !

[@chrislisten87]

i love that device and for me its one of the best 80s looking devices and easy use. I such love that typography in blue in combination and contrast with that red glowing digital numbers and the black case :-).

[@BishopEddie5443]

Mr. Kraft you're not only the 80's you're a time machine as well!

[@MrVinylistic]

Great video and demonstration! Yeah...the Alesis Midiverb II is even today a great classic. It was my first and affordable digital fx processor that I used in the 80s. Because of its lack to edit the presets, the engineers of Alesis designed the best available presets for this fx unit in that time. In fact many presets sound a little bit like an AMS RMX-16. I still use it today - case by case - beside my other processors Lexikon 300, Eventide DSP-4000 and PCM-91. It has a special flavor on claps, percussion and synths. One time I used it for a dark spoken vox in a house track and it excelled my other high end processors. It's cheap, great and funny!

[@cortical1]

Great demo. I still have one of the Microverb (series 1) units that I bought around 1986 to complement the Korg DDM-110 Super Drums I bought in 1985. I think they sound even better together now than they did back then. This unit has much more possibilities even still. Sounds great! Now I have to go re-watch your video on the Ensoniq DP4(+), my all-time favorite vintage effects box!

[@EspenKraft]

The MicroVerb was my first effects unit as well. Used it on the Dr.Rhythm Dr.55 and a Korg MS20. ;-)

[@JimijaymesProductions]

Bought one on a whim and still love it, got a quadraverb as well which doesn't quite have the same charm. Mine makes all kinds of weird noises and the pots are scratchy as hell but its still great.

[@jesdaniels3166]

My friend gave me his as it makes weird noises he says. I love it.

[@wjniemi]

I have a I and a III and have used a IV as well. They're really good at what they do. The III is in my guitar rack, it's still in use. Great demo, thanks!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@EspenKraft]

So you're missing the 2? The most unique of them all. ;-)

[@wjniemi]

@@EspenKraft :-) so much gear, so little time...

[@Raybilli]

I also have a IV, well known for it's noise: do you think that older versions was less noisy?

[@wjniemi]

@@Raybilli The III is better than the I for noise and other factors. The IV I used was in a PA rack so it's hard to compare. I think all of them are great gear for live sound. I've done recording with the II and it was sorta OK (but I know I could have gotten more out of it if I would have worked a little harder). I like it in my guitar rack. It's in an insert in one channel of a Focusrite ISA428. It works great for that.

[@eternalifeproductions]

I remember recording at serene 15 studios Austin TX in 1996 and they had an alesis midi-verb 4, first time I heard delay+reverb mixed so clear on vocals, what a nice pro touch!

[@dougalwilson9612]

Lovely demo - thanks Espen

[@davidsimons5944]

I love mine & I'm glad you've reviewed it. The first effect I got was the R1000. In around 85 I had a pleasurable decision to make choosing between a DEP5 or SPX90 first. I opted for the latter as it was slightly cheaper & had things like pitch shifting which I didn't have up to then. There was such a flood of gorgeous gear coming out after then that I didn't manage to get a DEP5 until about 4 years later I think! Next up I nearly bought the weird Midiverb & would have got the Midifex, but along came the amazing Midiverb 2 which was cheaper than the other 2 combined & had the best of both, albeit one at a time. A no brainer!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@VintageSynthesizerSolutions]

Love the Midiverb & Microverb II! That JX-3P sounds delicious too!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@thx1200]

I have two Alesis Wedges and a Quadraverb GT. Alesis reverbs are terrific.

[@SpikesStudio3]

Ooh its been a long time since i went through all the presets. Got my unit set to a nice room and never change it. Got mine second hand in about '93. Have never parted with it, obviously. Espen, you didnt get me this time...

[@EspenKraft]

:P

[@DjKamikazee]

I still have my unit i purchase it back in 1997 and it still works

[@kondirecs]

I was soo pleased with my Alesis Verbs .. Microverb III was such a fun and the Midiverb II and IV of course. Alesis was the king of it's time.

[@henrikgustav2294]

Is midiverb 4 ok?

[@LoveSurrender]

Another great video! I was hoping you would do more videos on 80s studio effects since this is essential to capturing that 80s sound. Music production was really coming into a golden age. Although people now revere vintage gear from the pre-digital age I remember being constantly blown away by records and how much “better” they sounded then records from 10 years before. At the time stuff from Trevor Horn or Peter Gabriel for example sounded so new and fresh in their production values. I was constantly being surprised and excited by sounds I’d never heard before. Sadly it all became a bit cliched towards the middle and end of the decade as the presets and studio tricks of the moment hopelessly dated a lot of that music. I’d love to see you cover some of the great boxes of the era, Lexicon PCM70 (my fav), the Yamaha SPX and Rev series, the Roland and Korg multis, but it would also be great by topic. Like the 80s chorus sounds, gated reverb drums, etc and how to get those great sounds. A lot of those boxes were out of my reach at the time, so now it would be great to have a crash course on 80s production.

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! All my videos are 80s production courses in various ways. ;-) I have shown different effects units before and I will continue this in the future too. :)

[@danielrobinson9679]

Wow! Everytime I buy a piece of gear lately, Espen happens to do a video soon after. I fou8nd one of these maybe 4 months ago for $25. I put EVERYTHING through it, it is most amazing! Cheers!

[@cary67]

I preferred the Roland DEP-5. I do remember singing through one of these Midiverbs in live settings, circa 1990.

[@lassel1644]

A great product! I had the Midiverb I also...it was half the size in desktop format and not same specs.

[@FairchlldMusic1]

Awesome demo Espen ! Be sure to check out the original midiverb as well, sounds very warm 😁

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! I know the first one pretty well. This is the one I like the most.

[@PDG1956]

Had a Yamaha SPX90 Mark One which had some brilliant reverbs programmes and long delay for the time. My Midiverb II just gave up the ghost one day with no apparent reason,. and was replaced with a Midiverb 4 - still a great sounding machine.

[@saren6538]

How are they different - the II and the 4 ?

[@vjrei]

@@saren6538 The 4 is 24 bit, it sounds massive, full-body, like the real thing or better. The Midiverb II was this box for low-income "engineers" and for the rock band, a Happy Meal of presets that would solve almost everything, it has a lot of aliasing which gave a metallic noise on high frequencies very easy if you do not know what its limitations are. Is like a U-110 or Roland D5 or Kawai K1 entry-level-workable device. That target. The Midiverb 4 was the cheapest of the best. Audiophile level. It sounds like a Virus Ti2 reverb probably (no that good I think) but that level of good and body, still not that sort of stereo image yet. Way better than any synth of the era except the Yamaha AN1x which was that good. With the Midiverb II you need to know what you are doing to get what you are looking for, with the Midiverb 4 everything is going to sound way way better, period.

[@PDG1956]

Technically, the Midiverb 4 is quite sophisticated, employing oversampling, 18 bit converters and internal 24 bit processing to yield a dynamic range in excess of 90dB over a 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range - a far cry from the 16 bit Midiverb II with its 15kHz bandwidth. The internal patch memory provides 127 (plus bypass) presets and 128 user memory locations, which may be called up directly from the front panel using the Value knob or via MIDI. It employs Auto sensing of input levels, has a large display, and is quite programmable where the Midiverb II is effectively a box of presets.

[@marcanglin7127]

This great !!! In addition to my Kawai K1, K1r and K3m that I bought new, I also bought (and still own) my Alesis Midiverb II, Midiverb III, Quadraverb and Quadraverb GT !!! Great stuff that I have used for years !!!

[@ErikHawk]

Beautiful! Sounds like the 80s! Well done, as usual! Need to dust mine off, somewhere around here. It just stopped working and I haven't had a chance to figure out why...

[@lundsweden]

Sound better than Ableton Live stock reverb in 2021. Hang on, anything sounds better! Seriously though, the sound of these old units is cool, VSTs are even attempting to emulate that 80s reverb sound now!

[@philipborlin]

Same goes for Microverb III. It hugs your sound beautifully for even less and same sound

[@NURREDIN]

I've had one of these since 1988 and still use it today in the studio (I also have a Microverb IV I use for vocals). The only problem I've had is is "crackling" pots,and a little "De-oxit" from Peavey solved the problem. I'd only stop using this if I got a Bricasti M7.

[@tomblaze2]

Still sounds great

[@BobFrein]

Bought mine in 1988 and still use it today. Couldnt afford the SPX90

[@shadowsoflife000]

Other than one of the segments in the LED, mine still works fine, and I’ve had it for some 34 years now. Alesis made some great stuff!

[@roadmantop3769]

🔥 love these things

[@ASH-ou4cg]

I have one of these in my rack now! I have my E-MU Orbit hard wired into it, since it doesn't come with effects by default and the Midiverb II compliments it SO WELL!

[@TheResistorNetwork]

Sounds real nice! Love these old effects processors.

[@xologram4150]

Got one of these bad boys a few months ago for 50 big ones off reverb!

[@12opsynths]

Way less grainy than I remember. Also had the original microverb and wow was it lo-fi. I like when you do these long-play bits, you can really hear how it works in a mix.

[@vjrei]

That thing sounds like crap, is a hiss generator. This was clearly fixed in post but I remember back in the days only the amateurs "engineers" used these and they ruined the entire presentation. It was the reason everybody woke up with a beeeeeeeeeeep in their ears next morning.

[@B3-R]

Still have 2 Microverb II units, I loved!

[@ChipRobertsOfficial]

Yeah baby. Never getting rid of mine; I like it better than the Quadraverb cuz it doesn't suck tone.

[@soundseven2514]

Great video Espen. Gearlust for a midi verb now.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers man!

[@matiaslanzi]

Yes!!!!!!! Finally someone makes it justice!

[@ChrisCeeStylzChavez6155]

This Was The Epic Time Of It All Wow..l So Much Fun Of Setting Up An Programming Gear. You Have All The Goodies Luv It Thanks For Sharing Really Enjoy It 👐🏻🙌🏻🙏🏻👍🏻✌🏻

[@NachoMartyMeyer]

great unit! and great demo like always, love your channel, a big hug Espen!

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@TheAbominableDrVHiBEZ]

This is my go to reverb for snare drums ❤

[@petedenton9434]

I was a bit of a Lexicon MPX100 fan in the late 980s/early 90s but yeah, the MIDIVERB was a great piece of kit for the money.

[@ZAYAZOfficial]

Sounds pretty great still. The reverse verb is epic.

[@kiosko33hz]

Epic is correct :)

[@thomasnielsen7899]

Bought a used (well, eh, yeah) Quadraverb GT a while a go, great fun :D

[@Super6502]

Ooh, the memories. I got two of these for my rack when they were released. Sold them when my girlfriend (now wife and life partner) moved in 1992. I think i got $100 for the pair at that time 😢😢 Also sold an MKS-80, that I traded for an Amiga 1000, for next to nothing...... The things you do 😂

[@EspenKraft]

That last one is major! :P

[@Synth2000]

Oh yes I knew that my choice was right. Those many films capacitors on the board were a tell tale… I have it together with a 224x and a R880, with also her cousin Quadraverb for those hefty resonators.

[@ISLAInstruments]

Well, that's MidiVerbs going up to $1000 then. ;)

[@EspenKraft]

That's a lot for it. Let's hope we can take one of the donuts out of that number. ;-)

[@cinemalulli]

I love my midiverb 2 ❤️

[@xnonsuchx]

MIDIVERB II was my first rack effects unit. I switched to a Digitech DSP-256 after that (and later got the DSP-256XL upgrade ROM). I probably still have the old ROM around my place somewhere.

[@InsatiableHigh]

Just got rid of my Midiverb II a few weeks ago among other things and traded it towards an Alpha Juno 1. No Regrets! 🤙💫

[@EspenKraft]

I traded my motorcycle for a parrot. No regrets either. ;-)

[@jennoscura2381]

I just got the MIDIVERB III. I have been having a lot of fun with it. I am going to have to play around with the gated reverb for some 80s style drums. This is a very welcome addition to my studio.

[@EspenKraft]

The MidiVerb III sounds different then the MV2, but fun none the less. Only the II has that "mojo", hence this video.

[@jennoscura2381]

@@EspenKraft I will have to keep an eye out for a good price on some mojo.

[@iSirTaki]

and up goes the price! 😄😄

[@AndyKing1963]

still have mine, it's a good old workhorse

[@martyonlychld308]

It sounds soooo great

[@gcoudert]

Had one for years connected to my rackmounted Fostex 16-channel line mixer!

[@hd-el2lr]

Was that the Fostex MC102, with the cassette deck? That's exactly what I have, and I just bought the MidiVerb to go with it 😁

[@dusanljubec7203]

Always loved the Roland stage echo , I know it was tape , but it sounded really authentic .

[@jamesmeeker6933]

It's a cheap thrill, but for a few bucks more you can get a Lexicon MPX-1, which is friggin' awesome.

[@michaelproctor8777]

Back in the day, Alesis were the best when it came to reverb.

[@uddervid]

I love that old Alesis reverb sound. Oh and sweet S-50 with a rare DT-100! Are you going to make a video about using the DT-100 to draw waveforms??

[@EspenKraft]

I would consider that a great possibility. ;-) Although drawing waveforms is highly overrated imo. The DT-100 is more usable for editing.

[@brianmorton4127]

Still have my old Digitech DSP128+

[@marzacdev]

Still using it, when not using the Valhalla 😋 (or the Quadra GT! this special one is terrific)

[@MrKeys57]

Så ledsen över att min har gått sönder! - jag använde den t.om vid inspelning! mvh, Levi (jag har också haft den första "halvrack" modellen med inställningarna på ovansidan)

[@TheBoyCalledHedge]

Cool Patch at 17:14 - I think, only topable with a Behringer 3D Virtualizer 2000. I own its small brother Alesis Microverb II.

[@davetbassbos]

I had one of the Microverbs, a half rack version, I think similar but I think less editable. Was hard to resist adding too much spooky reverb to my tracks, lol!

[@powerseostrategy]

My favorite preset is 90 for my guitar.

[@timothydahlin5321]

Espen Kraft - "I can neither confirm or deny I do music for PCBWay's sale/promo videos." ;-)

[@EspenKraft]

Haha!

[@scottson2]

13:26 zombie theme if I am not mistaken. :)

[@EspenKraft]

Correct. I'm a big fan of Fabio Frizzi.

[@mrfuzztone]

OK, had to buy one

[@gonzinigonz]

First 19" rack FX i brought back in the 80's. Had a Midiverb 3 and 2 Qudraverbs later on as well but all gone now though.

[@resistor27]

I’ve got an Alesis “Wedge” probably lots of the same reverbs and effects but totally editable with 4 sliders and lots of parameters.

[@EspenKraft]

The Wedge is actually quite nice.

[@Drumsdude123]

There is info that Wedge is MV4.

[@resistor27]

It sure can do a lot of neat stuff!

[@DonSolaris]

Larry Drago developed these algorithms. He then moved to brewery / making beer. Craig Anderton was a heavy user. Marshal Jefferson has 9 of them. I own hardware reverbs that cost x100 more, yet I will NEVER part with Midiverb II. Its 3 sec reverb sounds larger than average soft plugin set at 10 sec (not kidding).

[@EspenKraft]

I agree, the MVII has something special about it and there are times where absolutely nothing else will do better. That's why I still hold on to it. ;-)

[@timweinheimer1]

My friend has some those Alieis effects they are classics

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Even the Alesis Nano's are excellent. My favorite of all is the Quadraverb 2.

[@ChrisCeeStylzChavez6155]

We Dont See This Gear In Home Studios If I Dont See These Tutorials I Forget How Outboard Gear Really Sounded. I Would Luv Do 80s Pop Sounding Album Out There, Wow Just The Nostalgia Feeling Vibe

[@blakecasimir]

These old Alesis boxes (or at least some of them) have a charm for sure, but they are 20~ years old now and it shows. I had a Midiverb II and the PSU died, taking the unit with it. I'm seeing others report similar problems with MVs and Quadraverbs. Are they worth the faff? I would suggest folks first try putting their favourite current hardware or software verb through saturation, a tape emulation plug and / or DAC emulation such as TAL DAC. You'll get results in that "lo-fi" ballpark.

[@HammyHavoc]

20? Try 30+.

[@lab-by-the-sea]

must visit my storage and pick up the mv4 and my studioquad again.

[@BopsStudios]

Still have mine :)

[@ShallRemainUnknown]

The only reason Midiverb II might be a "cult classic" is because musicians today chasing the sound of Kevin Shields/My Bloody Valentine and/or John Squire/Stone Roses, both of whom famously used the unit. Other than that, it's a fine sounding, capable, but limited, and not particularly unique, budget unit from the day. Like most anything else, in the hands of a creative/motivated/skilled/talented user, it will do more than otherwise... Oh, and if you get one, make sure you use the proper type AC-AC power adapter (NOT the much more common AC-DC type) or it will fry or else turn on and do weird things.

[@jtn191]

I have a Midiverb ii & think his sound is prob more from his Yamaha unit!

[@kiosko33hz]

You're forgetting all the french electronic scene (Daft Punk, Cassius, Phoenix, Justice, etc...) Prices on this unit don't go up because of Hype, but because they are unique and versatile machines. When you know what you are doing...

[@grumpapr4358]

I’m having problems with my midiverb ii it might be the adapter i recently acquired one for 25 bucks and i’m really excited playing with it i go leave to get a pack a beer and when i come back it’s not turning on i’m thinking it might be the adapter cable