Reverse reverbs were popularized in the 1980s. This type of reverb can be heard on many snare drums from that period. A reverse reverb applies an envelope (slow attack, fast decay) to the initial reflections. The main parameter that affects the sound of this reverb is time. The time can be adjusted for the build-up and cut-off of the first reflections. This affects the sound as if it is being reversed in reverb, but in reality it is simply an envelope effect.
This type of reverb has been widely used in drums and percussion. It's also useful with vocals or any sound that needs an unnatural but interesting ambiance. Try combining this reverb with another longer reverb effect to create a complex, soulful ambience around the sound.
A good sound design tool, given it's strange and unnatural behavior, the CSR Inverse module is particularly at home in all situations where reverb is not used to simulate an acoustic space (as with the CSR Room, or CSR Hall modules) : Strange and the breathing reverb effects that many pop and rock artists have made heavy use of in their productions are the bread and butter of this module.
