- Which Waves plugins are best suited for your mastering chain?
- What are the best Waves plugins for mastering?
- Learn how you can use Waves plugins for mastering…
Music producers in both professional and hobbyist fields will face numerous challenges when mixing and mastering music.
The plugins in our arsenal are the tools we require to counteract these challenges and make professional-sounding productions.
For over 20 years, Waves has been the standard in terms of professional audio plug-ins with their software having been used on an unfathomable amount of professional productions worldwide.
In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the best Waves plugins that you can incorporate into your mastering chain.
What Are The Best Waves Plugins For Mastering?
- F6 Floating Band Dynamic EQ
- Puigtec EQs
- SSL G Master Bus Compressor
- API 2500
- Linear Phase Multiband Compressor
- Kramer Master Tape
- S1 Stereo Imager
- L3 Maximiser
- Vitamin Sonic Enhancer
1. F6 Floating Band Dynamic EQ
Features
- Multiband dynamics and EQ processing
- Stereo, mid, and side processing options
- Additional high and low pass filters help clean up your mix
- Internal or external side chain controls to trigger dynamic control via a sidechain.
Review
The F6 Floating Band Dynamic EQ is a multi-band EQ that can be used for a plethora of different applications within your productions.
Six fully adjustable bands let you boost or attenuate specific frequencies with an unparalleled level of precision.
Stereo Mid and Side processing further add to the versatility of this plugin with internal or external sidechains and low and high pass filters being welcome additions to this Dynamic EQ.
All of these features combine to make the F6 Floating Band Dynamic EQ a great de-esser, dynamic regulator, or simple sidechain filter.
Rounded up with an attractive and intuitive user interface that never wears on the eyes.
2. Puigtec EQs
Features
- Two emulations of classic hardware EQs for the price of 1
- Boost/Attenuation pots
- Selectable frequency bandwidth
- VU meter
Review
The Puigtec EQ collection is an emulation of two classic Pultec EQs owned by Jack Joseph Puig.
A Grammy-winning Producer/Mixer who has twisted knobs for the likes of Lady Gaga, John Mayer, and the Rolling Stones.
The Pultec EQ is renowned for letting engineers shape tone in a very naturalistic and warm way, as a matter of fact even with the boosts dimed these EQs will still retain a silky smooth character.
For this reason, many engineers utilize them during the mastering stage of a production as well as while mixing.
The EQP-1A gives the user control over the low and high frequencies with the MEQ-5 filling in the mid-range.
A common trick many engineers have embraced whilst using the Pultec EQ over its 50-year history is the ‘Pultec low boost’ technique.
This entails both boosting and attenuating the same frequency band resulting in a very tight and punchy bass or kick sound and yes, you will be pleased to know that this software emulation re-enacts this phenomenon just like its hardware counterpart.
3. SSL G Master Bus Compressor
Features
- Dozens of presets from pros
- Trim Control for quick-level adjustment
- Provides the “Glue” of the famous SSL G series Console Master Bus compressor in the box
Review
Based on the renowned master bus compressor of the SSL 4000 G Series Console, this plugin captures the magic of the hardware equivalents IC input and twin VCA gain-reduction amplifiers.
Originally built into the console master bus to provide cohesion to any mix, many engineers will consider this Bus compressor as a final touch to any production whilst others will mix into it from beginning to end.
Licensed by SSL this plug-in also features numerous presets provided by Grammy-winning professionals including Chris Lord Alge, Dave Aron, Dave Pensado, and more.
4. API 2500
Features
- Modeled closely with API
- Mix control provides easy parallel compression
- 3 optimized knee curves gives more control over compression
- Fixed or variable release time, up to 3 seconds.
- 7 attack options from 0.3ms to 30ms
Review
This plugin is not too dissimilar to the SSL Bus Compressor in the sense that the API 2500 is another collaborative effort between Waves and an industry leader to bring forth a software emulation of a classic hardware unit.
Many engineers like to use this compressor for the aforementioned “glue” effect that a compressor on the stereo compressor will impart upon a finished mix however, the API 2500 can provide a great punch to any mix if the user engages the patented Thrust technology.
This plugin enables you to choose between vintage feedback and modern feedforward design, and the mix control enables very easy implementation of parallel compression techniques without needing to delve into complex routing procedures or sidechaining.
5. Linear Phase Multiband Compressor
Features
- 5 Parametric bands
- Attack and release for each band
- Eliminates intermodulation and phase issues between bands
- Also does upward expansion
Review
The Linear Phase Multiband Compressor is well suited to mastering due to its adaptive thresholds, automatic makeup gain, and finite response filters.
It does a phenomenal job of maintaining audio integrity whilst orchestrating high-precision applications.
Standard EQ modules will impart some phase discrepancies between their frequency bands, this is a natural artifact of using an Equaliser, However, you really do not want to be altering phase relationships within your mix during the mastering phase.
A Linear Phase EQ eliminates these phase issues in turn making it a much more viable option at this stage of the production.
Do keep in mind that Linear Phase plugins may eat up more CPU processing power than other plugins.
6. Kramer Master Tape
Features
- Analog tape simulation
- Developed in conjunction with Eddie Kramer (Led Zeppelin, Hendrix)
- Models the tube recorder used in Olympic Studios
- Tape delay (up to 500ms)
Review
The Kramer Master Tape has been a long-time favorite for its authentic algorithm and intuitive operation.
Using a tape emulation plugin works to bring back some of the coveted warmth that many people associate with analog recordings and the use of ¼” analog tape back into your DAW of choice.
Looking at the UI really provides one with an essence of charm and its layout means more time mixing and less time staring at the computer monitor.
The Kramer Master Tape also features controls for wow, flutter, tape hiss, and tube emulation providing a reliable solution to the overtly clean nature of digital productions.
7. S1 Stereo Imager
Features
- Enhance imaging in stereo mixes
- Add width to buses or even full mixes
- Widen bass whilst still retaining mono compatibility
- Provides considerable mixdown flexibility when compared with traditional panning
Review
The S1 Stereo Imager is a Stereo Imaging tool that can aid you in adding depth and width to your mixes in a way that you may not be achieving with traditional panning, eq, and spatial fx.
It provides 3 plugins in 1 with the S1 Imager enhancing stereo, the S1 shuffler enhancing bass, and the S1 MS Utility providing a viable solution for mid-side processing.
One way an engineer could implement the S1 Stereo Imager is to utilize the S1 imager to increase the stereo spread of a mix during the chorus section.
8. L3 Multimaximiser
Features
- Optimise dynamics in 5 frequency bands
- Detailed display
- Intelligent release options provide fluid maximizing character
- Linear phase crossovers eliminate phase artifacts
Review
The L3 Multimaximiser splits the audio range into 5 spectrums, each band does not implement a separate limiter.
Instead, a single threshold is utilized via an algorithm that determines how attenuation is applied to each band.
This is a unique means of multiband dynamics processing that limits peaks of the output to the specified threshold.
The L3 is a powerful tool to implement into your mastering chain as it will enable you to craft powerful mixes that will hold up to anything you hear on the radio in terms of loudness whilst still maintaining an essence of dynamic range within your production.
9. Vitamin Sonic Enhancer
Let’s get things straight. Vitamin Sonic Enhancer can either make or break a mix. It’s a super colorful multi-band harmonic exciter with the ability to completely reshape a mixes’ contour in just a few clicks.
Obviously, reshaping an entire mix isn’t necessarily ideal for mastering, but sometimes this is just what is called for. It can, however, be used judiciously, by using the individual bands to ‘set in’ elements of the mix, such as controlling low end independently of the rest of the mix.
There are also controls to apply M/S processing, which can be super handy in the mastering stage.
We consider the Vitamin Sonic Enhancer to be one of Waves’ golden plugins, but again — you have to use it sparingly in the mastering stage or be at risk of overcooking the mix.
The Lowdown
Mastering has the potential to make or break a great mix and with the tools we have listed in this article, you will be sure to please your clients and yourself with the masters you bring to the table
