Best Waves VST plugins

With a Waves Creative Access subscription, you’ll always have access to a wide range of plugins from Waves. Don’t know where to start? Discover popular plugins among users that you can try first.

Vocal plugins

Waves has a number of unique plugins designed specifically for vocal processing. Many of the tools listed below are available with Waves Essential and Waves Ultimate, with the exception of three specific plugins: OVox, Waves Harmony and Clarity Vx Pro, which are only available with Waves Ultimate.

Waves Tune Real-Time

Tune vocal parts automatically, in real time, both during and after recording, all without any extra effort. Forget about complex drawings and careful settings. No theory or weighting required. You can easily achieve natural, almost imperceptible pitch correction, or use it to create creative T-Pain-inspired hip-hop effects with pronounced pitch correction.

Vocal Bender

Vocal Bender is a real-time voice manipulation plugin—the fastest and easiest way to make pitch- and formant-altered vocals suitable for many genres, including hip-hop, pop/R&B, and electronic music. It has been used by many famous artists, from Travis Scott and Billie Eilish to Frank Ocean. At the same time, it has zero latency, which allows you to use it while recording vocals and instantly evaluate the effect.

OVox Vocal ReSynthesis

A modern synthesizer and vocal effects processor with innovative voice control, capable of transforming your vocal creativity in an unlimited number of ways. Includes a wide range of features such as vocal morphing, harmony, vocoder, amplifier, talk box effects and much more.

Clarity Vx

Clarity Vx is an innovative AI plugin designed specifically for vocal and voice processing. Powered by Waves Neural Networks®, this plugin features a streamlined, simple interface that delivers outstanding results without the need for complex setup: you’ll get exceptionally clear vocals without any artifacts or damage to the original performance, all in seconds.

For even deeper processing and noise removal, you can try Clarity Vx Pro, which is only available as part of Waves Ultimate.

Vocal Rider

Automatically adjusts the volume level of your vocals. This efficient tool saves time and can replace compression (without introducing artifacts), and can also be used as a means of boosting the signal in the final stage of processing to maintain control over the vocalist and ensure their visibility in the mix.

CLA Vocals

This is a versatile vocal processing tool that is fast and easy to use, created personally by Chris Lord-Algem. Various EQ, compression, reverb, delay and vocal doubling parameters can be easily added and fine-tuned to achieve the perfect sound for your vocal tracks.

Waves Harmony

This tool allows you to instantly create vocal harmonies, allowing you to generate up to eight new vocal parts from a single source voice. Additionally, you have the ability to change the character of each of these parts using built-in pitch, formant, panning, delay, filtering and modulation drag controls. This is a real creative space for vocal manipulation.

Renaissance Vox (R-Vox)

This plugin is the most effective and efficient tool for compressing your vocals and integrating them into the mix – and that’s a fact. With just three control parameters – for gating, compression and output level – there are absolutely no hidden nuances here; it simply delivers great sound every time. Don’t miss the chance to try it.

Sibilance

The most transparent de-esser on the market today: eliminates harsh “s” sounds from vocals without introducing any unwanted artifacts. When Sibilance is activated, you can use the EQ to add as much sparkle and high-frequency brightness to vocals as you need without worrying about overdoing harsh consonant sounds.

Equalizers

Waves EQs run the gamut from modern, highly accurate EQs with intuitive interfaces like the F6, to virtual emulations of classic analog gear from SSL, API, Neve, EMI/Abbey Road and many more. These plugins are available as part of both Waves Essential and Waves Ultimate subscriptions, with the exception of API 560, which is exclusive to Waves Ultimate.

Renaissance EQ

This historic equalizer is an intuitive and easy-to-use tool with classic analog sound enriched with all the benefits of digital equalizers, including true timing analysis. If you want an outstanding equalizer that has a lot of control but is easy to learn without a steep learning curve, then R-EQ is a great choice.

F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ

A surgically precise equalizer that responds dynamically to incoming signals and sources that change over time. This plugin provides the ability to control the vocalist’s tone, which can change from an intimate close-mic performance to a loud chorus in a single recording. EQ adjustments and corrections are activated only when a preset threshold is reached and only respond to problems that arise.

API 560

This plugin is designed with the “Proportional-Q” principle, which is known for its particularly smooth and soft sound signature. With a user-friendly interface consisting of 10 simple controls, this easy-to-use equalizer lets you quickly adjust the tone of frequency-rich audio sources such as drum percussion, piano and guitar.

PuigTec EQs

This historic tube passive EQ is renowned for its musical ability to provide extensive boost and cut capabilities for both individual audio tracks and the main mix. A classic technique is to cut and emphasize the same frequency, creating a clean resonant band that always gives the sound a unique character without ruining it. If you need to bring joy and dynamics to your mix, this is the perfect solution.

Compressors

There are over twenty compressors in the Waves catalog, including plugins with various compression modules, such as channel strips. The Waves Essential subscription includes classic compression methods such as CLA-76, R-Vox, R-Comp, MV2 and H-Comp. And the Waves Ultimate subscription includes all of the above, plus such famous models as CLA-2A, API 2500, SSL G-Master, C6, Abbey Road RS125, PuigChild, dbx 160… and many others, too many to list Here.

CLA-2A

This great slow attack compressor is second to none when it comes to compressing vocals in ballads or when performing a song. Like the original tube unit, this plugin enriches the source with harmonic richness, giving it a smooth and pleasant sound, while also enhancing bass and guitar frequencies.

CLA-76

This is a virtual version of one of the most famous analog compressors of all time. This plugin delivers the same aggressive and cutting-edge sound as the original device. It really impresses when processing vocals, drums, guitars, and other audio sources that need some extra punch. The plugin includes two character variations of the original device: blackface and blueface.

API 2500

This is a virtual version of one of the most famous analog compressors of all time. This plugin delivers the same aggressive and cutting-edge sound as the original device. It really impresses when processing vocals, drums, guitars, and other audio sources that need some extra punch. The plugin includes two character variations of the original device: blackface and blueface.

C6 Multiband Compressor

Want more granular control over compression? The C6 is a multi-band compressor that allows for surgically precise compression of different frequency ranges of tracks, as well as both internal and external sidechaining for each of the bands.

Delays and reverbs

While Waves Essential gives you inherent delays and reverbs like H-Delay and R-Verb, Waves Ultimate surrounds you with a variety of different “verbs” including H-Reverb, CLA Epic, as well as the classic Abbey Road Plates and Abbey Road Chambers.

CLA Epic

Designed in collaboration with mixing master and industry legend Chris Lord-Algem, the CLA Epic is designed to quickly add unique depth and spaciousness to your audio sessions. This complete reverb and delay kit allows you to combine 4 different delay effects and 4 different reverb effects – all in one plugin with a very intuitive and easy to use interface.

H-Reverb

H-Reverb is one of the most versatile reverb plugins on the market today. If you had to choose only one reverb, the H-Reverb would be the best choice. It offers an extensive arsenal of sounds built on Finite Impulse Response technology, as well as built-in processing for EQ, compression, modulation, BPM sync and virtually every other control parameter you need to create exciting reverb effects.

H-Delay

This old-school analog delay plugin is known for its simplicity, ease of use, and outstanding sound. Just pick it up and enjoy the sound. It also features modulation and lo-fi capabilities, which add additional options for creating more distinctive and vibrant sound effects. It’s no surprise that this delay plugin is popular among musicians and audio engineers from all over the world – try it for yourself and you’ll see why.

Abbey Road Chambers

This reverb has a unique sound that gives your music a unique character not available anywhere else. It is a model of the actual Abbey Road Studios reverb chamber that was used to create the sound of many classic recordings, as well as in other vintage rooms. Moreover, this plugin also provides delay functionality with S.T.E.E.D. setting, which is another technique that originated in the 60s. The best results are achieved when processing rock drums and hip-hop vocals.

Abbey Road Reverb Plates

Plate reverb is ideal for processing pop vocals and anything that needs a little sparkle. These are finely modeled records from Abbey Road Studios that add an incredible saturation effect to whatever they are applied to. This effect can be subtle and subtle, or more expressive, but in any case it always sounds charming.

Channel strips

Within Waves Essential you will find various channel strips such as SSL E-Channel, Magma Tube and EMI TG12345. Waves Ultimate expands the selection of SSL plugins by adding SSL EV2 and SSL G-Channel, and also includes powerful tools such as Scheps Omni, CLA MixHub and Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain.

SSL EV2 Channel и SSL E-Channel

Both of these plugins are official classic channel strip models from the SSL 4000E console and both are authorized by Solid State Logic. SSL E is a historical masterpiece that has been used in countless tracks over the past two decades. On the other hand, SSL EV2 is a completely new emulation released in 2021, with updated sound and new features such as brown EQ and console mic pre-saturation. Choosing between them depends on your taste, and you may find that one works better for certain tracks and the other for others. If you don’t want to choose, your best option may be to purchase the SSL 4000 collection, which offers both options.

Scheps Omni Channel

A versatile channel lineup plugin designed using Grammy Award-winning processor selections by Andrew Scheps. Drawing on a rich arsenal of analog devices, this plugin provides many variations for preamp saturation and compression, including a gate, EQ, two de-essers, and a limiter. Essentially, it’s like having the functionality of eight amazing tools in one plugin.

Magma Tube Channel Strip

If you want the tight, rich, and warm sound of an analog channel strip, but don’t want to spend a lot of time fiddling with settings, then the Magma Channel is the perfect choice for you. With it, you can easily create rich tube sound with texture using just a few simple controls that let you quickly adjust saturation levels, EQ and compression.

CLA MixHub

This plugin captures not only the rich sound of the console, but also the mixing prowess of Grammy Award winner Chris Lord-Alge. You get an exact model of his SSL console channel strip, including an input amp, EQ, two types of compression and gating. As a significant bonus, you also get mixing capabilities in a “bin” workflow, allowing you to efficiently process multiple channels simultaneously in a single window.

Mastering and stereo plugins

Your basic mastering needs are covered with Waves Essential, which includes fast mastering tools like L2 and Pusher. However, with Waves Ultimate you get deeper mastering capabilities and increased power for master buses, including a full L-Series set, Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain, SSL G-Master, Abbey Road J37 Tape and many more instruments and effects. that will help you achieve outstanding results.

SSL G-Master Buss Compressor

Probably the most famous mix bus compressor of all time. This plugin responds just like the original hardware, thanks to its ability to naturally “blend” all the components of a mix together and add significant dynamics. If you don’t already have a compressor for your main channel, this would be a great choice.

J37 Tape

Model of the classic tape machine used at Abbey Road Studios. With numerous options for tape saturation, wow, flutter, and even built-in delay, this tool is more than just a one-trick device. Place it on the mix bus to add cohesion to your music, or add it to any track to give it vintage warmth and depth.

L2 Ultramaximizer

The famous “brick wall” limiter has probably been used on the main bus in more professional sessions than any other limiter. If you need a limiter to increase the volume of your mix without losing quality, this choice remains a classic and the best.

Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain

A modular mastering kit inspired by the original EMI TG12410 mastering console, famous for its use in the Abbey Road mastering studios. Provides a wide range of tools for controlling input level, tonal balance, EQ, compression/limiting and stereo extension – everything you need to create a warm and dynamic mix and mastering in one plug-in.

Drum plugins

These two plugins, exclusive to Waves Ultimate, make it easy to customize your drums and drum samples, seamlessly integrating them into your mix:

Smack Attack

A transient processing tool that lets you quickly add significant impact to drum and percussion sounds without the need for compression. With this plugin, you can easily control the attack and shape the envelope of drum hits in a static way, regardless of the input signal level. If your drums don’t seem expressive enough, this solution is perfect.

Torque

Torque improves the tone of the drum by shifting the pitch of individual elements, always maintaining the original timbre of the instrument. Try this on a real snare, a sampled kick, or even toms. The natural attack and resonance of the drum will be preserved, and the pitch of the sound can be adjusted to suit the key of the song.

Spatial audio and special effects plugins

The Waves plugin directory contains many specialized tools, and here are a few that may interest you first. While R-Bass is available in both Waves Essential and Waves Ultimate, the other three plugins mentioned here are only available as part of Waves Ultimate.

Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter

This tube unit has a unique sound and the ability to enhance presence, energy and brightness on vocal and instrumental tracks without the need for EQ. It’s a special shine on the track that can’t be achieved any other way.

Renaissance Bass (R-Bass)

This versatile tool will help you both enhance and accentuate your low frequency information. By creating a harmonic sequence from the fundamental elements of the bass or kick drum, R-Bass facilitates the reproduction of these instruments even on consumer audio systems that do not otherwise reproduce low frequencies. The result is richer, deeper bass on any system.

Brauer Motion

This tool gives you the ability to bring panning and automation into three dimensions of your mix without requiring manual recording. This is a simple and creative method for adding liveliness and dimension to various elements of a mix.

Nx Ocean Way Nashville

This spatial audio plug-in accurately reproduces the great acoustic ambience of Ocean Way Nashville’s famous studios – all available on any headphone thanks to Waves Nx technology. If you don’t have a suitable soundproof studio for mixing, this plugin is the perfect solution. Plus, it serves as a great reference point for your mix, regardless of the characteristics of your room: it allows you to hear how your mix will sound on the speakers under real-world listening conditions, even if you only have headphones. An indispensable tool for finalizing your mix.