The Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter from Waves is a plug-in that recreates the Aphex Aural Exciter process, as delivered by the original hardware from the mid-70s. The hardware unit was so well received at the time that it was even credited as a “session player” on best-selling albums by the likes of Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor.The original unit provided the ability to increase and enhance presence, brightness, and vibrancy on vocal and instrumental tracks alike, without raising levels. This was particularly useful because multiple passes of tape during multi-tracking would eventually dull some of the high-end details.Modeled on one of only a few tube-powered units ever made, the Aphex Vintage Aural Exciter plug-in delivers all the unique character of the rare original unit, but with all the advantages of software. The plug-in includes Native and SoundGrid licenses.

The Magma Springs Plug-In from Waves is nostalgic but timeless, and it makes some things sound vintage, while bringing a fresh sound to others. Its metallic twang defined eras, and its boingy resonance adds a personal touch on mixes that you need to hear. With seven options to choose from, Magma Springs allows some reverbs to melt into the mix while making others boast a distinctive character. Magma Springs is a collection of Waves’ 7 favorite types of spring reverb, each one a peek into a world of style.

The API 2500 from Waves is a dynamics plug-in that features the classic punch of API hardware, while allowing for shaping the tone of mixes with absolute accuracy. Its dual channel design lets it function as two separate mono channels via a single compression setting.Its auto-makeup gain function provides the ability to adjust threshold or ratio while automatically maintaining a constant output level. With a choice of an old style “feed back,” or the new style “feed forward” compression types, the software delivers a wide range of very musical parameters, making it a favorite of engineers everywhere.

The API 550 from Waves is a plug-in developed in association with API that models two classic API equalization modules. The API 550A module is modeled on the legendary late ’60s hardware and provides reciprocal and repeatable equalization at fifteen points in five steps of boost, divided into three overlapping ranges. The high and low frequency ranges are individually selectable as either peaking or shelving, and a band-pass filter can be inserted independently of all other settings.The API 550B functions both as a problem solver and a sweetening device, and provides four overlapped EQ bands with seven switchable filter frequencies spanning up to five octaves per band. “Proportional Q” automatically widens the filter bandwidth at minimal settings and narrows it at higher settings. The EQ can undo previous processing, or even perform reverse tonal modifications.

The API 560 from Waves is a plug-in based on the classic hardware EQ module from API, providing 10-bands of graphic EQ featuring precision filtering and high headroom, ideal for signal enhancement and room tuning.The original’s “Proportional Q” design intuitively widens the filter bandwidth at lower boost/cut levels and narrows it at higher settings. And since boost and cut characteristics are identical, previous actions can be easily undone.

AudioTrack from Waves is a plug-in that features three complete processors in a single, easy-to-use interface. Ideal for multimedia, voiceovers, project studios, and more, the plug-in contains a four-band EQ, compressor/expander, and a gate.

Bass Rider from Waves is a plug-in that rides bass levels automatically, without changing the natural sound of the instrument. Optimized for the frequency range and envelope characteristics of bass instruments, the plug-in functions equally well on any bass tracks, DI, amplified, acoustic, synthesizer, upright, etc. Unlike a compressor, the processor works note by note without disturbing the inner dynamics, allowing for natural sustain and decay.

Available for download, Waves Brauer Motion is a stereo effects tool that takes its inspiration from its eponymous codesigner, Michael Brauer, an engineer recognized for creating particularly moving mixes for artists including Bob Dylan, Coldplay, and others.The plug-in works by giving you two different auto-panners that can be made to move around each other in various, interesting ways. They can also be synced to each other, or be made to move independently. Either way, you can sync the panning operation to a host tempo or operate in free mode, in which the speed parameter controls the rate of panning. You can also choose input mode, wherein the signal’s amplitude dictates the rate of movement. In this mode, positive amplitudes (level boosts) will result in moving a selected panner forward along its path of trajectory, while losses in level will cause the effect to reverse course and move in the opposite direction.Four different panning modes are on hand for each panner, and four different trigger modes give you various ways of directing the motion of the effect. Classic mode provides standard left to right panning, while Circle gives you a more spherical path. Circle Phase is much like Circle, but the signal flips out of phase halfway through the path, giving you the illusion that the sound is moving behind your head. X-Lights mode provides hard, alternate left to right panning.A dynamics section is on hand to compress or clip the signal’s level, while other parameters give you the ability to manipulate speed, width, and depth of each panning effect. A master section with gain and mix controls is also provided. You’ll also note the sphere display, which shows how the sounds are moving by putting them on a large visible globe.This plug-in can work on stereo sources, panning them around in interesting ways, or it can effectively stereoize a mono source. Presets are included from some of the industry’s most respected mix engineers, including Ross Hogarth, Tony Maserati, and more.

The BSS DPR-402 from Waves is an accurate software model of the hardware BSS DPR-402 dynamics processor, a long-time favorite of studio, live, and broadcast engineers. The dynamics processor is known for its punch, versatility, and the explosive sound it delivered on countless rock, dance, and hip-hop hits since the 80s.Although it can be used as a straightforward compressor, limiter, or de-esser, the unit really excels when the processes are combined, and when used to selectively process individual parts of the audio band. The possibilities range from low-frequency expansion and narrow-band compression, to general dynamic equalization, or creating surprising enhancement effects.Five features not found on the original have been added to the plug-in. These include an MS matrix to separately process the mid and the sides, a mix control to balance the processed and unprocessed signal, a noise control to add or remove the modeled noise of the original unit, a gain reduction control, and an option for separate L/R metering.

Butch Vig Vocals from Waves is a plug-in designed in collaboration with producer Butch Vig that accurately captures his signature vocal sound, presented within a single interface. The plug-in features EQ controls, a compressor and a de-esser, and several tools for coloring the vocals in numerous shades, including tube and solid state saturation, and a focus knob in the 1 and 2 kHz ranges.

C1 Compressor from Waves is a dynamics processor plug-in featuring three distinct modules. The compressor/expander, gate/expander, filter/EQ sections allow the plug-in to fulfill multiple functions, either as separate processors, or combined for maximum flexibility. The plug-in includes Native, SoundGrid and TDM licenses.

C4 Multiband from Waves is a multiband dynamics processor plug-in that features four bands of up and down expansion, limiting, and compression, along with dynamic and standard EQ. By combining the technologies from the Renaissance Compressor and the C1 Parametric Compander, the plug-in provides comprehensive and transparent control over the contours of a mix.

The C6 from Waves is a plug-in based on the company’s C4 processor. The C6 takes the functionality of the C4 and adds two additional floating bands plus a sidechain feature for one-stop vocal and instrument shaping. Perfect for de-essing and de-popping in the studio or onstage, the C6 provides all the multiband compression and dynamic equalization needed to control, tame, and shape sound.For mixing and mastering in the studio, the C6 allows for creative compression, dynamic EQ, flexible side chaining, and more. For FOH and monitor mixers, the plug-in provides control over dynamics and EQ, from reducing crowd ambience to in-depth vocal shaping. For auto-ducking of music and ambience under speech in post, the C6 sidechain provides the ability to carve out just the vocal frequency range, instead of attenuating the entire signal.