Waves

Mixing and mastering plugins found in studios everywhere.

About Waves Audio

Waves Audio Ltd. has been developing professional audio DSP plug-ins since 1992, when founders Gilad Keren and Meir Shaashua released the Q10 Paragraphic Equalizer at an AES convention. That plug-in is widely credited as the first commercial audio plug-in, and it set the template for what became one of the industry's largest catalogs. Headquartered in Tel Aviv with development centers in India and Ukraine, Waves builds tools for mixing, mastering, broadcast, post-production, and live sound. The company received a Technical GRAMMY Award in 2011. Their Artist Signature Series collections, built with named mix engineers like Tony Maserati and Eddie Kramer, bring specific studio workflows into plug-in form. Waves sells plug-ins individually, in bundles, and by subscription.

EQ and Dynamics

Waves built its reputation on precision EQ and dynamics processing. The Q10 Paragraphic Equalizer remains a reference for surgical frequency work, offering ten bands of parametric control with a clean, transparent sound. Their dynamics processors range from transparent gain control to character-driven compression modeled after analog hardware. These tools handle everything from subtle mix glue to aggressive parallel processing. Waves EQs and compressors appear on thousands of commercial releases because they deliver predictable results under deadline pressure. You get the control you need without the learning curve of more esoteric designs.

Spatial Processing and Metering

Waves offers spatial tools that go beyond basic stereo widening. The S1 Stereo Imager provides precise control over stereo width by frequency band, letting you widen highs while keeping low end centered. Brauer Motion, developed with Grammy-winning engineer Michael Brauer, adds movement and depth to static mixes through controlled modulation. The B360 Ambisonics Encoder handles immersive audio workflows for VR and 360-degree video. For monitoring and delivery, the WLM Plus Loudness Meter ensures your mixes meet broadcast standards across multiple platforms. Nx Virtual Mix Room over Headphones simulates a calibrated studio environment when you're working on headphones, giving you a more reliable stereo image.

Artist Signature Series

The Signature Series collections capture the workflows of specific mix engineers. Tony Maserati Signature Series includes tools like the Maserati ACG and Maserati B72, designed around his approach to vocal processing and mix bus treatment. Eddie Kramer Signature Series focuses on the techniques Kramer used on classic rock records. These aren't just presets. They're purpose-built processors that reflect how these engineers actually work, with controls organized around musical decisions rather than technical parameters. If you're chasing a specific sound or want to learn from a proven workflow, these collections offer a direct path.

Shop Waves at Blackout Audio

Waves plug-ins handle the core tasks in any DAW-based session: EQ, compression, reverb, metering, and spatial processing. Their catalog includes both transparent utility tools and character processors modeled after analog gear. Free shipping on orders over $199 across Canada. Browse the full Waves catalog online or contact the Blackout Audio team with questions about licensing, bundles, or which plug-ins suit your workflow.