Is Waves really that good or that bad?

[adoucette]

They're not crap, not at all. I work for a studio that is in business with a dealer for all waves and many other plugins so I have tried and still use them all. In my opinion, the plugins sound great, for being plugins. Having used many ssl 4000 g series consoles, I know how they sound, the EQ in the SSL plugins sounds very authentic, but I wasnt impressed with compression in the dynamics section. The mix buss compressor sounds good, but different than the real deal. Im a big fan of the API EQ's, the 2500 works well for some applications as well. The waves V series I dont use as much, the EQ is ok for a more richer sounding mid range EQ, the V comp is great on acoustics and vocals

If I was mixing a modern record I would mostly use the SSL and API and if it was a more vintage sound I would use the V series and the API

Worth the money? Yea. Im not a big fan of any of the platinum series stuff, cept the L2, I use that alot. But I would be just as happy with the classic studio pack

I dont like the Sonnox stuff, URS stuff is great, but different. Abbey Road TG series is ok, limited uses for me in comparisson to the real thing though

[Dean Roddey]

For the same reason that some people think LA-2As suck or 1176s suck or any other piece of equipment you can name. There's no accounting for taste as they say.

Of course Waves suffers from a high level of anti-Waves sentiment that has always been around I guess, and this probably clouds people's opinions of their stuff. But clearly it's good quality stuff.

I think that, if it suffers relative to some other things, one thing is that it's designed for their own system, so they are generally 48 bit, fixed point based plugs, when systems like SONAR and others offer 32 and 64 bit floating point engines that the Waves stuff won't take full advantage of, whereas some other plugs do. It would be nice if they'd expand it beyond their own system's limitations.

But, still, it's not like they don't sound good.

[audiogeek1]

All the plug ins you mention have a purpose and generally sound good. The big thing with waves that most people do not like is they feel like they are just renting the plug ins. They want you to keep them in an update plan. So you can get updates etc...

As for Waves Sonnox and Abbey Road. I have all three and like them for different reasons. All sound good and do a good job.

Mike

[JP11]

I think with plugins more than anything, it's who's using them and it's what they're using them on.

[Steffmo]

I honestly think that with Waves two non audio issues color the commentary.

1) The price. anything at the top of the price point gets slammed as either inadequate or unnecessary, much happens with Pro Tools.

2) They have some questionable upgrade issues. Of all the plug in companies they tend to require you to upgrade, at a price, ,more often than others.

The product is generally top shelf as far as plugs go. What has changed is that there are now alternatives. When Waves first came out they were essential in that they stood head and shoulders above the rest. they have some real competition now

[Plugin]

Wow,

this is the most civilized and lucid ''Waves'' thread I've seen! Thanks guys for all your pro comments. It's really appreciated!

adoucette, nice to see another Canuck here!

[alexp]

I think the Waves stuff is fantastic as far as software plugins go.


And I will round out the Canuck list on this thread!


alexP

[Plugin]

Originally Posted by alexp

I think the Waves stuff is fantastic as far as software plugins go.


And I will round out the Canuck list on this thread!


alexP

[Mike Brown]

I really enjoy my waves plugs...

I don't think a lot of the hate is directed at the plugins.... its mostly directed at the WUP.

[mixerguy]

WUP BLOWS!!!!!