Must-Have Dynamics for Mastering: No Phase Smearing or Coloration
You’ve spent countless hours crafting the perfect mix, and it’s time for multiband compression to add that final touch. Conventional multiband dynamics processors can’t avoid adding some coloration, but this artfully engineered, linear-phase design is always true to your sound.
Linear-phase, multiband compression is immune to smearing from phase issues, and processes transients with more focus and clarity—it’s the preferred processor for precision mastering.
Multiband Compression and Expansion
This isn’t just a compressor, but a dynamics processor—and more. Compress in one band, expand in another band, or don’t apply dynamics processing at all—treat some bands like linear-phase EQs.
Attack that Release
De-ess high frequencies with fast attacks, set long releases on low frequencies, choose the ideal balance for midrange dynamics—independent attack and release controls for each band make this possible.
Free-Range Dynamics
The Range parameter is like a ratio control with guardrails. Set the maximum amount you want compression to compress, or expansion to expand. It’s a faster, easier, and more efficient way to dial in your ideal dynamics control.
Adapts Well to Change
The adaptive threshold can add a slight lift to bands that are being masked. This is why so many users feel the Linear Phase Multiband Compressor improves sound beyond expectations, even with light compression.
Let’s Apply Some Makeup
Auto Makeup helps maintain general level stability by working with individual bands instead of overall level, and taking into account threshold, range, and knee. The result is more accurate A/B comparisons.
Auto-Release for Better Sound
Forget about grainy distortion with too-short release times, or pumping with an overly long release—Auto Release Control knows the difference. Set release to an approximate value, and let Waves’ ARC do the rest.
Convenient Customization
Choose from two types of release characters—the smooth opto release, or the tighter electro mode. You can even specify a hard- or soft-knee compression curve, and whether to dither the 48-bit processing to 24 bits.
requirements:
mac:
ram: 8
disk: 16
version: macOS Catalina 10.15, Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14
internet required: no
plugins:
VST-2
VST-3
AU
AAX
windows:
ram: 8
disk: 16
version: Windows 10 64 bit Windows 11
internet required: no
plugins:
VST-2
VST-3
AAX
trial: no
notes:
feature: 5 independent, fully parametric bands
“De-masking” clarifies each band’s sound compared to other bands
Attack and release for each band track dynamics optimally
Eliminates intermodulation among bands
Linear-phase crossovers prevent phase-based coloration
Ideal for mastering, due to its faithful audio treatment
Also does upward expansion and “focusing”-type EQ
Extras include automatic makeup gain, and adaptive threshold
licensing methods:
computer
usb
platforms: mac
windows
1178-2839
