Waves Kramer PIE Compressor

Waves Kramer PIE Compressor - Plugin | Recreates the Classic Pulse-Width Modulation Sound of the Legendary Pye Compressor

The Waves Kramer PIE Compressor is a dynamics processing plugin developed in collaboration with legendary producer/engineer Eddie Kramer (Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones), designed to meticulously model the unique sonic characteristics of the classic Pye compressor hardware. Renowned for its design based on Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) technology, this compressor offers a tonal character distinctly different from VCA or FET compressors. Its exceptional speed, remarkable transparency, and extremely low distortion made it an indispensable sound-shaping tool on countless classic recordings.

Whether used as a powerful "glue" for drum busses and vocal groups, or for final polishing in mastering, the Kramer PIE Compressor can impart a stunning "dazzling character" to your audio. This plugin is more than just a technical emulation; it incorporates Eddie Kramer's extensive experience and unique taste from his time at London's Olympic Studios, ensuring that every compression process is filled with the musicality and vintage soul of the golden era. For musicians seeking that classic British rock sound or wishing to add warm analog texture to digital audio, this digital incarnation of the Pye compressor is undoubtedly an essential tool in the mixing arsenal, with a performance that is especially irreplaceable when handling bus compression.

Core Advantages & Use Cases

Unique Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) Technology
Unlike traditional compressor designs, the Kramer PIE utilizes PWM technology. This method processes audio dynamics with extremely fast response times while maintaining high transparency and very low harmonic distortion. This means you can apply significant gain reduction while still preserving the clarity and detail of the original audio, without introducing unpleasant coloration.

Tuned by Legendary Producer Eddie Kramer
Every detail of this plugin has been meticulously supervised by Eddie Kramer, perfectly capturing the essence of the Pye compressor he relied on when producing countless classic albums. It's not just an emulator; it's the digital crystallization of a legendary sound philosophy, allowing you to easily achieve the iconic dynamic punch found on albums by Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.

Minimalist and Intuitive Interface
The design philosophy of the Kramer PIE is that it "just works." It features extremely simplified controls, allowing you to achieve excellent results without delving into complex parameters. Simply select Compress or Limit mode, set the Threshold and Decay time, and you can immediately enjoy its unique compression characteristics, letting you focus more time on the music creation itself.

Versatility Beyond Bus Compression
Although the Pye compressor is famous for its "Bus Compression" applications on drums, background vocals, and the master bus, the transparency of the Kramer PIE makes it equally well-suited for processing individual tracks. Whether it's vocals, bass, or any source that requires smooth and musical dynamic control, it delivers outstanding performance.

Perfect Synergy with Kramer HLS Channel
At the historic Olympic Studios, the Pye compressor was often used in series with the channel strip of the Helios console. The Waves Kramer PIE and Kramer HLS Channel plugins were designed to recreate this synergistic workflow. Used together, they can perfectly replicate that warm, full, and cohesive classic British vintage sound.

Tech Specs

• Plugin Type: Dynamics / Compressor / Limiter
• Modeled After: Vintage Pye Compressor
• Core Technology: Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM)
• Developed with: Eddie Kramer
• Channel Modes: Mono / Stereo
• Latency: 0 ms (Zero Latency)
• Sample Rate Support: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz
• Controls: Threshold, Ratio (Compress/Limit), Decay Time, Output, Meter Select (In/Out/GR), Analog Noise Control (50Hz/60Hz/Off)
• Plugin Formats: VST, VST3, Audio Units (AU), AAX Native
• System Requirements: Compatible with the latest Waves V14 plugin platform. Please refer to the official Waves website for a detailed list of compatible operating systems and host software.