Waves C1 Compressor

Waves C1 Compressor | The Classic All-in-One Compressor & Dynamics Processor

The Waves C1 Compressor is more than just a compressor; it's a legend, the enduring Swiss Army knife of digital audio processing. Since its debut, the C1 has become an indispensable core tool in countless studios and post-production workflows worldwide, thanks to its ultimate flexibility and pristine, transparent sound. This powerful dynamics processor combines compression, expansion, upward expansion, gating, and dynamic filtering into one unit, offering unprecedented precision control over your mixing and mastering.

The design philosophy of the C1 is not to add color or analog warmth; its sole purpose is to be the ultimate solution for all dynamics-related problems. Whether you need to manage the dynamic fluctuations of vocals, tighten the transients of a drum kit, suppress background noise, or perform frequency-dependent dynamic adjustments, this classic compressor plugin handles it all perfectly with its clean, neutral sound. It doesn't alter the fundamental character of your source audio but faithfully executes your every command, making it the most reliable mixing tool for any audio project. From subtle dynamic smoothing to extreme audio shaping, the Waves C1 Compressor provides everything you need, making it an essential classic in every audio engineer's toolkit.

Core Advantages & Applications

All-in-One Dynamics Control Center
The Waves C1 is a complete dynamics processing suite. It not only offers high-quality compression but also integrates an Expander, Gate, and Upward Expander, allowing you to perform a wide range of dynamic shaping tasks within a single interface—from controlling vocal breaths to enhancing percussive transients, it can do it all.

Transparent and Pristine Sound
The core value of the C1 lies in its exceptional sonic transparency. It focuses on precisely controlling the dynamic range of audio without adding any unwanted harmonic distortion or coloration. This makes it ideal for mastering or any application where preserving the original texture of the source is crucial, ensuring your sound remains clean, clear, and punchy.

Powerful Sidechain and Filtering Capabilities
It features a fully functional built-in sidechain circuit that supports both internal and external signal triggering. Its internal sidechain is equipped with high-pass, low-pass, and band-pass filters, allowing you to trigger the dynamics processing based on specific frequency ranges. This is essential for creating ducking effects, de-essing, or performing frequency-dependent gating.

Unique Dynamic Filter
The C1 includes a unique dynamic filter section that combines a filter with a dynamics processor. You can define a frequency band and have the compression or expansion act only on that band, providing surgical precision for solving specific frequency issues (like low-frequency rumble or high-frequency harshness)—an advanced feature unmatched by traditional compressors.

Extremely CPU-Efficient Performance
As one of Waves' classic plugins, the C1 has been optimized over many years and boasts an extremely low CPU footprint. You can confidently use dozens of C1 instances in large projects without worrying about system overload, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted creative workflow.

Tech Specs

• Supported Sample Rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Channel Processing: Mono and Stereo components
• Latency: 0 samples at 96 kHz and below; 1 sample at 176.4/192 kHz
• Architecture: Native
• Controller Support: Full support for all Waves-compatible MIDI controllers
• Plugin Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX Native, AudioSuite
• Activation: Online activation via Waves Central or transfer to a USB flash drive for offline authorization (single license)