Waves C6 Multiband Compressor

Waves C6 Multiband Compressor - Pro | The Ultimate Six-Band Tool for Dynamics Shaping & Mastering

The Waves C6 Multiband Compressor is a top-tier tool designed for detailed audio processing and surgical-level repair. Whether processing individual tracks or handling final mastering, the C6 offers unparalleled control and flexibility. It's not just a traditional multiband compressor, but a comprehensive dynamics processor that integrates compression, expansion, upward expansion, limiting, and dynamic equalization. Its core architecture includes four freely configurable main bands, plus two additional "floating" bands, allowing you to perform delicate dynamic adjustments and tonal sculpting on specific frequency ranges of your audio with unprecedented precision.

This powerful mixing plugin perfectly fuses the functions of a dynamics processor and an equalizer (EQ), meticulously optimized for processing complex audio with a wide frequency range, such as final mastering, impactful drum kits, layered synthesizers, heavy electric guitar walls of sound, and even delicate piano performances. The C6's dynamic equalizer feature allows you to apply precise dynamic control while boosting or cutting specific frequency bands. Furthermore, its unique upward expansion function is a secret weapon for transient shaping, effectively enhancing the attack and energy of percussion instruments to inject life and punch into your mix.

Core Advantages & Use Cases

Six-Band Precision Control
The C6 provides four main bands with customizable crossover points, plus two additional, freely movable floating bands. This 4+2 structure allows you to surgically lock onto and treat any problematic frequencies or creatively enhance specific ones.

Integrated Dynamics & EQ Tool
This is the Swiss Army knife of audio processing. You can use a limiter in the low band to tighten the kick drum, a compressor in the mid-band to make vocals stand out, upward expansion in the upper-mids to enhance clarity, and an expander in the high band to suppress hiss—all within a single interface.

Unique Upward Expansion Feature
Upward expansion is a rare feature in many processors, enabling frequency-selective transient shaping. With the C6, you can precisely enhance the attack and energy of drums, percussion, or any other source, giving it more punch and presence in the mix.

Full-Band Sidechain Functionality
Every dynamics processor in the C6 can listen and respond to an external sidechain input signal. This opens up endless possibilities for creative mixing techniques, such as creating the classic "ducking" effect or making specific bass frequencies give way to the kick drum.

Analog Character, Digital Precision
Unlike linear-phase EQs that strive for absolute purity, the C6 has a distinct analog character. It can make drum kits sound smoother, bring out the personality of synthesizers, give keyboards more depth, and add warmth to the final master. All of this is built on the precision and repeatability of a digital workflow.

Simplified, Intuitive Dynamics Editing
The C6 does away with the cumbersome "Ratio / Threshold" settings of traditional compressors, opting instead for the more intelligent "Range" parameter. You simply set the maximum amount of gain change (positive or negative) and then use the threshold to set the trigger point, making the workflow extremely streamlined and efficient.

Versatile Release Characteristics
The dynamics processor captures transients based on your set Attack time, but the Release time offers multiple options. You can choose a smooth, decelerating release curve like an optical (Opto) compressor, a faster-reacting VCA-style release, or leave it to the intelligent Auto-Release option.

Tech Specs

• Supported Sample Rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
• Channel Modes: Mono and Stereo
• Latency: 64 samples at 44.1/48 kHz
• Plugin Formats (Windows): VST2, VST3, AAX Native 64-bit
• Plugin Formats (Mac): AU, VST2, VST3, AAX Native 64-bit, AudioSuite
• Windows System Requirements:
  • Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11
  • Processor: Intel Core i5 / i7 / i9 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or higher
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
  • Screen Resolution: Minimum 1024x768 (1280x1024 / 1600x1024 recommended)
• Mac System Requirements:
  • Operating System: macOS Catalina 10.15, Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 / i9 / Xeon / Apple M1, M2, M3 Chip
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
  • Screen Resolution: Minimum 1024x768 (1280x1024 / 1600x1024 recommended)
• Activation: Requires online activation via the Waves Central application.