Waves Linear Phase Multiband Compressor

Waves Linear Phase Multiband Compressor｜Precise Multiband Dynamics Processing without Phase Coloration

After spending countless hours meticulously crafting the perfect mix, a multiband compressor is often the key final step to add that finishing touch. However, traditional multiband dynamic processors inevitably introduce unwanted coloration to your audio. The Waves Linear Phase Multiband Compressor is a precision tool designed for professionals who demand the utmost sonic purity. Its unique linear-phase algorithm ensures that your original sound texture is faithfully preserved, no matter the dynamic adjustments.

The core advantage of this plugin lies in its absolute control over phase. Traditional processors introduce phase shifts when splitting frequencies, leading to a blurry sound and poor transient response. Especially during the Mastering stage, these minute imperfections can be magnified. The Linear Phase Multiband Compressor is completely immune to these phase issues, making your transients sound more focused and clear. It is the top choice for achieving premier dynamics processor performance. Whether you're delicately controlling the energy of the low end or precisely taming vocal sibilance, this Waves plugin delivers unparalleled transparency and precision, ensuring your mix is presented in its most perfect state upon final release.

Core Advantages & Applications

Absolute Phase Accuracy
Utilizing an advanced Linear-Phase design, it fundamentally eliminates the phase smearing and coloration issues common in traditional multiband processors. This means that when applying dynamics processing to different frequency bands, the phase relationship between them remains perfectly consistent, preserving your audio's original clarity and transient impact. It is the ideal choice for professional mastering and mixing.

Dynamic Shaping Beyond Compression
This is more than just a compressor. You can compress one band while expanding another. You can even completely bypass the dynamics processing on certain bands, using it solely for its linear-phase crossover characteristics as a high-precision linear-phase equalizer (EQ), offering immense sound-shaping flexibility.

Independent Attack & Release Controls for Each Band
Each frequency band features fully independent Attack and Release controls. You can set an extremely fast Attack for high frequencies to de-ess, a longer Release for the low end to maintain its weight, and find the perfect dynamic balance for the mids. This level of fine control allows you to tackle any complex dynamic challenge.

Intuitive and Efficient Range Parameter
The unique Range parameter acts like a Ratio control with safety rails. You can directly set the maximum amount of compression or expansion, preventing excessive dynamics processing. Compared to a traditional Ratio, the Range parameter allows you to dial in your desired dynamic control range more quickly, intuitively, and efficiently.

Intelligent Adaptive Threshold
This feature automatically detects and applies a slight boost to frequency bands that might be masked by others. This is why many users feel that the Linear Phase Multiband Compressor unexpectedly improves overall clarity and balance, even with only light compression applied.

Precise Auto Makeup Gain
The Auto Makeup feature intelligently maintains a consistent overall volume level before and after processing, based on each band's Threshold, Range, and Knee settings. This allows for more accurate A/B comparisons, helping you make the most objective judgments.

Waves Exclusive ARC™ Auto Release Control
Forget about the grainy distortion from setting the Release time too short, or the pumping effect from setting it too long. Waves' exclusive ARC™ (Auto Release Control) technology intelligently analyzes the audio content to automatically optimize the release time. You just set an approximate value, and ARC handles the rest, ensuring a smooth and natural sound.

Convenient Customization Options
Offers two distinct Release characteristics: a smooth-reacting Opto mode that emulates optical compressors, and a faster, tighter Electro mode. Additionally, you can freely choose between Hard-Knee or Soft-Knee compression curves and decide whether to dither the 48-bit internal processing down to a 24-bit output.

Tech Specs

• Processing Type: Linear Phase Multiband Dynamics
• Number of Bands: 5 bands with freely adjustable crossover points
• Dynamic Modes: Compression, Expansion
• Core Technologies: Linear Phase Crossovers, ARC™ (Auto Release Control), Adaptive Thresholds
• Release Modes: Opto, Electro
• Knee Modes: Hard, Soft
• Internal Processing: 48-bit double-precision floating-point
• Output Dither: Selectable, from 48-bit to 24-bit
• Latency Characteristics: Linear-phase processing introduces a fixed latency, the amount of which depends on the sample rate. Recommended for use in late mixing or mastering stages.
• Supported Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX Native, AudioSuite
• System Requirements: Please refer to the latest Waves Central software system compatibility list on the official Waves website.