The SSL That Modernized Recording
Solid State Logic’s SL 4000 series of consoles was the first to incorporate not just EQ, but dynamics processing in every channel. This “channel strip” concept revolutionized workflow, because the crucial elements needed to optimize a channel’s sound were in one place, right at your fingertips.
Decades later, the E-series’ classic status has been reborn in hip hop and pop genres—thanks to the smooth yet punchy dynamics, and the bright, clear sound of the famed “black knob” EQ.
The Classic Sound of SSL Circuitry
The E-Channel models the SSL 4000E’s VCA-based gain element, Class A operation, and original behavior of the filter and dynamics never being out of the circuit—even when set to 0 gain and no dynamics. The circuitry’s sound is always there.
Legendary SSL EQ: Bright, Bold, Present
The SSL E’s 4-band parametric EQ section features the renowned Black Knob EQ, developed in 1983 with legendary producer George Martin. The Black knob’s bright, bold, present sound—a result of its constant frequency bandwidth—has become a signature in modern popular music. Choose a gentle shelf response for the high and low filter stages, or a bell curve for more surgical edits.
Sculpt Your Sound with Daring SSL Dynamics
The dynamics section features a soft-knee compressor/limiter and a separate expander/gate. As in the original console, you can place Dynamics before or after the filters and EQ, to tailor how the dynamics react—for example, cut lows before compression to tame a heavy kick. Makeup gain is applied automatically to maintain a steady output level.
Flexible Sidechaining
SSL also took sidechaining further. Not only can you switch the EQ or filters into the sidechain, but switch the filters and EQ into the sidechain to “tune” the control signal with even greater precision.
Over 130 All-Star Presets
Presets from Grammy-winning mix engineers and producers Chris Lord-Alge, Steve Lillywhite, Dave Pensado, Dave Darlington, Joe Barresi, Dave Aron, Thom Russo, and others cover a huge variety of superb sounds for vocals, drums, guitars, piano, keys, synths and strings.
Features
- Developed under license and in close collaboration with SSL
- 4-band EQ (2 shelf and 2 parametric stages), dual filters
- Smooth, soft-knee compressor/limiter
- Incorporates the “black knob” EQ developed with George Martin
- Internal dynamics sidechaining, with switchable source
- CPU-efficient for use with large, demanding multitrack projects
Description
System Requirements
Waves v15 System Requirements
Mac | Windows |
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CPU Intel or Silicon Architecture See notes regarding Apple Silicon based processors | CPU X64 compatible Intel or AMD CPU |
Memory Minimum: 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended) 16 GB free disk space on the system drive | Memory Minimum: 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended) 16 GB free disk space on the system drive |
Operating System macOS Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14 | Operating System Windows 10 64 bit (21H2) Windows 11 (21H2) |
Screen Resolution Minimum: 1024x768 Recommended: 1280x1024 / 1600x1024 USB displays are not supported as the primary display. | Screen Resolution Minimum: 1024x768 Recommended: 1280x1024 / 1600x1024 |
Exceptions and Notes
Clarity Vx / Pro and Clarity Vx DeReverb / Pro:
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Waves 15 Supported Hosts
MacApple Silicon Support | Windows |
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Pro Tools 2023.12, 2024 (AAX Native, Audiosuite) | Pro Tools 2022, 2023 (AAX Native, Audiosuite) |
Ableton Live 12 (VST3) | Ableton Live 12 (VST3) |
Audition 24 (VST3) | Audition 24 (VST3) |
Bitwig Studio 5.1 (VST3) | Bitwig Studio 5.1 (VST3) |
Cakewalk by BandLab 2024 (VST3) | |
Cubase 13 (VST3) | Cubase 13 (VST3) |
DaVinci Resolve 18.5 | DaVinci Resolve 18.5 |
Digital Performer 11 (Audio Units) | |
FL Studio 21 (VST3) | FL Studio 21 (VST3) |
Garage Band 10.4 (Audio Units) | |
Komplete Kontrol 3 (VST3) | Komplete Kontrol3 (VST3) |
Logic Pro X 10.8, 11 (Audio Units) | |
Luna 1.6 (Audio Units) | |
Nuendo 13 (VST3) | Nuendo 13 (VST3) |
OBS Studio 29 (Intel Only) Via StudioVerse, Stereo only | OBS Studio 29 (Intel Only) Via StudioVerse, Stereo only |
Premiere Pro 24 (VST3) | Premiere Pro 24 (VST3) |
Maschine 2 (VST3) | |
Main Stage 3 (Audio Units) | |
Pyramix 14 (VST3) | |
REAPER 7 (VST3) | REAPER 7 (VST3) |
Reason 12.7 (VST3) | Reason 12.7 (VST3) |
Samplitude Pro X8 (VST3) | |
Sequoia 16 (VST3) | |
Studio One Professional 6 (VST3) | Studio One Professional 6 (VST3) |
Waves’ latest version works on newer sub-versions of these DAWs, unless stated otherwise.
Waves plugins comply with the major audio plugin formats (VST3, AU, AAX).
If your DAW is not listed below, but supports VST3, AU or AAX, it should work fine with our software.
Your DAW must be running on an operating system that supports it in order for plugins to work properly. To confirm that your DAW version is supported on your operating system, please refer to your DAW’s website.
Exceptions & Notes:
General:
- These specs are for software version 15.
- V15 supports 64-bit only.
- In hosts that support both VST and VST3 plugins, we highly recommend using only VST3 plugins in new sessions from now on, and migrating plugins in old sessions to VST3.
- With the release of Waves V13 plugins, we announce full official Apple Silicon support for host applications that are themselves Apple Silicon-compatible. We will work to provide official ARM support for more host applications as they become Silicon-compatible. We will update this page with new developments as they are available.
- MIDI Support: The following hosts do not offer MIDI support: Pyramix, Premiere, Audition and OBS.
- MIDI Learn:
Not supported in the following plugins: Scheps Omni Channel 2, MultiMod Rack, CLA MixHub, Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain.
Native Instrument hosts: MIDI learn is not supported in effect plugins if they’re inserted after a virtual instrument plugin in Maschine and Komplete Kontrol.
Logic Pro, MainStage, Digital Performer, Luna: Only certain plugins support MIDI learn. Click here for a full list.
GarageBand: MIDI Learn is supported only with Waves Virtual Instrument plugins. - Mono to Stereo components are not supported in Cakewalk by BandLab, GarageBand and Luna.
- Sidechaining is supported on the following hosts: Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Nuendo, Cubase, Cakewalk by BandLab, Audition, Ableton Live, FL Studio, REAPER, Bitwig Studio, Samplitude, Sequoia and Studio One.
- Demo Mode: Audio mutes are not synced between plug-ins running in Demo Mode, when tracks are set to Input Monitoring and the transport is stopped.
- Surround plugins are supported on the following hosts: Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Digital Performer, Nuendo, Cubase, Audition, Premiere, REAPER, Pyramix and DaVinci Resolve.
- Drag and Drop support: ‘Drag and Drop' of samples and audio files in to CR8 Creative Sampler is possible only on DAWs that support this feature: Ableton Live, Cubase, Nuendo and Studio One.
- GarageBand: The Preset Browser is not available on Intel Mac computers.
- Adobe Premiere on Apple Silicon Macs: While loading plugins / changing parameters, you may experience a slow graphic refresh rate.
- Maschine/ Komplete Kontrol: The following plugins will not function correctly when loaded as VST3 plugins: API-2500, C1 Compressor, dbx160 Compressor / Limiter, H-Comp Hybrid Compressor, Renaissance Compressor, SSL G-Master Bus Compressor, V-Comp. Maschine 2.17.2 and Komplete Kontrol 2.9.2 include a fix for this issue.
- FL Studio: FL Studio 21.1.1.3318 may produce graphics issues on Mac computers with Intel processors.
Solution: Update FL Studio to the latest version (21.0.3.3352 or later). - DaVinci Resolve: Tempo Sync is not supported.
See all exceptions here
Change Log
View All Waves Release Notes here |
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All Waves Plugins: Across-the-board software update to V15New Features & Improvements in Waves V15
Bug fixes in all Waves plugins
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