Waves C6 Multiband Compressor
C6 is ideal for serious audio surgery on individual tracks and masters. Its extreme flexibility comes from 4 configurable frequency bands—and 2 additional “floating” frequency bands—that let you apply per-band compression, expansion, upward expansion, limiting, and dynamic EQ.
This refined blend of dynamics processing and EQ is optimized to shape (or repair) any audio with a wide frequency range—masters, drums, synthesizers, heavy guitar, piano, and more.
Merge EQ and Dynamics in One Tool
With C6’s swiss army knife, you can use limiting on the low frequencies, compression on the mids, upward expansion in the upper mids for articulation, and expansion on the highs to tame hiss—or apply any kind of dynamic option, to any frequency band.
Expand Upward to Shape Transients
Upward expansion, rarely found in processors, can do frequency-selective transient shaping that enhances a percussive instrument’s attack and energy. All of C6’s dynamics processors can monitor, and respond to, a sidechain input.
6 Band of Dynamic EQ
Use C6 as a multiband EQ to focus on particular frequency ranges, while applying dynamics to individual bands. ±18 dB gain exceeds many EQs, and two “floating” EQ stages provide the final surgical touch.
Analog Character, Digital Precision
Unlike linear phase EQ, the C6 has a distinctly analog character. Drums are smooth, synthesizers acquire personalities, keyboards gain depth, and masters become warmer—all with digital’s precision and repeatability.
Choose VCA or Opto-Style Release
The dynamics processors catch transients based on the attack time you set—but the release can decelerate like an opto-based compressor, speed up for a quicker response, or conform to the Auto-Release option.
Simplified Dynamics Editing
The C6 replaces fussy Ratio/Threshold settings with an intelligent Range parameter. This sets the maximum amount of gain change—positive or negative—while Threshold sets the level where the gain change begins. Simple.
Features
- 4 different types of powerful dynamics processing
- 4 crossover frequency bands, 2 floating bands
- 3 release options—smooth, fast, and automatic control
- Sidechain input locks dynamics processing to other tracks
- Over 50 presets by top mixing engineers
- 6 frequency bands provide tightly focused dynamics and EQ
- Internal/external sidechain per band
- Analog circuitry modeling gives a warm sonic character
- Customize crossover frequencies and slopes—from gentle to steep
- Individual solo and bypass buttons for each band, with variable knee
Description
System Requirements
OS Requirements
Mac Requirements
- Ram: 8
- Disk: 16
- Version: macOS Catalina 10.15, Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14
- Plugins: VST-2, VST-3, AU, AAX
Windows Requirements
- Ram: 8
- Disk: 16
- Version: Windows 10 64 bit Windows 11
- Plugins: VST-2, VST-3, AAX
Waves v14 System Requirements
Mac | Windows |
---|---|
CPU Intel Core i7 / i9 / Xeon-W / Apple M1, M1 Max, M1 Pro, M1 Ultra See notes regarding Apple M1 (ARM-based) processors | CPU Intel Core i5, i7, i9, Xeon (all Gen 5 and above) AMD Quad Core AVX Support required |
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 10.15.7, 11.6.5, 12.3.1 | 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. V14 plugins require a graphics card that supports ‘Metal’. Learn more. | Screen Resolution Minimum: 1024x768 Recommended: 1280x1024 / 1600x1024 |
Note: V14 plugins require a graphics card that supports ‘Metal’. Learn more. |
Exceptions & Notes:
- These specs are for software version 14.
Windows 10 64 bit (Pre-2004) is not supported with software version 14.0. - Mac models without ‘Metal’ support are not supported with V14. Learn more.
- If you experience unusually high CPU consumption from Waves Plugins V14 and above while using a non-Intel CPU and Windows, learn how to enable MKL optimization to improve CPU performance.
- Current version licenses will activate older version software (V9 and above), if the product/s in question exists in this software version.
- To check if a plugin exists in an older version, scroll to the bottom of the older version's download page.
- Software versions earlier than 9.92 cannot co-exist with software versions above V10. To run V9 side by side with a newer version, please install version 9.92.
- For this reason, installing a newer version alongside V9 may cause temporary loss of access to V9 plugins on systems that support both versions. We are aware of this issue, which can be resolved by reinstalling V9.92 plugins or contacting Tech Support.
- Waves plugins are officially supported on up to two screens in third-party DAWs and host applications.
Screen Resolution: SSL E-Channel, SSL G-Channel, Element, Codex, Dorrough, Flow Motion, Bass Slapper and Bass Fingers require a minimum screen resolution of 1280x1024 / 1600x1024. Recommended screen resolution for Flow Motion, Bass Slapper, and Bass Fingers: 1920x1080. - Waves Instruments: Additional disk space may be required for sample libraries. Specific information is available on each instrument’s page.
- RAM: Grand Rhapsody’s & Bass Finger’s minimal RAM required is 16 GB (and not 8GB, as generally described for all plugins). [Mac & Windows].
- Waves Plugins and applications are supported and tested on operating systems installed on the built-in system hard drive. Operating systems installed on external hard drives are not tested and may not be fully functional with our software.