You don’t need 100 Waves plugins. The 12–15 listed above cover 95% of professional mixes.
While the L3 is for masters, the is for individual tracks. The L2 has a legendary "IDR" dithering algorithm and a brick-wall ceiling. When you push a snare drum or synth lead into the L2, it stays at the exact level without clipping. Many producers still use the L2 simply for its "Analogue" mode, which adds a subtle harmonic distortion. waves 14 plugins best
We have tested dozens of plugins in the Waves 14 ecosystem. Here are the absolute best, categorized by their function in your mix. You don’t need 100 Waves plugins
: A bundle of "workhorse" plugins like the R-Comp and R-EQ that are low on CPU usage but high on musicality. Compatibility & Updates The L2 has a legendary "IDR" dithering algorithm
Yes, it’s old. Yes, the sound of an L2 limiting too hard is a meme. But used subtly, it’s still the gold standard for peak control without audible distortion. Many pro masters still have an L2 as the final brick wall. Best for: Final limiter, podcast loudness, drum parallel crush.
If you are building a plugin collection, you cannot go wrong starting with the for your main mixing and the CLA-2A for dynamics. From there, Clarity Vx Pro is essential for cleaning audio, while the API 2500 will give your mixes the professional punch they need.
: Known for adding warmth, saturation, and classic tape delay to individual tracks or the entire master bus.