Waves worth the money

  • Thread starter Thread starter polarity
  • Start date Start date
P

polarity

New member
Is the waves bundle worth the investment? I went to a real studio with a friend the other day and the engineer there swore by the waves bundle. I had never really given it much thought I kind of figured a plugin is a plugin. What do you guys (and girls) think?
 
Hmm. You'll definitely get split answers here.
I bought a good bundle at the start and absolutely love the plugs.
Whether coincidence or not, every where I've been has had waves, so that's always a nice bonus.

A lot of people hate their upgrade plan. You have to pay to have coverage, otherwise you can't upgrade your plugs.
They ARE expensive.

At least the ilok is gone now, that's a plus.

I suppose the bottom line is I'd buy them again because I know them and love them, but there are definitely people out there enjoying cheaper or free alternatives.
I'd never try to tell anyone they need Waves.
 
I was impressed with it, but honestly I was just impressed over all. The funny thing is that I have better equipment (other than monitors) than this studio did.. They however had treated rooms and knowledge. I guess you can have all the toys in the world, if you don't know how to use them it doesn't matter. I've been doing tons of reading lately trying to rectify that problem but it feels like I'm years behind.
 
polarity said:
I was impressed with it, but honestly I was just impressed over all. The funny thing is that I have better equipment (other than monitors) than this studio did.. They however had treated rooms and knowledge. I guess you can have all the toys in the world, if you don't know how to use them it doesn't matter. I've been doing tons of reading lately trying to rectify that problem but it feels like I'm years behind.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I getcha.
I think you hit a key point there.
If you went to a fancy studio and came home wondering what could make you more like them, waves isn't it. ;)

People around here constantly push the idea that treating your room makes a massive difference.
I don't have a well treated room, but I have a few absorption panels and damn! I wish I'd gotten them sooner.
Unbelievable difference!

I can barely imagine how sweet it would be to have an ideal recording environment. I'd give you my Waves bundle in exchange for that.
 
polarity said:
I was impressed with it, but honestly I was just impressed over all. The funny thing is that I have better equipment (other than monitors) than this studio did.. They however had treated rooms and knowledge. I guess you can have all the toys in the world, if you don't know how to use them it doesn't matter. I've been doing tons of reading lately trying to rectify that problem but it feels like I'm years behind.
Click to expand...

A plug-in is only as good as it's user and the sound going into it. The best waves bundle in the world won't save a bad track mixed by a bad mixer.
 
I definitely wasn't thinking I get waves and I'll be the man haha. But it seemed like he was LOVING it, so much so that he was saying it's most of what he uses. Being away from home all I really have to do is try to learn what to do when I get home. I have my mics, pc, and interface here but there is definitely no treating rooms until I get home. I've been traveling for almost a year now, can't wait to make it home. Traveling for work for the record, I'm not just traveling around having a good time haha. I'm trying to learn more about the software and plugins, and process really just because it's all I can do.
 
I have a few of their individual plugs...and I don't need to upgrade them unless I want to.
AFA the bundles....the bigger ones are WAY to much money, and you then end up maybe regularly using just a few of the plugs from the bundle.

I wanted their L2 for a long time, but it was only part of a bundle....then they offered it individually, and finally they offered it inexpensively...so I got it.
They have a phase linear EQ that I want to add to my couple of other EQ plugs....but that one is still only avilable via bundle...so I got their HiEQ pliug instead, and actually it's quite good, plus I have a some EQs that came with my Samplitude DAW.

If you're making big $$$ off of studio work...it might make sense to buy into the big bundles, otherwise I don't see the point....buy just the individual plugs you really need.
 
polarity said:
I definitely wasn't thinking I get waves and I'll be the man haha.
Click to expand...
Tell the truth. :p

Nah, just kidding man.
I duno, if you've a circle of colleagues who all used Waves and you think it's a long term compatibility investment, go for it.
I worked and studied at places with waves and I really was glad of the compatibility.

As Miro says, the bundles can be scandalous. Keep an eye out for their deals and what not.
I bought Platinum used on ebay. Proper handover procedure through waves...maybe saved £100?

It's probably a little bit overkill. It has more than I need but at the time there was nothing smaller that covered my needs *read* wants.


I think I spent £6/700 and upgraded once for £100 ish. That's a lot of money, but then that's covered about 8 years so....Maybe it averages ok? Who knows.
I got the Protools 4 years of free upgrades. If I didn't have that I'd probably have jumped ships sooner.


Before that though, I'd definitely encourage you to browse forums like this for free plug recommendations, or even cheaper rival firms.
There are plenty about.

I got tied into the digi/avid/waves train early on and I don't think I'll jump ship now, but I think if I started again I'd be looking at reaper and cheap/free plugs.
 
polarity said:
I definitely wasn't thinking I get waves and I'll be the man haha.
Click to expand...
Tell the truth. :p

Nah, just kidding man.
I duno, if you've a circle of colleagues who all used Waves and you think it's a long term compatibility investment, go for it.
As Miro says, the bundles can be scandalous. Keep an eye out for their deals and what not.
I bought Platinum used on ebay. Proper handover procedure through waves...maybe saved £100?

It's probably a little bit overkill. It has more than I need but at the time there was nothing smaller that covered my needs *read* wants.


Before that though, I'd definitely encourage you to browse forums like this for free plug recommendations, or even cheaper rival firms.
There are plenty about.

I got tied into the digi/avid/waves train early on and I don't think I'll jump ship now, but I think if I started again I'd be looking at reaper and cheap/free plugs.

In a way, I think it's the apple debate.
Someone says they're ridiculously over priced and someone else says, yeah, but I don't mind paying it for what I feel I get.
It's not really a sensible debate. Just different strokes.
 
I just purchased a Studiolive 16.0.2 which came with Studio One (v2) Artist. I've had logic on my mac for a while now but it's getting a little old (2009). I just purchased a new PC and figure I'll convert to windows based recording. I was considering pro tools (I got an LE version that came with my mbox and I could take the upgrade path) but after getting the studiolive I've been really looking at studio one. I got it free, updates are free. I would probably need to upgrade to the Pro version if I want to use 3rd party plugins (artist version limits you to their "native" plugins). Lots of good reviews on it, the guy at the studio locally told me I HAVE to use pro tools because it will create the best sound, I don't really buy into that but what do I know.

As for waves I think it's something I'll wait on, or maybe keep an eye open for some deals.
 
polarity said:
The guy at the studio locally told me I HAVE to use pro tools because it will create the best sound, I don't really buy into that but what do I know.

As for waves I think it's something I'll wait on, or maybe keep an eye open for some deals.
Click to expand...

Yeah, both of those are good views to hold.
Don't believe anyone who says you simply must have ProTools, or any other DAW.
If he's trying to sell it on particular functions, fine, but it doesn't 'sound better' than anything else.
 
That's what I figured. I know jack all about recording but I am a computer guy by trade. I figure I'll try studio one out as soon as my firewire card arrives tomorrow (stupid UPS). I've opened it and looked around and honestly it looks great. I can't see any reason why it won't be fine to use. The only down side I can think of is that it's not as popular so support might be harder to come by.

BTW do you ever sleep? I've left messages on this board at all times of the day and night, you always answer. Not that I mind of course but damn man, you need a sleep schedule haha
 
polarity said:
That's what I figured. I know jack all about recording but I am a computer guy by trade. I figure I'll try studio one out as soon as my firewire card arrives tomorrow (stupid UPS). I've opened it and looked around and honestly it looks great. I can't see any reason why it won't be fine to use. The only down side I can think of is that it's not as popular so support might be harder to come by.

BTW do you ever sleep? I've left messages on this board at all times of the day and night, you always answer. Not that I mind of course but damn man, you need a sleep schedule haha
Click to expand...

LOL. I think I'm on Eastern Time...I've lost track.
The heat has been killer lately though. Getting to sleep at 3/4am some nights. :(
 
Where are you located? I thought you were in the UK.

In all honesty it's great having someone to answer questions though. I've checked out your links and you have some great sounding stuff. I'm still at the point where I can never tell if the problems are me, or my equipment. I've just recently started purchasing gear that I think should eliminate that question.

I can't wait to pick up a few more mics for guitar though. I love the stereo recording technique but my matched pair of MXL 993s are definitely not the cream of the crop. I'm anxious to try it with the new mixer (and preamps inside of it) and see how much the sound changes.
 
Waves bundles are pretty sick. I started with the Renaissance one, and then a year later I got the Gold bundle for $400 on sale (with the One-Knob bundle included for free) and it freaking rocks. Like the Gerg said though, it's only as good as the person controlling it though!

My advice would be to wait and see if you can get a nice sale deal...they do it a lot. Mine was the Christmas sale, which is always the biggest by far! Which one are you looking at getting?
 
While I have your attention steeno, but off topic. Do you know any good sites/videos/books on understanding EQ/Compression/Gate/Reverb?
 
Didn't have any in mind yet, this was an "on a whim" thought after leaving a "real" studio the other day.
 
polarity said:
While I have your attention steeno, but off topic. Do you know any good sites/videos/books on understanding EQ/Compression/Gate/Reverb?
Click to expand...

Hmm. The short answer is no.
Wikipedia should really cover the basis well. You're in fact territory on there.

Like this.

Fire me a PM if you're stuck.
 
That's actually exactly what I was looking for. Something to explain what the options inside of each means in clear terms so I'm not so much just playing with the knob trying to sort it out.

Didn't think of wiki for that, thanks yet again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top