KVR Audio

frank1985 · Post by **frank1985** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 2:43 am

Hey guys. I’ve been using Waves plugins almost exclusively for a few years, but I’m now looking to migrate away from their ecosystem for reasons I don’t want to get into or make the focus of this thread. I have achieved good mixing results with the following plugins, which are a huge part of my workflow, so i’m looking for alternatives that are just as good, if not better. As you can see I particularly like compressors that emulate old analog hardware and the way in which they all impart their own character. The SSL and CLA 2A are faves. It would help if you could copy and paste my list and suggest alternatives for me to check out.

SSL G Master Bus Compressor
CLA 2A
CLA 3A
CLA 76
TG12345
DBX 160
F6 Dynamic Floating Band EQ (By far my most used plugin)
J37 Tape Emulation (Replace with U-he satin?)
Torque (I don’t think there’s anything else like this?)

Pencilina · Post by **Pencilina** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 3:25 am

I still use waves BUT DMG TrackComp2 will easily cover (and surpass) the waves SSL, 76, 2a and 160 for $115 and has some very nice and useful features (among them side chains, mix options and AR times beyond the originals) and has become my goto compressor. The GUI takes some getting used to but in the end its a very versatile and precise tool.
https://dmgaudio.com/trackcomp
I'm a big fan of slate's virtual tape as well but I haven't tried most of the tape emu options that have come out since.
I'm staying tuned to this thread as I'm pretty dug into the f6 as well and am curious if there's something better. I've use harrison's AVA multiband from time to time but prefer F6

Pencilina · Post by **Pencilina** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 3:25 am

this double posted for some reason

Googly Smythe · Post by **Googly Smythe** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 3:28 am

Nothing sounds like the TG12345.
The cla 3 - I think Overloud do one.
Most of the rest - IKM.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 3:33 am

Do you happen to have a UA Apollo interface? They have some great emulations to replace the Waves versions.

frank1985 · Post by **frank1985** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 3:37 am

I don’t have an Apollo interface, no. I was looking at UAD but the hardware requirement’s a deal breaker.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep them coming.

jamcat · Post by **jamcat** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:41 am

The problem with the IK LA-2A model is they did not model the emphasis control. Which is sort of like building a car without a steering wheel. Other than that it's good.

softska · Post by **softska** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:56 am

F6: Oxford Dynamic EQ probably come the closest right now for things I would have used F6 for, but Pro-Q3 Dynamic mode usually is good enough and is just easy. RX Final Mix was my preferred one but discontinued (just it like everything else I liked from izotope..)

jamcat · Post by **jamcat** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:16 am

Presonus Fat Channel XT has the LA-2A (Tube Comp) plus Fat Channel XT add-ons for SSL G-Comp (Brit Comp) and dbx 160 (Comp 160).

Or for dbx, try Arturia Comp VCA-65.

flori89 · Post by **flori89** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 8:02 am

jamcat wrote: Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:41 am The problem with the IK LA-2A model is they did not model the emphasis control. Which is sort of like building a car without a steering wheel. Other than that it's good.

True, there are ways to get around that, but having that knob would make it better. Apart from that Tracks 5 Max (currently on sale: https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/tr5max/) probably is one of the cheapest way to get out of Waves into a different Ecosystem where he will get everything he wants.

To my ears UAD sounds better, so if money is no objection got that route.

And lastly, Black Rooster Audio has a big sale going on, 99$ for everything: https://blackroosteraudio.com/en/

That also should pretty much include everything you want.

gaggle of hermits · Post by **gaggle of hermits** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 8:32 am

the black rooster 76 doesn’t behave like a regular 1176 and so won’t be an easy replacement for the CLA.

personally, I’d go for the dmg for those compressors as it’s really flexible and has pretty faithful emulations of the common models.

for dynamic eq, try the voxengo glisseq.

Diamaudix Audio Ltd. · Mon Nov 15, 2021 8:39 am

Even with most of the UAD plugins, there's still lots of use to be found in the built-in Reaper compressor, if you have the program

frank1985 · Post by **frank1985** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 1:42 pm

I think I’m dead set on fab filter to replace the f6.

Any opinions on Presswerk by U-he? Having an all in one set of compressors at my disposal is appealing, but is it a case of quantity over quality? It’s either that or the black rooster bundle / dmg trackcomp. Of course I’ll probably end up getting the lot

heavymetalmixer · Post by **heavymetalmixer** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 1:45 pm

frank1985 wrote: Mon Nov 15, 2021 2:43 am Hey guys. I’ve been using Waves plugins almost exclusively for a few years, but I’m now looking to migrate away from their ecosystem for reasons I don’t want to get into or make the focus of this thread. I have achieved good mixing results with the following plugins, which are a huge part of my workflow, so i’m looking for alternatives that are just as good, if not better. As you can see I particularly like compressors that emulate old analog hardware and the way in which they all impart their own character. The SSL and CLA 2A are faves. It would help if you could copy and paste my list and suggest alternatives for me to check out.

SSL G Master Bus Compressor
CLA 2A
CLA 3A
CLA 76
TG12345
DBX 160
F6 Dynamic Floating Band EQ (By far my most used plugin)
J37 Tape Emulation (Replace with U-he satin?)
Torque (I don’t think there’s anything else like this?)

SSL G: Analog Obsession BUSTERSe.
CLA 2A: Analog Obsession LALA.
CLA 76: Analog Obsession FETISH.
DBX 160: Analog Obsession dBComp.
F6: TDR NOVA.
J37: Variety of Sound FerricTDS MKII, Chow DSP ChowTape, Signal Noise SN03G Tape Recorder, Low Wave Studios Track 24.

fese · Post by **fese** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 6:50 pm

frank1985 wrote: Mon Nov 15, 2021 1:42 pm I think I’m dead set on fab filter to replace the f6.

Any opinions on Presswerk by U-he? Having an all in one set of compressors at my disposal is appealing, but is it a case of quantity over quality? It’s either that or the black rooster bundle / dmg trackcomp. Of course I’ll probably end up getting the lot

Presswerk is great, but one has to be aware that it is not an emulation of specific hardware models (get the aforementioned TrackComp for that), more of a very powerful compressor toolbox. It’s very tweakeable but also quite complicated, and not really made for a quick “throw an LA2A on the track and adjust two knobs” workflow.
It has a sound and character of its own. I really like it, but don’t use it that often because i am faster with other comps (Trackcomp, IKM, AnalogObsession etc)

Alternatives to These Waves Plugins