WAVES
C6
MULTIBAND COMPRESSOR
USER GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................3
WELCOME.................................................................................................................3
1.1
PRODUCT OVERVIEW.................................................................................................3
1.2
CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY..................................................................................3
1.3
COMPONENTS ...........................................................................................................4
1.4
CHAPTER 2 – QUICK START GUID
E.............................................................................5
CHAPTER 3 – INTERFACE AND CONTROLS ...............................................................6
INTERFACE................................................................................................................6
3.1
CONTROLS (C6 COMPONENT)....................................................................................7
3.2
3.3
C6 SIDE-CHAIN COMPONENTS.................................................................................12
CHAPTER 4 – THE WAVESYSTEM..............................................................................14
THE WAVESYSTEM TOOLBAR...................................................................................14
4.1
PRESET HANDLING..................................................................................................14
4.2
INTERFACE CONTROLS ............................................................................................16
4.3
4.4
WAVES PREFERENCES (PRO TOOLS ONLY)..............................................................18
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Chapter 1 – Introduction
1.1 Welcome
Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your Waves processor,
please take the time to read through this manual.
In conjunct
There you will find an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed
Installation guides, new Software Updates, and current information on Authorization
and Registration.
By signing up at www.wavesupport.net
your registered products, reminders when updates are available, and information on
your authorization status.
1.2 Product Overview
C6 is a six-band compressor with a paragraphic interface. The C6 combines
multiband compression, equalization, limiting, expansion, and de-essing capabilities into
one simple interface. Th
dynamic processes to different bands of a signal.
With its advanced multiband dynamics shaping and EQ plus de-essing and de-popping
capabilities,
the post production environment as a noise reduction tool, in sound design, as well as in
the studio, as a creative tool for music production.
ion, we also suggest that you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net
, you will receive personalized information on
e C6 is usef
the C6 is perfect for live use, particularly on vocals. It also works wonders in
ul when you need to perform separate EQ and
.
1.3 Concepts and Terminology
The C6 has four middle bands connected by crossover regions, plus two additional
floating bands that are n
have dedicated frequency and Q controls, unlike the four middle bands. This can be
useful in situations when you need additional control over the dynamics of a frequency
range that is not being handled sufficiently by the four main bands. For example, you
can shape a vocal sound with the four main bands, but have the two floating bands
perform de-essing and de-popping on a narrow frequency range between the second
and third bands.
The Dynamic Line™ presents a real-time overview of your EQ changes. For example, if
you begin by selecting the "Full C6 reset" preset
band up or down, the Dynamic Line will reflect the "shape" of the EQ you have applied,
similar to the EQ curve display on Waves Q-series equalizers. Next, drag the Range
control for a band up (for expansion) or down (for compression), and notice the purple
ot part of the multiband crossover matrix. The two floating bands
and then move the gain control for any
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shading that appears above or below the orange line. This purple area represents the
range of gain expansion or reduction that will be applied to the band once you adjust the
Threshold control as desired (depending on your program material). Thus, the Dynamic
Line makes it possible to simultaneously observe the overall shape of the EQ that you
have applied, as well as the real-time gain changes that are occurring within each band.
1.4 Components
WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug-ins, which
we call components. Having a choice of components for a particular processor gives
the flexibility to choose the configuration best suited to your material.
C6 has four components:
• C6 Mono
• C6 Stereo
• C6-SideChain Mono
• C6-SideChain Stereo
you
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Chapter 2 – Quick Start Guide
• Insert C6 on track.
• Try one of the presets as a starting point.
• Adjust the Gains as you would on an EQ. Adjust the range per band or
globally (purple area on t
compress or expand as desired.
• Adjust Threshold/Attack/Release per band or globally as you would on a
regular compressor.
• Use the two floating bands for pin-point dynamic processing (such as Deessing or D
e-popping), using a narrow Q if desired, use the unique frequency
and Q control to reach the area you want. You can narrow the Q value for
notch reduction, or even have two floating bands working together; one for
de-popping and the other for de-essing.
he graph representing maximum gain change) to
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Chapter 3 – Interface and Controls
3.1 Interface
C6
C6 Side-Chain (See Section 3.3)
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3.2 Controls (C6 Component)
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Global Controls affect all bands relative to their current values.
Master Release determines the type of compression releas
e. Waves ARC AutoRelease Control optimizes the release time in order to achieve the most transparent
behavior, maximizing RMS level with a minimum of distortion. (In Manual mode, the
release time in each band is a fixed value.)
Range: Manual / ARC
Master Behavior determines the type of compression.
Range: Electro / Opto
• Opto is a classic modeling of opto-coupled compressors which has fast release times
at high gain
reduction an
d slow release times as it approaches zero gain reduction,
beneficial for deeper compression applications.
• Electro has slow release times at high gain reduction, and progressively faster release
as it approaches zero g
ain reduction, ideal for moderate compression applications where
maximum RMS level and density is desired.
Master Knee determines the compression knee
characterist
ics.
Range: Soft – Hard
Global Threshold move
s all band T
hresholds simultaneously, keeping their relative
values intact.
Global Gain moves all band Gain simultaneously, keeping t
heir relative values intact
.
Global Range adjusts all band Range values simultaneously, keeping their relative
values intact, ideal for in
creasing or decreasing the overall amount of compression or
expansion.
Global Attack adjusts all band Attack values simultaneously,
keeping their relative
values intact.
Global Release adjusts all band Release values simultaneously, keeping their relative
values intact.
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Display
The following parameters can be adjusted directly on the display graph:
Crossover points
1.
2. Gain and Range
3. Center Frequency points
Crossover i
s
the point at which two band ranges meet. The shape or overlap between
these ranges is determined by the Q value. Crossover points for bands 2 through 5, can
be adjusted using the markers at the bottom of the gray vertical line indicators or the
Value Windows beneath the graph.
Center Frequency point markers in six colors
represent e
ach band.
Gain and Range can be controlled from the main Graph or from the parametric control
section.
Dragging any marker can change three values simultaneously: Gain, Range, and
Frequency.
o
Dragging Center Frequency points horizontally will change the frequency center of
a band by changing the
crossover point related to that band. Note that changing
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the center of a band will also change the adjacent band.
o Dragging Center Frequency points vertically will change the Gain for that band.
o Dragging Center Frequency points vertically while holding the Option/Alt key
changes the
Range.
The Dynamic Line (orange) is an indicator which displays b
oth the resultant EQ and the
gain metering simultaneously, and changes in relation to other parameter changes.
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The C6’s Range and Threshold controls let you first define the maximum amount of
dynamic gain change using the Range control, and then dete
rmine the level around
which you want this gain change to take place using the Threshold.
Range controls the maximum gain change, expressed by the purple shaded area on the
graph. Negative range values result in compression; posit
ive range values result in
expansion.
Range: +18 to -24 dB
Gain controls the output gain of each compressor band, expressed by the lighter edge of
the purple r
ange.
Range: +18 to -18 dB
Q (bands 2 to 5) controls the slope of the crossov
er filters, expressed by solid curves in
the main window. Higher values result in steeper slopes, which give sharper divisions
between the bands.
Range: 0.10 to 0.75
Q (bands 1 and 6) contr
ols the slop
e of the crossover filters, unaffected by global Q.
Range: 0.35 to 60
Attack controls the spee
d at which d
ynamic processing begins.
Range: 0.50 to 500 ms
Release sets the recovery speed of the gain attenuation when the input drops below the
threshold, utilizin
g ARC, as described above.
Range: 5 to 5000 ms
Threshold controls the
point at which a band be
gins responding to signal level.
Range: 0 to -80 dB
15
Output gain fader contr
ols output le
vel.
Range: -18 to +18dB
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Bypass defeats a band’s dynamics processing
and Gain control. If you want to defeat
dynamics processing but maintain control of Gain, set that band’s Range to 0.
Clip LED lights up when levels exceed 0 dBFS. Click inside
the meter area to reset.
Solo is used to listen to an individual band, post-process.
3.3 C6 Side-Chain Components
Each band has a dedicated SideChain section for independent side chain control.
SideChain Controls
Source is used to choose the SideChain source.
Range: Internal / External
o
Internal (default): Normal compression mode.
o External: Compression is triggered by an external key input.
Listen is used to monitor the SideChain signal. In this mode, all dynamics are disabled,
and appear “grayed out.”
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o In Internal mode, it auditions the input signal post-filter, pre-compression.
o In External mode, it auditions the SideChain input after the filter.
SC Mode determines the frequency range of the
Side Chain signal.
Range: Wide / Split
o Split (default): Each band receives the side chain signal at the same frequency
range as def
o
Wide: Each band receives the side chain signal across the entire frequency
ined by the band crossover settings.
range.
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Chapter 4 – The WaveSystem
4.1 The WaveSystem Toolbar
All Waves processors feature the WaveSystem toolbar which takes care of most
administrativ
features of the WaveSystem toolbar are the same on practically all Waves processors,
so familiarity with its features will be helpful whichever processor you are using.
Toolbar Functions
Undo Undoes the last 32 actions.
Redo Redoes the last 32 undone actions.
Setup A/B Toggles bet
Copy A->B Copies the current settin
Load Recalls presets from file
Save Saves presets in the Wa
? Opens the manual for the processo
e functions you will encounter while working with your Waves software. The
ween two presets. This is useful for close comparison of
different parameter settings
gs to the second preset register
ves file formats
r you are using
4.2 Preset Handling
Preset Types
Factory Presets are permanent presets in the Load menu. Factory presets cannot be
over-written or deleted.
different factory presets.
User Presets are your favorite settings of the plug-in saved as a preset in the Load
menu, under ‘User Presets’. User Pr
Setup Files may contain more than one preset. For example
the presets for a session. When you open a Setup File, all its setups become part of
your Load pop-up menu for fast access. This can be particularly useful with multiple
instances of a plug-in in a single session. By saving all the settings you create into a
single Setup File, they can all be quickly available for every instance of that plug-in.
When applicable, different component plug-ins may have
esets can b
e over-written and deleted.
, a single file can contain all
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Loading Presets and Setups
Click on the Load button to see the Load pop-up menu. The menu is divided into four
sections. If a section is not currently available it will not appear in the Load pop-up menu.
Open Preset File… Select to op
en any setup or preset file, whether from the Library or
your own creations.
‘Filename.xps’: Displays any currently loaded Setup File and it
Factory
Presets: Displays the default Factory Presets.
s presets.
User Presets: Displays any loaded User Presets.
Saving Presets and Setups
Click on the Save button to see the Save pop-up menu. Four options are available. If an
option is not currently available it will be grayed out and inaccessible.
Save to New
File… Select this t
o start a ne
w Setup file. There are two
prompts - first for the setup filename, then for the
preset name. You must provide a name for both the
setup file and the preset. Click OK (ENTER) to
complete the save. It is a good idea to create a
folder in which to save several setup files for a
project.
Save ‘File Name’ – “Preset Name” Overwrites the settings
of the loade
d preset
(whether a User Preset or a preset from a Setup
File) with the current settings. If a Setup File is
currently loaded, the name of the Setup File is
displayed followed by the name of the preset itself.
If a User Preset is loaded, its name is displayed.
Save to ‘File Name’ As…
Saves the current settin
gs as a new preset into the
Setup file that is open (if one is not open, the option
is grayed out). You will be prompted to give the
preset a name.
Put into Preset Menu As…
Save the current setting
s into a User Preset that
will always be in your Load menu (until deleted).
You will be prompted to give this preset a name.
User Presets are stored in the plug-in’s preference
file.
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Deleting Presets
You may delete User Presets and presets within a Setup File. Factory Presets and
Setup Library files cannot be deleted
or overwritten.
1. Hold the Command (Mac)/Control (PC) key down.
2. Click-and-hold the Load button to see the pop-up menu.
3. While still holding the Command/Control key, select the preset or setup to delete.
4. A confirmation box will appear, allowing you to cancel or ‘OK’ the deletion.
A/B Comparison and Copying
The Setup A/Setup B button may be clicked to compare two settings. If you load a preset
in the Setup B position, t
his will not affect the preset loaded into the Setup A position,
and vice-versa.
If you want to slightly modify the settings in Setup A, you can copy them t
o Setup B by
clicking on the Copy to B button, then alter Setup A and compare with the original Setup
B.
The name of the current setup will be shown in the title bar (on platforms which support
m
it), and will switch as you change fro
Setup A to Setup B.
Note: an asterisk will be added to the preset name when a change is made to the preset.
4.3 Interface Controls
Controls can be in one of three states:
• Not Selected where the control is not the target of any user entry
• Selected where the con
• Selected and Active where the control is the tar
keyboard entry
Toggle Buttons
Toggle buttons display the state of a control, and allow switching between two or more
states.
Sing
le-click to change the control’s state. Some toggle buttons have a text
display which updates with the current setting, and others (bypass, solo, or monitoring
toggles) illuminate when the control is active.
Some processors have l
ink buttons between a pair of toggle buttons, allowing click-
and-drag adjustment while retaining t
trol is the target of mouse control entry only
get for both mouse and
he offset between the controls.
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Value Window Buttons
Value windows display the value of a control and allow click-and-drag
adjustment, or
direct control via the keyboard.
• Using the mouse, click-and-drag on the value window to adjust. Some value
windows support left/right, some up/down (as you hover over a button, arrows
will appear to let you know which direction of movement that button supports).
• Using the arrow
s, click once with mouse to select the button, and then use
key
up/down – left/right (depending on the direction supported by that button) to
move in the smallest incremental steps across the button’s range (holding down
the arrow keys will move faster through the range).
• Using key
entry, double click on the button to open the value window, and
directly enter the value from your keyboard. If you enter an out of range number,
the button stays selected but remains at the current setting (system beeps? If
system sounds are on?)
Some processors have l
and-drag adjustment while retaining t
ink buttons between a pair of value windows, allowing click-
he offset between the controls.
Sliders
Click on the slider itself or anywhere within the sliders track. T
slider sett
ings is displayed in a hover window above the slider path.
he numerical value of the
Hover Box
Hovering boxes will appear and display the control value when hovering with the mouse
over the control.
TAB Functions
TAB moves the ‘selected’ status to the next control, with shift-TAB moving in the reverse
direction.
Additionally, the Mac has an option-TAB function for ‘down’ movement and shift-optionTAB for ‘up’ move
where applicable.
ment
If you have several Value Window Buttons selected, TAB functions will take you through
the selected controls on
ly.
Hitting Esc or Return will return the 'focus' to the DAW application.
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4.4 Waves Preferences (Pro Tools only)
When launching Pro Tools, hold Shift to view the Waves plug-in Preferences window.
The following options ar
• Don't use AudioSuite plug-ins
• Dont use RTAS plug-ins
• Rescan all plug-ins
• HUI control surfaces support (low res)
• Enable single-click text entry
e available:
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