Using Presets ................................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Stereo Mode and Stereo Controls Linking ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Common Controls .......................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Pre Module ................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Working with M/S .......................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Controls common to all modules ................................................................................................................................................... 29
Pre Module ................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
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A note from Andrew Scheps
Hello and welcome to the Scheps Omni Channel user guide! I’m really excited about this plugin, and so
is everyone at Waves. It took a lot of hard work to bring it to life, and I think the final product has not only
met, but exceeded, all of our expectations. The genesis of Scheps Omni Channel came from our desire
to fulfill the classic definition of a channel strip (EQ, Dynamics, and more—in one plugin), while giving the
user the sonic color options and flexibility that you get from mixing and matching equipment or plugins. The
real breakthrough came when we redefined “channel strip" to mean “everything you need to make your tracks
sound better, all in one easy-to-use unified interface.” We think Scheps Omni Channel lives up to that
definition, and then some!
Scheps Omni Channel is a powerful channel strip plugin that was developed in collaboration with multi-Grammy®winning mixing engineer Andrew Scheps. It’s made up of the kinds of tools that Andrew has used over the years to
craft the sound of his legendary mixes; tools that help get the mix done, and get it done really well. Scheps Omni
Channel is made up of five processing modules, an input/output section, and an insert point for an additional plugin.
All of these hold up on their own, but together they shine. This is not just a collection of useful, great-sounding
processors, nor is it just an artist signature plugin that delivers the taste and attitude of a specific engineer—It’s both.
The DS2 module works much like a de-esser: when sound at a specified frequency surpasses a threshold, gain is
reduced by a defined amount. DS2 differs from a de-esser in that any frequency can serve as the side band that
triggers the compressor. It can, of course, be used as a standard de-esser. There are two identical DS2 sections, so
that low-frequency and high-frequency sounds can be addressed simultaneously.
Filter type select
Selects shape of filter for sidechain detection.
Range: low shelf, bell, narrow cut, high shelf
Frequency
Sets the roll-off start point for a high-pass filter or the center frequency for the band-pass filter.
Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Threshold
Sets the processor’s engagement level.
The processor’s threshold uses adaptive sensing to provide more natural results.
Range: -48 dB to 0 dB
Sidechain listen
Click
to audition the sidechain filter.
Range: off or on
Hold Ctrl while moving the Frequency control vertically to audition the side band and sweep through
frequencies. This helps locate accurate frequency settings.
DS2 module output level adjust
Range -12 dB to +12 dB
Gain reduction meter
Indicates gain reduction imposed by the compressor.
Range: -12 dB to -3 dB (four steps)
Sidechain control access
Click on the SC button to access the DS2 Expanded view for sidechain control.
DS2 Expanded View
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The DS2 Expanded view co
nsists of four identical sections (two sections in the mono component) that are used to
control frequency and threshold independently for the left and right or mid and side channels in both DS2 sections,
and to set the filter types used for sidechain detection.
The External Sidechain button at the top of the window enables and
disables external sidechain for the entire DS2 module. All sections share
the same sidechain.
Independent DS2 module engage/bypass switches.
Independent Sidechain Filter select for the left and right channels of
both DS
Filter type
Range: low shelf, notch, bell, high shelf
Independent Sidechain Listen buttons
Select sidechain listen for the left and right channels of both processors.
The section’s signal is band limited to enable you to focus on a specific
side band. Main outs are muted and only sidechain is heard.
Frequency sweep
To precisely locate a sidechain frequency, hold Ctrl and drag vertically on a frequency control. This activates sidechain listen and
lets you sweep across frequencies.
2
sections.
Scheps Omni Channel / User Guide
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EQ Module
High section
High filter types:
Resonant shelf
This shelf adds a small emphasis just prior to the beginning and end of the shelf. Usually this results in a more aggressive
shelf.
Shelf
This standard shelf tends to be smoother, and lacks the “bump” of the resonant shelf. These two shelf types use a fixed Q
that’s part of the filter design. As a result, the Q control is not available. It’s very difficult to make generalizations about the
effect that a type of shelf will have on a sound. Experiment.
Gain
Adjusts the gain of the high-shelf filter.
Range: -18 dB to +18 dB
Frequency
Sets the frequency of the shelf filter.
Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Parametric
This is a bell-shaped EQ, and unlike the shelf filters, the Q control is available.
Q (parametric mode only)
Range: 0.2 to 10
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Bell-shaped EQs
There are two Bell EQ sections in the middle of module: Mid and Tone. Both have three shape options: Wide,
Narrow, and Parametric.
The Mid and Tone sections are identical in the Narrow and Parametric modes.
When the Wide bell shape is selected, the character of the two EQs diverges.
•Mid is a relatively wide, clean filter, best suited for enhancing the characteristic sound of the source.
•Tone is a bit narrower and can really help a source pop out of the track without too much EQ. Since it’s somewhat
smeary, it’s good for coloring and gluing a track together.
Mid and Tone Controls
Gain
Adjusts the gain of the bell.
Range: -18 dB to +18 dB
Frequency
Sets the center frequency of the bell filterl
Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
EQ filter type
Selects the shape of the bell filter.
Range: Wide, Narrow, Parametric (In the Parametric mode, the Q control is available for adjusting the width of
the bell.)
Q (parametric mode only)
Range: 0.2 to 10
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Low section
Gain
Adjusts the gain of the low-shelf filter.
Range: -18 dB to +18 dB
Frequency
Sets the frequency of the shelf filter. Hold Ctrl and drag vertically over the Frequency control to easily isolate a desired frequency.
Range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
The EQ module Collapsed and Expanded views are identical in functions and controls.
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Compressor Module
The Compressor module consists of three different compressor modes.
VCA is a modern-sounding compressor. It’s the most transparent of these three compressor types. Its
“feed-forward” processing can yield very fast attacks and there’s very little distortion. Because of this
design,
FET sounds slower than a VCA compressor due to its “feed backward” processing. It actually operates
more quickly than VCA, but it takes a bit longer to activate. There’s more distortion and color than in the
VCA compressor type, and it tends to be more “peaky.” There is compression in the sidechain.
The FET compressor can be used to create a deep, pumpy compression sound. Set Ratio between 20:1
and infinity:1. Start with a very slow attack and a fast release. Experiment with these time values, since
they can have an impressive effect on the sound.
OPT is based on photocell compressors. It’s the slowest and smoothest of these three compressors. It has
a long “memory” so it tends to be soft and quite rich. Because of its slower attack, transients are more
easily maintained. There is compression in the sidechain.
Range: three-positon radio switch
Threshold
Sets the compressor’s engagement level.
Range: -50 dB to 0 dB
Gain reduction meter
Shows the amount of gain reduction introduced by the compressor.
Range: -15 dB to -1 dB
there is no compression in the sidechain.
Ratio
Determines how hard the signal is compressed.
Range: 1:1 to infinity:1
Attack
Determines how quickly the compressor reacts to a signal.
Range: 0.4 ms to 150 ms
Release
Determines how fast the compressor reduces processing after the signal falls
below the threshold.
Range: 50 ms to 5000 ms
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Output mix ratio
Determines the wet/dry ratio of the compressor module output
Range: 0% to 100%
Compressor output level
Trims the output level of the compressor module
Range: -12 dB to +12 dB
Compressor sidechain adjust
Click on th
Sidechain filters
There are identical sidechain filter sections for left and right channels (mid and side in the M/S stereo mode). Use the Link button to
decouple left and right channels. Hold Ctrl and drag vertically over the Frequency control to easily isolate a desired frequency.
e SC button in the Collapsed view to open the Expanded view for sidechain adjustment.
Sidechain listen
Solos sidechain signal only.
side band frequencies.
Range: off or on
Click to lock. Hold Ctrl and drag to sweep across
Low-shelf filter
Filter active: (off or on)
Gain (range -18 dB to +18 dB)
Frequency (range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz)
Bell filter
Filter active: (off or on)
Gain (range -18 dB to +18 dB)
Frequency (range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz)
High pass filter
Filter active (off or on)
Frequency (range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz)
Scheps Omni Channel / User Guide
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Gate Module
GATE/EXP Select
Toggles between Gate and Expander modes.
Range: Gate or Expander
A gate, sometimes called a "noise gate,” is a downward expander with an extremely high ratio. When the
signal level reaches the threshold, the gate goes from "closed" (no signal passes through) to "open" (all of
the signal passes through). It's all or nothing, on or off.
An expander increases the dynamic range of the audio signal. Expanders are generally used to make
quiet sounds even quieter by reducing the level of an audio signal that falls below a set threshold level.
Threshold
Sets the Gate open and close level.
Range: -Infinity to 0 dB
Attenuation meter
Shows the gain reduction introduced by the gate.
Range: -60 dB to -6 dB
Floor
Sets maximum gain reduction. Floor limits the amount of gain reduction brought on by the gate. It can preserve
some “air” in the track.
Range: -60 dB to 0 dB
Close
This is a secondary close threshold. If Close is set to zero, the open and close threshold is unaffected. But if it is
set to any value other than zero, the Close value will determine the closing threshold. This value must be lower
than the Threshold for the Close function to take effect.
Attack
Determines how quickly the Gate opens.
Range: 0.1 ms to 10,000 ms
Release
Sets how fast the Gate closes (fades out) after the signal falls below Threshold.
Range: 0.1 ms to 10,000 ms
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Sidechain filters
Click on the SC button to open the Expanded view for sidechain adjustment. Hold Ctrl and drag vertically over the Frequency
control to easily isolate a desired frequency.
External sidechain On/Off
Range: off or on
HP/LP sidechain filters
HP Range 20 Hz to 15,000 Hz
LP Range: 20 Hz to 15,000 Hz
Link HP and LP filters
Allows you to keep the bandwidth between the HP and LP filters, but use either knob to sweep the frequency spectrum. This
essentially turns the HP and LP filters into a band pass filter.