Waves Diamond Bundle
 

Overview

Waves Diamond is a large bundle of audio tools for your mixing, mastering, effects, and audio repair capabilities. Many of the plugins have names that don't say what they do (MV2, PAZ, Trans-X, Q-Clone), so this guide groups every plugin by its job.

You'll find the plugins in your DAW's plugin menu under Waves. Most work in mono and stereo, and many come in several versions (for example, "Mono", "Stereo", or "Mono/Stereo") — pick the one that matches your track.

Easy Find Guide

EQ and Filters

EQs boost or cut specific frequencies to shape a sound's tone. Filters remove everything above or below a set point.

 

• Renaissance Equalizer - Clean, easy all-purpose EQ (Great first choice for most people, and easy to view and understand the frequencies)
  
   

  

• Q10 Equalizer - Precise 10-band EQ for detailed, surgical fixes
   

  

• Linear Phase EQ - EQ that doesn't shift timing between frequencies (Best for mastering)
   

  

• PuigTec EQs - Vintage tube EQ emulations (Pultec style) for smooth, warm, harmonic musical boosts
   

  

• V-EQ3 / V-EQ4 - Vintage console EQ emulations with a warm character
   

  

• eMo Q4 Equalizer - Modern 4-band EQ with a simple layout
  
   

  

• eMo F2 Filter - Clean high-pass and low-pass filters (Remove rumble/Low Frequency or Harsh Highs/High Frequency)
   

  

• OneKnob Filter - One-knob sweeping filter for quick creative work
  
  
   

Compressors 

Compressors turn down the loud parts of a sound so the volume is more even. 

• Renaissance Compressor - Smooth, easy all-purpose compressor (Easy to use and a great choice)
   

  

• C1 Compressor - Compressor, gate, and sidechain in one. (Great for Visual Represntation of the Process)
   

  

• H-Comp Hybrid Compressor - Compressor with a punchy, analog-style character (Great for Music)
   

  

• V-Comp - Vintage console compressor emulation (Great for Music)
   

  

• Renaissance Axx - Simple compressor made more for guitars
   

  

• MV2 - Two-knob tool that brings up quiet parts and turns down loud parts (Easy leveling)

Multiband Compressors (compress only part of the frequency range)

Multiband compressors split the sound into frequency ranges (lows, mids, highs) and compress each one separately. Use them when only part of a sound is a problem, like a boomy low end.

• C4 Multiband Compressor - Splits the sound into 4 bands you can compress (Control thick low end separately without touching higher frequencies)
  
   

Transient Shapers 

Transient shapers change how hard the start (attack) of a sound hits and how long it rings out (sustain). They can be used to make drums punchier or softer.

• Smack Attack - Adjust the Attack and Sustain of your Audio. (Best for Music) (Can make drum hits punchier or softer)
   

  

• Trans-X - Boost or soften the attack of your audio (Best for Music like Drums and Percussion)
   

  

• OneKnob Pumper - One-knob pumping/sidechain effect (best for Music) (Similar to sidechain compression from a kick drum)
  
   

Channel Strips (EQ, compressor, and gate in one plugin)

Channel strips combine an EQ, compressor, and gate in one plugin, like a channel on a mixing console. They’re a quick way to treat a whole track with one plugin.

• Renaissance Channel - Full channel strip with EQ, compressor, and gate all in one. (Perfect for Straight forward Audio Mixing and Adjustment)
   

  

• AudioTrack - Simple channel strip with EQ, compressor, and gate all in one
   

  

• Eddie Kramer Drum Channel - Preset-based channel strip made for drums. Assists with compression and saturation of the audio
  
  
   

Limiters, Mastering, and Loudness

Limiters (Waves calls them "maximizers") stop the audio from going over a set ceiling so you can make it louder without clipping. These usually go last on a mix or master.

• L1 Ultramaximizer - The original Waves limiter; simple and fast
   

  

• L2 Ultramaximizer - Classic, easy limiter for making a mix louder (Great first choice)
   

  

• L3 Ultramaximizer - More advanced limiter that handles loud masters more cleanly
   

  

• L3 Multimaximizer - Multiband version of L3, so you can control how each frequency range is limited
   

  

• L3-LL Ultramaximizer / L3-LL Multimaximizer - Low-latency versions of L3 ("LL" = Low Latency), for use while recording or live
   

  

• MaxxVolume - All-in-one leveler, compressor, and limiter (Good for evening out dialogue or podcasts)
   

  

• Spherix Immersive Compressor & Limiter - Compressor and limiter for surround and Dolby Atmos mixes (Perfect for Surround Sound Final Mixes)
   

  

• WLM Plus Loudness Meter - Measures loudness (LUFS) so you can hit delivery standards for final mix and distribution
  
  
  
   

Reverb

Reverb adds the sound of a space, like a room, hall, or plate, around a track. It helps sounds feel natural and blend together in a mix.


 

• Renaissance Reverb - Smooth, easy all-purpose reverb (Great first choice)
   

  

• TrueVerb - Reverb that simulates a real room, with adjustments for room size and distance
   

  

• IR-L Convolution Reverb - Uses recordings (impulse responses) of real spaces for very realistic reverb
   

  

• Magma Springs - Vintage spring reverb, like the reverb in a guitar amp (Great for Music)
   

  

• Lofi Space - Gritty, lo-fi reverb and delay for creative effects
  
  
  
   

Delay and Echo

Delays repeat a sound after a set amount of time to create echoes. Many can sync to your session’s tempo so the repeats stay in time with the music.

• H-Delay Hybrid Delay - Easy & unique delay that can sync to your song's tempo or beyond (Great first choice)
   

  

• SuperTap - Multi-tap delay for complex, rhythmic echoes. Allows for more control over the effects and various delay locations (Great for Music)

Modulation (effects that move or sweep over time)

Modulation effects change a sound over time by sweeping, wobbling, or moving it. Use them for movement and creative sound design, like flangers, vocoders, or fly-by effects.

• MetaFlanger - Standered Flanger and phaser effects
  
   

  

• MondoMod - Wobbly effects that move pitch, volume, and stereo position (Great for Sound Design)
   

  

• Enigma - Experimental, swirling modulation effect (Great for sound design)
   

  

• Doppler - Create motion with your audio. Recreates the pitch and volume change of something passing by (Car or plane fly-bys)(Great for Sound Design)
   

  

• Morphoder - Vocoder that makes a voice sound robotic or synth-like (Great for Music)

Saturation, Warmth, and Tone

These plugins add harmonics, grit, or analog-style color to make a sound feel warmer, fuller, or more present. Use a little for subtle character, or a lot for distortion and lo-fi effects.

• Cobalt Saphira - Adds harmonics to make a mix or track sound bigger, wider, and clearer
   

  

• Vitamin Sonic Enhancer - Adds brightness, punch, and width across different frequency ranges
  
   

• Greg Wells ToneCentric - One-knob warmth and analog color
   

  

• Greg Wells PianoCentric - One-knob tone shaping made for piano
   

  

• OneKnob Driver - One-knob distortion and grit
   

  

• Retro Fi - Makes audio sound old or lo-fi (tape, vinyl, radio)
   

Guitar

The GTR3 plugins recreate guitar amps and effects pedals, so you can record a guitar straight into your interface and shape its tone in the DAW. They also include a tuner.

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• GTR3 Amps - Guitar amp simulations
   

  

• GTR3 Stomps - Guitar pedal effects
   

  

• GTR3 ToolRack - Combine GTR3 amps and pedals in one rack
   

  

• GTR3 Tuner - Guitar tuner
  
  
   

Pitch and Time

These tools correct or change the pitch of a recording, change its length, or make it sound like several takes. Use them for tuning vocals, creating harmonies, or fitting audio to a new tempo.

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• Waves Tune LT - Automatic pitch correction for vocals (Auto-Tune style)
   

  

• UltraPitch - Pitch shifter that can also create harmonies
   

  

• SoundShifter - Changes pitch or length (time stretch) of audio, separately or together
   

  

• Doubler - Makes one vocal or instrument sound like two or more takes
   

  

• Key Detector - Detects the musical key of a track

De-Essers (reduce harsh "S" and "SH" sounds)

De-essers turn down harsh “S” and “SH” sounds (sibilance) without affecting the rest of the vocal. They’re usually used on vocals and voiceover.

• Renaissance DeEsser - Easy de-esser (Great first choice)
   

  

• DeEsser - Classic Waves de-esser
  
   

  

• Sibilance - Modern de-esser that removes harsh "S" sounds very transparently
  
  
   

Vocal Cleanup and Mixing

These are quick, all-in-one tools for getting a vocal or acoustic track to sound clean and mix-ready. They’re good when you want fast results without stacking several plugins. (Use RX12 Advanced if you need more control and tools.)

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• Renaissance Vox - Simple three-control vocal processor (compression, gate, and level)
   

  

• Manny Marroquin Triple D - Quick vocal cleanup: removes boxiness, harshness, and sibilance
   

  

• CLA Unplugged - Preset-based mixing tool for acoustic instruments and vocals
  
   

Audio Restoration and Noise Reduction

These plugins come from the Waves Restoration bundle. They remove unwanted noise from recordings.
 For heavier repair jobs, iZotope RX is also available on our systems.

• X-Noise - Helps removes steady background noise and hiss (Learns the noise, then removes it)
   

  

• Z-Noise - More advanced noise remover for noise that changes over time
   

  

• X-Hum - Helps removes electrical hum and buzz (60 Hz in the US)
   

  

• X-Click - Helps removes clicks and pops
   

  

• X-Crackle - Removes artifacts from vinyl crackle and small, constant clicks

Stereo Imaging

Stereo imaging tools control how wide or narrow a sound is between the left and right speakers. They can widen a mix, turn mono into stereo, or adjust the center separately from the sides.

• S1 Stereo Imager - Makes a stereo track wider or narrower
   

  

• PS22 Stereo Maker - Turns a mono track into stereo
   

  

• Center - Separates the center (vocals, kick, bass) from the sides of a stereo mix/file so you can adjust each

Bass Enhancement

Bass enhancers make low end fuller, or help bass come through on small speakers like phones and laptops. Some also add a deep sub-bass layer under a kick or bass.

• MaxxBass - Makes bass audible on small speakers and phones by adding upper harmonics
   

  

• Renaissance Bass - Simple Compressor; adds special overtones to bass tracks, tricking your brain into hearing deep, powerful low-end even on small speakers.
   

  

• Submarine - Adds a deep sub-bass layer underneath a track (Best for Bass and Kick Drums)
   

  

• LoAir - Creates extra low end and sub-bass (Great for movie and game effects)

Analysis and Metering

Analyzers and meters show you what’s happening in your audio, such as frequency balance, stereo width, and levels. They help you check by eye what your ears might miss.

• PAZ Analyzer - Shows frequency, stereo width, and levels so you can see what's in your mix

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• VU Meter - Classic analog-style volume meter

Sound Utility and Instruments

These are helper tools for specific jobs, like mixing on headphones or making test tones. This group also includes a virtual piano instrument that you play from a MIDI track.

• Nx Virtual Mix Room - Makes headphones sound like speakers in a room (Helpful for mixing on headphones)
   

  

• eMo Generator - Creates test tones and noise for checking and calibrating Equipment & Speakers
   

  

• Electric Grand 80 Piano - Virtual instrument of a classical electric grand piano (Load it on an instrument/MIDI track)

Understanding the Names

Many Waves plugin names are Strange for Sure. Knowing how they list themselves makes the plugin list much easier to read.

• Renaissance (R-) - Waves' easy, all-purpose series. If you're not sure which plugin to use, start with a Renaissance plugin.
• L1 / L2 / L3 - Limiters (maximizers). Higher number = newer and more advanced.
• "LL" - Low Latency. Use these while recording or performing live.
• "Linear Phase" - Doesn't change the timing between frequencies. Mostly used for mastering.
• "Multi" / C4 - Multiband: works on separate frequency ranges.
• X- / Z- - Restoration tools (X-Noise, X-Hum, X-Click, X-Crackle, Z-Noise).
• H- (H-Comp, H-Delay) - "Hybrid": modern plugins with an analog-style sound.
• V- (V-Comp, V-EQ) - "Vintage": emulations of classic console hardware.
• eMo - Simple, modern tools with clean layouts.
• OneKnob - One control does everything. Great for quick results.
• Names of people (CLA, Manny Marroquin, Greg Wells, Eddie Kramer) - Signature plugins designed with famous mix engineers and producers, usually with presets built around their sound.

For more details on any plugin, visit the Waves Diamond bundle page and click a plugin to open its manual.