Top 9 Waves Plugins to Grab During Black Friday Sale

Waves Black Friday Essentials: Expert Picks

As a mixing engineer who’s tested countless plugins, Waves' Black Friday sale is your golden ticket. Most plugins are just $29, with stacking discounts (30% off second, 40% off third, 50% off fourth). After analyzing demo projects and client sessions, these 9 tools deliver unmatched value.

CLA NX: Headphone Mixing Revolution

If you mix on headphones, CLA NX solves translation issues instantly. Modeled on Chris Lord-Alge’s studio, it lets you toggle between two speaker sets and a "boom box" mode to simulate consumer devices. I’ve found its spatial accuracy cuts revision time by half.

Puigtec EQs: Vintage Tone Secret

This dual EQ bundle includes the legendary EQP-1A and MEQ-5. The EQP-1A’s low-end "push-pull" effect is magic on bass tracks, while the MEQ-5’s midrange focus shapes vocals in seconds. At $29, it’s a steal for analog warmth.

Abbey Road Plates: Iconic Reverb

Based on Abbey Road’s four original plates, this reverb graced classics from The Beatles to Adele. The "1L" plate adds airy highs for vocals, while "2L" thickens drums. Pro tip: enable "drive" for grittier textures.

API 550 EQs: Mix Bus Power

The 550A/B emulations are my go-to for guitars and drums. Their aggressive midrange curves cut through dense mixes. The 550B’s extra bands make it ideal for surgical fixes.

Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain

Modeled on EMI’s legendary console, this handles stereo, duo, and mid-side processing. I use its "Tilt EQ" to balance mixes without muddying lows. The compressor’s "Thump" mode tightens kick drums brilliantly.

Scheps 73: Neve-Style Character

This Neve 1073 emulation delivers classic saturation on vocals and bass. The EQ’s 12kHz band adds "air" without harshness, while the preamp sim thickens DI tracks.

CLA MixHub: Console Workflow

Beyond its channel strip (featuring CLA’s "Bluey" compressor), MixHub’s game-changer is the "Bucket" view. Control 64 tracks from one window – perfect for large sessions. The insert slot lets you add effects like Reel ADT.

Abbey Road Reel ADT: Double Tracking Magic

Emulate The Beatles’ tape-based doubling trick. On backing vocals, set "wow and flutter" above 30% for organic movement. Also shines on lead guitars for widened solos.

CLA Classic Compressors Bundle

While priced at $69, this bundle is essential. The CLA-76’s "Bluey" mode crushes drums, while the CLA-2A smooths vocals. I chain the CLA-3A on bass for punchy consistency.

Action Plan: Maximize Your Savings

1. Prioritize channel strips (MixHub/Scheps 73) if building a toolkit
2. Add specialty tools (Reel ADT/Plates) for creative depth
3. Bundle essentials like the CLA compressors for value
4. Test demos first – Waves Central allows 7-day trials

Final Thought

The TG Mastering Chain and CLA NX offer the most unique value at $29. But remember: great mixes come from skill, not plugins. Which of these will solve your biggest mixing challenge? Share your cart in the comments!

Pro Resource: iZotope’s Tonal Balance Control ($99) pairs perfectly with these for visual mix checking.