Creating Plugin Chains with the New Waves StudioRack

Learn how to build creative plugin chains with the new Waves StudioRack plugin chainer, and how to create your own ‘custom plugins’ with StudioRack’s new Macros. Tutorial with Grammy-winning producer/mixer Dave Darlington. Download StudioRack FREE: www.waves.com/studiorack
(0:47) StudioRack Overview
(2:09) Multiband Racks
(4:34) Parallel Processing Racks
(5:30) Using the Macros to create ‘custom plugins’
(7:52) Building a Vocal Chain

[@ReidStefanMusic]

This plug-in will be industry standard. I’m sure other brands will soon partner with waves to be supported in studiorack 👌🏻

[@Len_M.]

What Plugins would you recommend for the "Two free" deal if I bought the Horizon Bundle?

[@WW-1995]

This is everything you need to your creativity process but if you can't use any vst plugins then it just sucks. No one wants to have limitations on what you can use

[@applecrazy1]

Yes please!!!

[@Harsh9969]

Bro you are genius 😧🔥

[@johanwagner6750]

I have alot of waves plugins and they sound pretty good. This rack seems to be nice. But please change the system of update plans. Some plugins did not change for years and still have bugs (f.i. Mondo mod. If you turn off the parameter at the right side, there is a noticeable latency). So I don't like to pay for a product twice if I bought it once as a full version, and if there are almost no bug fixes, it's even worse to me. 😊 Greets

[@luminousswan560]

This is in the "game changer" category for me. Thank you WAVES for taking your product line to the next level. This makes the 'desert island' choice of plugin brands a no brainer ...

[@luminousswan560]

@@bluematrix5001 I'll check it out and see what you're on about ...

[@luminousswan560]

@@bluematrix5001 Ahhh, yes Orange Matrix, you meant Blue Cat; apparently you are as color blind as I am slow. I checked out Blue Cat's version when it first arrived on the scene but it costs $129 where as for a mere zero dollars the Studio Rack is indeed a game changer for those who own a passel of WAVES' amazing plugins. Although, Blue Cat's version does delve into the realm of inter-plugin communications like iZotope's Neutron and WAVES' CLA-MixHub ...

[@JuicemanGravy]

I would have paid for this plugin. Waves making it free for us is absolutely amazing! I'm so thankful and happy you guys decided to give this to us.

[@KeshCGY]

First, I'm going to thank Dave for his super clear explanation, he gets a 10/10 when teaching/explaining in my opinion -plus he is always down to earth and humble. Second, I have to say that I'm on the side of "I really like this plugin". Yes, I use Reaper, and I save FX chains to reuse them. When reusing chains I will go in detail over the parameters of each plugin to make sure they are ok for the program being worked on -but it normally is only light adjustments as I tend to work on the same type of material (voice overs, sound for video). I haven't used StudioRack yet, but just by watching the video I think it is going to be very useful for me. Already downloaded it, and heck, it is free. Yeah, I hate the Waves update plan (I do have a LOT of Waves plugins) as much as the next guy -but I do use many of their plugins and to be fair many are really good and they do give free stuff to customers sometimes. They have really good deals if you are patient enough to wait for them -a bit of a hassle admittedly. StudioRack looks great. I love having all in one nice interface. To me, the FX dialog box in Reaper is not that attractive; it is simple and it really works great, but (and pardon me, this is going to be subjective) it is not very good looking or super efficient for clicks like the rest of Reaper's interface. Anyways, love StudioRack's ability to split bands too. Although I already have multiband compressors, it is nice to be able to use any of the other compressors or effects right here. This can be done with Reaper splitters but it kind of looks easier here in StudioRack, doesn't it? The parallel processing is also really nice because it is all in one place (see the other video from Dave where he looks at the parallel splitting in more detail). One can do that in Reaper but I think StudioRack will save me from creating more tracks to do the parallel processing, or am I missing something? ----Thanks again to Dave for these videos!

[@AdamAarts]

Doing voice over work and having the same mic, room, person, etc over and over, this will be awesome to have the whole chain saved even if I have to go to premiere or another program to edit the audio

[@studio4942]

Studio One already has this built in the individual channel strips including the master. You can save the chains with any of the plugins inserted native and third party.

[@brennyC]

exactly

[@lukebenz5522]

Macros too. S1 is the best DAW out there right now.

[@MarkTiarra]

I love Waves plugins, but I didn't understand this one for the same reason as you mention, I can save chains in Cubase or Reaper and it's all brands of plugins then.

[@1touchproduction]

+1 Studio one

[@AizenIPlannedIt]

pretty sure most daws have this, especially the production focused ones.

[@BorisDiRocco]

Thanks so much Dave about the tutorial, StudioRack is amazing to be only a plugin

[@teckno_senpai]

SR is seriously amazing. been using it for a month now and man. cant stop wont stop

[@Alejandro60835]

I love The way you demonstrate how to use Waves Plug-ins or just seeing how you mix in general. I like watching your videos thank you!!

[@lamontdavis7014]

My Man Dave! I learn so much watching his Waves demonstration videos.

[@avasound]

Thanks Waves Audio team!

[@PhenomDaDON]

Once they let you use ANY plugin in the Studio Rack....IM ALL THE WAY IN!!!

[@MarkYeeDaMajor]

Damn this just answered my question. Thanks.

[@doublewei]

@@MarkYeeDaMajor BlueCat Patchworks or Metaplugin!!!

[@RaduJon]

Double Wei I agree, I use BlueCat myself for the very same reason.. but they always say about being careful when using a band splitter, and maybe I’m asking too much from the BlueCat and the result isn’t as dreamy as I’d like for it to be. On that note, Studio One lets you do your dream plugins within the frequency bands you choose, and the multi band splitter in there is legit, you won’t notice abrupt changes in the overall sound when using it. Perhaps Logic and the other guys should follow the example of Studio One. It’s a great technique using your favorite plugin within the specific frequency band you want to use it in. Waves should open up to everyone, or else we’ll keep using BlueCat and always look across the shoulder to see if people notice the abrupt Multiband split we just did 😳

[@ZozillaThaGreat]

Kudos to waves , simple concept , super powerfull update ..... Great move !! Would love to see mini pics of processors also !! like on the old one ....

[@cleverdood]

This looks very cool, especially the macros and multi band and parallel splitting. I think you could do most of what this does with saving channel strip templates and using CLA mix hub, which lets you chain any plugin, but the multi band splitting and macros would be really helpful.

[@mennovroom5537]

Best plugin of the year. I realy love it. Great work! (Suggestions; unity gain knob, a vst/au wrapper, oversampling.)

[@roycephantom8563]

When I'm mixing vocals, my rack is very similar however, I EQ first, then if necessary I remove any unwanted harshness with Manny Triple D, THEN thirdly is when I implement tuning. From there I compress and I used to use the same compressor is you do, however I've found that the waves butch vig vocal plug-in is a great all around plug-in which allows you to dial in vocals and really give them everything you need for wide range of vocal styling and applications.. But my point is that the compression knob in the butch vig plug-in is a great alternative to the compressor you recommended in your personal vocal mixing rack. Try it out if you haven't already. Excellent video.

[@jonathanstephensmusic]

Great video! So many possibilities with this rack.

[@BigMuff75]

Pretty neat tool, love the multiband option.

[@caml4741]

2:06 that feature is epic. You guys just opened the door for even more creativity. I have it downloaded, but unnfortunately my laptop doesn't meet V11's system requirements.

[@rasamerlock4042]

Thanks again Waves this is a very great gift. Great video as well.

[@ErickT_MX]

Inspired on FL Studio's Patcher, Studio One's Splitter and Ableton's Audio Rack? Nice! I think this is a game changer in terms of you can share one only little preset and open in every single DAW. Plus little functions like stereo width per band makes things easier.

[@humbleprogress1226]

check out blue cat audio patchwork. This has been around forever. Took them a long time to implement this.

[@wadewilliams1892]

Waves really is about the people - to give such a detailed plugin to us for free is phenomenal. For instance I’ve just finished a degree at Point Blank Music School (sponsored by waves) and this pushes the boundaries of everything we learnt. Amazing.

[@nelsonstarr5356]

This is really cool for those of us that have tons of Waves plugins and know them like the back of our hand (I probably too often fall back on these old favorites). I am excited to incorporate this new rack and it will be very helpful as well as creative. My only question mark is, as usual, what about the concept of Mid/Side? Waves, in general, is in a sort of odd denial about the concept and the efficacy of Mid/Side techniques. I've never been sure why exactly--except that their plugins, on the whole, are still on the "older" side--and are well-deserved classics that debuted prior to the Mid/Side feature being popularized in many plugins (i.e.-Brainworx)! Mid/Side is now almost ubiquitous, however. It's not an oddity but something that is, at this point, frankly expected. The irony is that this new "rack" introduces the perfect opportunity for Waves to finally acknowledge and rectify this obvious deficit and to embrace the undeniable power--and practicality--of Mid/Side techniques, especially on groups, stems and mastering applications. I have yet to download this free product or fully check it out, but I have not heard a peep about M/S being one of the available features or uses. For instance, Waves could easily take whatever plugins are currently in the rack so far and then introduce an M and S track each on the side of the original chain (I forget the terminology Waves uses for these add-ons)--again, one track would be MId and one track would be Side. If this has been done, or is a preset, that's lovely (and I apologize for missing it). If not, I cannot for the life of me understand why this opportunity has been missed. This would be a giant oversight by Waves. This is easily the one (and perhaps, only) concept that has been almost suspiciously absent from most (or is it all?) Waves plugins, so far. They almost seem to reject the idea of it. Why? I am a Waves fan and supporter...not a hater. Their stuff is so easy to use and get great results. It would be really welcome to finally surmount this final frontier of spatial control that has been hereby neglected. This StudioRack plugin was an incredibly ripe opportunity to finally address this gaping hole and to finally allow ALL Waves plugins to easily operate in Mid/Side when placed within the rack. Have they done this?? If not...wow!?

[@michaelbayron]

This is actually very awesome! Hopefully I can use this with other plugins too!

[@wadewilliams1892]

If you think about what you can really do, what this really means, and what’s really possible, it’s really amazing. I won’t say which but there can be some devastating macro controlled combinations.

[@AnasAlsayedStudio]

This cool but what makes it not that promising is that it is for only waves plugins so I can’t combine it with my favorite non waves plugins

[@mytube.1]

its actually open for any plugin developer to use. some of PA stuff works with it (well at least the old version, will check it on this new version later)

[@waves]

@@mytube.1 StudioRack v11 supports 64-bit plugins only, and therefore does not currently support any third-party plugins. 32-bit SoundGrid-compatible plugins by other manufacturers will be supported in the future, pending the manufacturers’ schedule.

[@ChallisKelvin]

@@waves kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJKZg6aMaLxoZqM

[@harshverma7531]

Ableton already does the same, and even better with unlimited chain setup for 3rd party plugins, all in within the clean, minimal and unobstructed view. That multiband split mode is cool though!

[@tomlewis5706]

The Multiband split is HUGE, and the flow is so easy, it's addictive! Also, the ability to share plugin chains with collaborators who use other DAWs, is perfect for my needs!

[@brianlespoir6287]

Let it use all plugins, not only all the waves plugins.

[@usuarioprofessional6132]

The best company on the planet

[@MrBassdog]

Game changer !!!!💯💯💯

[@conrow1157]

What if for example I need to bounce the wet reverb signal from parallel split strip 4 for stems mixing? How do I get the 100% wet signal? Just tapping solo and bounce? I think that you alway get some infos from the dry signal or not? Thanks

[@mekullag]

Oh hey, it‘s the ableton effect rack!

[@Official.Mavric]

Very true

[@tomlewis5706]

@@Official.Mavric It's so much more than that, and also much more comfortable if you ask me. The super-easy multiband processing chain is genius! Also, the ability to set the macro rang makes it easy to create complex and accurate knob behaviors. But, to top this all, loading the same plugin chains on different DAWS is A big game-changer for me.

[@DeathDeserter]

Lol!!! 🤣

[@hellohello-rd1vr]

@@tomlewis5706 the ableton effects rack supports all 3rd party plugins this supports waves only. Ableton effects rack wins.

[@pablocerda234]

I really hope soon we can make it work with other plug ins or even instruments that would be awsome in synths, its pretty great tho

[@robbarooo]

Does it still support soundgrid sever cpu for low latency.. Or does v11 basically screw us out of the money spent for waves servers in the studio?

[@gobrad]

Why can’t we use this live?… LV1 by waves would be great!!!

[@dafingaz]

Nice any way we can get or buy the presets?

[@lamontdavis7014]

I love it..!Can't wait to start using it..

[@SKYHXGH]

Awesome work Bravo!

[@JanooProductions]

this is a game changer, nice!

[@wayhighermusic]

Hi. When will this be updated to v13.0? Thanks.

[@tuxievous420]

Can I put my Izotope and Fabfilters plug-ins inside? Or is this a one man wife beater show??

[@gabet3754]

Just waves

[@tuxievous420]

Gabe T it’s a sausage fest then :c

[@snappi3918]

I have a question it only shows 2 lighting up bars when i have 6 plugins

[@brianmartin6729]

I don't understand why this very cool plug in doesn't have an overall mix knob?!?!? Yes, I know that I can create parallel chains as I like. BUT (!), when I step through the presets, it would be so nice to blend the whole preset in. And there is no easy way to do this. This is my absolute wish no 1 for an update!

[@DrGrooveBeat]

Just create a linked macro.

[@brianmartin6729]

​@@DrGrooveBeat Yes its no problem to create a Mixknob in studio rack, but thats not the point I often want to go through the presets and want to hear some of them in parallel in this case it makes no senesce to create a mixkob every time i open a new preset. an over all mixknob is a must have. Its wired that this tool doesn't have one.

[@SanderBastiaans]

Does this plugin help to decrease cpu usage of your daw?

[@nanayawasare1]

If you have the old rack preset, can you load it up in the new rack?

[@VAAS030]

Hey, need some help guys! I downloaded and installed the StudioRack but when i opened it, it was just the old grey colored channel strip, not this new version?!

[@superwassou]

Reaper does it with any VST for so long

[@grandstudio9d]

How do I make it native to work in studio one don't have the soundgrid box

[@InaktiverUser]

Is there a way to have More than 8 insert effects? Cause my main vocal Chain contains 14 plugins and i Want to have all in Studiorack so i can Save my Chain

[@waves]

Hi @InaktiveUser, StudioRack can only provide 8 insert slots per chain. That said, using a Parallel Split you can load up to 8 additional parallel racks (8 plugins per rack).

[@InaktiverUser]

@@waves but in a parallel split they would be acting other than normakl inserts right? they behave more like sends?

[@jamludentertainment]

Is it backward compatible.... can I pull up my old template and work from there?

[@Angel-ri1jl]

🔥🔥🔥

[@christiancanalita6487]

Is there a difference on CPU using the rack?

[@maverickturner8699]

I'm very interested to know as well, because this seems like the VMR from slate. I just looks terrible

[@huckwalton2307]

Game changer.

[@Steger13]

sounds great. thanks

[@FVDaudio]

A multiband vocal rider!! O.O

[@goddygoddyproductions4976]

Can you make a free vocal chain for studio rack please

[@digitaldiezel5870]

Is there a dedicated hardware controller for this?

[@waves]

There aren't any dedicated controllers for StudioRack. However, any MIDI controller that works with your DAW will do as it works just like any other plugin in that regard.

[@ingeiden]

Is it possible to load my own presets when I use the Studio Rack ? Tha function (if it exists) does not seem to work.

[@waves]

Hi there, if you are running into technical difficulties, our tech support department is open 7 days a week and will be more than glad to assist. Please contact us directly: www.waves.com/contact-us

[@ingeiden]

@@waves I checked you website, there was no answer to my question. I have made my own presets in various plugins, but they will not load when I add the plugins to Studio Rack.

[@jamalommblackink2809]

can somebody help me my studiorack cant show the waves plugins after i scanned for the vst plugins

[@waves]

Hi there, our tech support department is open 7 days a week and will be more than glad to assist. Please contact us directly: www.waves.com/contact-us

[@MarlyMarlz]

Nice!

[@twelvemonkeys58]

Ummm, you can do this kind of stuff in SO3 and ableton with ANY vst2/vst3 plugin.

[@casualintrovert207]

....not everyone uses ableton

[@ayoslimthaproducer4828]

It's a great plugins but it kills cpu... the slate vmr doesn't use as much cpu as this

[@akrazie]

If you use ableton this was already possible true the DAW but its a nice feature ofcuorse for daws where this is not possible

[@nikosarkomanis]

amazing!

[@FluxriderTV]

Useful👍

[@mytube.1]

good job waves, i honestly thought they were gonna let studio rack and dls/dli servers fall to the waste side

[@kanyekubrick5391]

Does it eat up CPU

[@MOLEMBOY]

thanks :)

[@marceloribeirosimoes8959]

Does it runs not Waves plugins???????

[@waves]

Hi there, currently, it only runs Waves plug-ins.

[@FVDaudio]

A multiband fx sends !! O.O

[@martinburns328]

This plugin is extremely dark on my system and the Wells plugins will not work at all!

[@j.v.1493]

I dont really see the advantage to putting them as inserts or FX tracks and just doing this right in my DAW, having direkt access?! You can also save a bunch of inserts as a chanel preset.

[@JesusRuiz-nz5qv]

oh it's Blue Cat's MB-7

[@8bit_misfit]

🤯

[@DJ_Rain_305]

I would buy this if it worked with all plugins.

[@martinburns328]

Looks like your taking some things from Studio One...

[@brennyC]

exactly

[@1touchproduction]

Yes I seen this concept in studio one already.

[@salmonella4u]

Okay now, Waves is up to speed and updated on StudioRack and eMotion, as well as SuperRack to use. But Waves should develop their own DAW, from the ground up, so that all of these can work seamlessly and effortlessly in the studio. No need for Pro Tools, Ableton or all the rest of them. Everything, all Waves based and ran! That would be fantastic! I'd pay for it, even if it costed around the same as the other established DAWs. How about it, folks and Waves?! Is it doable. This is a request on everyone's behalf. 🙏🙏🙏😇😬

[@humbleprogress1226]

cool idea, but why create a daw locked down to waves? lol. That's gonna suck when you want to use a super cool EQ like fabfilter or just a third party synth/effect and realize you can't load it in.

[@salmonella4u]

@@humbleprogress1226 Good point. So, yeah, that being part of the request for a Waves DAW, would be if they would allow 3rd party plugins. But apparently they allow 64 bit plugins to be added. So I don't know what the odds are out there for other various 3rd party plugins, as being 64 bit. I also use IK products. I don't know readily if there's may be 64 bit or not. If Waves developed a DAW that would accept all the plugins and features that everyone enjoys, they could truly be KING! possibly. just sayin'. ;)

[@WW-1995]

This looks very interesting but if you cannot load 3rd party plugins it's just useless.

[@weareparkerful]

Cant put my slate plug ins in here. ..smh

[@humbleprogress1226]

check out blue cat audio patchwork. Allows 3rd party plugins. Same concept.

[@treyla502]

THIS IS LIKE PATCHER IN FL BUT..FOR WAVES/DAW..COMBO..ON ROIDS

[@Coggler101010]

I have patcher in fl studio for this. Call me when it let's you use all plugins.

[@Prodby_duke]

Tru that. But if your mixing in Fl studio,u could load the waves rack, add whatever plugins from that, then use the remaining 7-8 slots on that channel for other plugins. It’ll have to do for now 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@NishantRastogi]

So now everyone is copying Ableton workflow, Logic 10.5 session view and Now Waves Effects Rack. Wow 😊 @ableton #ableton

[@Dr.Jekyll]

Some say this does more. Is adding to ir improving the same as copying? Is using Ableton the same as copying acoustic instruments? How far do you want me to take this before you eat crow?

[@BigDancin]

I get the convenience of saving chains and using them across DAWs if you work in multiple DAWs. For most of us, though, we spend our time in one DAW and most if not all major DAWs allow you to save plug-in chains. So then you say, well, "I get macros!" But to me (and everyone is different), that looks like a good way to get lost in what your doing to your sound and apply things that worked well on one track to ruin another track. Vocal tracks differ in the source material with different mics, singers, levels, and it seems too lazy and dangerous to me to port over specific eq or compression ranges and settings to different material. Yes, you get your favorite plugins called up which saves time, but again you can do that in the DAW and wouldn't someone who really cares still walk through their 6 or eight plugins and conform them to the mix they are doing anyway (and not just trust that what worked on the last track will work on a new one)? I love innovation, but Waves is at its best when it is creating plugins to solve problems people actually have, and they have certainly done lots of that well. I just don't see it with this one.

[@sashakurdyakov1929]

Пожалуйста,сделайте русские субтитры

[@Paulkruz1]

Waves stop this and make a distressor

[@casualintrovert207]

I'm not mad about this, but YES! I would love to see a distressor emulation from waves.

[@Paulkruz1]

@@casualintrovert207 Thank you

[@adieltm]

and a manley passive eq

[@tootory9506]

My-Space Did this back in 2004 bla bla blah

[@mikezietsman6044]

Dissapointed that they didn’t include a ‘WUP’ button that plays a loop of a voiceover screaming ‘WE DONT SELL PLUGINS WE RENT THEM’

[@zakkzahariev4637]

The only use I find for this is if you say they act "as one plugin" and they consume less CPU power. Other than that, pretty useless.

[@serkandemirhanofficial]

I hate people when they make a tutorial video without showing the mouse cursor. So much annoying !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@hansbronto]

Useless as it only supports Waves plug-ins. Please change that.

[@curtischarles5299]

i rather pay a small fee to have it use NON WAVES PLUGINS. 99% of waves customers, i'm sure don't use waves plugins ONLY. this is where YOU WAVES limits the plugin. You have to come to terms with the fact that people won't use your plugins only. it's better you sell it for $29 or something because it's free anyway. people wont buy your plugins because they want to use studio rack.

[@brennyC]

StudioOne has it as in-built