C1 Compressor

“For me, the C1 is the perfect referee between two competing frequencies like the Moog-bass and kick drum. I use the side-chain to turn down the signal of the Moog based on the bang, punch or amplitude of the kick drum. Without the C1 side-chain functionality, the two low-end frequencies can become sonic enemies.”

“This compressor does great soft-knee compression and does wonders as an expander. I use the expansion subtly, like a transient designer, even on the master buss; it really makes tracks jump out of the speakers into your face. Setting the filter with the C1-SC component helps as a corrective tool to soften harsh sounds without muffling the track. Using the gate with different thresholds for opening and closing avoids false triggering; in circuit language, this is called hysteresis and is reminiscent of the Neve V-Series channel gates. That feature, along with setting the sidechain filter, keeps my gate performing as I want it to.”

“C1 has different modes that are very easy to use, including a great gate. When used with a sidechain, it’s a problem solver, especially for bass. I can find the bass frequency that allows the compressor to not pump on the bass. I can find the frequency with the high-pass filter that allows me to compress the bass and have the low end making the compressor trigger. A real workhorse of a compressor.”

“I love using this compressor to pinpoint trouble frequencies that bother me on a vocal.”

“I use the C1 with sidechain on ‘split’ mode if I just want to control one specific area, and the situation doesn't warrant a full multiband; this is perfect in situations where I'm not too worried about phase coherence.”

“I use C1 compressor often on percussion. It’s so simple, and has all the graphic information I need. It’s a classic who never gets old. I love it just as much as the C1 Gate component: my all-time trusty noise gate for vocals and backgrounds.”

“This is an invaluable compressor. I mainly use it on vocals and guitars. It’s very transparent, and good for anything that needs fast release compression.”

“Works fantastic to smooth out vocals in the mix.”

“I use C1 when I have an unusually noisy amp or pickup. I start out with the HF Noise Reduction preset and tweak away the noise.”

“I've been using C1 on bass, guitar, and all vocals, including Kanye West’s.”

“One of my key components to a successful mix on every song is the Waves C1 sidechain plugin. This simple plugin is one of the fastest ways to both capture clarity and gain control of the vocals. I like to have the plugin set up in Split mode with the EQ type set to Band Reject. I usually then sweep the frequencies between 200hz to 280hz until I find the muddiness in the vocal. Then I gently set my attack, release and threshold parameters and let the magic begin.”