WaveSystem

User Guide

The WaveSystem is a set of tools that improves productivity when you’re working with Waves products. It makes it easier to
compare settings, it streamlines working with plugin controls, and it lets you quickly save, load, and manage presets.
 The WaveSystem is made up of two parts:
The WaveSystem Toolbar is located at the top of almost every Waves plugin. This is where you manage presets
and compare settings.
The WaveSystem Interface Controls is a set of standards and interface commands that makes working with any
Waves plugin faster and more efficient.

The WaveSystem Toolbar

Almost all Waves plugins feature the WaveSystem Toolbar, which takes care of most of the administrative functions
you will encounter while working with your Waves software. The features of the toolbar are the same on practically all
Waves plugins so familiarity with its features will be helpful, regardless of which plugin you are using.

Standard WavesSystem Toolbar

Toolbar Functions
Opens the plugin About box, which displays the plugin version and other details.
Undo Undoes the last 32 actions.
Redo Redoes the last 32 undone actions.
Setup A/B Toggles between two presets; useful for A/B comparisons.
Prev/Next Arrows Moves to the previous or next preset.
Copy A→B Copies the current settings to the second preset register.
Load Opens presets Load menu.
Save Opens presets Save menu.
Toolbar Menu Accesses the window scaling menu and user guide.

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 Product-Specific Toolbars
Certain plugins and applications have additional controls in their WaveSystem Toolbars. This is typically because a
plugin has unique filing needs, or because a global setting is needed. Here are some examples:

Codex

Some virtual instruments and synths add “preset safe” checkboxes in the Toolbar. This prevents selected settings
from being altered when a new preset is loaded.

Electric 88

Certain virtual instrument Toolbars include a tuning control. In this example, “Velocity” can be set to “Preset Safe.”
The samples libraries are accessed on the left side of the Toolbar.

FlowMotion

The FlowMotion Toolbar includes mode-select buttons and “Preset Safe” checkboxes.

Renaissance EQ

Many Toolbars include a drop-down menu for selecting a skin view, as shown on the left. Also, certain EQ plugins
feature a “Flat” button that resets all gains to zero, while maintaining Frequency and Q settings.

Pay attention to the Toolbar when you begin to work with a plugin. You may find useful and unexpected features.
Toolbar controls that are specific to a plugin will be described in the plugin’s user guide, which can be downloaded
from the Waves manuals download page.

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 Presets
Overview
A preset is a snapshot of a plugin’s settings. Presets are saved to the host computer as an XPS file or exported to
another host. There are two kinds to presets: those that come with the plugin and those that you make or import.

Factory Presets are provided by Waves. A factory preset may provide precisely the sound or solution you are
looking for or serve as a starting point for creating effects or solving problems. Factory presets cannot be overwritten
or deleted, but they can be modified and saved as user presets. In some cases, different component plugins (e.g.,
mono, stereo, 5.1, 7.1) will have different factory presets.

User Presets are snapshots of the current condition of the entire plugin. A user file can be added to the plugin’s
Preset menu in all subsequent instances of the plugin.

A preset can also be added to a Preset File, which is a user-made collection of presets for the current plugin. When
you open a preset file, all of its presets will appear in the Load list. This is particularly useful when using multiple
instances of a plugin and it’s an easy way to move a specific set of presets to other sessions.

You can define the current preset as the Default Preset. Whenever you instantiate the plugin, this preset will load.

All presets can be copied and loaded to another instance of the same plugin.

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 Loading Presets and Preset Files
There are two ways to find and load presets: the Load Menu and the Presets Browser.
LOAD MENU
Click on the Load button to open the Load drop-down menu.

Preset Browser opens a floating window that allows you to browse and search for presets by
category and name.

Open Preset File… A preset file is a user-defined collection of presets. Choose a preset file from
the Load menu. All presets associated with the loaded preset file will be available in the menu. In
this example, Kal Setups is the preset file, beneath which are its individual presets.

Paste Preset pastes a preset copied from another instance of the same plugin. You can
copy and paste presets between plugins of the same “family,” such as between Q10 to Q6,
but not from one family of plugins to another, such as L1 to L3.

Factory Presets are created by Waves. Use them “as is” to quickly make an effect, or as
starting points for your own inventions. At the bottom of the Factory Presets menu are
Artists Presets made by Waves artists to help you create their sound with the plugin. The
“Full Reset” menu item returns all controls to their default settings. Factory presets cannot
be deleted or modified.

User Presets are presets that have been saved directly in the Preset menu, not as part of
a preset file. They will remain in the Preset list until deleted.

Click on a preset name to load the preset. Use the Undo arrow on the Toolbar to revert to
the previous preset.

The name of the current preset is shown in the middle of the Toolbar.

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 PRESETS BROWSER
You can search for presets by name using the Presets Browser. Select “Preset Browser” from the Load menu to
open this floating window. To find a preset, type its name, or part of its name, in the Search field. Search results are
displayed in a multi-level list.

Plugin name

Host track name

Preset Browser menu:

Access: Open, Paste, Open by Default

Search Window

Expand all/collapse all folders

Current Preset File with associated presets

Rename/Delete selected preset

Factory Presets

Artist Presets

User Presets that were saved directly to the Presets Menu

Use the keyboard’s up/down keys to move between presets. Use the left/right
keys to open and close folders. A preset is loaded as soon as it is highlighted.
You can also navigate with your mouse and click to load the preset.

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 Click on the Presets Browser Menu icon to access other preset menu items.
Open Preset File…allows you to choose a Preset File from the Load menu.
Paste Preset pastes a preset copied from another instance of the same plugin.
Open Browser by Default sets the Presets Browser as the default view when the Load
button is clicked. Deselect to return to the Load menu and set it as the default.

Saving Presets
Click the Save button to open the Save drop-down menu. Four options are available. If an option is not currently
available, its name will be grayed out.
Save to New File… creates a new preset file in which to save the current preset. There
are two prompts – the first creates the preset file, the second names the actual preset.
Many presets can be saved in a preset file.
Copy Preset copies the current plugin preset to the clipboard. A copied preset can
be pasted to any instance of the same plugin or within the same plugin “family” (e.g.,
Q10 to Q6, or REQ4 to REQ6).

Save {File Name–Preset Name} overwrites the settings of the loaded preset (whether a user preset or a preset from
a Setup File) with the current settings. If a preset file is currently loaded, its name is displayed, followed by the name
of the preset itself. If a User Preset is loaded, only its name is displayed.
Save to {File Name} As… saves the current settings as a new user preset into the setup file that is open (if a setup
file is not open, the option is grayed out). You will be prompted to give the preset a name.
Save as Default Preset This preset will load each time the plugin is instantiated.

Put into Preset Menu As… saves the current settings into a User Preset that will always be in your Load menu (until
deleted). You will be prompted to name the new preset.
Certain plugins (such as virtual instruments) have other specific preset needs, so you
may see additional menu items in the Save menu. You can, for example, save the
current MIDI map, or save it as the default MIDI map.

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 Comparing Settings
You can A/B between two registers in order to compare two presets or variations of the same preset. There are two
preset registers: A and B. Click on the large name box (Setup A/Setup B button) to toggle between them. The name
of the current setup will be shown in the title bar (on platforms which support it), and will switch as you change from
Setup A to Setup B.

Any changes in plugin settings are stored in the current register. An asterisk (*) next to the preset name indicates
that settings have changed since the preset was loaded—the current condition does not match the preset.

If you load a preset in the Setup B position, it will not affect the preset loaded into the Setup A position, and vice-
versa. If you want to slightly modify the settings in Setup A, you can copy them to Setup B by clicking on the “Copy
to B” button (A→B), then alter Setup A and compare with the original Setup B.

The left and right arrows let you scroll through and preview factory presets and user presets. If you currently have a
factory preset loaded, the arrows scroll through the factory presets. If a user preset is currently loaded, the arrows
scroll through only the user presets.

Note: Previewing presets in this manner overwrites the current register, so if you have a preset that you want to
“protect,” move it to the other register.

Once you are happy with your settings, save them as a user preset. If you don’t, this will turn out to be the greatest
preset you ever made. If only you had saved it…

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 Deleting and Renaming User Presets
From the Preset Browser
1. Select a preset and click on its Rename/Delete icon.
2. Choose Rename or Delete from the menu.
User presets are filed in the Plugin Settings folder on the host computer.
Mac: /Users/Shared/Waves/Plug-In Settings
Windows: C:\Users\Public\Waves Audio\Plug-In Settings

Delete a Preset from the Load Menu

1. Hold CMD (mac) or Ctrl (Win) while opening the Load menu. You will see
“Delete” before each user preset name.
2. Select the preset you want to delete. You will be prompted with “Are you sure
you want to delete [preset]?”

Resizing Plugin Windows

Plugin windows can be resized. Click on the Toolbar Menu icon on the right side of the
WaveSystem Toolbar to choose between five magnifications.

This action affects the currently selected plugin window. New instances of the plugin within the
session will open with the same magnification. Choose “Apply as Default to All” to set this
magnification for all future new instances of all plugins.

Choose “User Manual” to open this user guide.

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 The WaveSystem Interface Controls
This WaveSystem is a set of standards that apply to all Waves plugins. It provides consistency between plugins for
easier movement from one product to another. Different types of plugins have different controls, but the conventions
are similar with all plugins.

Most controls can be manipulated by dragging with the mouse or finger (touch screen), by scrolling over
the control with the mouse wheel, or by entering a value in the control’s value box. Hold Alt/Opt and click
on a parameter control to reset it to its default position.

PLUGINS WITH GRAPHIC DISPLAYS

Not active

The current parameter control is not engaged. In certain plugins, such as EQs, this indicates that the
current band is bypassed. Typically, click on the control to activate it.

Active
The band or range control is active. In certain plugins, such as EQs, this indicates that the current
band is active.

Active and Selected

The active control is currently being adjusted.

When adjusting a graphic equalizer, move a graphic marker up or down to adjust gain and left to right to adjust band
frequency. Hold Opt/Alt and drag up or down to adjust Q value. Hold Ctrl and drag up or down to adjust gain without
changing frequency and Q values. Similarly, hold Ctrl and drag left or right to change only the frequency.

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 FADERS AND SLIDERS
Depending on the context, faders and sliders will indicate fader position and resulting value.
Some plugins have link buttons between a pair of faders, allowing click-and-drag adjustment while
retaining the offset between the controls. With certain EQ plugins, you can select which of the linked
faders is the “master” of the pair, and which channel follows. Any offset between the faders will be
maintained when they are linked.

Renaissance EQ output fader linking (from left):

No fader linking; Faders linked, left controls right; Faders linked, right controls left

EQ FILTER TYPES
Click repeatedly on the Type button to cycle through the filter types that are available for the
band, or set the Type directly with the drop-down menu

TOGGLE BUTTONS
Toggle buttons display the state of a control and allow switching between two or more states. Single-click
to change the control’s state. Some toggle buttons have a text display that updates with the current
setting, and others (bypass, solo, or monitoring toggles) illuminate when the control is active.

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 EXTERNAL CONTROL
A band around a control indicates that it is being controlled externally, whether by a hardware controller or
a mixer or a plugin with macros.

VALUE BOXES
Value boxes display the value of a control and allow click-and-drag adjustment or direct control via the keyboard. A
value box can be a dedicated window above or below the control, a value that appears when the control is touched
or manipulated, or part of a fader or slider itself. Adjusting a control directly from its value box enables very precise,
number-based adjustment, for example, when entering calculated values.

Using the mouse, click and drag on the value window to adjust the parameter. Some value windows support
left/right, some up/down. You may also use the mouse wheel to adjust parameter values.

Using the arrow keys, click once with the mouse to select the button or simply hover over the control. Then
use the up/down or left/right arrows (depending on the direction supported by that button) to move in the
smallest incremental steps across the range of the button (note: holding down the arrow keys will move faster
through the range).

Using key entry, double click on the button to open the value window, and then enter the value from your
keyboard. If you enter an out-of-range number, the button stays selected but remains at the current setting
(note: the system beeps if system sounds are on).

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 MULTIPLE CONTROL SELECTION
One of the most powerful features of the WaveSystem is its ability to select and adjust multiple controls
simultaneously. Using the mouse, draw a box around a group or controls you want to control together. Changes to
any one control will correspondingly change all other selected controls. Any offsets will remain.

You can also select more than one control by holding Shift while selecting. This is particularly useful when you need
to select multiple controls that are not adjacent.

TAB FUNCTIONS
You can use the Tab key to move between controls without using the mouse.
• Tab moves the Selected status to the next control.
• Shift/Tab moves the selection in the reverse direction.
• Additionally, with Mac you can use Option+Tab function for ‘down’ movement and Shift+Option+Tab for “up”
movement, where applicable.
• If you have several Value Window Buttons selected, Tab functions will take you through the selected controls
only. Clicking Esc or Return will return the “focus” to the DAW application.

A Note on Automation
When you automate settings in Stereo mode, your settings will be saved for the specific channel (L or R) you have
selected, but will affect both L and R.

When you automate L and R to different values in modes other than Stereo, but then wish to return to Stereo mode,
you will need to delete your settings for one of the sides (L or R) before you return to Stereo mode in order to avoid
conflicting values.

If you wish to change the Link mode of an automated plugin, we recommend that you use a second instance of that
plugin in order to automate the status of the Link while automating the bypass for both instances. This helps to avoid
conflicts in Link mode and automation later on.

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 Waves Preferences (Pro Tools only)
When launching Pro Tools, hold Shift to view the Waves Plugin Preferences window. Depending on your
configuration, other options may be available.

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