Waves plugins have been an integral part of many music producers’ toolkits for decades, myself included. However, in 2025, these plugins have sparked growing frustration among users due to licensing complications and pricing practices. In this blog post, I’ll share my personal experiences with Waves plugins, highlight my top favorites that I still use daily, and invite you to share your favorite replacements. Let’s explore the current sentiment around Waves plugins and discuss the options available to producers.
My Recent Experience with Waves Plugins
The dissatisfaction began when Waves implemented changes requiring producers to pay for second licenses to use plugins on multiple computers. As someone who has been using their products for over 20 years, this felt like an unnecessary hurdle. Compounded with licensing complications, such as transferring licenses between machines, my frustration has been building for a while.
Interestingly, I’ve touched on my Waves frustrations in a previous video. You can watch that older video here for more context.
My Top Waves Plugins List
Despite my concerns, there are still several Waves plugins I rely on in my daily workflow. While these plugins deliver incredible value in terms of sound quality and versatility, it’s important to evaluate if they’re worth the associated licensing headaches.
- Waves SSL G Bus Compressor – A staple for glueing together mix elements and adding punch to the master bus.
- Waves H-Delay – Known for its flexibility, from simple delays to advanced modulation effects.
- Waves R-Vox (Renaissance Vox) – Perfect for vocal processing, with its intuitive design and great results.
- Waves CLA-76 – A go-to compressor for adding character to drums, vocals, and more.
- Waves Abbey Road Plates – This reverb plugin delivers lush and vintage plate reverb effects.
These plugins have remained in my arsenal for years, but with so many great alternatives available, I’m eager to explore other options that may fit better into my workflow.
Are There Better Alternatives?
For every Waves plugin, there are competitors offering similar functionality without the hassle. Companies like FabFilter, Soundtoys, and UAD provide robust options for mixing and mastering, and many of their products are considered industry standards.
For example:
- Instead of the SSL G Bus Compressor, try Cytomic’s The Glue or UAD’s SSL Compressor.
- Replace H-Delay with FabFilter Timeless or Soundtoys EchoBoy.
- For a great vocal compressor, consider iZotope Nectar or FabFilter Pro-C.
Let’s Discuss
I’d love to hear from you—what are your thoughts on Waves plugins in 2025? Are they still worth it, or have you transitioned to alternative tools? Share your favorite replacements in the comments below or reach out to me on social media.
While Waves plugins still hold a place in my workflow, their business practices and licensing requirements have left me questioning their value. This is a conversation that extends beyond just one company—it’s about what producers need and deserve in a constantly evolving industry. Let’s keep the discussion going and support each other in finding the best tools for our music production.
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