Top 10 Most Popular Waves Plugins — As Recommended by Grammy-Winning Producers and Engineers
Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to sit down with some of the most talented and successful producers, audio engineers, and songwriters in the world. Many of them are Grammy winners. They’ve worked with the biggest artists on the planet. And during our conversations, I had the privilege of asking a very specific question:
What are your go-to plugins — the secret ingredients that make your sound truly professional?
One name came up over and over again: Waves.
That’s why I decided to create this list — the Top 10 Most Popular Waves Plugins, based not just on what the pros said, but also on the ones I personally can’t live without in my own music production and legendary mixes. These plugins are behind the signature sound of many of the chart-topping artists you listen to every day.
When Dave Pensado — one of the most legendary mix engineers in the world — mentions a plugin, you listen. And that’s exactly how I discovered Magma BB Tubes.
In an interview, Dave said:
“If a sound feels thin, cold, or flat — just run it through BB Tubes. It instantly becomes fuller, warmer, and more alive.”
This plugin is a powerful saturation tool that adds rich harmonic content, warmth, and vintage-style tube character to almost anything: vocals, synths, drums, even your entire mix.
Personally, I love using it on vocals or melodic instruments that need that extra body and glue. And yes — some engineers even use it on the master bus, carefully adding that final touch of analog-style energy to the whole track.
Let’s be real — everyone uses H-Delay. And for good reason.
It’s one of the most flexible and musical delay plugins out there. Personally, I’m in love with the “Basic Stereo” and “LoFi Ping Pong” presets. These two alone can take a dry sound and give it depth, emotion, and space.
From there, I usually tweak the knobs depending on the mood of the track — dialing in feedback, filters, or modulation to taste. It’s quick, creative, and powerful.
🎛️ Pro Tip: Always turn off the “Analog” knob unless you specifically want that extra hiss and vintage noise.
Why? Because it’s ON by default — and when you’re stacking plugins or running multiple instances, that unnecessary noise can build up, especially on your master bus.
No one wants that.
H-Delay is that perfect blend of old-school grit and modern control. Whether you want something clean or gritty, stereo or filtered, rhythmic or wild — this delay delivers.
This plugin is a faithful emulation of the legendary SSL 4000 console — a staple in world-class studios for decades. According to many Grammy-winning engineers I’ve interviewed, the SSL Channel is one of the most essential tools in their workflow.
Why? Because it combines both powerful EQ shaping and subtle compression in one clean interface. It’s especially effective on live drums, where its character and tone shine through.
Whether you’re tightening up a snare, controlling overheads, or adding analog color to your entire mix, the SSL Channel is a go-to for a reason. It’s not just about functionality — it’s about that classic console sound we all grew up admiring.
🎧 “Almost every engineer I talked to said they use this plugin daily. It just works — and it sounds like a real console.”
The Waves S1 Imager is a go-to plugin for enhancing stereo width without compromising phase or clarity. It’s especially popular among mixing engineers who want to subtly or dramatically shape the stereo field.
Many pros use it on aux tracks, particularly for background vocals, giving them a wider presence without crowding the lead vocal or main elements of the mix.
Don’t let the simple interface fool you — SoundShifter Pitch is one of the most underrated tools in the Waves collection. Personally, it’s one of my favorite plugins for creative production tricks. But it’s also used by top-tier engineers for both subtle and dramatic effects.
One of my favorite examples? The vocal engineer for Chris Brown regularly uses SoundShifter to duplicate the lead vocal or background harmonies, pitch them one octave down, and then blend them subtly underneath the original. This creates a deeper, fuller vocal tone that adds texture and impact to specific moments in the mix — one of Chris Brown’s signature vocal layering tricks.
Ask 80% of professional audio engineers to name their go-to vocal compressor — and chances are, R-Vox will be at the top of that list.
This plugin is known for its super clean interface, smooth compression, and immediate results. It’s one of the most beloved vocal compressors in the industry for a reason — you just drop it on your vocal track, dial in the threshold and gate, and you’re done.
Whether you’re working on lead vocals or LVAs (lead vocal auxiliaries), R-Vox offers precise control over dynamics without coloring the sound too much. It’s especially great for pop, R&B, and hip-hop vocals that need to sit right in front of the mix.
Waves R-Comp (Renaissance Compressor)
The Renaissance Compressor, or simply R-Comp, is one of the most trusted and versatile compressors in the Waves lineup. If you ask almost any professional producer or engineer, chances are it’s sitting comfortably in their top go-to compressors.
Why? Because R-Comp just works — whether you’re using it as a second-stage compressor on vocals for tighter dynamic control, or throwing it on instruments like guitars, pianos, drums, or synths. It handles everything smoothly, without adding unnecessary color or artifacts.
Its intuitive interface and transparent sound make it a reliable choice for both subtle dynamic shaping and aggressive compression. Simple, effective, and legendary.
⚙️ “It’s not fancy — it’s just one of the best tools in the box. I always come back to it.”
Out of all the flangers out there, Metaflanger by Waves is hands-down my favorite — and I’m not alone.
This plugin is a secret ingredient behind the vocal textures of top artists like Tyga and Chris Brown. In fact, Chris Brown’s engineer, TEEZIO, personally told me that they use Metaflanger on almost every single and album — especially for harmonies and background vocals.
What makes it special? Honestly, sometimes the default preset is all you need. That’s the magic. You open it, it loads, and it instantly gives your vocals that smooth, swirling motion that feels modern yet classic. Many engineers just leave it untouched — and it works.
Metaflanger adds subtle movement and width, which can bring background vocals to life without making them feel too processed. It’s a low-key weapon for pros who want their vocals to glide through the mix.
Waves Doubler is one of those plugins that quietly shows up in the sessions of top-tier producers and engineers — especially when subtle width and depth are needed.
My friend DJ Swivel, who’s worked with global icons like Beyoncé, Rema, The Chainsmokers, and Selena Gomez, often uses Doubler in a very creative way. One of his favorite tricks is placing it after a delay or reverb send — not on the main vocal — to gently push the effect wider and free up space in the center of the mix.
It’s a smart and efficient way to add stereo interest without overwhelming the original signal.
Even though the plugin might seem straightforward, it delivers surprisingly musical results — whether you’re working on background vocals, pads, or atmospheric layers. If you’re trying to make a part feel more “produced” or simply want that gentle stereo shimmer, Doubler does the job.
Created by the legendary mix engineer Chris Lord-Alge, the CLA Vocals plugin is often misunderstood — and sometimes even joked about — by seasoned engineers. But here’s the truth: many of those same engineers secretly keep it in their plugin chain.
Its streamlined interface and preset-driven workflow might seem geared toward beginners, and to some extent, that’s true. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not effective in professional settings.
For example, artist Lil Uzi Vert has been known to frequently use CLA Vocals as part of his vocal sound — proving that sometimes, simplicity and speed can win over complexity.
Whether you’re dialing in instant reverb, delay, compression, EQ, or even slight pitch shaping, this plugin offers quick results that just work. It’s a great tool when you’re trying to move fast, stay creative, and not get bogged down in technical details.
This article is brought to you in collaboration with Sweetwater, my go-to platform for plugin purchases. Here’s why I highly recommend buying Waves plugins through Sweetwater:
✅ You own the plugins forever – No subscriptions, no recurring payments.
✅ Flexible payments – Pay in full, split it up, or use financing.
✅ Cashback rewards – Use your rewards to buy more plugins or gear.
✅ Instant download and full Waves support.
Would you be interested in seeing similar lists for other plugin companies too?
Let me know in the comments or send me a DM — I’d love to hear from you. And if you’ve never tried Waves plugins before, now’s a great time to check them out. Sweetwater usually runs some of the best deals, and remember — once you buy, it’s yours forever.
Templates: Simplify Your Workflow
Finally, if you’re looking to speed up your workflow, consider using templates. Whether for recording vocals or starting your production sessions, templates save you time and effort. If you’re curious about the templates used by top producers, check out my store for some great options.
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