Going every which way with the Waves 360 Surround Toolkit

Designed to work on the Mac platform for Pro Tools HD, Accel and Mix Systems, the Waves 360 Surround Toolkit is a collection of seven separate software elements used in multichannel production; a Surround Reverb, Limiter, Manager, Imager, Panner, Compressor and Mixdown plug-in, plus a few extras. As a surround mixer, it’s become an essential production tool for me. Let’s take a look at what each element does and briefly examine how each can be used.

Waves M360 Surround Manager

The M360 Surround Manager This is the Surround Managing part of the ToolKit, providing Bass Management and Studio Monitoring Calibration based upon the ITU Standard (basically suggests a common surround setup in control rooms). It features two plug-in components, the Manager and Mixdown. The Manager is inserted last on a master surround output and handles the monitor calibration and setup. It also allows for software adjustments of speaker angles to work with the Panner, as well as per-channel gain and delay for level and phase alignments. Mixdown can be inserted directly after the Manager, allowing for preview of Mono, Stereo, LCR (Left Center Right) and LCRS (Surround) imaging. How I use it This duo is vital to surround mixers and has really helped me ensure my surround mixes translate well to the public. ‘Bass Management’ is what happens when a consumer system with 5 small satellite speakers cuts off at around 120 Hz; sending the lower frequencies to the sub channel. In essence, M360 let’s you take your pro surround monitors and listen like a consumer at home. I use it to also calibrate my monitors for proper playback.

Waves L360 Surround Limiter

The L360 Limiter This is a Surround Peak Limiter and Level Maximizer based upon the popular L1 and L2 UltraMaximizers. With resolution up to 96kHz, it has Waves ARC- Auto Release Control and brickwall peak limiting. It offers 5 different Link Modes and even 3 separate sidechains. How I use it In the current world of surround mixing, not every title gets a proper mastering job. I put the L360 on the end of my Master fader to give it that extra kick to punch it through the speakers. I’m a big fan of how the L2 sounds on my mixes, and this is just as good. Note that I do not print with it when I’m taking my work to a mastering house. I’ll let them punch it up for me.

Waves C360 Surround Compressor

The C360 Compressor A Surround Soft Knee Compressor, it also works on 5 or 5.1 channels with flexible Link modes. It features similar functionality and control as the L360, also featuring ARC, but with a different sonic characteristic. It can be inserted on any 5.0 or 5.1 track, Aux input, or Master Fader and actually attenuates the signal before the threshold level is reached - attenuating more after the threshold is passed. How I use it I use this one in a similar fashion as the L360, but mostly when I need a bit more ‘squash’ on the program. It works especially well on heavy rock mixes that need to be compressed.

Waves C360 Surround Imager

The S360 Imager This is a Surround Panner and Imaging tool. The S360 Panner is allows you to set separate Width and Rotation for Mono, Stereo, 5-channel or 5.1 channel sources, among other flexible functions. The S360 Imager in an ‘enhanced’ panner, with Shuffling for additional low frequency width, as well as Room Model Early Reflections. Simply put, the Imager makes your source sound like its in a controllable room. How I use it I often automate the Imager distances to create really cool effects. You can actually hot-swap between the Panner and the Imager, and all the common controls will retain their existing settings. Panning in surround is essential, and these two tools offer me many options.

Waves C360 Surround Reverb

The R360 Reverb This is a smooth sounding 5.1/5.0 Reverb that interestingly, creates only Tails and not Early Reflections. ER’s are generated in the S360 Surround Imager mentioned above. The R360 also includes controls for the Reverb ‘Sound’ and ‘MIX’ properties, specifically designed for multichannel production. How I use it I use it on drums, guitars and vocals. It’s especially strong on strings, where the smoothness really adds depth without harshness. It’s a powerful and effective sense of envelopment.

Waves LFE360 Low Pass Filter and IDR360 Bir Requantizer

The LFE 360 Low Pass Filter and IDR 360 Bit Requantizer The LFE 360 is a 7th order filter that let’s you preview how an encoders LFE filter will affect your mixes and the recommended placement is before the M360 Manager. IDR 360 allows for multichannel word length reduction with flexible Dither and Noise shaping capabilities. How I use them I place the LFE 360 directly before the M360, ensuring proper low end monitoring. Ive used the IDR 360 to send hi-res surround mixes to those who can’t play back hi-res.