Waves Linear Low Band weirdness

[bbob]

Hey DUC people,
This is not a bash Waves post... just a heads up on a problem I ran across. I like and use a lot of their stuff daily..... although I am one who is very unhappy with the WUP policies.
Also, if this has been covered already... sorry... but this cost me a couple of hours today and gave me a really big headache.
Soooooo.... I'm doing some home made mastering using Waves Lin Broadband EQ, Lin Low band EQ, L-3 and TL Master Meter. About 3 songs into it and I start hearing drop outs in the 2 mix. Tried bypassing all plugs.... did a ton of trouble shooting... re recorded several tracks back into their original mix session and dragged the new "2 mixes" back into the mastering session. Drop outs still there. Imported into a new session. Still there, in exactly the same place every time with all plugs bypassed.
After all this... I started removing plugs from the session.
Turns out, it was the Waves Low Band EQ. I just never thought about a plug in causing drop outs...even while in bypass.
For expensive, high end plug ins... they sure put me thru the ringer today.
Watch out for the LINEAR LOW BAND EQ.
BT

[Andre Knecht]

It sounds like you are automating some of the Waves Low band Linear EQ’s parameters while audio is present.

Because of its process-intensive nature, the LB (in particular) is not designed and/or meant to be used in this way. Every parameter adjustment will cause a click/drop-out while some intensive math calculations are being re-done (even as a TDM instatiation).

It’s indeed explained in the Waves Masters manual. Watch out for that.

IHTH.

[crizdee]

Hi,

Yes, i too have found the Lin EQ's to be near useless! you can't adjust it whilst the music is playing and you can't automate it, as both will cause loud clicks and drop out of the audio!!

I did contact waves support and after 3-4 days of suggestions, they finally admitted it was the nature of the plugin! as it has to do a lot of calculations whats the point of a high quality EQ if the audio drops out when you adjust it and automate it?????

Lin EQ was my second reason for upgrading to Platinum, the first was L3 multimaximizer, which i later discovered to be just the Ultra version and not the max! what a waste of $900, then a week later then dropped the platinum bundle by 20%


Chris

[Andre Knecht]

Yes, i too have found the Lin EQ's to be near useless! you can't adjust it whilst the music is playing and you can't automate it, as both will cause loud clicks and drop out of the audio!!

Whoa, Chris! We often agree on things, but I think you may be over-reaching just a bit, here. Sure, the lack of useable parameter automation may be a bit of a nuisance, but it certainly doesn’t negate the usefulness of the plugs. There are many easy ways around the lack of automation. I use them every day in many different capacities.

I did contact waves support and after 3-4 days of suggestions, they finally admitted it was the nature of the plugin! as it has to do a lot of calculations

Admit? It’s in the manual.

whats the point of a high quality EQ if the audio drops out when you adjust it and automate it?????

The point is to have access to EQ which is exempt from phase distortions and transient smear — something which is otherwise unobtainable within the TDM world. But you knew that.

To be clear… I love the Masters Linear bundle, including the LLB!

[bbob]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the replies and advice.
I actually already knew about the pops and clicks that go along with automation points. Thats why I leave 20 or 30 seconds between 2 mix files in a mastering session. All automation points are applied in the gaps to avoid the clicks and pops. Also, on each end of the 2 mix file the points of every parameter are identical. No moving points during playback.
Using this method, I've mastered several projects using the LIN "BROADBAND" EQ with no issues at all. I've been very happy with it. This paticular session needed a little more help in the low end so I added the LOW BAND EQ.
With no automation points anywhere near actual audio, even while bypassed, the LOW BAND created 200ish millisecond drop outs in audio. No pops or clicks.
Watch out for LOW BAND.... automation points not included!
BT

[Andre Knecht]

Are you using these processes in TDM, or HTDM/RTAS?
I ask because — as TDM — I have never experienced what you describe.

[bbob]

Are you using these processes in TDM, or HTDM/RTAS?
I ask because — as TDM — I have never experienced what you describe.
.

Hey Andre,
TDM only. I avoid HTDM.
I've never had a problem with the Broadband EQ either. Kinda wierd huh?
I've got 2 weeks off. We're having our first baby this weekend. It's a boy!! When I get cranked back up, I'll try the Lowband again and see if it happens again.
Thanks for your replies.
BT