Legendary Abbey Road Sounds from Waves
Put legendary sound to work in your studio with the Waves Abbey Road Collection. Abbey Road Studios and Waves worked to painstakingly model actual vintage gear used on songs by everyone from the Beatles to Iron Maiden and from Ella to Adele — giving you unprecedented access to microphones used by British royalty and the warmth of the consoles built by the Abbey Road masters themselves. Use the Abbey Road Collection on your next recording project, and you'll have the sonic signature of some of the most historic musical recordings of our time.
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Abbey Road Chambers
Abbey Road Chambers re-creates a defining component of the legendary studio’s rich sonic legacy: Studio Two's live room echo chamber used by Abbey Road recording engineers to create vibrant reverbs, delays, and other signature spatial effects immortalized on records by the Beatles and other hit-makers during the 1960s. From gorgeous natural chamber reverb to enveloping cascading delays, the lush sounds of one of the world's most famous echo chambers are now at your fingertips with Waves Abbey Road Chambers. Developed in coordination with Abbey Road Studios, Waves’ Abbey Road Chambers puts you at the controls of Studio Two's live chamber — outfitted with the original Altec 605 monitor and Neumann KM53 tube mics.
Features:
- Authentic software re-creation of Abbey Road Studios' legendary Studio Two echo chamber
- Developed in collaboration with Abbey Road Studios
- Spacial effects from natural live chamber reverb to tape delay to complex hybrid effects
- Complete modeling of Abbey Road’s original S.T.E.E.D. configuration
- Dedicated EMI RS106 and EMI RS127 equalizers for sculpting the chamber effect
- Bonus spaces: Abbey Road’s Mirror Room and Olympic’s Stone Room
- Choice of classic or modern speakers, including Abbey Road's original Altec 605
- Choice of vintage or modern microphones, including Abbey Road’s original Neumann KM53
- Variable microphone and speaker positioning
Abbey Road Reverb Plates
Abbey Road Reverb Plates enhances your 'verb palette with meticulous models of four Abbey Road Studios EMT 140 reverb plates. Dating from the late 1950s, these large reverb devices were used on many legendary recordings, including, of course, classics by the Beatles and Pink Floyd. Flawlessly maintained by Abbey Road engineers, these wonderful-sounding plates deliver variable reverb lengths of up to six seconds. Three of the plates were modified by EMI Labs with custom hybrid solid-state drive amps; the fourth is fully tube powered. Altogether, Waves' Abbey Road Reverb Plates gives you essential plate reverb, in all its sonic glory.
Features:
- Meticulous models of 4 classic Abbey Road EMT 140 reverb plates
- Each plate has its own unique sonic characteristics
- Drive control lets you set THD for the input and output amps, and the plate itself
- You can add analog noise and hum to taste
- 4 original bass-cut positions included
- Crosstalk between stereo inputs for "stereo leak" effect
Abbey Road RS124 Compressor
Abbey Road RS124 Compressor is a spot-on model of the legendary studio’s one-of-a-kind tube comp. Used throughout the 1960s, the original RS124 was essential to the sounds of the Beatles’ studio catalog, injecting everything that passed through it with a velvety-smooth sound while yielding sublime-sounding dynamics control. Developed in cooperation with Abbey Road Studios, the RS124 plug-in delivers the same sonic character as the original hardware. The plug-in includes two distinctive RS124 flavors, plus a hyper-aggressive Super-Fuse mode that’s guaranteed to add an exhilarating edge to every track you instantiate it on. A sidechain highpass filter, a Mix knob, and M-S operation add to this analog-modeled compressor plug-in’s versatility. The RS124 Compressor will lend the unmistakable sonic footprint of '60s-era Abbey Road to your projects. Once you own it, you’ll want to use it on all of your tracks!
Features:
- Spot-on model of Abbey Road’s RS124 tube compressor
- Injects everything passed through it with a velvety-smooth sound while yielding sublime-sounding dynamics control
- Its creamy, silky character is at the core of the Beatles’ studio albums
- 2 distinctive flavors of tube-style compression: Studio (fast and aggressive) and Cutter (great for mix bus and mastering duties)
- Hyper-aggressive Super-Fuse mode adds an exhilarating edge to anything
- Sidechain highpass filter keeps excessive frequencies from unbalancing your mix
- Mix knob supplies dead-simple parallel compression
- Mid-side operation allows you to process the center and side signals of a stereo track separately
Abbey Road Saturator
At Sweetwater, we love the sweet, musical saturation you can get from the best vintage gear. Waves, in collaboration with Abbey Road Studios, has tapped into the legendary studio's rich history to create the Abbey Road Saturator plug-in. Now from within the convenience of your DAW, you can deploy the sound of classic tubes and transistors, driven from subtle to extreme and excited by the ultra-rare EMI TG12321 compander — a secret weapon of Abbey Road engineers.
Features:
- Developed in collaboration with Abbey Road Studios
- Authentic re-creation of crunchy tube and smooth solid-state analog saturation flavors
- Rare EMI TG12321 compander excites the input pre-saturation
- Detailed pre- and post-gain EQ to shape the distortion character
- Phase (polarity) switch dramatically alters the distortion sound
- Flexible control of the compander’s crossover frequencies
- M-S processing allows distortion to affect just mid or just sides
- Pre and Post EQ so that you can shape your signal on the way in and out
- Mix control for wet/dry parallel processing
- Presets by Grammy-winning engineer/producers Lu Diaz, Joe Barresi, Dave Pensado, and more
Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain
Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain is meticulously modeled on the legendary Abbey Road EMI TG12410 Transfer Console used in all of Abbey Road's mastering suites since the early 1970s (and still in use today). As did the original transistor-based console, the TG Mastering Chain plug-in consists of modules — or "cassettes," as EMI called them — the TG12411 Input Module, the TG12412 Tone Module (EQ), the TG12413 Compressor/Limiter Module, the TG12414 Filter Module, and the TG12416 V.A.L (Spread) Module (stereo component only) that's incorporated into the Output Module.
Features:
- Integral part of the Abbey Road sound since the early 1970s to the present day
- 5 modules that can be used independently
- Use in mastering or in mixing sessions
- 48dB/octave linear-phase sidechain filters
- Unique to the plug-in: compressor modes, sidechain filters, and meter bridge
- Meter bridge component provides an innovative approach to metering
- Stereo/Duo/M-S processing modes
- Stereo/Mono/L/R/M/S monitoring modes
- Live component
Abbey Road Vinyl
Abbey Road Vinyl imbues your music with the warm sound of vinyl. But not just any vinyl will do, so Waves teamed up once again with Abbey Road Studios to model the legendary recording facility's custom vinyl cutting and playback equipment. Abbey Road Vinyl meticulously captures every stage of the vinyl production and playback process, even letting you select between the sound of a pure lacquer acetate or a factory-fresh print-master vinyl pressing. Play back the discs on two different turntable types with your choice of three classic cartridges. You can even add the classic EMI TG12410 mastering console in the cutting-lathe signal path.
Features:
- Enhance your tracks with authentic vintage vinyl vibe
- Meticulous model of Abbey Road Studios' original vinyl cutting and playback system
- Your choice of acetate master or printed vinyl pressing, 2 turntables, and 3 cartridges
- Slow-down/stop turntable effect
- Reposition tonearm for variable frequency response/distortion
- Enhance with phase distortion; noise, crackles, and pops; wow and flutter; modulation
- Route your signal through Abbey Road's EMI TG12410 mastering desk
EMI TG12345 Channel Strip
Abbey Road EMI TG12345 Channel Strip brings the legendary sound of a classic console to your DAW-based studio. Meticulously modeled, this incredible plug-in captures every nuance of the TG12345, giving you the unmistakable crispness, harmonic distortion, and punch that helped shape the sound of the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and many others. You get the original desk's full channel strip: its input mic preamp, EQ, and "spreader," as well as its renowned compressor/limiter with its distinctive, irresistible sound. The Waves Abbey Road EMI TG12345 Channel Strip also gives you a plethora of modern features that accommodate in-the-box mixing.
Features:
- Developed in association with Abbey Road Studios for stunningly accurate modeling
- 3-band EQ with continuous gain and frequency for sound shaping
- Stereo "spreader" (width control) adds dimension to your tracks
- Includes the TG12345's famous compressor/limiter for a distinctive, irresistible sound
- Highpass filter on the compressor's sidechain lets your low end breathe
- Mix control in the dynamics section for easy parallel compression/limiting
- Drive control gives you unmistakable crispness, harmonic distortion, and punch
- Routing options cover the entire TG12345 line from Mk I to Mk IV
J37 Tape
J37 Tape infuses your recordings with delectable analog warmth. A Studer design modified by EMI, the J37 4-track tape machine captured many of the greatest masterpieces in modern music during the 1960s and '70s. Waves teamed up with Abbey Road Studios to create this sensational plug-in, which breathes new life into sterile digital recordings. You get control over essential functions like tape speed, bias, and tape delay, as well as a choice of three EMI oxide tape formulas. Nail the inimitable sonic signature of an analog classic, with Waves' J37 Tape plug-in.
Features:
- Created in association with Abbey Road Studios
- Modeled on the machine used to create countless classic 1960s and '70s hits
- Includes models of 3 exclusive EMI tape formulas
- Adds delectable analog warmth to your digital recordings
- Controls for Bias, Wow, Flutter, Tape Speed, and more
- Comprehensive tape delay has 3 different delay types
- Sync, LP, and HP filter controls and more
REDD
REDD puts the sound of Abbey Road's legendary REDD consoles at your fingertips. The iconic REDD.17, REDD.37, and REDD.51 desks were built by EMI's in-house Record Engineering Development Department and were in use at Abbey Road Studios from the late '50s to the late '60s, recording a broad range of talent, including, of course, the Beatles. Now you can infuse your recordings with that silky-smooth EQ, palpable warmth, and opulent stereo imagery — all from within the comfort and control of your DAW — with REDD.
Features:
- Based on the legendary REDD.17, REDD.37, and REDD.51 consoles
- Meticulously re-created color, character, and tonal complexity of the original desks
- Delivers the classic British sound of the 1960s
- Developed in association with Abbey Road Studios
- Classic and Pop EQ types; continuous EQ controls
- Monitor controls the source of the monitor output
- Spread selects stereo processing mode (stereo component only)
- Drive controls the amount of drive added to the signal
- Analog controls the level of modeled noise and hum
- Output controls the output level of the signal
- VU meters display output VU readings
Reel ADT
Reel ADT brings you an authentic replication of the Artificial Double Tracking effect developed at Abbey Road studios for the Beatles. Reel ADT mimics the effect of sending an audio track to a separate tape machine, allowing you to adjust the time difference of the two tracks. This creates the effect of recording two takes with subtle timing differences. You can also coax a wide range of flanging, phasing, and tape saturation effects. It's a classic sound that's perfect for adding spice to modern recordings.
Features:
- Software emulation of the Artificial Double Tracking effect developed at Abbey Road Studios
- Varispeed can be controlled manually via MIDI or automatically via built-in LFO
- Add sweet tape saturation with the drive control
- Full control over pan position and phase of original and doubled tracks
- Perfect for enhancing vocals and guitar parts
RS56 Passive EQ
Waves developed the RS56 passive equalizer plug-in with Abbey Road Studios, bringing you the sound that shaped British pop music. The original RS56 Universal Tone Control was an early-1950s mastering EQ that earned the nickname "The Curve Bender" for its remarkable ability to shape sound without distorting — a quality Waves was able to capture perfectly via advanced circuit modeling. Each of the RS56 plug-in's three bands provides you with four selectable center frequencies and six different filter types. What's more, linkable stereo controls and mid-side processing provide flexibility far beyond the original hardware.
Feature:
- An amazing equalizer plug-in based on the legendary RS56 Universal Tone Control passive EQ
- Developed in association with Abbey Road Studios using top-quality circuit modeling
- Stereo EQ with 3 bands, each with 4 selectable center frequencies and 6 different filter types
- Includes linkable stereo controls and mid-side processing
The King's Microphones
You've seen the movie. Now nail the sound. The King's Microphones re-creates the frequency response of the ornate mic used by King George VI, as well as the ones used by Queen Elizabeth and King George V. The actual mics (dating back to the 1920s and 1930s) are alive and well and were used to record music and dialogue for the Oscar-sweeping Best Picture The King's Speech at Abbey Road Studios. With three proximity settings for each mic, this is a thoroughly modern plug-in you can deploy in your favorite DAW.
Features:
- Re-creations of 3 historical mics used by the British Royal Family
- King George VI (dynamic moving-coil mic, circa 1936)
- Queen Elizabeth (dynamic moving-coil mic, circa 1936)
- King George V (carbon microphone, circa 1925)
- Developed in cooperation with Peter Cobbin, senior recording engineer at Abbey Road Studios
- Includes 3 proximity settings for each microphone
