If you're mixing in the box (ITB) then you know that you're usually faced with the option of using the available channel dynamics in your sequencer program or you can buy third party software to handle some of the job. There are endless choices available from hardware emulations to various new software compression plugs that do everything you can imagine with your dynamics. It's important for me personally to have flexibility, ease of use and a great sound that fits a broad range of styles in a compressor. I believe there are few that are better for general purpose compression than the Waves C1.

The C1 is really three plug-ins in one in that it can do compression, gating and it possesses a two band EQ. You can use any of the individual modules separately or all in one plug-in. I have really only used the C1 for it's most basic task: compression. In that use it has proved fantastic.

The controls of the C1 (in compressor mode) are straightforward and clear. You have your standard controls: threshold, attack, release, program dependent release (a type of "auto release"), ratio, make up gain and an output gain control. The C1 also has a nice animated graph for you to visualize the amount and type of compression you're dialing in.

IN USE

What makes the C1 such a powerful compressor is it's versatility. The control ranges are huge. You can dial in virtually any type of compression you need and I have never felt the least bit restricted by the way the program functions whatsoever. The other aspect of the C1's power is it's sound. It's sound is whatever you need it to be. It is quite possible completely transparent in that I never really hear a C1 working. It compresses and I can make it compress sloppily if I wish but it doesn't add or take away from the material at all. It's just straight ahead dynamics control and manipulation. If you want to add a sound to it you can always use the included 2-band EQ to dial in an extra something that you might feel is missing. Such open ended flexibility and power in one program for dynamics means that you're never restricted. You never NEED another dynamics processor though you might want one for effect. But for regular compression duties this one has the invisible sound, the broad control and the ease of use to make it my go-to plug-in for taming most dynamics issues. That it can be had for $75 is a hell of a bargain. I highly recommend it.