Waves The JJP Collection

In recent times, Waves have turned their
attention to visually as well as sonically
emulating analogue gear. Some of these (The API
Collection and SSL 4000 Collection) are
endorsed by the original manufacturers, while
others (the Neve-aping V Series) havent. The
latest package falls into the latter category and is
entitled the JJP Collection. Here, theyve teamed
up with the famous mix engineer Jack Joseph
Puig and modelled his own processors. JJP has
also chucked in a bunch of his own presets,
giving you easy turn to settings and an
indication of what he thinks they work best on.
Cream of the crop
The plug-ins are based on four hardware
processors: the Fairchild 660 and 670
compressors, and the Pultec EQP1A and MEQ5
equalizers. Theres a certain inevitability about
these choices, not least because they are some
the most coveted analogue processors around.
As we mentioned, Jack lent Waves the very best
example of each unit from his private collection
of classic analogue gear. This makes sense,
because in the same way that two seemingly
identical Minimoogs may sound diferent, so too
might two examples of the same compressor.
However, with a few plug-in versions of these
units already available (by UAD and Digidesign,
for example), itll be interesting to see if this
collections pedigree will give it the edge.
Sticking with the Puig tag, theyve christened
the plug-ins PuigChild and PuigTec, and the
PuigChild efects follow the mono (660) and
stereo (670) nature of the originals. The PuigTec
EQs, like many plug-ins (and irrespective of the
original units), are available as both mono and
stereo processors. There are also a few modern
conveniences that the original units didnt enjoy:
on the PuigTecs, youll ind output levels and VU
Waves
The JJP Collection
$800
Rather than model any old classic units, Waves have recreated
those found in mix supremo Jack Joseph Puigs studio
System requirements
PC Intel P4 2.8GHz/AMD Athlon 64 or
equivalent, 1GB RAM (XP) or 2GB RAM
(Vista), Windows XP SP2 or Vista 32,
VST/TDM/RTAS/Audiosuite host, iLok
Mac G5 Dual 2GHz or Core Duo
1.83GHz,1GB RAM, OS X 1.4.11, AU/VST/
RTAS/TDM/Audiosuite host, iLok
Test system
Mac Apple Mac Pro Dual 3GHz, 3GB
RAM, OS X 10.4.11, Logic 8, Pro Tools 7.4
LAT/VER
Here, the unit is set to sum
and difference mode
ON THE DVD
AUDIO DEMOS
Hear JJPs processors
tackle acoustic guitar,
electric bass and drums
INPUT GAIN
AND THRESHOLD
These two dictate the
amount of compression
HIGH FREQUENCY
Forms a boost-only bell-shaped EQ
in conjunction with the Bandwidth
and Boost knobs
ATTEN SEL
This high-shelf offers
cut at three frequencies
TIME CONSTANT
Positions and selects the fastest
attack and release times, Position
six is the slowest
LOW
FREQUENCY
Combines with
the Boost and
Attenuation
controls to
form a
low-shelving
EQ band
VU METERS
These indicate gain
reduction
92 / COMPUTER MUSIC / October 2008
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