Steinberg launch WaveLab 9
New single-window interface, a suite of plugins and better integration could make it the master
This audio editing and mastering platform may have been powerful already, but it’s just got a shot in the arm with a new update. WaveLab Pro 9 brings users full mid/side support, a new suite of mastering plugins, tighter integration with Steinberg’s other software, and the usual workflow enhancements, all within a one-window setup.
Complicated software run on a single screen can give you information overload if it’s not done tastefully and efficiently, and Steinberg’s strategy hinges on the new ribbon editor, a tab housing commonly used tools and functions within the software. All panels can be undocked, so multi-monitor users can set up a bespoke workspace.
But enough of the shell – let’s take a peek at what’s inside. The new MasterRig package is a suite of multiband processors and EQ units, designed to fit into a customisable eight-slit chain for saving and recalling. The MasterRig suite plugins are Compressor, Saturator, Limiter, Imager (all multiband) plus Dynamic EQ and an eight-band regular EQ. Interestingly, each band in the plugins can operate separately in stereo left/right or mid/side mode.
Speaking of which, since modern mastering (and production) leans more heavily on mid/side techniques, WaveLab now lets you process, edit and monitor in mid/side as well as traditional left/right.
Owners of Cubase and Nuendo also get the perks of tighter integration, being able to open files directly in WaveLab. Vice versa, WaveLab can now open the Cubase/Nuendo project associated with an audio file.
WaveLab Pro 9 is out now for PC and Mac, priced £428 (upgrades from £73), with the cutdown Elements at £73 (upgrade from £18).
URL www.steinberg.net