# WaveBalance

Auto gain staging plugin that keeps tracks at a consistent operating level.

- Canonical URL: https://codwaves.com/wavebalance/
- Publisher: CodWaves (https://codwaves.com/)
- Category: Automatic gain staging and track leveling
- Plugin formats: VST3, AU, AAX (mono and stereo)
- Operating systems: macOS 10.13+ (Apple Silicon & Intel), Windows 10 64-bit
- Price: EUR 14.99. Prices are advertised in EUR; checkout displays the equivalent in the local currency.
- Trial: Free 7-day trial, no card required
- Current version: 1.1.0
- User manual (PDF): https://codwaves.com/assets/WaveBalance-User-Manual.pdf

WaveBalance is an auto gain staging plugin for mix levels, vocals, stems, and analog-modelled chains, using transparent real-time loudness analysis and ultra-smooth gain control.

## Problems WaveBalance solves

- Automatic gain staging: tracks feed compressors, EQs, saturators and analog-modelled plugins at a consistent operating level
- Track leveling: imported stems, sample packs and recordings balanced without manual clip-gain edits
- Gain riding: Ride mode follows uneven sources such as vocals in real time, like a slow hand on a fader
- Consistent mix levels across large sessions via instance grouping and shared targets
- Headroom protection after correction, with a built-in look-ahead brick-wall safety limiter

## Best for

- Vocals that move between whisper and belt
- Imported stems and sample packs delivered at arbitrary levels
- Analog-modelled plugin chains calibrated around -18 dBFS
- Large sessions where per-track manual trimming does not scale

## Key features

- Transparent auto gain staging
- Ride mode for real-time operating level management
- Analyze & Hold for static gain staging
- Threshold and ceiling controls
- dBFS, VU, RMS, LUFS-M, LUFS-S, and LUFS-I loudness analysis
- Instance grouping with Analyze All
- Built-in look-ahead brick-wall headroom protection
- Light and dark interface themes

## Compatibility

- Formats: VST3, AU, AAX (mono and stereo)
- Operating systems: macOS 10.13+ (Apple Silicon & Intel), Windows 10 64-bit
- Hosts: Tested in Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Bitwig, and Studio One. Most VST3/AU hosts are supported.
- Requirements: 4 GB RAM recommended, 200 MB disk space, internet for activation

## Licensing

- Payments, downloads and plugin access are handled through a CodWaves account.
- Licenses allow up to three active activations at a time; activations can be revoked from the account panel. Offline activation via license file is available and permanently binds the license to that device.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is an auto gain staging plugin?

An auto gain staging plugin analyzes incoming level and applies smooth gain correction so tracks feed compressors, EQs, saturators, and analog-modelled plugins at a more consistent operating level.

### Can WaveBalance help control mix levels?

Yes. WaveBalance helps stabilize mix levels across vocals, stems, live recordings, sample packs, and large sessions with Ride mode, Analyze & Hold, instance grouping, and headroom protection.

### Is WaveBalance a compressor?

WaveBalance is focused on transparent gain staging and operating-level management. It can sit before compression to smooth the signal feeding your dynamics chain.

### Which meter mode should I use?

Use VU or RMS for musical level matching, LUFS-M, LUFS-S, or LUFS-I for loudness-oriented work, and dBFS when peak headroom is the main concern.

## Third-party coverage

- [How to Mix in FL Studio with WaveBalance & Flexion | Easy Mixing Tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8uIzEjFx4E) by Rod “Muniklip” Mosby (YouTube)
- [Are You REALLY Hearing What Your Plugins Can Do?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b_yPhyYiCo) by Creative Sauce (YouTube)

## Related CodWaves plugins

- [ResoTame](https://codwaves.com/resotame/): WaveBalance manages level; ResoTame manages narrow resonances and harshness.

## More

- Product page (HTML): https://codwaves.com/wavebalance/
- All CodWaves resources for agents: https://codwaves.com/llms.txt
- Machine-readable catalog: https://codwaves.com/products.json
- Support: https://codwaves.com/support/