Trans-X
by Waves · Transient Shaper · Multiband
Not rated yet
A multiband transient shaper in two versions: Trans-X Multi, which works on up to four bands, and Trans-X Wide, which works on the full band.
It revitalizes drum loops and can also shape room acoustics or attacks across full mixes.
Best for: Drums, Mastering. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.
Keywords: multi-band, drums, samples & loops, full mix, fat, wide, enhancement, bus processing, gentle, kick, mastering, neutral, subscription.
What it does
Waves' Trans-X is a transient shaper for "drum loops, instrumental attacks, or modifying room acoustics", on single tracks or full mixes. It comes in two components.
- Trans-X Wide: full-band processing with Duration, Sensitivity, Range and Release controls.
- Trans-X Multi: up to four frequency bands with adjustable crossovers and per-band Range, so you can add attack in the high mids or fatten low-end sustain.
- Level-neutral: changes the attack/sustain balance without changing overall level much.
It's sold on its own and included in the Waves Essential and Ultimate subscriptions.
When to use it
Trans-X is the oldest design here (reviewed in 2004) and Waves' own newer Smack Attack offers far more envelope control. Its reason to exist is the Multi version, which works in four bands, something few transient shapers offer, and goes further than Softube Transient Shaper's two. spiff is the more modern alternative for frequency-specific work.
- Best for: drum loops and buses, bringing out a kick's impact, and gentle multiband shaping on submixes or masters.
- Genres: electronic, EDM and hip-hop.
- Look elsewhere if: you want envelope shapes and a modern interface (Smack Attack) or adaptive processing (spiff).
What producers say
Well reviewed at launch, now seen as a classic rather than a leader.
- Sound On Sound (Sam Inglis, 2004) said it "works beautifully" on drums and bass and called the multiband version unique at the time.
- MusicRadar (2017) singled out its multiband mode for adding attack in the high mids or fattening low-end sustain.
- Gripes: multiband effects can be subtle on some material; the interface and feature set have aged.
Where to buy
- Sweetwater: $29.99
- Best Service: $32.93
- Plugin Boutique: $34.99 (regular $99)
- PluginFox: $34.99
- AudioDeluxe: $34.99 (regular $99)
- Waves: see store (Price changes with Waves' weekly sales)
Tutorials and reviews
- Add Punch to Drum Tracks with Waves' Trans-X Plugin
- Adding More Attack & Punch To Drums With The Waves TransX Plugin
- Bass transient shaping with Waves Trans-X
- Waves Trans-X-Revisión en Español-
- Enhance Your Drum Loops and Synth Pads with Waves Trans-X and C4
Similar plugins
- Impact by Surreal Machines · Multiband transient designer · $49
- PUNCH by Zynaptiq · Multiband transient shaper · $127
- Imprint by W.A. Production · Multiband transient shaper · $39
- MTransientMB by MeldaProduction · Multiband transient shaper · $99
- Bus TRANSIENT by Arturia · Multiband transient shaper · $49
- Punctuate by Newfangled Audio · Transient shaper · $99
- Oxford Envolution by Sonnox · Frequency-dependent envelope shaper · $229.99
- Peakbuster by Voxengo · Multiband transient enhancer · $69.81
- spiff by oeksound · Adaptive, spectral · $159
- DS-10 Drum Shaper by XLN Audio · Drum-focused · $55.50
More from Waves
- CLA-76 Compressor / Limiter by Waves · Compressor · 9.1/10 · $32
- CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter by Waves · Compressor · 8.8/10 · $34.99
- SSL G-Master Buss Compressor by Waves · Compressor · 8.9/10 · $34.99
- L2 Ultramaximizer by Waves · Limiter · 8.8/10 · $27.26
- L4 Ultramaximizer by Waves · Limiter · 8.4/10 · $29.99
- PuigTec EQs by Waves · EQ · 8.6/10 · $29.99
- F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ by Waves · EQ · 8.4/10 · $34.99
- Smack Attack by Waves · Transient Shaper · 8.8/10 · $32.91