Manny Marroquin Distortion by Waves distortion plugin interface

Manny Marroquin Distortion: Parallel Distortion Plugin by Waves

Manny Marroquin Distortion is a distortion effects plugin by Waves, created with mix engineer Manny Marroquin. It uses parallel processing with pre-distortion EQ and compression to add character to synths, drums, bass, vocals and guitars.

VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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01Overview

Waves developed Manny Marroquin Distortion with the mix engineer as a tool for adding grit without harshness. Rather than crushing the signal, the plugin is designed to layer a distorted signal under the dry sound, so the effect growls and adds texture. It targets sounds that feel too clean or sterile, such as digital synths and drum tracks, and it can be dialed back to subtle settings that add weight without obvious distortion.

Best for

Synth thickening
Drum saturation
Vocal punch
Bass grit
Guitar pickup warmth
Fixing clean sounds

Developer: Waves
Category: Distortion
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Created with mix engineer Manny Marroquin (Kendrick Lamar, Lizzo)
Four pre-distortion EQ stages control which frequencies get saturated
Pre-distortion compressor shapes dynamics before distortion
Attack control sets how rapidly distortion develops
Release control determines whether distortion lingers with note tails
Parallel processing layers distortion under the dry signal
Subtle settings add punch to vocals

03In depth

Sound Shaping and Controls

The plugin includes four pre-distortion EQ stages that let you choose which frequencies get saturated before the distortion stage. This makes it easier to add harmonics to a specific band instead of the whole signal.

A pre-distortion compressor shapes the dynamics before the distortion is applied. The attack control sets how quickly the distortion develops, and the release control determines whether the distortion lingers into the tails of notes. Together these give you control over how the effect feels on transients and sustained sounds.

Typical Uses in a Mix

Waves positions the plugin for making synths sound less sterile and sit better in a mix. It is also aimed at drums, where it can make the kit sound bigger and more powerful.

For vocals, subtle settings can add punch in a way that the developer contrasts with a limiter. The plugin is also suggested for single-coil pickups, where it can reduce thinness and add assertiveness.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Waves
Type	Plugin
Category	Distortion
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does Manny Marroquin Distortion support?

The plugin is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS.

What are the system requirements?

On Mac it supports macOS Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14 and Sequoia 15 in VST, AU and AAX formats. On PC it supports Windows 10 and later in VST and AAX formats.

What sounds is the plugin best suited for?

Waves describes it as useful for synths, drums, vocals and single-coil pickups. Its subtle settings can also add punch to vocals without the harshness of heavy distortion.