MaxxBass by Waves bass enhancer plugin interface

MaxxBass: Bass Enhancer Plugin by Waves

MaxxBass is a bass enhancer plugin from Waves that generates harmonics so listeners perceive deeper bass, even on small speakers. It is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats.

VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS

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01Overview

MaxxBass is an Effects plugin from Waves in the Enhancer subcategory. It is built on psychoacoustic research into how the ear perceives bass. Rather than adding sub-frequency energy, it generates harmonics that make the ear hear more low end than the speakers actually reproduce. Producers can use it to add depth to mixes and masters, and to improve bass perception on laptops, phones and other small systems.

Best for

Hip hop mixing
Dance music low end
Mastering bass presence
Small speaker mix checks
Film and video audio

Developer: Waves
Category: Enhancers
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Enhances perceived bass in hip hop and dance mixes
Creates a greater sense of bass on existing speakers
Adjustable ratio of original and enhanced bass
Preserves clarity, character and dynamics of original bass
Informative graphic display for simpler editing
Upward expansion emphasizes bass harmonics dynamics
Available in VST2, AU and AAX formats
Runs on Windows and macOS

03In depth

How MaxxBass Shapes the Low End

MaxxBass blends the enhanced bass with the original signal, and you choose the ratio between the two. This lets you add perceived bass weight without losing the character of the source. Waves says the plugin preserves the clarity and dynamics of the original bass, which matters on tracks where the low end already carries the groove.

The upward expansion control emphasizes the dynamics of the bass harmonics, so the enhancement can follow the rhythm of the part rather than sitting as a flat layer. An informative graphic display shows the processing, which simplifies editing.

Who MaxxBass Is For

MaxxBass is aimed at hip hop and dance mixes, where bass perception drives the impact of the track. It is also suited to masters that need more low-end presence, and to any content where bass should translate on limited playback systems.

The plugin works on existing speakers, so you can check how a mix feels on the kinds of playback many listeners use.

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	Enhancer
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is MaxxBass used for?

MaxxBass is used to enhance perceived bass. It generates harmonics that make the low end seem stronger, which helps mixes and masters sound fuller on speakers that cannot reproduce deep bass.

Which formats does MaxxBass support?

MaxxBass is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats, and it runs on Windows and macOS.

Does MaxxBass preserve the original bass?

Waves says MaxxBass preserves the clarity, character and dynamics of the original bass, and you can set the ratio between the original and enhanced bass.

What are the system requirements for MaxxBass?

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