Today, Waves announced the release of CLA Nx, the virtual monitoring environment of Chris Lord-Alge's Mix LA studio control room. The CLA Nx plugin combines Waves Nx spatial audio technology with precise measurements of Mix LA, replicating the acoustic response of Chris' mix room.
In this article and video for Production Expert, Brent March looks takes a look at CLA Nx and its features across three different tracks.
CLA Nx is the second plugin in what appears to be a new line-up for Waves. CLA Nx is powered by the same Waves’ spatial audio technology that we have seen used in the Nx Ocean Way Nashville. By utilising channel crosstalk, inter-aural delays, early reflections and motion tracking we can now replicate a multi-monitoring environment inside none other than Chris Lord Alge’s main mix room. CLA Nx replicates the acoustics and monitoring system of the legendary mixer, Chris Lord Alge’s studio. Placing CLA Nx as an insert on your master fader allows you to make decisions as though you were in the real studio. With a choice of monitoring systems, from CLA-10 nearfields to a pair of custom-built main HR1s and even a boombox, modelled after the Sony ZMS1.
By placing CLA Nx as an insert on the main output of your DAW we’re able to make an enhanced judgement based on panning, depth, room acoustics, low end and even mix position. If you’re mixing on studio monitors or open-back headphones keeping the Ambience set to its default position will give you a tight but honest sound. Introducing ambience is a good way to dial in more room acoustics if you’re working in a smaller room or even closed-back headphones.
Waves CLA Nx Features Overview
Precision model of Chris Lord-Alge’s private Mix LA control room
Check your mixes on Chris’ three sets of custom studio monitors
Nearfield monitors: CLA-10 (custom NS-10 model) + subwoofer
Farfield monitors: Chris’ custom modified Ocean Way HR1s
Boombox to check how your mixes translate to small-speaker devices
A better reference for mix depth, panning, reverb, low-end response
Compatible with all headphone models
Adjustable studio Ambience control
Personalized head anatomy calibration
Supports head tracking for enhanced realism, via webcam or the Nx Head Tracker (purchased separately)
Waves also support a range of open and closed-back headphones within CLA Nx. These presets create a flat frequency response for the chosen headphone model, making the CLA Nx environment even more accurate and improving overall translation for mixing on headphones.
Pros
The sound of the room is excellent and really helps if you’re doubting your room’s acoustics/environment.
The head tracking makes the acoustics and panning of audio feel a lot more natural.
Ambience control is a great feature if you feel the sound is still too flat.
Cons
Once applying CLA Nx as an insert there is an overall increase in volume, getting used to pulling back on your fader is a small but not huge issue.
Some more headphone models would be a nice feature as they’re pretty limited.
For full details on Waves CLA Nx, head to Waves’ website.