Add Extra Low-end with Waves LoAir

All That Bass

A warm and big low end is an inevitable part of modern music, especially if we're talking about electronic dance music and its numerous genres. I can't imagine genres like Techno, Drum & Bass, or Dubstep without those low frequencies. Considering that, we can safely say that processing low-end sounds like kick and bass became a proper science. Today, many devices are at our disposal for processing low-end effects like equalizers, low-end boosters, and many others frequently used. Following this, I recently discovered a great little plugin, LoAir by Waves.  

LoAir by Waves Audio

This low-end processing unit helps when you can not get that desired sub. It works well with the kick drum or bass and puts more power to instruments like percussion loops or even the electric piano. I will guide you through the following tutorial through its interface and capabilities and show you some practical examples. Initially created for sound design and post-production and strongly embraced by studio and live mix engineers, this subharmonic generator plugin features two adjustable low-frequency processors for shaping your ultra-low end. It is unique because it lets you process polyphonic content that naturally and musically enhances your low end.  

Let's Start!

Let us start by placing a fresh instance of LoAir on a newly made audio channel containing a simple percussion loop, and first, let's listen to how it sounds unprocessed.  

~Percussion loop - Unprocessed

Upon opening the plugin, we see a relatively simple interface. At the upper part, we can see a range of knobs, so let's try to explain all of them in more detail.

• RANGE: Determines the frequency range used to create the LFE content
• LoAIR: Controls the level of the generated lower octave
• LO: Controls the story of the filtered signal
• DIRECT: Controls the levels of the direct unprocessed signal
• LFE OUTPUT: Controls the LFE level output
• ALIGN: Delays the direct signal to synchronize it with the generated signal

Now, let us hear how this percussion loop sounds processed with this great plugin. I recommend listening to the samples on the headphones if you don't have studio monitors.

~Percussion loop - Processed with LoAIR

We can instantly hear how LoAir introduced a lot of subfrequencies to the percussion loop, so the gap on the lower part of the spectrum is nicely filled. Next, I will apply the LoAir on the kick drum. This kick drum lacks some sub-frequencies, so that we will add it with the help of LoAir. Let's first listen to it unprocessed and then process it with LoAir to hear the difference.    

~Kick Drum - Unprocessed

~Kick Drum - Processed with LoAir