Pricing and availability

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Plugin Boutique
4.6 (5)
$99.00 $34.99 $64.01 · All time low
Sweetwater
3.5 (3)
$34.99
Thomann
4.2 (6)
$33.00

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Waves MV2". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Elevate your audio game with the Waves MV2, a powerhouse in the realm of compressor plug-ins. This intuitive tool brings together the best of both worlds with dual fader technology that effortlessly balances high and low-level compression. Whether you're a seasoned audio engineer or a passionate hobbyist, the MV2 offers a streamlined and dynamic approach to sound optimization, ensuring your tracks are always studio-ready.

The MV2 is engineered for simplicity without sacrificing capability. Its unique interface allows you to quickly adjust dynamics, making it an indispensable tool for both music production and post-production settings. The high-level compression keeps your peaks polished, while the low-level compression ensures even the subtle nuances of your audio are brought to life, enhancing room ambience and adding depth to any instrument.

Perfect for dialogue leveling and adding body to your music, the MV2 also supports mono and stereo components, making it compatible with a variety of setups. Plus, with automatic dither included, you can say goodbye to digital quantization errors, ensuring a clean, professional sound every time.

Key Features:

  • High and low-level compression in one plug-in
  • Intuitive dual fader controls for quick and easy dynamic optimization
  • Enhances room ambience and adds detail to instruments
  • Ideal for dialogue leveling and post-production
  • Supports up to 24-bit/192 kHz resolution
  • Compatible with mono and stereo setups
  • Includes automatic dither to reduce digital quantization errors

Owner's manual

Waves MV2 User Manual

Product specs

Software Type Compressor
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 64-bit
Format AAX Native, TDM, AudioSuite, VST, AU, SoundGrid
Hardware Requirements - Mac Intel Core i7 or higher (M1 support), 8GB RAM minimum
Hardware Requirements - PC Intel Core i5 / AMD Quad-core or higher (AVX required), 8GB RAM minimum
OS Requirements - Mac macOS 10.15.7 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 10 or later (21H2), 64-bit

FAQs

What is the primary function of the Waves MV2 compressor plugin?

The Waves MV2 is a dynamics processor designed to provide both low-level and high-level compression, allowing for greater control over the dynamic range of audio tracks.

Is the Waves MV2 compatible with my DAW?

The Waves MV2 is compatible with most major DAWs as it supports AAX Native, TDM, AudioSuite, VST, AU, and SoundGrid formats.

Can the Waves MV2 be used on both Mac and PC?

Yes, the Waves MV2 is compatible with both Mac and PC platforms, requiring macOS 10.15.7 or later and Windows 10 or later (21H2), respectively.

What are the system requirements for running the Waves MV2 on a Mac?

To run the Waves MV2 on a Mac, you need an Intel Core i7 or higher (M1 support) and a minimum of 8GB RAM, with macOS 10.15.7 or later.

Does the Waves MV2 support 64-bit processing?

Yes, the Waves MV2 supports 64-bit processing, ensuring high-quality audio performance and compatibility with modern systems.

Help Me Devvon

Help Me Devvon

UPWARD COMPRESSION The Technique You're Not Using

Video thumbnail for UPWARD COMPRESSION The Technique You're Not Using by Help Me Devvon

UPWARD COMPRESSION The Technique You're Not Using

Help Me Devvon

Help Me Devvon

Video thumbnail for Plug Ins I Can't Live Without - FAQ Friday by Produce Like A Pro

Plug Ins I Can't Live Without - FAQ Friday

Produce Like A Pro

Produce Like A Pro

Video thumbnail for Conquer Your Vocal Track's Dynamic Range With A Touch Of Upwards Compression by Production Expert

Conquer Your Vocal Track's Dynamic Range With A Touch Of Upwards Compression

Production Expert

Production Expert

Video thumbnail for Secret Compressor | Waves MV2 Review by Home Recording Made Easy

Secret Compressor | Waves MV2 Review

Home Recording Made Easy

Home Recording Made Easy

Video thumbnail for 🥊 CUBASE 11 Squasher vs Waves MV2 🥊 by Chris Selim - Mixdown Online

🥊 CUBASE 11 Squasher vs Waves MV2 🥊

Chris Selim - Mixdown Online

Chris Selim - Mixdown Online

Video thumbnail for Maximizing a Dynamic R&B Mix 🎚 Waves MV2 by Sean Divine

Maximizing a Dynamic R&B Mix 🎚 Waves MV2

Sean Divine

Sean Divine

Video thumbnail for EASY Audio Compression 🔊 in DaVinci Resolve 18 | Waves MV2  🎛 by Jason Yadlovski

EASY Audio Compression 🔊 in DaVinci Resolve 18 | Waves MV2 🎛

Jason Yadlovski

Jason Yadlovski

Video thumbnail for Waves MV2 - Smooth your vocal dynamic range | Plugin Tutorial by ANAK Creates (Alex Krotz)

Waves MV2 - Smooth your vocal dynamic range | Plugin Tutorial

ANAK Creates (Alex Krotz)

ANAK Creates (Alex Krotz)

Video thumbnail for Replacing Waves MV2 with BETTER options. by Obsessive Audio

Replacing Waves MV2 with BETTER options.

Obsessive Audio

Obsessive Audio

Reviews

PROS

  • Enhances quiet passages while smoothing loud peaks effectively

  • Low CPU usage for improved performance

  • Simple interface with minimal controls for ease of use

  • Optimizes spoken word recordings without distortion

  • Ideal for vocals, drum buses, and sound design

  • Allows each song element to stand out in the mix

  • Versatile tool suitable for both professionals and beginners

  • Continues to be a valuable all-rounder over years of use

CONS

  • Lacks adjustable parameters like Threshold, Attack, or Release

  • Imparts a specific coloration, which may not be desired for all applications

  • Not suited for precision output adjustments

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Waves MV2.

Features and functionality

  • MV2 offers a unique dual-slider control, simplifying upward compression: one slider for quiet parts and another for loud parts, making it efficient for quick adjustments.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Particularly effective for whispery vocals and balancing vocals against heavily compressed guitars, the MV2 is used for adding depth in complex mixes.

    Source

User experience

  • The simplicity of MV2 is praised, with some users finding it indispensable for quick vocal leveling, despite broader criticisms of Waves' business practices.

    Source

Comparisons

  • OTT by Xfer Records is suggested as a free alternative for upward compression, though it requires more setup compared to the straightforward MV2.

    Source
  • FabFilter MB is another alternative with upward compression capability, but lacks the simplicity of MV2's dual-slider interface.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how XXXTENTACION uses Waves MV2

XXXTENTACION

Singer, Rapper

...
Verified via YouTube

Koen Heldens (mixing engineer for XXXTENTACION) claimed they used the Waves MV2 plugin for the vocal chain on "SAD!" in this Youtube short.

See how Jonas Blue uses Waves MV2

Jonas Blue

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

At 53:16 this Plugin is being used by Jonas Blue inside his 2015 Macbook Pro, which is also running Logic Pro X

See how DaBaby uses Waves MV2

DaBaby

Rapper

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used for the vocals on "Intro", as stated by Kirk mix engineer Kevin "Black Pearl" McCloskey in this December 2019 Sound on Sound interview. An image of the settings can be found here.

"Typically, my processing on vocals here is EQ-compression, EQ-compression, EQ-compression and so on. When vocals are recorded well, I don't have to do that, but in this case, because of the hotel room sound, I had to do many corrections. Because speed was of the essence, I just added more plug-ins as I encountered issues — I did not have the time to go into settings of plug-ins already there. The plug-ins on the vocal busses, with a number of variations, start with the Waves DeEsser, and then the UAD SSL-E Channel strip, thinning things out, and the Waves CLA76 knocking off 3dB to flatten peaks, as they did not track with a compressor. I also use the Avid EQ7, and the Waves MV2 compressor, which acts more like an expander."

See how Guy Sigsworth uses Waves MV2

Guy Sigsworth

Composer, Music Producer

Frou Frou

...
Verified via YouTube

"Just a limiter... And a limiter, because we've pulled so much out of it, we need to help its volume." - the MV2 appears on screen around 14:16 in the Waves webinar with Guy Sigsworth

See how Kove uses Waves MV2

Kove

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via YouTube

12:54 - "I've also got this which is a great little plugin, which is the MV2 from waves. And what this does is... it's effectivly an up and down compressor and it just brings up the lowest points of the signal and brings down the highest points. So you can without proccessing it too much and getting the sound of compression"

See how Jordan Suckley uses Waves MV2

Jordan Suckley

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via YouTube

This plugin is seen in an effects channel at 17:25 on a Serum lead.

Album Usage

The Waves MV2 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Waves MV2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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