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Description

Step into the sonic legacy of Abbey Road with the Waves Reel ADT plugin, a masterful emulation of the iconic Artificial Double Tracking (ADT) effect that defined The Beatles' sound. Originally engineered within the hallowed halls of Abbey Road Studios, this plugin faithfully recreates the magic of sending an audio track to a separate tape machine, introducing those subtle yet impactful timing variations that bring your recordings to life. Whether you're a fan of vintage warmth or modern versatility, Waves Reel ADT offers a mesmerizing array of flanging, phasing, and tape saturation effects to enhance your mix.

Perfectly suited for vocals, guitars, and beyond, this plugin provides full control over pan position and phase, allowing you to craft wide, immersive soundscapes. The intuitive interface lets you manually control varispeed via MIDI or automatically through a built-in LFO, giving you creative freedom to experiment with your sound. With the added touch of tape saturation, the Waves Reel ADT plugin doesn't just replicate the past; it offers a timeless tool for contemporary music production.

Key Features:

  • Authentic software emulation of the Artificial Double Tracking effect from Abbey Road Studios
  • Varispeed control available manually via MIDI or automatically through the built-in LFO
  • Add rich tape saturation using the drive control
  • Full control over pan position and phase of both original and doubled tracks
  • Ideal for enhancing the depth and texture of vocals and guitar parts

Product specs

Available since October 2016
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Delay No
Dynamics No
Effect Filter No
Encoder/Decoder No
Equalizer No
Guitar amps/-effects No
Channel Strip No
Metering / Analysis / Correction No
Modulation Effects No
Multieffect / Plugin-Host No
Overdrive/Distortion No
Preamp / Saturation No
Psychoacoustic tool / Enhancer / Exciter No
Restauration No
Reverb No
Special FX Yes
Summer / Mixing Consoles No
Tape Simulation Yes
Pitch Shifter / Harmonizer / Timestretching No
Transient Processing No
Vocoder / Vocal effect No
Mastering Tools No
Hardware Controller No
Download 1

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the Waves Reel ADT plugin?

The Waves Reel ADT plugin is designed to recreate the classic Artificial Double Tracking effect, famously used by the Beatles at Abbey Road Studios, to add depth and richness to vocal tracks.

Does Waves Reel ADT offer tape simulation effects?

Yes, Waves Reel ADT includes tape simulation effects, providing an authentic analog feel that enhances the warmth and texture of your recordings.

Is the Waves Reel ADT plugin suitable for use on instruments other than vocals?

While primarily designed for vocals, Waves Reel ADT can also be used creatively on instruments to achieve unique doubling effects and a vintage tape sound.

Can Waves Reel ADT be used in real-time during live performances?

Waves Reel ADT is a software plugin that can be used in real-time when integrated with a suitable DAW, making it viable for live performance scenarios where doubling effects are desired.

Is Waves Reel ADT compatible with all major DAWs?

Waves Reel ADT is compatible with most major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and Logic Pro, ensuring flexibility in different production environments.

Waves Audio

Waves Audio

Waves / Abbey Road Reel ADT: In-Depth Tutorial

Video thumbnail for Waves / Abbey Road Reel ADT: In-Depth Tutorial by Waves Audio

Waves / Abbey Road Reel ADT: In-Depth Tutorial

Waves Audio

Waves Audio

Video thumbnail for Butch Vig and Billy Bush on Waves/Abbey Road Reel ADT by Waves Audio

Butch Vig and Billy Bush on Waves/Abbey Road Reel ADT

Waves Audio

Waves Audio

Video thumbnail for Double Tracking with Waves / Abbey Road Reel ADT Plugin by Waves Audio

Double Tracking with Waves / Abbey Road Reel ADT Plugin

Waves Audio

Waves Audio

Video thumbnail for Waves Abbey Road Reel ADT Review by Production Expert

Waves Abbey Road Reel ADT Review

Production Expert

Production Expert

Video thumbnail for Creating a Live Wall of Sound with Reel ADT by Waves Audio

Creating a Live Wall of Sound with Reel ADT

Waves Audio

Waves Audio

Video thumbnail for Wider Vocals Trick with Waves Reel ADT by Zed Marty

Wider Vocals Trick with Waves Reel ADT

Zed Marty

Zed Marty

Video thumbnail for Waves Reel ADT Plugin - Best Vocal Doubler by True Sound Studios

Waves Reel ADT Plugin - Best Vocal Doubler

True Sound Studios

True Sound Studios

Video thumbnail for Wide Guitars with Reel ADT from Waves by Green Light Sound

Wide Guitars with Reel ADT from Waves

Green Light Sound

Green Light Sound

Reviews

PROS

  • Emulates vintage tape-machine techniques for authentic analog warmth

  • Versatile use on vocals, guitar, and bass for a fuller sound

  • Provides convincing double-tracking without manual effort

  • Offers flexible presets that can be easily tweaked

  • Distinctive character differentiates it from typical flanger or phaser effects

  • Enhances cheap synths and brings a 60s vibe to organs

  • Usable as both an effect and a mix process for creative flexibility

  • Integral to achieving classic rock and pop production sounds

  • Has a live version for real-time performance evaluation

  • Highly praised for its price-to-performance ratio

CONS

  • Noticeable CPU load might require track freezing with extensive use

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

  • Waves Reel ADT's standout feature is its tape emulation, including inherent saturation and pitch instability (wow and flutter), crucial for authentic ADT sound.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Vacuum Sound ADT plug-in includes wow and flutter but lacks the tape emulation and saturation found in Waves Reel ADT.

    Source
  • Users find Waves Reel ADT preferable for vocals over the Strymon Deco, which shines more on synths, guitars, and bass.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The classic ADT effect involves modulation of tape speed and pitch, a process originally used on Beatles tracks, making it ideal for vintage vocal and guitar sounds.

    Source
  • Authentic double tracking is recommended for a natural sound, as ADT inherently produces a flange or chorus effect.

    Source
  • Delaying the ADT track by 20-30 milliseconds and adjusting pitch by about 10 cents can enhance vocal mixes when a double track is unavailable.

    Source
  • For a creative approach, matching the mix's EQ to a lofi vocal recording can result in compelling production quality.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Waves Reel ADT often goes on sale, particularly during weekends, enhancing its value proposition for potential buyers.

    Source

User experience

  • Waves plugins are frequently on sale for around $30, making them an affordable investment despite the cumbersome upgrade process.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Waves: Reel ADT plug-in | Tape Op Magazine | Longform candid interviews with music producers and audio engineers covering mixing, mastering, recording and music production.

tapeop.com

Waves Reel ADT plug-in impresses with its ability to authentically replicate the classic Beatles tape double-tracking effect while adding modern features. Praised for its subtle yet effective vocal enhancement and versatility on instruments like drums, this plug-in stands out with its unique LFO options and "drive" feature. It offers users the ability to create both subtle and pronounced effects, making it a valuable tool for adding depth and presence to tracks. While it may not completely replace the original tape machine method, its convenience and additional features make it a worthy investment for those seeking an analog-sounding double-tracking effect.

positive

Waves Reel ADT

soundonsound.com

Waves Reel ADT is a faithful recreation of the classic Abbey Road double-tracking effect, adding modern enhancements like tempo sync and dual-voice options. While it captures the vintage charm and provides excellent vocal doubling and instrument effects, it lacks the extreme phasing or flanging some might crave. Overall, it's a great tool for those seeking authentic '60s vibes with a modern twist.

positive

Waves Abbey Road Reel ADT review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Waves Reel ADT is a successful emulation of the famed Abbey Road effect, delivering fabulously warm sound and a realistic ADT effect with an intuitive interface. The plugin excels in creating stereo width and creamy warmth, especially on vocals and lead instruments. However, it lacks bias and tone controls, and the slowing/speeding effects aren't fully realistic, with no feedback facility available. Despite these drawbacks, its impressive sound and classic potential make it essential for Beatles enthusiasts and a worthwhile addition to any studio.

positive

macProVideo.com

macprovideo.com
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 10 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
solusash

Absolutely Essential

I could not record without this. This is more than just a way to avoid having to double track for me. It's more than just a way to widen my mix. This is a way of bringing a whole new kind of effect to my music. I use this as an effect, not just as a process, something akin to what Syd Barrett would do with Pink Floyd. So essential is it to my sound that my standard DAW template opens up with a bus already set up with this loaded. Have to have it. If I could only ever have ONE plugin, ever again, it'd be this one.

ecco_aqua

Sweet 60s sounding time based fx

Really love this plugin it can make cheap crappy synths sound very analoglike and bring out so much in vocals. on organs you can get this super 60s style warble going on aswell. Just a great digital flanger and chorus effect in general

Artist usage

Add artist
See how The Weeknd uses Waves Reel ADT

The Weeknd

Singer, Keyboardist

Bulleez n Nerdz

...
Verified via Soundonsound

In an article on Sound on Sound, The Weeknd is noted for using the Waves Reel ADT plugin, which emulates Artificial Double Tracking, in his music production.

See how Mike Patton uses Waves Reel ADT

Mike Patton

Singer, Keyboardist

Faith No More

...
Verified via waves.com

Mike Patton praises the Waves Reel ADT plugin, particularly highlighting its varispeed function, which he frequently automates for real-time adjustments. He notes its unique sound, reminiscent of the Tropicália movement and psychedelic influences, as described on waves.com.

See how Washed Out uses Waves Reel ADT

Washed Out

Music Producer

...
Verified via waves.com

“Reel ADT plugin is the newest addition to my vocal effect chain – it can do anything from a subtle chorusing effect to something really crazy and deranged. My vocals are always very effect-heavy, and Reel ADT is a big part of that. ”

See how Tom Lord-Alge uses Waves Reel ADT

Tom Lord-Alge

Music Producer

...
Verified via waves.com

"Even though the SSL E-Channel is my go-to for most everything, I do grab the SSL G-Channel if I want to get a bit more aggressive. I miss having a physical plate, but the Abbey Road Reverb Plates plug makes up for it. I also love the Abbey Road Reel ADT and of course the J37 Tape – old-school saturation and delays!"

See how Svetlana Sibirjakowa uses Waves Reel ADT

Svetlana Sibirjakowa

Guitarist

SUKI

...
Verified

Svetlana Sibirjakowa has confirmed her use of the Waves Reel ADT, as stated on the MyOwnMusic page dedicated to her.

See how Tom Alexander Schmitt uses Waves Reel ADT

Tom Alexander Schmitt

Keyboardist, Music Producer

SUKI

...
Verified

Tom Alexander Schmitt has confirmed his use of the Waves Reel ADT plugin himself, as stated on his profile on Backstage PRO.

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 Reel ADT, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

1 alternative for Waves Reel ADT, curated by the Equipboard community.

Keeley 30ms Automatic Double Tracker

$169.15 - $219.00

similar sound

If you need to use it in a Pedal, the Keeley is great. But if you only need it in the studio, go with the plugin. It's more accurate and has far more options.

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    Gear IQ 37534