WAVES SCHEPS 73 EQ and Preamp Plugin User Guide
- June 10, 2024
- WAVES
Table of Contents
WAVES SCHEPS 73 EQ and Preamp Plugin
Waves Scheps 73
Product Overview
The Waves Scheps 73 is a plugin that emulates the iconic Neve 1073 preamp
and EQ. It includes both mono and stereo components, allowing for flexibility
in material configuration. The plugin features controls for preamp, drive,
high shelf, midrange, low frequency, and high-pass filter processing, as well
as phase reversal and EQ mode selection. The music of the ‘60s and ‘70s was
characterized by a sound that was warm, fat, and rich, with a breathtakingly
detailed midrange. The analogue processors of that era, when analyzed today,
still amaze even the most brilliant of engineers in their sophisticated
designs and the creative solutions used to overcome some of analogue’s least
wanted artifacts. Although lacking the pristine specifications of modern Waves
plug-ins, they still easily provided recording engineers a sound that is all-
but-impossible to achieve today. Using new component modeling technology Waves
Audio and producer/mixer Andrew Scheps set out on a mission to bring one of
the most desired eq’s in the world to your digital environment
Product Usage Instructions
To use the Waves Scheps 73 plugin:
- Open your digital audio workstation (DAW) and create a new audio track.
- Insert the Waves Scheps 73 plugin on the track.
- Use the interface controls to adjust the processing settings:
- Pre-Amp : Use this control to increase the harmonic distortion. This control has a range of -20 to 10L (line) or -20 to -80M (mic) with a default setting of 0L.
- Drive: Activate the preamp in drive state with this control. The range is On or Off, and the default setting is Off.
- High Gain : Set the amount of high shelf (12 kHz) boost or cut with this control. The range is +/- 15 dB in 0.1 dB increments with a default setting of 0 dB.
- High On/Off : Activate high shelf processing with this control. The range is On or Off, and the default setting is On.
- Mid Frequency : Toggle between seven midrange frequencies with this control. The range is 360 Hz, 700 Hz, 1.6 kHz, 3.2 kHz, 4.8 kHz, 7.2 kHz, or 10 kHz, with a default setting of 1.6 kHz.
- Mid Gain : Set the amount of midrange frequency boost or cut with this control. The range is +/- 15 dB in 0.1 dB increments with a default setting of 0 dB.
- Mid On/Off : Activate mid band processing with this control. The range is On or Off, and the default setting is On.
- Low Frequency : Toggle between four low frequencies with this control. The range is 35 Hz, 60 Hz, 110 Hz, or 220 Hz, with a default setting of 110 Hz.
- Low Gain : Set the amount of low frequency boost or cut with this control. The range is +/- 15 dB in 0.1 dB increments with a default setting of 0 dB.
- Low On/Off : Activate low band processing with this control. The range is On or Off, and the default setting is On.
- HP Filter Frequency: Toggle between four high-pass filter frequencies (third order: -18dB per oct.) with this control. The range is 50 Hz, 80 Hz, 160 Hz, or 300 Hz, with a default setting of 50 Hz.
- HP Filter On/Off : Activate the high-pass filter with this control. The range is On or Off, and the default setting is Off.
- Phase : Reverse the phase of the signal with this control. The range is On or Off, and the default setting is Off.
- EQ In/Out: Activate the whole EQ processing with this control. The range is In or Out, and the default setting is In.
- Monitor : Control the source of the monitor output with this control. This control is only available in the stereo component. The default setting is Stereo.
- EQ Mode : Select stereo processing mode with this control. This control is only available in the stereo component. The default setting is Stereo.
- VU Meter Headroom Calibration: Adjust the headroom calibration using the screw at the bottom right side of each meter. The range is -8 to -24 dBFS, and the default setting is 18 dBFS.
- Clip Indicator : Indicates peak clipping and is located at the top right of the meter. Adjust processing settings as needed to prevent clipping.
- Input : Adjust input level pre-processing with this control. The range is +12 to -24 dB, and the default setting is 0 dB.
- Adjust the input and output faders as needed to achieve the desired level.
- Save your project when finished.
Introduction
Welcome Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your new Waves plugin, please take a moment to read this user guide. To install software and manage your licenses, you need to have a free Waves account. Sign up at www.waves.com. With a Waves account you can keep track of your products, renew your Waves Update Plan, participate in bonus programs, and keep up to date with other important information. We suggest that you become familiar with the Waves Support pages: www.waves.com/support. There are technical articles about installation, troubleshooting, specifications, and more. Plus, you’ll find company contact information and Waves Support news.
About the Scheps 73
The Scheps 73 is a three band EQ, with a fixed high shelf frequency, a mid
band with seven cutoff points (including the recently discovered 10kHz bell),
a low shelf with four cutoff points, and a third order high-pass filter with
four selected cutoff points. In addition to the EQ, the Scheps 73 provides an
option to color the sound with harmonic distortion ranging from pleasant
warmth up to the heavy drive settings of one of the most popular preamps out
there. For complete control, the Scheps 73 offers a comprehensive monitor
section to easily scrutinize your processing stages
Components
WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller
plugins, which we call components. Having a choice of components for a
particular processor gives you the flexibility to choose the configuration
best suited to your material. Scheps 73 includes the following components:
- Scheps 73 Mono
- Scheps 73 Stereo
Interface and Controls
Interface
Controls
Pre-Amp increases the harmonic distortion.
- Range : -20 to10L (Line), -20 to -80M (Mic)
- Default : 0 L
Please note:
- Two scales have been modeled – Line scale ranges from -20L to +10L and Mic scale from -20Mto -80M. Both scales switch in 5 dB increments. The Line scale will get extension of ‘L’ and theMic scale ‘M’.
- In its default setting the Pre-Amp will not increase gain, just harmonic distortion. The distortion ismild and adds some coloration.
Drive activates Pre-Amp in drive state.
- Range : On, Off
- Default : Off
Please note:
- The Drive control turns the Scheps 73 into a distortion generator. This toggles the plug-in to astate that emulates the insertion of a line level signal into the microphone preamp for distortioneffects. When Drive is turned on, the line selections on the Pre-amp are unavailable. Whenturning on the drive control, the setting will automatically switch to Mic -20.
- Attention! – in Drive state the Pre-Amp will increase gain, and heavy distortion will beheard.
High Gain sets the amount of high shelf (12 kHz) boost or cut.
- Range : +/- 15 dB in 0.1 dB increments
- Default : 0 dB
High On/Off activates high shelf processing.
- Range : On, Off
- Default : On
Mid Frequency toggles between seven midrange frequencies
- Range : 360 Hz, 700 Hz, 1.6 kHz, 3.2 kHz, 4.8 kHz, 7.2 kHz, 10 kHz
- Default : 1.6 kHz
Mid Gain sets the amount of midrange frequency boost or cut.
- Range : +/- 15 dB in 0.1 dB increments
- Default : 0 dB
Mid On/Off activates mid band processing.
- Range : On, Off
- Default : On
Mid On/Off activates mid band processing.
- Range : On, Off
- Default : On
Low Gain sets the amount of low frequency boost or cut.
- Range : +/- 15 dB in 0.1 dB increments
- Default : 0 dB
Low Gain sets the amount of low frequency boost or cut.
- Range : +/- 15 dB in 0.1 dB increments
- Default : 0 dB
HP Filter Frequency toggles between four high-pass filter frequencies (third order: -18dB per oct.).
- Range : 50Hz, 80Hz, 160Hz, 300Hz
- Default Setting : 50 Hz
HP Filter On/Off activates the high-pass filter.
- Range : On, Off
- Default : Off
Note : The high-pass band is the only one to have separate On/Off control for left and right, this is due to the fact that it does not have a 0 position (Off).
Phase reverses the phase of the signal.
- Range : On, Off
- Default : Off
Note: The phase will be reversed after the EQ stage EQ In/Out activates the whole
EQ processing.
- Range : In, Out
- Default : In
Monitor controls the source of the monitor output. (Stereo component only)
- Stereo (ST) and Duo modes:
- Left (left side only)
- Mono (stereo signal summed to mono)
- Stereo
- Right (right side only)
- MS mode:
- Mid (left plus right)
- Mono (stereo signal summed to mono)
- Stereo
- Sides (left minus right)
- Default : Stereo
EQ Mode selects stereo processing mode. (Stereo component only)
There are three EQ modes:
- Stereo – EQ controls and faders are in link mode. When setting a control on one side the otherside will change to the same value. Any difference in the settings between sides (that wascreated using the Duo, and MS modes) will be preserved when moving back to Stereo mode.
- Duo – EQ controls and faders can be set independently in each channel.
- MS – this mode will apply an MS encoding matrix on the input of the plug-in. Allowing the user toseparately EQ and level the Mid (sum) and Sides (difference) signals. In this mode, an “M” (forMid) and “S” (for Sides) letters will be added at the header of the channels. M at the top of theleft side and S at the top of the right side.
In MS mode all the left side controls will affect the “Mid” signal in the matrix, while the right sidecontrols will affect the “Sides” signal in the matrix.
Default: Stereo
VU Meter displays the input or output level, depending on your selection.
Range : -20 VU – +3 VU
Meter I/O provides the following metering modes:
- Input Metering shows the input level of the plug-in. The meter displays the post input faderlevel prior to any other processing in the plug-in.
- Output Metering shows the output level of the plug-in. The meter displays the postprocessing post output fader level in the plug-in.
Default : In
VU Meter Headroom Calibration defaults to 18 dB headroom and can be adjusted using the little screw at the bottom right side of each meter. Its value will provide an indication to 0VU.
- Range : -8 to -24 dBFS
- Defaults : 18 dBFS
Clip Indicator indicates peak clipping and is located at the top right of the meter. It is almost invisible to the eye until it is on
Input adjusts input level pre-processing
- Range : +12 to -24 dB
- Deafult : 0 dB
Output adjusts gain post plug-in processing
- Range : +12 to -24 dB
- Default : 0 dB
Faders Link (stereo components only) is placed between stereo faders and links them together. It maintains any relative offset between the faders and stops moving once either fader reaches the range limit. Fader links exist for both input and output faders. Link I/O inversely links input and output levels. The link relationship is inversely proportional, so an increase in the input level results in a corresponding decrease in output level and vice versa.
- Range : On/Off
- Default : Off
WaveSystem Toolbar
Use the bar at the top of the plugin to save and load presets, compare
settings, undo and redo steps, and resize the plugin. To learn more, click the
icon at the upper-right corner of the window and open the WaveSystem Guide.