WAVES JJP Cymbals and Percussion Plugin User Guide

: June 7, 2024
: WAVES

WAVES JJP Cymbals and Percussion Plugin

Introduction

Welcome

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Product Overview

The Waves Signature Series is our exclusive line of application-specific audio processors, created in collaboration with the world’s top producers, engineers, and mixing engineers. Every Signature Series plug-in has been precision-crafted to capture the artist’s distinct sound and production style. For experienced and aspiring audio professionals alike, the Waves Signature Series allows you to dial up the sound you’re looking for quickly, without interrupting the creative flow.
The JJP Collection consists of 6 plug-ins, each of which is designed to handle a specific production task:

JJP Vocals
JJP Drums
JJP Bass
JJP Guitars
JJP Cymbals & Percussion
JJP Strings & Keys

Components

WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug- ins, 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.
The Waves JJP Cymbals & Percussion has two components:

JJP Cym & Perc m>s – Mono in to Stereo out component
JJP Cym & Perc Stereo – Stereo in to Stereo out component

Please Note: In order to maximize performance while optimizing the correct processing for different applications, we split the drums into two separate plug-ins:

JJP Drums for kicks, snares, and toms
JJP Cymbals & Percussion, for hi-hats, overheads, room, and loops

A Few Words from JJP

“There’s really so much you can do with cymbals and percussion. You can use some lo-fi effect to fatten up shakers. You can take out the mid-range on tambourines to make them sound brighter, or you can add some dirt and distortion to make them sound grittier. You can boost the high end to enhance the shimmer of the cymbals or compress them hard, to bring out other aspects of their sound. The JJP Cymbals & Percussion plug-in gives you instant access to all the different colors I like to use, so you can just fire it up, find what you need, and stay creative.”

Quickstart Guide

Insert the JJP Cymbals & Percussion plug-in on the track you wish to process.
Choose the cymbal or percussion Type, according to your source: HH (Hi-hats), OH (Overheads), Room, Tambourine, Shaker, or Loops.
Adjust the Sensitivity control until you achieve proper (yellow) levels, as indicated by the Sensitivity LED.
Adjust the various Main Section controls located below the Sensitivity knob to shape your sound.
Use the Center Section faders to adjust the sonic color.
If the Clip LED lights up repeatedly or stays lit, lower the Output level fader accordingly.

JJP has optimized the default settings for each Type. These settings may or may not require additional adjustment once optimal Sensitivity has been achieved.

Controls, Concepts, and Terminology

Types

The JJP Cymbals & Percussion plug-in includes six Types to address a range of source materials: HH (Hi-hats), (OH) Overheads, Room, Tambourine, Shaker, and Loops.

Sensitivity Section

The Sensitivity LED’s 3 colors indicate when appropriate levels are reached:

LED Off (too low)
Green (good)
Yellow (optimal)
Red (very hot)

Turn the Sensitivity Control until the LED lights up. For best results, use the section of your track with the highest peaks.

Main Section

The Main Section gives you control over basic dynamics & EQ. All processing is influenced by this section. The JJP Cymbals & Percussion mono-to-stereo component includes a Pan control.

Main Fader

The Main Fader controls the Main Section direct level.

Center Section Faders

The Center Section faders represent auxiliary returns with additional processing, sent from the Main Section, pre-fader. Above each fader, there is a dedicated mute button. It may help to think of each plug-in as a mini-mixing console.
Please note: Certain faders may change, depending on the selected Type. This is intentional, and represents the actual processing JJP uses for that source or instrument.

Master Fader

The Master fader controls the master output signal level.

Meter Section

The Meter switch toggles meter monitoring between input and output modes. The Clip LED lights up when levels reach 0 dBFS; click to reset.

Signal Flow

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.