An oldie but a goodie. Why the Kramer HLS from Waves still earns a place in my workflow and in many modern mixes by top engineers.
Even though it is an older plugin, the Kramer HLS from Waves offers a unique way to shape sound. It may seem confusing at first, but once understood, it becomes a powerful and musical tool.
The plugin is based on a preamp EQ, which means it adds subtle harmonic distortion. This distortion cannot be turned off, but it is usually gentle. It helps sounds feel clearer and more focused, especially when used in moderate amounts.
One important feature is the impedance selector. This switches between line and mic input. When set to mic, it adds a soft high-end boost. This is great for overhead mics and acoustic instruments. It also gives a small low-end cut and a slight treble lift, which can clean up muddy sounds like bass tracks.
The bass section is very powerful but can be confusing. For example, selecting 60 Hz does not only boost that frequency. It boosts a wide range of low frequencies. This creates a full and warm sound. These wide boosts are part of older EQ designs, which focused on smooth tone shaping instead of precise changes.
Turning the bass knob in the negative direction creates a gentle low cut. This cut is very broad and affects more than just the low end. It can shape the overall tone of a sound. For example, it can make a kick drum feel deeper or clean up an acoustic guitar.
The high-frequency section uses fixed steps instead of smooth control. It adds a wide shelf that can brighten sounds. At higher settings, it can sound aggressive, which works well for dark recordings like room mics. Lower settings can gently reduce harsh highs.
The mid-range section works differently. It requires two controls. One selects boost or cut, and the other selects frequency. Boosting adds a musical bell shape, while cutting becomes narrower as it increases. This section is great for shaping tone but not for precise fixes.
In real use, small changes can make a big difference. On drums, it can add clarity and presence. On bass, it can add fullness and definition. On guitars, it can remove unwanted low end and help them stand out in a mix.
In my workflow, this plugin helps me make tone-shaping decisions quickly, and get closer to a finished sound.
Andrea Caccese.
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