A lot more than a time saver

Wave Rider is designed by a busy sound engineer to give him a break. Not only it improves your lifestyle by making mixing easier, but it also improves your sound, and that's progress. Wave Rider first became publicly available for Digidesign Pro Tools® users back in March 2009. It's a unique and innovative plugin that detects audio signal levels on the inserted channel, and applies Pro Tools fader movements as needed. Since its release, it evolved into a much improved tool thanks to user feedback. Here's an overview of its functions:

 

Ride mode

In this default mode, Wave Rider's level detecting algorithm automatically raises or lowers the fader to maintain a user selectable output level by writing volume automation on the timeline. User can then alter the volume automation as needed. Be it your vocal, bass, voice over, or dialog, WaveRider makes it a breeze to maintain a smooth and consistent level so you don't end up over-compressing. Check out the videos on the right for example scenarios.

 

Duck mode

This function will lower the signal of a target track by a user selectable amount if there's signal present on the inserted track. Narration and announcements over music as heard on radio channels rely on keyed compressors with poor results, now cooler with Wave Rider.

 

Park on silence

This is a function you'll find in Automatic Mixer boxes. The faders are parked at a user defined low level when there's little signal, and they come up to full output when there's strong signal present, maintaining a steady output level. Particularly useful in situations where there are a lot of mics open and you want to have the cleanest signal without much background noise. Park mode can also be used in situations to replace a noise gate.

 

Trace mode

Trace function is practically the opposite of what the Ride function is. It actually makes volume graphs of the envelope of the signal. This helps you to copy the dynamics of a signal to another track. Pretty useful when trying to combine 2 sounds together seamlessly.