IDX Intelligent Dynamics

Smart energy optimizer for instant punch & focus in your tracks

The Ultimate Tool for
Energy, Punch, and Focus

IDX Intelligent Dynamics is a smart frequency-dependent compressor that optimizes your tracks' energy for greater punch and focus. Instantly vitalize your mix with just one main knob.

Struggling to get energy into your mix? Whether your sounds feel flat or lack that extra punch, IDX helps you find the best way to add energy. It intelligently optimizes the energy of your tracks, applying processing exactly where it’s needed, and giving you the impact and punch you’ve been missing.

Can't get your mix to 'lift out of the speakers'? Using multiple detectors across the frequency range, IDX shapes the envelope of your tracks, providing an “in your face” sound without sacrificing depth.

How IDX Works

The plugin’s smart algorithm automatically identifies the busiest areas of the frequency range—the ones that consume energy but don’t contribute to an instrument’s or a vocal’s tone. It then compresses them using 'progressive attenuation' (unlike a traditional compressor which uniformly reduces the signal RMS above a threshold). As a result, frequency ranges that define the track's key characteristics gain a relative advantage and stand out.

Tip: Insert IDX at the beginning of your plugin chain, on multiple tracks and even on your master bus, and it will give you a solid foundation on which to build the rest of your mix.

Instantly optimizes track energy for more punch and focus
Brings elements forward in the mix and adds definition
Gives you a solid foundation to build your mix upon
Instantly revitalizes dull tracks
Uses frequency-dependent progressive attenuation
Automatically compresses the busiest areas of the frequency range
Instantly balance input and output levels with Quick Match control
Control response speed with Hard and Soft modes
Adjust bright vs. dark tone with Tilt control
Zero-latency version for live sound

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Watch It in Action

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What Top Pros Are Saying

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I\u2019m using it on my 808, kick, synths, and even on my master fader, and the results are amazing.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999},{"itemID":3712,"itemGUID":"ff8e95c6-f2f1-4057-b9a1-deceefbc6feb","artistName":"Kolton Lee","artistTitle":"Mixer, Producer, Recording Engineer","credits":"You Me At Six, Daughtry, Moon Taxi, Kaleo","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/kolton_lee.jpg","quote":"IDX is deceptively simple and extremely powerful. It excels at adding clarity and depth to vocals. What I didn\u2019t expect was how well it cleaned up the room mics on drums. Subtle or extreme, this plugin is yet another extremely valuable tool in the toolbox from Waves.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999},{"itemID":3713,"itemGUID":"03dfc16f-539c-445f-b89b-2730766ad9a6","artistName":"Ben Fowler","artistTitle":"Producer \u0026 Engineer","credits":"Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Taylor Swift","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/ben-fowler.png","quote":"IDX has some intelligent magic under the hood. it Intuitively reduces unnecessary weight in your tracks, enabling you to make chosen tracks stand up and shine through a busy mix.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999},{"itemID":3714,"itemGUID":"ae5d11a4-6b14-49c7-9082-42fb2dab6588","artistName":"Rey King","artistTitle":"Artist, Producer, Songwriter, Tracking \u0026 Mixing Engineer","credits":"Chloe X Halle, Moneybagg Yo, Latto feat. Lil Baby, Leslie Grace","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/rey-king.png","quote":"This plugin makes my workflow faster, opens up the mids and highs real nice, and gives vocals a nice punch. Definitely a new cheat code for the toolbox!","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999},{"itemID":3715,"itemGUID":"89f9117e-aa60-428e-bead-fc7aa3fcb6bc","artistName":"Tim Kvasnosky","artistTitle":"Composer, Producer","credits":"Honey Dijon, Sam Sparro, Morrissey, Dawn Richard","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/tim-kvasnosky.png","quote":"IDX is like giving your mix buses a cup of coffee\u2014it wakes everything up, clears out the muddiness, and adds punch!","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999},{"itemID":3716,"itemGUID":"82fc7735-c4d2-4ee3-a90c-d621184670d5","artistName":"Suzy Shinn","artistTitle":"Producer, Vocal Producer, Engineer","credits":"Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Dua Lipa","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/suzy-shinn.png","quote":"IDX allows me to effortlessly clean up muddiness and bring forward what I\u2019m listening for in a mix.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999},{"itemID":3717,"itemGUID":"bcceecce-cb10-42b8-8a8c-a06068fd7dfc","artistName":"Mar\u00EDa Elisa Ayerbe","artistTitle":"Mixing Engineer","credits":"Marc Anthony, New Kids on the Block, Juanes, Il Divo","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/maria-elisa-ayerbe.png","quote":"Waves\u2019 latest two plugins, IDX and Curves Equator, make an unbeatable duo for achieving punch and defined transients in your mix.","isMainQuote":false,"sortID":9999},{"itemID":3718,"itemGUID":"40a90813-8aaf-4fc4-a5ec-6cccea802415","artistName":"Jack Miele","artistTitle":"Producer, Engineer, Mixing Engineer","credits":"Rod Stewart, Dr. John, American Horror Story, Zac Brown Band","artistImage":"/images/artists/1280/jack-miele.jpg","quote":"IDX Intelligent Dynamics is a wonderful and transformative tool for your mixes. 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Achieve “In-Your-Face" Presence Instantly

Mix Feeling Flat or Lacking Focus?
Sounds might be good on their own but can feel washed out in the context of a mix. IDX Intelligent Dynamics hones in on the essential track information, bringing it into sharp focus for a more defined and impactful sound.
No More Muddy Mixes
With IDX Intelligent Dynamics you’ll feel vocals move forward, drum transients stay crisp, basses become punchy and defined. Place IDX on multiple tracks in your mix, and you’ll feel the entire mix come to life.
Effortless Mixing, Maximum Results
Placing IDX at the beginning of your plugin chain compresses the frequencies that cause harshness and boominess, eliminating the need to EQ those issues. Using its smart compression algorithm, IDX Intelligent Dynamics also enhances the important ‘good’ frequencies, bringing them forward in the mix.
Fine-Tune Compression Speed for Punch or Smoothness
Control IDX’s response speed with two modes: Hard delivers a fast response, ideal for transient sounds like drums and percussive elements, or when extra punch is desired. Soft provides a smoother, slower response, perfect for non-percussive sounds that need a more natural feel.
Adjust Low/High-Frequency Dynamics for Darker vs. Brighter Tone
The Tilt control adjusts how much the high and low frequencies are compressed. Turning it one way compresses the highs more, resulting in a darker tone. Turning it the other way compresses the lows more, resulting in a brighter sound.
Enhance Your Live Sound
IDX Intelligent Dynamics also includes a zero-latency version, making it an excellent tool for live applications. With just a few simple moves, IDX provides super-quick dynamic control over any input channel or group in your live mix.