Waves Clarity Vx noise reduction plug-in: features and spec-based rating

Waves’ Clarity Vx is a plug-in that uses AI (a neural network) to tell a voice from background noise and reduces noise with a single knob. It can be used for sung vocals in music and for voices in video and podcasts.

Noise reduction and audio repair software is a tool for reducing, after the fact, noise that got into a recording, such as air conditioner noise, room ring and hum.

In this article we compare Clarity Vx with 13 noise reduction and audio repair programs and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.

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Summary

Among the 13 noise reduction and audio repair programs, Clarity Vx is rank B. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and B is third from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 2.6.

Things to keep in mind

• Noise control for vocal recordings (2 points): the kinds of noise it deals with are limited.

Who it suits: people who want to reduce air conditioner and car noise and surrounding voices quickly.

Main features of Clarity Vx

Decide the balance of voice and noise with one knob

Clarity Vx is a Waves noise reduction plug-in that separates a voice from the noise behind it, using AI (a neural network) trained to pick out voices alone. The sales page lists noise such as air conditioners, boomy room low end, rain, cars, planes and background chatter. One big knob sets the balance between voice and noise.

Real time, with no waiting for an export

Processing is real time, so you do not need to export the sound and wait. You can also change how it acts from scene to scene with automation. It uses the same AI mechanism as the higher-end Clarity Vx Pro.

Three AIs to choose from by noise type

There are two “Broad” AIs you can choose by the nature of the noise, and “ECO”, a conversation-oriented AI that is two to three times lighter on the computer. For stereo sound there are also Double, which analyzes left and right separately, and width adjustment.

Where it is useful

• Reducing air conditioner and outside noise behind a vocal recording
• Making the voice in video or a podcast easier to hear, quickly
• Reducing conversation noise while keeping the load on the computer low (ECO)

Rating by criterion

Noise control for vocal recordings: 2 / 5

We look at how it deals with noise that often gets into home recordings.

It reduces background noise such as air conditioners, boomy low room sound, rain, cars and surrounding voices.

If “noise control for vocal recordings” matters most to you, RX 12 Advanced and RX 12 Standard (5 points) are a better fit.

Sound separation: 3 / 5

We look at features that separate the voice from the backing, or separate by part.

It separates the voice from background noise with AI. There is no part separation.

Speed: 3 / 5

We look at features that make repair work faster.

You can decide the balance of voice and noise with one knob.

Streaming and real time: 3 / 5

We look at whether it can reduce the noise in a voice in real time while streaming or recording.

It can process in real time.

How we score (Noise reduction and audio repair software)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Noise control for vocal recordings	How it deals with noise that often gets into home recordings	Deals with background noise, hum, clicks and room ring, and even lip noise, breaths, sibilance and plosives	Deals with most of those	Deals with the basics: background noise, hum, clicks and room ring	Only some	—
Sound separation	Features that separate voice from backing, or by part	Voice extraction, part separation, removal of bleed and separation of scenes are all included	Three of those	One or two of those	—	No separation features
Speed	Features that make repair work faster	Automatic suggestions, spectral editing and batch processing, plus features that match ambience and EQ	Automatic suggestions, spectral editing and batch processing	A feature that automatically suggests repair settings	—	—
Streaming and real time	Whether it reduces noise in a voice in real time while streaming or recording	Works in real time, and use for streaming is stated officially	Voice noise reduction is available as a real-time plug-in with no delay (zero latency)	Can be used as a plug-in (amount of delay not stated)	Mainly editing after recording (only the preview of processing is real time)	Cannot be used in real time

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: reducing the noise in a vocal you recorded at home. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Noise control for vocal recordings" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. "Streaming and real time" is a criterion that answers the common search for "noise reduction that works for streaming". The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.

Clarity Vx screens and images

Clarity Vx system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Windows 10 or later / Mac (macOS 12 to 15)
Plug-in formats	Windows: VST, AAX / Mac: VST, AU, AAX
Other	A Waves account and the installer app (Waves Central) are required. Check the details on the retailer’s (Plugin Boutique) product page
OBS (streaming)	Works with conditions (via Waves’ StudioRack)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Compared with other noise reduction and audio repair programs

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Read next

• Clear: features and rating (rank B)
• NS1: features and rating (rank B)
• Restoration Suite 2: features and rating (rank C)
• WNS: features and rating (rank C)