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

Waves’ noise reduction and audio repair plug-in Clarity Vx Pro uses AI (a neural network) to separate a voice from background noise and reduce the noise. It is the higher version of Clarity Vx, with 6-band adjustment, a choice of four networks, control over room reflections, and an ambience gate that quiets the gaps between the voice.

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 Pro 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 Pro 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 finer control than Clarity Vx over how noise and room reflections are reduced.

Main features of Clarity Vx Pro

AI separates the voice from the noise

Clarity Vx Pro is a Waves plug-in that uses a neural network trained on a large amount of voice data to separate a voice from background noise and reduce it. One main knob does the processing, and it runs in real time.

Six bands and four networks

For each of six frequency bands you can control the amount of processing, solo, delta (listening to what was removed) and bypass. You can choose from four neural networks to suit the use.

Room reflections and the ambience gate

There is a Reflections control that adjusts how much of the natural reflections of the room is brought back, and an ambience gate that lowers the volume in the gaps between the voice. You can also remove the voice and keep only the background sound.

Where it is useful

• Reducing the background noise of a home-recorded vocal all at once with AI
• Reducing only the noise while keeping the reflections of the room
• Finishing video or vocal audio with detailed adjustment

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 the background noise of a voice with AI, and you can also adjust how much of the room reflections is brought back.

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 the surrounding sound with AI. You can also remove the voice and keep only the surrounding sound. There is no part separation.

Speed: 3 / 5

We look at features that make repair work faster.

One main knob does the processing, and you can adjust finely with the 6-band controls when needed.

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 processes in real time, and the settings can be automated.

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 Pro system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Windows 10 or later / Mac (macOS 12 to 15)
Plug-in formats	Windows: VST, AAX / Mac: AU, AAX, VST
OBS (streaming)	Works with conditions (via Waves’ StudioRack)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on October 17, 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)
• Clarity Vx: features and rating (rank B)
• Restoration Suite 2: features and rating (rank C)
• WNS: features and rating (rank C)