Waves F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ plug-in: features and spec-based rating

Waves’ F6 is a dynamic EQ (an EQ that works only when the sound gets loud) in which each of six bands applies EQ only when the sound gets loud. It also supports an external sidechain and Mid/Side (a method that separates the center and the sides) processing.

An EQ (equalizer) adjusts the amount of low and high frequencies in a sound. You use it to clear up a muddy voice or reduce sounds that hurt the ears.

In this article we compare F6 with 15 EQ plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.

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Summary

Among the 15 EQ plug-ins, F6 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 3.0.

Strengths

• Handling problem bands (4 points): it has features that target problem sounds, so it is easy to fix them precisely.

Things to keep in mind

• Speed (1 points): you have to decide the settings by ear.

Who it suits: people who want to fix problems that change from moment to moment, such as reducing a harsh band only when the singer belts.

Main features of F6

A dynamic EQ that moves with the strength of the singing

F6 is a dynamic EQ that acts only when the sound goes over a chosen level. The sales page explains that a singer’s tone changes between singing softly and belting, so a fixed EQ does not suit every moment. F6 works only when the voice goes over the chosen level and returns to normal when it falls below, so it suits reducing a band that sounds harsh only when the singer belts.

Six freely movable bands

The six bands can be set freely in pitch and width and can even be stacked (Floating-Band). For each band you can compress only the part that goes over a chosen level, or conversely lift it. High-pass and low-pass filters are also included.

Center and side processing, and an external trigger

You can choose to process the whole stereo image, only the center or only the spread to the sides. It also supports a sidechain triggered by another track, so you can lower the same range of the backing track only while the vocal is present.

Mixing in the original sound

A mix knob blends the processed sound with the original, so it can be used like parallel compression (a technique that mixes the original with a compressed sound). It helps when you want the effect to sound natural.

Where it is useful

• Reducing a harsh band that appears only when the singer belts
• Lowering the same range of the backing track only while the vocal is present
• Making only an overly prominent sound of one instrument less noticeable in a mix

Rating by criterion

Handling problem bands: 4 / 5

We check whether you can target and fix only the sounds that bother you, such as boominess or harshness.

All six bands can use a dynamic EQ that compresses or expands only when the level goes over the threshold.

Speed: 1 / 5

We check whether it has features that get you to a good setting quickly, such as automatic settings and a function that matches a reference sound.

You have to decide the settings by ear.

If “speed” matters most to you, smart:EQ 4 (5 points) is a better fit.

Stereo processing: 3 / 5

We check whether you can adjust the center sound (such as the vocal) and the sound spread to the sides separately.

You can choose Stereo, Mid or Side for processing.

How we score (EQ plug-ins)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Handling problem bands	The power to target and reduce boomy or harsh sounds	Dynamic EQ, plus processing that reacts only to specific frequencies inside a band	Dynamic EQ (works only when the sound gets loud), or separate processing of the attack and the sustained sound	A static EQ with many bands, or with a choice of processing quality such as linear phase	A static EQ with few bands	—
Speed	Features that help you decide settings quickly	AI balances the sound automatically and can also reduce overlap between tracks	Automatic EQ settings or EQ match, plus other aids	One aid, such as EQ match	Analyzer (a visual display of the sound) only	No aids listed
Stereo processing	Whether the center and the sides can be processed separately	Supports M/S, separate left/right and surround	Supports M/S plus either separate left/right or surround	M/S only	—	Not mentioned on the official page

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: balancing the sound of vocals and backing tracks in a mix. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Handling problem bands" 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. 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.

F6 screens and images

F6 system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Windows 10 or later / Mac (macOS 12 to 15)
Plug-in formats	VST, AAX (Windows); VST, AU, AAX (Mac)
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’ official StudioRack)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026. How to use plug-ins in the OBS streaming software is explained in How to use VST3 plug-ins in OBS.

Compared with other EQ plug-ins

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

Read next

• MEqualizer: features and rating (rank B)
• Gullfoss: features and rating (rank B)
• Pro-Q 4: features and rating (rank S)
• smart:EQ 4: features and rating (rank A)