Enter the by Waves.
You will never hear an NS1 and say, "Wow, that plugin sounds beautiful!" Because you aren't supposed to hear it. You are supposed to hear a vocal that sits perfectly in the pocket, or a bassline that doesn't jump out of the speakers.
Now, go make some noise—just a little less dynamic noise.
Is searching for an worth the time? Only if you are willing to use the official trial. If you are a serious producer, spend the $30 during a sale. It will save you hours of manual gain automation on every single mix.
Waves frequently runs "Nickel and Dime" sales where NS1 drops from its original price to as low as $29.99 . Furthermore, if you subscribe to Waves Update Plan or buy certain hardware bundles, NS1 is often included as a bonus. Occasionally, plugin magazines (like Computer Music or Plugin Boutique ) offer it as a free gift with any purchase.
If you’ve seen the acronym "NS1" floating around forum threads or YouTube tutorials, you know it has gained a near-mythical reputation. It isn't a reverb. It isn't a delay. It is, quite simply, intelligent volume management .
If you download a trial today, insert NS1 on your drum bus. Move the slider until the gain reduction meter moves between -1 and -3. Close your eyes and listen. Suddenly, the kick and snare aren't fighting anymore. That is the NS1 magic.