Waves CLA Nx (Download)
Create Better Headphone Mixes— in Chris Lord-Alge’s Studio

Compared to mixing in a beautifully tuned mix room with world-class monitors, mixing through headphones used to be a poor substitute. But that’s in the past—CLA Nx recreates the acoustics of Chris Lord-Alge’s Mix LA studio, in your headphones, using Waves Nx® spatial imaging technology.

CLA Nx creates a three-dimensional soundfield that feels—and sounds—like you’re mixing in CLA’s high-end mix room. The plugin also comes complete with EQ correction curves for over 270 headphone models. Now you can check your mixes in a world-class studio, wherever you are.

Create Mixes that Translate to All Systems

Headphones are a convenient way to mix, but they are limited in their ability to represent what a mix sounds like over speakers. Mix on headphones, and you might easily add too much reverb, make problematic panning decisions, or misjudge the low end. CLA Nx gives you a well-calibrated mixing environment that will let you create well-balanced mixes.

Choose from 3 Custom Monitors

CLA Nx simulates the well-balanced acoustics of renowned mix engineer Chris Lord-Alge’s studio. Mix over Chris’s custom NS10 near-field speakers. Get the big picture with his custom-built Ocean Way HR1 monitors. Or do reality checks with his Sony boombox.

EQ Correction for 270 Headphone Models

CLA Nx uses the state-of-the-art Harman Headphone Target Curve method to correct EQ response for over 270 studio headphones, including models by Sony, Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, AKG, Audio Technica, Audeze, Focal, and dozens more brands.

Hear the Same Thing Your Collaborators Are Hearing

The Nx breakthrough means you now have a standardized, ideal studio sound for collaboration. As you work on a project with others, you’ll know you’re all hearing the same sound, and mixing with identical studio acoustics.

Customize Your Mix Environment

Use the accurate emulation of Mix LA’s acoustics, or dial in wetter or drier ambience. For personal adjustment of the 3D effect to your head/ear anatomy, enter your personal head measurements into the plugin’s head anatomy calibration section.

Track Head Motion for Enhanced Immersion

For the ultimate in realism, track head motion so that as you move your head, the sound changes as if you were moving your head in the studio. Track with your computer’s camera, or with the Nx Head Tracker for maximum accuracy.

Requirements:

mac:
cpu: Intel or Silicon Architecture
ram: 8
disk: 16
version: macOS Catalina 10.15, Big Sur 11, Monterey 12, Ventura 13, Sonoma 14
additional_requirements: Minimum: 1024x768 Recommended: 1280x1024 / 1600x1024 USB displays are not supported as the primary display.
internet_required: False

windows:
cpu: X64 compatible Intel or AMD CPU
ram: 8
disk: 16
version: Windows 10 64 bit and Windows 11
additional_requirements: Minimum: 1024x768 Recommended: 1280x1024 / 1600x1024
internet_required: False

Licensing:
methods: computer,usb