Waves Audio offers the Magma StressBox plugin as this year’s Black Friday freebie.
We recently covered the announcement of another Black Friday freebie from Waves, and like last year’s offering (IDX Intelligent Dynamics), the developer kept its cards very close to its chest before announcing Magma StressBox.
Before the initial announcement and the launch of the signup page, which opened earlier this month, we were given minimal information and didn’t have many details to share.
Still, BPB reader Haist commented, “looks like a Magma tube knob,” and now, with all cards on the table, Waves has revealed the Magma StressBox.
While we’re at it, don’t forget to grab the Black Friday freebie from Air Music Tech, too.
World-class producers and mix engineers, including Jacquire King, Joe Chiccarelli, and Tony Maserati, have praised the Waves Magma Series of plugins for their authentic analog tone and behaviour.
Another element of the Magma Series, especially the Magma Tube Channel Strip, that seems to garner widespread appreciation is simplicity, both in use and function.
Rather than being jam-packed with features, the Magma Tube Channel Strip doesn’t do too much and focuses on delivering realistic analog-like harmonic richness, warmth, and fatness.
This Black Friday freebie takes simplicity to another level; the Magma StressBox is a one-knob dynamics tool that couldn’t be more straightforward; turn right for compression, and left for expansion.
The compression is pretty aggressive and is ideal for a punchy, in-your-face sound.
The expansion enhances transients and shortens reverb tails, tightening your sound.
I’ve had a little time with Magma StressBox, and despite its simplicity, it’s more versatile than you might expect.
Although the compression is pretty aggressive, just a little is enough to bring a lacking sound to life without being over the top.
Similarly, the expansion has a broad range, and a little goes a long way towards a crisper and clearer sound, and it works well on intimate recordings.
It’s like a tension and energy shifter, which makes it great for shaping the overall tone or building impactful transitions.
Magma StressBox is only available for free over the Black Friday weekend, so get it while you can!
I’ve had mixed feelings about Waves over the years, and it has prevented me from taking advantage of the developer’s biggest sales, which is a shame.
However, my issues relate to certain processes, particularly the Waves Update Plan, rather than product quality.
It’s important to remind myself that Waves makes some top-notch plugins, and when something like Magma StressBox comes along for free, I’m always happy to give it a try.
Check out the deal: Magma StressBox (FREE on Black Friday only – signup required)
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Last Updated on November 28, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
