Waves NX is a virtual mix room plug-in that tracks the movement of our heads in realtime which in turn conveys the impression of a real room within a headphone’s soundstage. This mimics how our head movements alter our listening experiences when moving our heads around the sweet spot within a physical monitor setup.

The NX software requires a webcam to track head movements. Depending on the lighting in the studio this basic setup can at times be a little hit and miss. An optional Bluetooth device is recommended for better results as it takes the experience much further by providing a much more responsive sound. The NX Bluetooth Headtracker is a relatively inexpensive battery powered device that clips on top of any set of headphones. This pairs with the computer easily and syncs with the NX software. The Bluetooth device works in harmony with the webcam and the results are pretty amazing. The Bluetooth Headtracker also works with the free mobile Waves app bringing the NX process out of the studio to the consumer.

We’ve tested NX in a mix session. The experience was pleasant enough though it took a little time to forget about what it’s doing. When your ears are focused solely on the job of mixing instead of what the NX the system is doing then the experience of the virtual mix room is immersive and very studio monitor-like.