Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain vs FabFilter Pro-L 2

Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain9.0Visit FabFilter Pro-L 28.7Visit

Higher score Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain #3 in Audio Mastering Software 9.0/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Waves

vs

FabFilter Pro-L 2 #5 in Audio Mastering Software 8.7/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 3 features Visit FabFilter

• Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain fits best

  Classic console-style mastering workflows

• FabFilter Pro-L 2 fits best

  Precise limiter and immersive mastering

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Side by side

Feature	Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain 9.0/10 Visit ↗	FabFilter Pro-L 2 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Audio Mastering Software	#5 in Audio Mastering Software
Best for	Classic console-style mastering workflows	Precise limiter and immersive mastering
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, iOS
Support	Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Integrations	8 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain 1/3 · FabFilter Pro-L 2 0/3
Stereo processing	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Album sequencing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Batch processing	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Workflow type	Plugin	Plugin
Loudness standards	Not checked yet	EBU R128, ITU-R BS.1770-4, ATSC A/85, TR-B32
Supported plug-in formats	VST3, Audio Units, AAX	VST, VST3, Audio Units, CLAP, AAX Native, AudioSuite
Delivery formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Five reorderable modules cover tone, dynamics, filtering, output, and stereo spread. Stereo, dual-mono, and mid-side processing support flexible mastering workflows. 170 presets and a separate TG Meter Bridge expand starting points and metering options.	Eight limiting algorithms with true-peak and loudness metering Up to 32x oversampling, dithering, and configurable loudness targets Supports surround and Dolby Atmos processing up to 9.1.6
Cons	No free plan; access is through a paid perpetual plug-in license. Desktop plug-in format requires a compatible host application. Metering is supplied through a separate TG Meter Bridge plug-in.	No free plan is available Desktop pricing may vary by currency or region Plugin workflow requires a compatible host or AUv3 iPad setup
Our verdict	Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain is a desktop audio plug-in for mastering, mixing, buses, groups, and individual tracks. Modeled on the EMI TG12410 Transfer Console, it is aimed at producers, engineers, and musicians who want a classic… Read the review →	FabFilter Pro-L 2 is a professional true-peak limiter plug-in for mixing and mastering. It is aimed at mastering engineers, mixing engineers, music producers, and other audio professionals working with mono, stereo, surround, or immersive… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain — where it wins

  • Five reorderable modules cover tone, dynamics, filtering, output, and stereo spread.
  • Stereo, dual-mono, and mid-side processing support flexible mastering workflows.
  • 170 presets and a separate TG Meter Bridge expand starting points and metering options.

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; access is through a paid perpetual plug-in license.
  • Desktop plug-in format requires a compatible host application.
  • Metering is supplied through a separate TG Meter Bridge plug-in.

• FabFilter Pro-L 2 — where it wins

  • Eight limiting algorithms with true-peak and loudness metering
  • Up to 32x oversampling, dithering, and configurable loudness targets
  • Supports surround and Dolby Atmos processing up to 9.1.6

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Desktop pricing may vary by currency or region
  • Plugin workflow requires a compatible host or AUv3 iPad setup

• Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain9.0/10 · Paid

  A focused mastering plug-in for modular console-style processing across major DAWs.

  Visit WavesFull verdict →
• FabFilter Pro-L 28.7/10 · 30-day trial

  A deep mastering plug-in for engineers who need control beyond basic limiting.

  Visit FabFilterFull verdict →