Infected Mushroom Pusher

Waves' Pusher is a mastering-grade multiband processor that distills the mixing philosophy of electronic pioneers Infected Mushroom into a streamlined, intuitive tool. Rather than offering endless parameters, it bundles seven complementary processors - EQ, compression, saturation, stereo widening, and limiting - into a signal chain optimized for the final 2dB of loudness and punch that separates finished masters from mere mixes.

The plugin's architecture centers on four primary bands: LOW isolates kick and bass frequencies for focused control without muddying the midrange; BODY targets the presence zone where instruments live; MAGIC applies multiband excitation across the spectrum, particularly effective on drum buses; and PUSH functions as a final limiter or soft clipper for transparent gain staging. Each section operates with minimal parameter exposure, encouraging decisive moves rather than endless tweaking.

Sonically, Pusher exhibits a subtle but unmistakable character - it adds harmonic saturation and slight compression that fattens mixes without introducing obvious coloration. The stereo widening algorithm preserves mono compatibility while expanding narrow recordings effectively. This tonal signature suits electronic and hip-hop production particularly well, though it translates capably across pop and rock contexts where aggressive final-stage processing risks audible artifacts.

Compared to surgical mastering chains or transparent limiters, Pusher occupies a pragmatic middle ground. It's less transparent than competitors like FabFilter Pro-L, but more surgical than vintage hardware emulations. Its real strength lies in speed - experienced engineers can achieve competitive loudness and definition in minutes rather than hours, making it valuable both for rapid iteration during mixing and for rescue operations on problematic sources.