Waves plug-ins have led the industry for decades. And now, thanks to Waves Creative Access, purchasing and staying current with your Waves plug-ins are about to get a whole lot easier. That said, we that understand change can be confusing. Therefore, we put together this guide to walk you through these new subscription options and provide you with answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Waves Creative Access Subscriptions (in a Nutshell)
Waves is offering two Creative Access subscription options: Waves Essential and Waves Ultimate. Both are available either monthly or annually.
- Waves Essentialsubscriptions will initially include more than 110 plug-ins.
- Waves Ultimate subscriptions will initially include more than 220 plug-ins.
Note: Neither subscription option includes Waves live sound applications, such as eMotion LV1, SuperRack, SoundGrid Rack for VENUE, or Dugan Speech. Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 for more information.
Both subscription options include the following:
- Access to all plug-ins included in your selected option
- Free updates for included plug-ins (at no extra cost) each time a new software update is released
- Access to new, regularly added plug-ins as they are released (at no extra cost)
- Personal technical support by phone, chat, and email
- StudioVerse, the AI-powered community for plug-in chains
- Access to premium music production and mixing masterclasses
Moreover, annual subscriptions include access to the Waves Mixing Foundations course.
Waves Creative Access Frequently Asked Questions:
#1: Is Waves Creative Access the only way to get Waves plug-ins now?
No. Waves plugins and bundles can be purchased as perpetual licenses, as well as accessed via the new Waves Creative Access subscriptions. Both options, perpetual and subscription, will exist side by side going forward.
#2: How do I install Waves Creative Access plug-ins?
Via the Waves Central application. Once you sign up for your subscription, you will be directed to the Download Waves Central webpage. If you do not have Waves Central already installed, then you’ll be prompted to install it.
#3: How many machines can I install my Waves Creative Access license on?
A Waves Creative Access license will authorize one machine at a time. If you want to run Waves Creative Access plug-ins on two (or more) computers simultaneously, then you must purchase additional subscriptions.
#4: Will my subscription automatically renew after it expires?
Your Waves Creative Access subscription will auto-renew monthly or annually (depending on your chosen subscription period). Once your payment clears, your subscription license will renew instantly. If you should happen to miss a payment, then you get a seven-day grace period before your subscription is canceled.
#5: What if my production machine isn’t connected to the Internet?
If your authorized computer is offline, then you’ll need to connect it to the Internet and launch your DAW in order for your local license to synchronize and renew. You can also activate your renewed license on an internet-enabled computer and then transfer the renewed license to your offline computer via a USB flash drive.
#6: Why do I see Waves plug-ins in my DAW that aren’t included in my subscription?
By default, Waves Creative Access installs all the company’s plug-ins on your machine. Plug-ins you’re not subscribed to will run in demo mode, which introduces periodic audio mutes but are otherwise fully functional. To hide the demo plug-ins, you can use the Waves StudioRack plug-in chainer (demo plug-ins will be indicated in italics in the software itself). Otherwise, refer to your DAW’s operation manual.
#7: Why would I want a bunch of demo plug-ins on my production machine?
These demo plug-ins allow you to evaluate new plug-ins without time limitations. They also enable you to experiment with the thousands of plug-in chains included in Waves StudioVerse.
#8: Can I upgrade or downgrade my Waves Creative Access subscription?
Yes. You can switch from Waves Essential to Waves Ultimate (or vice versa). You can also switch from a monthly subscription to an annual subscription (and vice versa). The change will take place instantly. Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer to set the process in motion.
Call Your Sales Engineer for More Information
If you have any questions about subscribing to Waves Creative Access, then give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700. We’re happy to set you up with the best subscription for your needs.