Waves Subscription Software Activation Instructions
In this guide, we will show you how to activate your Waves plug-in subscription plan. Follow the sections below to get started.
Register Serial Number
To redeem your software, you’ll need an account with Waves. Either go ahead and log in or create a new account. If you forget your Waves login credentials, visit the Forgot Password page to reset them. Once you’re in, register your Serial Number found in the Software Activation Instructions email sent from your Sales Engineer.
- Log in to your Waves account or create a new one.
- Click Register New Products or visit your account’s registration page.
- Enter the Serial Number and click Submit. The product is now registered to your Waves account.
- Click Download & Activate to download Waves Central.
Click the image to log into your Waves account
Download and Activate
BE PATIENT! The plug-in installation process will take quite some time. Make sure not to close out of Waves Central!
Once you have registered your subscription registration code, the next step is to download and install Waves Central. Waves Central is the standalone app you will need to download and activate the Waves plug-ins that are a part of your subscription.
- Download the Waves Central app.
- Navigate to your Downloads folder, then locate and launch the Waves Central software installer app.
- Once installed, Waves Central will automatically launch.
- Enter your Waves account credentials, then click Creative Access on the left side of the page.
- When prompted, click Install & Activate. You will be asked to select the license and plug-in installation locations.
- Once the installation process is complete, you’re all set!

Waves Creative Access download window
Add a Reminder
Sometimes, it’s easy to forget when a subscription is about to expire. You can set a reminder within Waves Central to ensure you’re up-to-date. By doing so, you will receive a notification when your subscription is about to run out. To do so, simply click Remind me, and choose how you’d like to be alerted.
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Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. Select manufacturers may require that only the manufacturer’s products qualify towards the minimum purchase amount needed to be eligible for promotional financing. Otherwise, an invoice that meets the minimum purchase amount and contains at least one qualifying manufacturer product is eligible for promotional financing. No interest will be charged on promo purchase balance, and equal monthly payments are required on promo purchase until it is paid in full. The payments equal the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next whole dollar. These payments may be higher than the payments that would be required if this purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months’ rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
The estimated required monthly payment shown which excludes taxes and delivery equals the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next cent. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to this rounding. These payments apply only with the financing offer shown. If you make these payments by the due date each month, you should pay off this amount financed within the promo period, if it is the only balance you are paying off. If you have other balances on your account, this payment will be added to any other minimum monthly payments.
Applies only to select items from this manufacturer. Ask your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for more details.
