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Where are my Waves plugins on Mac?

Author

Olivia Shea

Updated on March 09, 2026

Where are my Waves plugins on Mac?

In Finder, click on the Go menu, hold down the [Alt/Option] key, and click on Library. Go to Preferences, locate the folder “Waves Preferences,†and move it to your Desktop. Launch your host application with a fresh session. If prompted to locate the Waves Plug-ins Folder, direct to the above location.

Furthermore, where does Waves central install my plugins?

The plugins are installed in a central folder under the waves folder under either the Program Files or Program Files (86) folders.

Additionally, where is Waves Audio located? Tel Aviv

Considering this, why are my Waves plugins not showing up?

If you've updated your Waves products and some (or all) of your plugins do not load in your DAW, visit our Plugins Do Not Load After Updating to Latest Version page for instructions. If you've installed the latest version software but all your licenses are V9, visit our How to Roll Back to Waves v9.

Can I use my Waves plugins on two computers?

Many of us work on more than one computer and need flexibility. Waves offers a free 2nd license for any plugin or bundle covered by the Waves Update Plan, to be used on different computers, without having to move licenses between devices.

How do I install Waves plugins on Mac?

How Do I Download Waves Plugins?
  1. Download and install Waves Central for Mac | Windows.
  2. Launch Waves Central.
  3. Log into Waves Central using your Waves account information.
  4. Click on Easy Install & Activate.
  5. Select the products you wish to install & activate on this computer.
  6. Click on the Install & Activate button.

How do I install old Waves plugins?

If you have the current version of Waves Central:
  1. Launch the Waves Central application on the system where your licenses are activated:
  2. Log into Waves Central.
  3. Access the Offline Installer page.
  4. Browse to your Desktop > Waves – 24.5.
  5. Select the products you wish to install from the list.
  6. Click Install.

Do Waves plugins need ILOK?

Ilok isn't needed, at least not for the V9 of the plugins (aka if you're buying them now). In other words, you may need to deal with other license issues if you buy used plugins from V8 and before. Ilok, for newer plugins (edit: from other vendors), also has license managing software.

Where are my waves licenses stored?

By default, a license will be recovered to your Waves License Cloud. You can also recover it to a USB flash drive or to your computer.

How do I move Waves plugins?

The easiest way to move your Waves licenses between multiple computers is to activate them on a USB flash drive. Once that's done, you will be able to run your Waves plugins on any computer to which the USB flash drive is connected, as long as the software for those Waves plugins is installed on that computer.

Where are Protools plugins stored?

Go to C:Program Files (x86)Common FilesDigiDesignDAEDAE prefs, locate the file Installed plug-ins and drag it to your desktop. Launch Pro Tools, create a new session with a supported sample rate, add a track and load your Waves plugins.

Do I have to update Waves plugins?

No you don't have to update your Waves plugins. They're gonna work even if they are a few versions behind.

How do you update waves?

A Guide to Waves Versions and Updates
  1. Launch the Waves Central application:
  2. Log into Waves Central using your Waves account information.
  3. Click the Install Products tab, and select My Products to show a list of your plugins and their installation status.
  4. Choose the products to install and/or activate.

Can't find my plugins in Pro Tools?

How to find your plug-ins in Pro Tools
  1. Launch Pro Tools and go to the Preferences window. Windows: Setup > Preferences… Mac: Pro Tools > Preferences…
  2. Set Organize Plug-In Menus By section to Category and Manufacturer and then press OK.
  3. Create a mono and stereo audio track.
  4. Click Insert A-E to view the plug-in menu.

What are the best waves plugins?

Top 30 Audio Plugins & Bundles – Shopping Guide 2021
  • Reel ADT. The original “ADT” (Automatic Double Tracking) vocal effect, modeled from Abbey Road Studios' original setup for doubling the Beatles' vocals.
  • F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ.
  • PuigTec EQs.
  • API 2500.
  • CLA-2A.
  • CLA Epic.
  • Scheps Omni Channel.
  • SSL G-Master Buss Compressor.

How many computers can I use Waves plugins on?

Can I have Waves plug-ins activated on two computers? Waves plug-ins can only be activated on one system at one time, so you won't be able to run your Waves plug-ins on multiple computers.

How do I enable Waves plugins offline?

Log into Waves Central. Access the Offline Installer page. Under Install from an Offline Installer, click Browse. Browse to the desired offline installer folder you just unzipped.

Which waves plugin is best for vocals?

These are the best Waves plugins for vocals:
  • Waves Abbey Road Saturator.
  • Waves Butch Vig Vocals.
  • Waves DeBreath.
  • Waves Doubler.
  • Waves EMO-D5 Dynamics.
  • Waves H-Delay Hybrid Delay.
  • Waves H-Reverb.
  • Waves Ovox Vocal ReSynthesis.

Who started Waves Audio?

Gilad Keren

What company owns waves?

TPG Capital

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Where are my Waves plugins on Mac?