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How to Install and Activate Waves V9.3

Jun 24, 2024

Learn how to install Waves V9.3 plugins, using an offline installer.

Important Notes:

  • V9.3 plugins can be activated by Waves Creative Access subscription licenses, as well as by perpetual (non-subscription) V15-V9 licenses.
  • Products released after September 10, 2015 are not part of the V9.3 offline installer.
  • To check if a plugin exists in the V9.3 installer, visit this page.
  • Sample libraries for Waves instruments must be installed manually.
  • V9.3 is the last version to support TDM plugins for Pro Tools 10 HD and below, as well as the last version to be supported on Logic 9.
  • Software version V9.3 cannot co-exist with software versions V10 or higher.
    If you wish to run V9 side by side with V10 or higher – please install version 9.92.

This article covers situations such as:

  1. You have the latest version licenses, but need to install V9.3 software due to system requirements.
  2. You have V9 licenses and wish to install V9.3.
  3. You are using Pro Tools 10 HD or lower, or Logic 9.
On Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and macOS Sierra (10.12) and below:

Step #1 – Activate your Licenses
If you are using Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or macOS Sierra (10.12) or lower, activate your licenses on a USB drive using a supported computer (macOS 10.15 or higher / Windows 10 or higher) according to the instructions found in the Activate Licenses article.

On Windows 10, macOS Catalina 10.15 (or higher) follow these steps:

  1. Download and install Waves Central for Windows | Mac
    If you already have Waves Central installed, skip to the next step.
  2. Launch Waves Central:
    On Windows: via the desktop shortcut or via Start Menu > All Programs > Waves Central. On Mac: Applications > Waves Central.
  3. Log into Waves Central.
  4. Select the Licenses page on the left bar.
  5. Select Not Activated at the top of the page.
  6. Choose the license/s you wish to activate. Selected licenses will appear in the list on the right.
  7. Choose the target device for the activated license/s.
  8. Click the Activate button.

Step #2 – Install the plugins

  1. Download and run the Waves 9.3 Installer for Windows | Mac
  2. In the Installation Type menu (Mac) / Select Products screen (Win), checkmark the plugins or bundles for which you have licenses and finish the installation process.
    • Note that non-bundled plugins are located under the "Single Plugins" category.
    • you are subscribed to Waves Creative Access, install the following products:
      1. Mercury
      2. Abbey Road Collection
      3. SSL 4000 Collection
  3. Click Install.
  4. Once done, connect to your computer the USB flash drive you prepared in Step #1, in order to activate the plugins.
  5. Logic Pro X users only:
    1. Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Waves > Waveshells and run the Waves AU Reg Utility V9.
      If there are more than one Waves AU Reg Utility V9 file in the Waveshells V9 folder, apply these steps to them all.
    2. Click on Let’s Go.
    3. If asked to “Locate the Waves Plugins Folder”, direct to Macintosh HD > Applications > Waves > Plug-Ins V9.
    4. Launch Logic, go to Logic > Preferences > Plug-ins Manager.
    5. Make sure your Waves plugins are check-marked. If they are not, highlight all Waves listings and click Reset & Rescan Selection.

Your products are now ready to use.

Please note – Only plugins that are part of your Waves Creative Access Subscription will show up in your DAW.

If you need any further assistance, please contact Technical Support.