The BIG March Sale - Plugins from $9.99 | Shop Now »

How to Install and Activate Waves V12

Oct 29, 2023

Learn how to install Waves V12 plugins.

Important Notes:

  • V12 plugins can be activated by perpetual (non-subscription) V14-V12 license as well as Waves Creative Access subscription licenses.
  • Products released after October 10, 2021 are not part of the V12 offline installer.
  • To see a list of the plugins available in the V12 installer, visit this page.
  • When installing offline, Sample libraries for Waves instruments must be installed manually.

This article covers different situations such as:

  • You have newer licenses, but need to install V12 software due to system requirements.
  • You have V12 licenses and wish to install V12.

Step #1 Activate your Licenses

  1. Download and install Waves Central for Mac | Windows
    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 V12 software

  • Method 1: Install Online with Waves Central

      Click here for an interactive tutorial in Waves Central

    1. Launch the Waves Central application on the computer where your licenses are activated.
      On Windows: via the desktop shortcut or via Start Menu > All Programs > Waves Central.
      On Mac: Applications > Waves Central.
    2. Log into Waves Central.
    3. Click the Install Products page > All Products tab.
    4. Click the View menu and select only V12 Plugins.
    5. Use the search bar to search and select the products you wish to install. Review the selections in the Summary section.
      • If you’re Subscribed to Waves Creative Access, select the following products to install all Waves plugins:
        • Abbey Road Collection
        • Abbey Road Studio 3
        • CLA Nx
        • Inspire
        • Mercury
        • Nx – Virtual Mix Room over Headphones
        • Nx Ocean Way Nashville
        • SSL 4000 Collection
        • StudioRack
        • TRACT System Calibration
    6. Click the Install button.
  • Method 2: Use the dedicated V12 Offline Installer
    • If you are installing bundles or single plugins:
      1. Quit any host application.
      2. Download the V12.7 Offline Installation folder for Mac | Windows.
      3. Unzip the folder to your desktop.
      4. Navigate to the Waves – 10.10.21 folder which you just extracted.
      5. In the folder, launch the file named “install.cen”.
      6. Waves Central will open on the Offline Installer page.
      7. Use the search bar to search and select the products you wish to install.
      8. Click Install.
    • If you are installing Waves Creative Access:
      1. Quit any host application.
      2. Download the V12 Waves Creative Access Offline Installation folder for Mac | Windows.
      3. Unzip the folder to your desktop.
      4. Navigate to the Waves V12 Plugins folder which you just extracted.
      5. In the folder, launch the file named “install.cen”.
      6. Waves Central will open on the Offline Installer page.
      7. Select All Waves Plugins.
      8. Click Install.

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

  • Method 3: Prepare Your Own V12 Offline Installer via Waves Central

    To prepare your own V12 offline installer, which installs only the software you own, follow these steps.

Your products are now ready to use.

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