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v14 (2023.02.07)

Latest Release By: R2R

Guide Latest

Uninstall / Clean-up

If this is your first Waves installation, skip this step.

  1. Run the included "R2R_Kill_Waves_Background_Process.cmd"
  2. Confirm that none of the following processes are running:
    • COSMOS.exe
    • WavesLocalServer.exe
    • WavesPluginServer.exe
  3. Uninstall the previous release
  4. Uninstall Waves Central
  5. Clean the following paths:
    • Your VST2, VST3, AAX plugins directories
    • C:\Program Files (x86)\Waves\
    • %PROGRAMFILES%\Waves Central\
    • %PROGRAMDATA%\Waves Audio\
    • %APPDATA%\COSMOS\
    • %APPDATA%\Waves Audio\
    • %LOCALAPPDATA%\Waves Audio\
    • %PUBLIC%\Waves Audio\
    • Additionaly you can search "WaveShell*" in your C:\ drive and delete all occurrences
  6. Clean the following registry entries:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Waves\

Installing Runtimes

If you use SoundGrid, install/update SoundGrid drivers.

Google "Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable", download from Microsoft and install/update the following runtimes:

  • Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2012 x86 and x64
  • Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2013 x64
  • Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2015-2022 x64
  • Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime (used by CR8 Sampler)

Installing Waves

  1. Unzip and run the provided installer (Setup Waves Complete v2023.02.07.7z, Setup Waves Complete v2023.02.07.exe)
  2. If you need NKS, you have to install VST2. Don't forget to add the VST2 path in Komplete Kontrol
  3. Scan/Rescan plugins in your DAW
  4. If you use sample based instruments, locate the instruments path from application start-up or GUI

Sample Libraries Releases:

  • Waves.Bass.Fingers.Library.HD.v1.0-R2R
  • Waves.Bass.Fingers.Library.SD.v1.0-R2R
  • Waves.Bass.Slapper.Library.HAPPY.NEW.YEAR-R2R
  • Waves.Clavinet.Library-R2R
  • Waves.Electric.88.Library-R2R
  • Waves.Electric.200.Library-R2R
  • Waves.Electric.G80.Library-R2R
  • Waves.Grand.Rhapsody.Library.HD.v1.0-R2R
  • Waves.Grand.Rhapsody.Library.SD.v1.0-R2R
  • Waves.Sample.Libraries.Factory.Pack.v1.0.3.5-R2R (CR8 Sampler asks for this)

Restarting Background Waves Servers

Follow this step if background processes are failing. When background processes are not working correctly, following issues can occur:

  • Plugin scan fails (WaveShells returns 0 plugins)
  • Preset Browser doesn't work
  • COSMOS (also in CR8 Sampler browser) does not launch, or exits with no license error
  1. Run the included "R2R_Kill_Waves_Background_Process.cmd"
  2. Run the following executables manually:
    • "%PROGRAMDATA%\Waves Audio\WavesLocalServer\WavesLocalServer.bundle\Contents\Win64\WavesLocalServer.exe"
    • "%PROGRAMDATA%\Waves Audio\WavesPluginServer\WavesPluginServerV14.1.bundle\Contents\Win64\WavesPluginServer.exe"
  3. Rescan the plugins in your DAW

Guide v14

  1. Install Waves Central using the provided installer (Install_Waves_Central.exe)
  2. Run Waves Central
  3. Press "Install Product", then "All Products", or select "Offline installer" if you have prepared an installer
  4. Create an account and log-in
  5. Choose products to install and press the install button
  6. Apply the provided patch (Waves Complete 14.0 patch.exe)

Guide v13

  1. Run the installer for Waves Central in the Waves folder (Install_Waves_Central.exe)
  2. Accept the EULA, click Next and Continue Offline
  3. With Waves Central open, open the install.cen file in Waves folder
  4. Select the desired plugins and click Install, you may then exit Waves Central
  5. Apply patch from the Patch folder and reboot

v11 Info ▼

If you're updating then clean:

  • %APPDATA%\Waves Audio
  • %APPDATA%\Waves Central
  • %LOCALAPPDATA%\Waves Audio
  • %PROGRAMDATA%\Waves Audio
  • C:\Users\Public\Waves Audio

If you want to use SoundGrid

  1. Install the SoundGrid Driver (WavesSoundGridDriverSetupV11.2.exe) using Full Installation

  2. Restart your computer

Fixing "Select Waves *** Plug-Ins folder"

  1. Delete "%APPDATA%\Waves Audio" and re-install. If the dialog still occurs, Uninstall waves, searh "Waveshell" in your plugin directories and delete them, then re-install.
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