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How to Install and Activate Waves V11

Oct 29, 2023

Learn how to install Waves V11 plugins.

Important Notes:

  • V11 plugins can be activated by perpetual (non-subscription) V14-V11 licenses as well as Waves Creative Access subscription licenses.
  • Products released after October 18, 2020 are not part of V11 offline installer.
  • To see a list of the plugins available in the V11 installer, visit this page.
  • When installing offline, Sample libraries for Waves instruments must be installed manually.

This article covers situations such as:

  • You have newer licenses, but need to install V11 software due to system requirements.
  • You have V11 licenses and wish to install V11.

Step #1 Activate your Licenses

  1. Download and install Waves Central for |
    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: via 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 V11 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 V11 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
        • Inspire
        • Mercury
        • Nx – Virtual Mix Room over Headphones
        • SSL 4000 Collection
        • StudioRack
        • TRACT System Calibration
    6. Click the Install button.
  • Method 2: Use the dedicated V11 Offline Installer
    • If you are installing bundles or single plugins:
      1. Quit any host application.
      2. Download the V11 Offline Installation folder for Mac | Windows.
      3. Unzip the folder to your desktop.
      4. Navigate to the Waves V11 – 18.10.20 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 V11 Waves Creative Access Offline Installation folder for Mac | Windows.
      3. Unzip the folder to your desktop.
      4. Navigate to the Waves V11 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 V11 Offline Installer via Waves Central

    To prepare your own V11 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.