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How to Roll Back to Waves v9.3

Nov 29, 2023

If you inadvertently installed a plugin version that cannot run on your operating system or host application and wish to roll back to V9.3 plugins, follow these instructions.

Waves Creative Access subscription licenses and perpetual (non-subscription) V14-V9 licenses are backwards-compatible and will activate older-version software (V9 and above), as long as the product/s in question exist in that software version.

To find out whether a certain plugin exists in V9.3, visit the V9.3 Download page and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

  • For V9 SoundGrid applications (eMotion LV1, MultiRack, SoundGrid Studio, and StudioRack) - please use the V9 SoundGrid applications offline installer.
  • This is the last version to support TDM plugins for Pro Tools 10 HD and below.
  • Software version 9.3 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.
On Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and macOS Sierra (10.12) and below:

If you have installed your plugins in a higher version, remove them by following these steps, otherwise continue to step #4 :

  1. Quit any host application.
  2. On Windows:
    • Go to C:\Program Files (x86) and delete the Waves folder.
    • Delete any WaveShell files you find in the following locations (if exist):
      • C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins
      • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-ins
      • C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\VSTPlugins
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\ DigiDesign\DAE\Plug-Ins
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\VST3
      • C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\WPAPI
  3. On Mac:
    • Go to Applications and delete the Waves folder.
    • Delete any WaveShell files you find in the following locations (if exist):
      • Mac HD > Library > Audio > Plugins > Components
      • Mac HD > Library > Audio > Plugins > VST
      • Mac HD > Library > Audio > Plugins > VST3
      • Mac HD > Library > Application Support > Digidesign > Plugins
      • Mac HD > Library > Application Support > Avid > Audio > Plug-Ins
      • Mac HD > Library > Audio > Plugins > WPAPI
  4. Download the Waves 9.3 Installer for Mac | Windows.
  5. 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.
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.
On Windows 10, macOS High Sierra 10.13 and macOS Mojave 10.14:
  1. Quit any host application.
  2. Launch the latest version of the Waves Central application:
    Windows: via the desktop shortcut or Start Menu > All Programs > Waves Central.
    Mac: Applications > Waves Central.
  3. Log into Waves Central.
  4. Go to the Settings page > Maintenance > Uninstall.
  5. Select the version of plugins currently installed and click Uninstall.
  6. Download the Waves 9.3 Installer for Mac | Windows.
  7. 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.
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.

If needed, learn how to rescan your plugins in your DAW here.

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