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How to Roll Back to Waves v9.6

Nov 08, 2023

If you inadvertently installed a plugin version that cannot run on your operating system or host application and wish to roll back to V9.6 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 the older software version.

To find out whether a certain plugin exists in V9.6, visit the V9.6 Download page and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Important Notes:

  • For V9 SoundGrid applications (SoundGrid Studio, MultiRack, eMotion LV1, and StudioRack) - please use the V9 SoundGrid applications offline installer.
  • This is the last version to support RTAS plugins for Pro Tools 10 and below.
  • Software version 9.6 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:
  1. Quit any host application.
  2. Download the V9.6 Offline Installation folder for Mac | Windows.
  3. Unzip the folder to your desktop.
  4. On Mac: Run the “Install_Waves_Central.dmg” file and follow the prompts to install the Waves Central Legacy version (“Waves Central L”).
    On PC: Run the “Install_Waves_Central.exe” file and follow the prompts to install the Waves Central Legacy version (“Waves Central L”).
  5. Launch Waves Central L.
  6. From the top menu, go to Install > Uninstall, checkmark both boxes and click Uninstall.
  7. Once uninstalled, from the top menu, go to Install > Install.
  8. In the left panel, click on Select Offline Installer.
  9. Browse to your Desktop and select Waves – 4.4.17 and click Open.
  10. In the middle panel, select the product/s you wish to install.
  11. Click Install.
On Windows 10, macOS High Sierra 10.13 and macOS Mojave 10.14:
  1. Quit any host application.
  2. Download the V9.6 Offline Installation folder for Mac | Windows.
  3. Unzip the folder to your desktop.
  4. 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.
  5. Log into Waves Central.
  6. Go to the Settings page > Maintenance > Uninstall.
  7. Select the version of plugins currently installed and click Uninstall.
  8. Access the Offline Installer page and click Open Installer.
  9. Browse to your Desktop > Waves – 4.4.17 and click Open.
  10. Select the products you wish to install from the list.
  11. Click Install.
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.