Greetings! The Waves Complete 16 bundle has been released in the market. Usually, Waves focuses on releasing brand-new plugins. (If you want to see what was new in the previous version, check out my detailed article on Waves 15)
But this time, Waves has shifted its focus elsewhere. This update mainly focuses on improvements such as workflow, interface (graphically), etc. The company also mentions this update on its website as “Timeless tools, refined for better workflow.”
In short, this update is mainly about improvements to the plugins we already have because the library of plugins is already huge and mature, and this type of update is also expected at this stage.
So now, let’s talk about the updates one by one.
Introducing Auto Makeup Gain in Popular Compressors
Now, the auto-gain feature has been added to the top 5 and most popular compressors to avoid volume jumping. This can save the time of mixing engineers. Especially, when I used to mix any song, my main problem was the analog plugins because their developers had developed them based on their vintage models, adding no extra modern features.
So, when I messed with compressors, a lot of my time was consumed in maintaining the volume of the sound after being compressed. Thanks to Waves 16 updates for having this feature.
CLA-3A, CLA-2A, CLA-76, Abbey Road Series, and V-Comp are getting the feature of auto makeup gain.
Cosmos Sample finder has now become a Plugin from a Standalone Application
Cosmos is a plugin that finds and organizes the samples. Initially, when it came to the ground, it was a standalone application. I had to open it separately in a window. This was also time-consuming but sometimes it made me burn out from my work.
It’s because I’m the kind of producer who relies heavily on samples and loops. It’s a headache to switch between the OS browser and my DAW.
In this update of V16, the Cosmos sample finder has now become a plugin, meaning we can open it in our DAW just like the other plugins. Some other improvements have also been done, like now it can organize similar samples together, and it does faster scans. The UI also has been updated.
Now, it can also sync to the tempo of the project and also the key. I think having a sample browser tightly integrated with the project’s settings is nothing less than a blessing.
Take Control of the Plugin Interface – Resize It to Match Your Workflow
This was not my problem, but it was the problem of every producer. The plugins were not capable of being resized. I work on a large LED monitor, but I often had to strain my eye.
Willy-nilly, I was using these plugins because of the quality of the sound. This was quite bad for my eyes.
But now, this update allows plugins to be resized. Screens are getting larger, and old graphics now look outdated on them.
New Feature of the eMotion LV1
eMotion LV1 is a digital live mixing console made for broadcasts and real-time shows. It’s designed to replace traditional hardware mixing consoles.
In these updates, this digital console also got some internal improvements that made my life easier. Here are those updates:
DSP Efficiency
Now, with the addition of DSP Efficiency, the user can open more plugin channels or use more complex plugin setups on the same server hardware. In this way, the power of this console has increased, and it seems to be moving further toward replacing physical mixing consoles.
Before these updates, many producers considered that it was not suitable for big live performances. As eMotion LV1 was not able to handle too many plugins, users were forced to buy SoundGrid servers or even physical consoles.
Some users also faced brief audio dropouts, increased latency, or even critical live performance issues.
But this update of DSP Efficiency is aimed to tackle all these issues. After these updates, I personally did not face any of the above issues that I was experiencing before.
Workflow That Saves Time
Here are some new features of this digital mixing console designed to save time and avoid the headache of doing complex tasks.
- Aux Send Flip: Now, auxiliary sends can be managed directly from the main view instead of switching between different screens to adjust the pan. The pan knob can now also control the Send Pan when mixing monitors.
- Latch Aux Mode: This feature keeps the mixer locked on the monitor mix view, even if the engineer clicks away accidentally. It saves time and focus during busy moments without losing track.
- New Keyboard Shortcuts: Important shortcuts have been added, such as the Alt key for instant parameter resets and the Ctrl key for fine-tuning parameter adjustments—both essential for saving time and improving accuracy.
FAQs
Is it compatible with Apple Silicon (M1)?
Yes, V16 is fully compatible with Apple Silicon chips, including M1, M2, and M3.
It runs natively on macOS and does not require Rosetta.
Also, users can expect smooth performance
What’s the difference between Waves 16 and 14 ultimate ?
| V14 Ultimate | V16 Ultimate |
| Added Mix & Trim knobs | Added Auto Makeup Gain feature. |
| Introduced HiDPI graphics. | Plugins are now fully resizable. |
| No built-in sample browser. | COSMOS added as a plugin inside DAW. |
| Basic visual refresh. | Modernized interface for older plugins. |
Can I try these plugins before buying them?
Yes, you can try these plugins in Demo Mode before making a purchase. This demo mode lasts up to 7 days for all the plugins in this bundle. To do this, you will have to download the Waves 16 plugin bundle in the form of Waves Central from their official website, and then open the step and click on Demo.
So, you will be granted access to all these plugins, but only for up to 7 days.
Why Upgrade to Waves 16? (Practical Reasons, Not Hype)
You should consider upgrading if you want to:
- Avoid doing repetitive tasks like setting up the gain after compressing any audio.
- Enjoy smooth performance on the latest operating systems.
- Reduce the burden of managing things like sample packs, etc., and switching between windows to select any sample.