Waves Audio Launches V17 Update With Overhauled Preset System, Live-Sound Enhancements and New Mix Unlock Feature

Waves Audio has just dropped its latest plugin catalog update, V17, and it’s a shake‑up for anyone who relies on Waves’ tools. The new version rethinks preset management, gives live‑sound engineers fresh on‑stage controls, and introduces Mix Unlock—an AI‑powered stem‑separation feature that lets you remix a finished stereo track on the fly.

The V17 update is built around speed and clarity. Waves says the new preset workflow lets users browse, search, favorite and organize the thousands of presets that span the entire plugin catalog. Engineers, producers, mixers and broadcast techs will find it easier to pull up the exact settings they need for a mix, a mastering job or a live‑sound set.

Live‑sound users get a handful of tangible upgrades. The Renaissance EQ and eMo Q4 now come with real‑time analyzers that can run inside the eMotion LV1 and SuperRack platforms. The Waves Primary Source Expander (PSE) adds a 5 Hz Frequency Shift option, giving better control over gain‑before‑feedback. Meanwhile, the F6 and Q10 plugins get new touchscreen pinch controls, streamlining on‑stage monitoring and routing.

Studio‑centric improvements focus on usability and automation. MondoMod’s interface has been refreshed for clearer visual cues, while CLA MixDown now offers I/O automation controls. The WLM Plus Loudness Meter has been expanded to support AudioSuite, enabling faster offline loudness analysis and rendering for broadcast and streaming projects.

The headline‑grabbing addition is Mix Unlock, a premium feature integrated into StudioVerse Audio Effects. Using AI‑driven real‑time stem separation, Mix Unlock splits a finished stereo track into vocals, drums, bass and other instruments. Once separated, each element can be processed independently with StudioVerse preset chains or other Waves plugins. The feature is designed to enable on‑the‑fly remixing and rebalancing of completed mixes without needing the original multitrack sessions.

Mix Unlock comes bundled with Waves Creative Access subscriptions and can also be purchased separately. For a limited time, owners of any Waves V17 plugin receive the feature for free, according to the company’s announcement.

Beyond new features, V17 brings a host of stability improvements, workflow refinements and bug fixes across Waves plugins, applications and supported digital audio workstations. The update positions itself as a comprehensive upgrade that modernises key workflows throughout the Waves ecosystem while expanding creative possibilities for users.

V17 is available for download through Waves Central, and users can activate the new features immediately after installing the update. No additional licensing steps are required beyond the existing subscription or plugin purchase.

In short, Waves Audio’s V17 update delivers a unified preset management experience, targeted live‑sound and studio enhancements, and a powerful new Mix Unlock feature that broadens the creative toolkit for audio professionals. The free‑for‑V17‑owners promotion for Mix Unlock gives an immediate incentive for users to adopt the new version.