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The end of Waves? (Wednesday, 29 March, 2023)
Most stupid business mistake ever? The Waves company (developer of DAW audio plugins and signal processors) decided to drastically and disruptively change their business model. Without announcement (read, warning) they changed overnight to a subscription-only model (Waves Creative Access) in which customers would have access to all their plugins. Perceptual licensees would no longer be available. Consequently, you could no longer buy single or a few plugins. Moreover, existing customers would no longer receive updates of plugins they bought unless they would move to the subscription scheme. Consequently, with updates of e.g., the computer operating system, these plugins would eventually cease to work. The model to acquire plugin updates for perpetual licenses (i.e., the Waves Update Plan) was already a frustration for many of us, but this subscription model take these frustrations even further. In addition, many of use do not need all their plugins. Thus why pay for the complete bundle?
Within hours, Facebook (e.g., [here]) groups, Twitter, YouTube (e.g. [here], forums (e.g., Gearspace), etc were flooded with upset (understatement) users having one message only: ‘Goodbye Waves, there are sufficient alternatives nowadays’). Never seen something happening like this. And within hours the community published a list of alternatives (see [here])
Within days Waves did send out a second email apologizing for their decision, and making perceptual licenses available again.
However, I am afraid that damage already has been done already and that they will loose lots of customers. I used many of the Waves plugins in the past, but over the years I have replaced most by better alternatives. I will, for sure, replace the remaining Waves plugins as well and never return to them.
At the bottom of these posts you find the Waves emails. Have fun…..Fr
Received on March 26, 2023
Dear Waves customer,
Since we started Waves, our goal has been to give all music and audio creators full, affordable access to the largest, most diverse set of top-quality audio tools.
Today, we take the next step. Whatever you are inspired to create, we want you to have everything you need—instantly at your fingertips, always.
To make this a reality, today we launch a full-scale Waves plugin subscription, Waves Creative Access, which is now the exclusive way to get Waves plugins. All Waves plugins, always up to date, with new releases as well as updates added at no extra cost—all available to you in a simple subscription—the easiest, most affordable way to get Waves plugins, ever.
Today, we are also proud to release StudioVerse, a groundbreaking AI-powered system that will help you unlock the full power of all Waves plugins and bring to your DAW the power of an entire musical community: see more details below.
Now, you can create with total freedom.
Received on March 29, 2023
See also [here]
Dear Waves community,
My name is Meir Shashoua, and I’m the CTO and Co-Founder of Waves Audio.
Over the past few days, many of you have expressed concerns about our decision to discontinue perpetual plugin licenses and our move to an exclusive plugin subscription model. I would like to start by apologizing for the frustration we have caused many of you, our loyal customers. We understand that our move was sudden and disruptive, and did not sufficiently take into consideration your needs, wishes, and preferences. We are genuinely sorry for the distress it has caused.
After respectfully listening to your concerns, I want to share with you that we are bringing back the perpetual plugin license model, side-by-side with the new subscriptions. You will again be able to get plugins as perpetual licenses, just as before.
In addition, those of you who already own perpetual licenses will once again be able to update your plugins and receive a second license via the Waves Update Plan—again, just as before. This option, too, will be available alongside and independently of the subscription program.
We are currently putting all our efforts into making perpetual licenses available to you again, as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can keep up-to-date on this news page, where we will post the latest updates on perpetual license availability.
I would like you to know that we are committed to you, our users. We listened to your feedback, and we will continue to listen to you. Waves is a company filled with users and creators, just like you, and we are all as passionate about the products as you are. With this in mind, we will strive to find the way to make things right by you, and hopefully regain your trust.
Thank you for your feedback and continued support—I wish you all the best,
Meir Shashoua
CTO and Co-Founder, Waves Audio
Apparently, the decision was made but perpetual licenses and the WUP were not yet available and had to be put back in place. One day later, they restored the WUP:
Received on March 30, 2023
Dear Waves community,
We would like to update you that effective immediately, you can once again renew your Waves Update Plan in order to update perpetual plugin and bundle licenses. This option will remain in place going forward.
In addition, we are working to bring back the option to purchase new perpetual licenses for plugins and bundles. We will make this option available to you as soon as possible, and will let you know when it is ready.
We are committed to making your preferred options available to you. For ongoing updates, please consult this news page.
All the best,
The Waves Team
And now everything seems to be normalized….. 6 days later.
Received on April 2, 2023
Dear Waves community,
We would like to update you that starting now, perpetual licenses for plugins and bundles are available for purchase on our website. Going forward, perpetual licenses and subscriptions will be offered side by side.
Nearly all single plugins on our website are now $29.99 each.*
Wishing you all the best,
The Waves Team
*Excludes Abbey Road Studio 3, B360, Clarity Vx Pro, Spherix, and TRACT.
