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SPECIFICTION
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Elgato Wave Link

elgato.com

Free plan WindowsmacOS
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Spec score 7.9 #12 of 39 in Gaming Peripheral Software

What it is

Elgato Wave Link is a free audio routing and effects app for streamers, podcasters, professionals, and other content creators. It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer. A horizontal routing matrix lets users direct audio sources to outputs, with up to five independent mixes and separate routing and volume levels. Users can group multiple applications, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify, or Chrome, into one channel. The app supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input. Mixes can feed OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input. Its Stream Deck plugin can change volume, mute channels, toggle effects, and switch mixes. The Wave Link 3.0 plan lists up to eight software or non-Wave inputs, four Wave-device inputs, and five virtual mixes. Windows requires Windows 11 and 8 GB RAM; macOS requires version 15.0 or newer and 8 GB RAM.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Wave Link provides broadcast-level audio routing and effects for content creators.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Audience
Elgato describes Wave Link as designed for streamers, podcasters, professionals, and content creators.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Integrations
Wave Link can send mixes to OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Support
Elgato provides FAQ, contact, and download links for Wave Link support.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
App grouping
Multiple applications can be grouped into one channel, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify, or Chrome.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Audio effects
It supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Independent mixes
Wave Link supports up to five independent output mixes with separate routing and volume levels.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Marketplace
Audio effects can be installed from Elgato Marketplace or supplied as third-party plugins.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Microphone compatibility
It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Notable limit
ASIO is not supported, and effects may add additional latency.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Routing
Users can send any audio source to any output mix through a horizontal routing matrix.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Security support
Elgato says it accepts vulnerability reports through a support ticket and provides security updates for at least two years after a product's last sale date on elgato.com.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Stream Deck
The Wave Link Stream Deck plugin can adjust volume, mute channels, toggle effects, and switch mixes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
System requirements
Windows requires Windows 11 with 8 GB RAM, while macOS requires macOS 15.0 or newer with 8 GB RAM.Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Available on Windows and macOS · Works with any microphone or audio interface · No subscription or feature gates Read 20 Sep 2026 · elgato.com
Wave Link 3.0 Free Windows 11 or macOS 15.0+ · up to 8 software/non-Wave input channels · up to 4 Wave-device inputs · up to 5 virtual mixes Read 30 Sep 2026 · elgato.com

Every Elgato Wave Link plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan has no subscription or feature gates.
  • Supports up to five independent output mixes.
  • Works with many recognized microphones and audio devices.
  • Supports VST3 on Windows and Audio Unit on macOS.
  • Stream Deck plugin controls channels and mixes.

Limits

  • ASIO is not supported.
  • Effects may add latency.
  • Requires Windows 11 or macOS 15.0 or newer.
  • Requires 8 GB RAM.

Who it suits

Wave Link suits creators who want to route audio from several applications and manage separate output mixes. It requires Windows 11 or macOS 15.0 or newer, each with 8 GB RAM.

Verdict

Wave Link offers routing, multiple mixes, and effects at no charge for supported Windows and macOS systems. Check the operating-system and memory requirements, and note the ASIO limitation and possible effect latency.

Where Specifiction places it

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