WaveLab
steinberg.net
What it is
WaveLab is an audio mastering and editing suite for Windows and macOS. Its tools cover audio editing, audio montage, batch processing, and spectral editing, with multitrack editing, noise reduction, and video synchronization also listed. It supports VST 3 plug-ins from other manufacturers. The edition comparison lists podcasting integrations with SoundCloud, Spreaker, Podbean, Buzzsprout, and Castos, and says Pro and Elements can replace audio in video.
WaveLab Pro 13 includes Dolby Atmos mastering tools for ADM file editing, loudness control, and album assembly. It supports sample rates up to 384 kHz and more than 1,000 audio tracks; Elements 13 supports up to 96 kHz and eight tracks. Downloads are listed for Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 or newer, Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and macOS 14, 15, or 26. The pricing note is From $99.99 · 60-day trial. A free WaveLab LE copy is available with qualifying hardware and a Download Access Code. The Pro trial requires signing in or creating a Steinberg ID.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- WaveLab is Steinberg software for audio editing, restoration, analysis, mastering and publishing, with separate Audio Editor, Audio Montage, batch-processing and Dolby Atmos workspaces.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Purpose
- WaveLab is an audio mastering and editing suite with audio editing, audio montage, batch processing, and spectral editing tools.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Intended users
- Steinberg describes WaveLab LE as suited to hobby musicians, home studio owners, freelancers, and podcasters.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Free plan
- NoRead 23 Sep 2026 · steinberg.net
- Integrations
- WaveLab supports third-party VST3 plug-ins, external audio editors and hardware devices, and WaveLab Pro can operate as an ARA extension in compatible applications.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Privacy
- Steinberg says personal data is used in accordance with applicable data protection rules including the GDPR and German data protection laws.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Support
- Steinberg’s imprint says technical support is available only to registered users.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Headquarters
- Hamburg, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · steinberg.net
- Founded
- 1984Read 28 Sep 2026 · steinberg.net
- Account and activation
- Installation, activation, registration and some use require a Steinberg account and internet connection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · download.steinberg.net
- Acquisition price
- Yamaha’s 2004 acquisition announcement stated a total purchase amount of $28.5 million for Steinberg’s common stock and US sales business.Read 15 Oct 2026 · usa.yamaha.com
- API and SDK
- The opened official product and help materials describe VST3 and ARA extensibility but do not present a public web API or WaveLab SDK.Read 15 Oct 2026 · download.steinberg.net
- ARA limitation
- A Steinberg forum response says WaveLab ARA in a host supplies editing functions while VST processing remains handled by the host.Read 15 Oct 2026 · forums.steinberg.net
- Company founded
- Steinberg Media Technologies was founded in 1984.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
- Company headquarters
- Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists Steinberg’s company size as 201–500 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
- Documentation
- WaveLab help is available online at steinberg.help, with platform-independent documentation covering Windows and macOS workflows, setup, audio connections and editing concepts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · download.steinberg.net
- Dolby Atmos mastering
- WaveLab 13 adds Master and Album montages for importing, editing, normalizing, re-rendering and assembling ADM Dolby Atmos files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ocl-steinberg-live.steinberg.net
- Editing features
- WaveLab 13 adds marker-ruler range selection, text-path file opening or pasting, plug-in scaling, drag-out plug-in removal and improved high-DPI waveform outlines.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Elements limits
- WaveLab Elements 13 supports sample rates up to 96 kHz and up to eight audio tracks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Immersive audio
- WaveLab Pro 13 includes Dolby Atmos mastering tools for ADM file editing, loudness control, and album assembly.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Immersive plug-ins
- The Immersive Plug-in Hub routes standard VST3 plug-ins across as many as 128 audio channels and supports bed, clip and track plug-ins.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ocl-steinberg-live.steinberg.net
- Installation
- WaveLab 12 direct installers require Steinberg Activation Manager for license management; Steinberg Download Assistant bundles that requirement.Read 15 Oct 2026 · o.steinberg.net
- License management
- WaveLab 13 requires Steinberg Activation Manager for license management when installed without Steinberg Download Assistant.Read 11 Oct 2026 · o.steinberg.net
- License model
- The EULA grants a non-exclusive proprietary license and states that Steinberg and its suppliers retain intellectual-property rights.Read 15 Oct 2026 · download.steinberg.net
- Limit: learning curve
- MusicRadar identified a steep learning curve and an icon-heavy interface that felt messy.Read 15 Oct 2026 · musicradar.com
- Limit: older interface changes
- Tape Op reported that the Mac-era interface change in WaveLab 7 was problematic and that version 8.5 did not run as smoothly as version 6 for that reviewer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tapeop.com
- Limit: support and licensing
- Trustpilot reviewers repeatedly described unanswered support tickets, difficult activation or licensing and installation failures affecting WaveLab or other Steinberg products.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Mastering tools
- WaveLab 13 includes the updated MasterRig 2 suite with scalable controls, sidechain support and modules for EQ, compression, limiting and stereo imaging.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ocl-steinberg-live.steinberg.net
- Multicore rendering
- WaveLab 13 processes multiple Audio Montage tasks simultaneously to reduce rendering time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Multitrack editing
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · steinberg.net
- Operating systems
- WaveLab 13 downloads are available for Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 or newer, Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and macOS 14, 15, or 26.Read 11 Oct 2026 · o.steinberg.net
- Owner
- Steinberg has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation since January 2005.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
- Plug-ins
- WaveLab supports VST 3 plug-ins from other manufacturers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Podcast publishing
- The edition comparison lists direct podcasting integrations including SoundCloud, Spreaker, Podbean, Buzzsprout, and Castos.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Praise: feature breadth
- MusicRadar described WaveLab as exceptionally feature-packed, highlighting flexible loudness metering, useful plug-ins and a broad feature set.Read 15 Oct 2026 · musicradar.com
- Praise: long-term stability
- Tape Op’s reviewer recalled WaveLab 6 as sleek, easy to use and very stable after many years of professional use.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tapeop.com
- Pro limits
- WaveLab Pro 13 supports sample rates up to 384 kHz and more than 1,000 audio tracks.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Rating on Trustpilot
- 2 out of 5 from 237 reviews for Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
- Rating on TrustRadius
- 9.0 out of 10 for likelihood to recommend from 1 rating for WaveLab in the comparison page.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
- Security and privacy
- Steinberg says its German account operation follows EU GDPR and the German Data Protection Act and exchanges account and computer details for licensing and support purposes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · download.steinberg.net
- Service availability
- The EULA states that Steinberg Account availability is at least 97.5% on an annual average, excluding standard maintenance windows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · download.steinberg.net
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOSRead 23 Sep 2026 · steinberg.net
- System requirements
- The current product page lists Windows 10 22H2 or newer, Windows 11 24H2 or newer, macOS 14–26, four or more CPU cores, 8 GB RAM, 2 GB core-install space and a 1440×900 minimum display.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Third-party plugins
- YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · steinberg.net
- Trial access
- A 60-day WaveLab Pro trial is available after signing in or creating a Steinberg ID.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Video workflow
- The edition comparison says Pro and Elements can replace audio in video.Read 11 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- Vocal processing
- VocalChain combines EQ, compression and reverb for vocal and speech processing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
- WaveLab 13 news
- Steinberg announced WaveLab 13 on January 28, 2026, positioning it as a stereo and Dolby Atmos mastering release with more than 30 new features.Read 15 Oct 2026 · ocl-steinberg-live.steinberg.net
Plans and prices
WaveLab LE Free free with qualifying hardware access code Requires included Download Access Code · fades · track editing · loudness changes · spectrum analysis Read 15 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
WaveLab Elements 13 $99.99, paid once full version Entry-level mastering and editing · reduced feature set compared with Pro Read 15 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
WaveLab Pro 13 $499.99, paid once full version Dolby Atmos mastering · up to 128-channel VST3 Immersive Plug-in Hub · Audio Editor · Audio Montage · batch processing Read 15 Oct 2026 · steinberg.net
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Includes batch and spectral editing tools
- Supports third-party VST 3 plug-ins
- Pro includes Dolby Atmos mastering tools
- Pro and Elements can replace video audio
Limits
- Downloads require specified Windows or macOS versions
- WaveLab LE requires qualifying hardware and a code
- Technical support is limited to registered users
Who it suits
WaveLab may suit audio editors, mastering users, podcasters, and video workflows on Windows or macOS. Steinberg describes WaveLab LE as suited to hobby musicians, home studio owners, freelancers, and podcasters.
WaveLab in depth
Read the full write-up
WaveLab is an audio mastering and editing suite for people who need to prepare, edit, and deliver audio across music, podcasts, and video. It suits home studios and freelancers as well as users working on large or immersive projects. Its broad toolset is a strong fit for varied audio work, though the right edition depends on project scale and the steep drop in capacity between Pro and Elements.
Overview
WaveLab brings audio editing, montage, batch processing, and spectral editing into one suite. Multitrack editing, noise reduction, video synchronization, and third-party VST 3 plug-in support extend its reach beyond final mastering. That breadth can serve users who want to handle several stages of audio work in one application; someone seeking only a focused mastering tool may not need the additional editing and workflow options.
Key features
Editing and processing
Batch processing helps when the same operation must be applied to multiple files, while spectral editing provides a way to work on specific parts of audio. Support for third-party VST 3 plug-ins lets users retain effects from other manufacturers in their workflow. The suite also supports replacing audio in video in both Pro and Elements, which is useful when a video project needs a new soundtrack or revised audio.
Immersive audio and podcasting
WaveLab Pro 13 includes Dolby Atmos mastering tools for editing ADM files, controlling loudness, and assembling albums. This makes Pro the clear choice for users whose work includes immersive delivery. The edition comparison also includes direct integrations with SoundCloud, Spreaker, Podbean, Buzzsprout, and Castos, giving podcast publishers several routes to distribute finished work.
Edition capacity
Pro 13 supports sample rates up to 384 kHz and more than 1,000 audio tracks, providing substantial headroom for large projects. Elements 13 supports up to 96 kHz and eight tracks. Those ceilings make Elements a more natural fit for smaller sessions, but eight tracks can constrain projects that grow or require more layered editing.
Pricing
WaveLab has paid editions, a free LE copy tied to qualifying hardware, and a 60-day trial of Pro. The trial requires signing in or creating a Steinberg ID. WaveLab Elements 13 and WaveLab Pro 13 are full versions with custom pricing.
WaveLab Pro 13: custom pricing. It includes the highest stated track and sample-rate limits and Dolby Atmos mastering tools, making it the edition for large sessions and immersive audio work.
WaveLab Elements 13: custom pricing. Its eight-track and 96 kHz limits suit smaller projects, but it gives up Pro's stated capacity and Dolby Atmos tools.
WaveLab LE: free. A copy is available with qualifying hardware and a Download Access Code, making it a no-cost entry for users who already have eligible equipment.
The 60-day trial is for Pro, not a stated trial of every edition. WaveLab 13 uses Steinberg Activation Manager for license management when installed without Steinberg Download Assistant.
Platforms
WaveLab 13 runs on Windows and macOS. Supported systems are Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 or newer, Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and macOS 14, 15, or 26. These requirements make it important to check the operating system before choosing an edition.
Who it's for
WaveLab LE is suited to hobby musicians, home studio owners, freelancers, and podcasters. Elements is a sensible step for smaller multitrack projects that need editing and processing tools, while Pro is aimed at users who need very high track counts, higher sample rates, or Dolby Atmos mastering. Users who only need a few-track workflow may find Pro's capacity unnecessary; users whose sessions exceed eight tracks will outgrow Elements.
Pros and cons
Pro covers demanding projects: more than 1,000 tracks, sample rates up to 384 kHz, and Dolby Atmos mastering tools give larger and immersive-audio workflows substantial room.
Several workflows fit one suite: montage, batch and spectral editing, noise reduction, video synchronization, and podcast integrations extend its usefulness beyond mastering.
Elements has firm limits: eight tracks and 96 kHz may be restrictive as projects expand.
The free route depends on hardware: LE requires qualifying hardware and a Download Access Code, so it is not a general free download offer.
Trial access requires an account: the 60-day Pro trial requires a Steinberg ID.
Alternatives
Matchering is a free, open-source option for readers who want software available on Linux, macOS, Windows, the web, or self-hosted.
IK Multimedia ReSing is a better fit for voice and instrument generation: its free plan limits users to two voices, two instruments, and one RVC import, while its $129.99, paid once plan expands those limits and adds model generation.
FabFilter Pro-L 2 is an alternative for readers comparing paid mastering software with a free trial across iOS, macOS, and Windows.
Sonoris DDP Creator is a focused option for readers seeking DDP creation, with Standard at €249, paid once and Pro at €349, paid once.
DSP-Quattro is a macOS-only alternative with a free trial and a freemium model.
FUSER is an alternative for users seeking a £59, paid once plug-in for macOS or Windows hosts.
Soren is another paid option with a free trial for readers comparing audio software across iOS, macOS, and Windows.
Tunr offers a free mastering workflow on macOS and Windows, with its free plan including 16-bit and 24-bit output.
Browse Audio Mastering Software for more mastering tools, Game Audio Editors for game-focused audio workflows, or Audio Editing Software for broader editing options.
Verdict
WaveLab is best for audio makers who want mastering, editing, processing, and publishing workflows in one Windows or macOS suite. Pro is the strongest choice for immersive audio or sessions that need very high track and sample-rate limits; Elements is more appropriate for smaller projects, and LE makes sense when qualifying hardware is already in hand. Look elsewhere if you need a clearly priced standalone purchase before choosing or if Elements' eight-track ceiling is too restrictive.
Verdict
WaveLab offers distinct Pro and Elements track and sample-rate limits, alongside a free LE copy tied to qualifying hardware. The listed trial is for Pro and requires a Steinberg ID.
Where Specifiction places it
- Audio Editing Software#4 of 1319.1
- Audio editors#2 of 318.9
- Audio Mastering Software#3 of 338.3
- Game Audio Editors#9 of 318.3
