Today I upgraded Waves from version V15 to the brand new V16.
So, what’s actually new? Is it really worth updating?
There are quite a few interesting features—and in this post, I’ll walk you through them. But let’s start with what, in my opinion, is the real game changer.
🔗 StudioRack now supports third-party VST3 plugins
This is something I haven’t seen covered on the usual blogs or sites I follow:
With V16, StudioRack finally supports loading third-party VST3 plugins—not just Waves plugins anymore.
Why is this huge? Because now you can:
- Build your own custom plugin chains mixing Waves and non-Waves plugins
- Save and reuse those chains in any project
- Share and load chains from other users, even if they include third-party plugins
For producers who like experimenting with creative effect chains, this opens up a world of new possibilities.
🎛 Auto Makeup Gain on classic compressors
Another practical addition: V16 introduces Auto Makeup Gain on popular compressors like:
- CLA-2A
- CLA-3A
- CLA-76
- V-Comp
No more guessing levels after compressing; now your output stays balanced automatically, making mixing faster and more consistent.
🪐 COSMOS plugin as an instrument track
A super handy tool for sample-based production: COSMOS can now be loaded directly as an instrument track.
It helps you:
- Quickly browse your sample library
- Sync samples to the project’s tempo and key
- Preview everything seamlessly
Perfect if you produce beats, loops, or any genre relying on samples.
🖱 Resize plugin GUIs
Small change, big impact on workflow:
You can now resize plugin interfaces simply by dragging up or down.
No more squinting at tiny controls—or fighting with oversized GUIs on smaller screens.
✨ Visual redesign for classics
Waves also refreshed the look of some iconic plugins from the V-Series, like:
- IR-Live
- MaxxBass
- And others
They kept the same trusted sound, but now feature modern, sleek graphics that fit better in today’s DAW environments.
📝 Final thoughts
That’s what I’ve discovered so far in Waves V16. Personally, I think the upgrade is worth it—especially for StudioRack’s new VST3 support, which changes how you can build and share creative chains.
If you’ve found other hidden features, drop a comment below!
And if you haven’t updated yet (or still don’t have a Waves subscription), I’ll leave the link in the description.
See you soon, Plugheads! 🎚🔥