How to Find Your Plugins in Cubase

Last updated on: 11/29/2022 8:50:26 AM

If you are trying to load your Waves plugins in Cubase but cannot find them, follow these instructions in order to make the plugins available.

Step #1 – Verify plugin software is correctly installed

First, check whether the relevant plugin files are correctly installed on your computer. Go to:

Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Waves\Plug-Ins V14 (or whichever version is installed on your device)
Mac: Macintosh HD > Applications > Waves > Plug-Ins V14 (or whichever version is installed on your device)

The relevant plugin file/s will be named after the plugin, in this format: [PluginName].bundle.
For example, the plugin file for Reel ADT will be named Reel ADT.bundle.

If the plugins you are looking for are not in the above folder, install the plugins by following the instructions in this link.

Step #2 – Verify licenses are activated

Licenses can be activated to one device at a time (computer/USB flash drive).

1. Launch Waves Central.
   Windows: via the desktop shortcut or Start Menu > All Programs > Waves > Waves Central
   Mac: Applications > Waves Central
2. On Install Products > My Products, make sure the licenses in question are showing the green checkmark under the Activated column.

Licenses Not Activated? ('Not Activated' appears under License Location column)

1. Select the Licenses page.
2. Select Not Activated at the top of the page. Use the arrow on the right to expand the list.
3. Choose the licenses you wish to activate. Selected licenses will appear in the list on the right.
4. Choose the target device for the activated license.
5. Click the Activate button.

Licenses Activated? (Computer or USB device appears under License Location)

If the licenses for the missing plugins are activated to your computer or USB device, proceed to Step #3 - Refresh Licenses below.

Check disconnected devices

In Waves Central’s Licenses page, you will find a “Disconnected devices” tab (only if there are licenses in your account that are activated to a different device than the one you are on). Every device on which you have activated licenses will appear on this list.

Click on any device on the list to expand it, and the licenses activated to it will appear below.

If you see the relevant licenses on a disconnected device that you can access, you can Move Your Licenses from that device.

If you don’t have access to the device, you can Recover Your Licenses.

Step #3 – Refresh Licenses

If the plugin software is correctly installed and you’ve verified that the licenses are activated to the computer you are working on or to a connected USB device, follow these steps to refresh the Licenses folder:

Windows

1. Quit Central and Cubase.
2. If your licenses are activated to your computer:
   
   Press [Win key]+R, type %ProgramData% and hit Enter.
   Go to Waves Audio and drag the Licenses folder to your desktop.
   
   If your licenses are activated to a USB device:
   
   In Windows File Explorer, go to USB device\Waves
   Drag the Licenses folder to your desktop.
3. Launch Central, log in and allow it to sync.
4. Launch Cubase, create a new project with a supported sample rate and see if the plugins appear.

Mac

1. Quit Central and Cubase.
2. If your licenses are activated to your computer:
   
   Go to Macintosh HD > Library > Application Support > Waves
   
   If your licenses are activated to a USB device:
   
   In Finder, go to USB device > Waves
3. Drag the Licenses folder to your desktop.
4. Launch Central, log in and allow it to sync and re-write the license file.
5. Launch Cubase, create a new project with a supported sample rate and see if the plugins appear.

None of the above worked? Contact Technical Support.