How to Move Pre-Installed Instrument Samples to a Different Location

Mar 17, 2026

The sample library for Waves’ sample-based instruments (Bass Fingers, Bass Slapper, Clavinet, Electric 200 Piano, Electric 88 Piano, Electric Grand 80 Piano, Grand Rhapsody Piano), as well as for COSMOS Sample Finder and InTrigger Drum Replacer, are placed in a default location when installing the instruments. Here is how to move them to a location of your choice.

Sample Libraries – Default Location

Each instrument has its own folder in the following path:

  • Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Waves\Data\Instrument Data\Waves Sample Libraries
  • Mac: Macintosh HD > Applications > Waves > Data > Instrument Data\Waves Sample Libraries

For example: The SD samples for Electric Grand 80 Piano on Windows are in C:\Program Files (x86)\Waves\Data\Instrument Data\ElectricG80 SD.

Moving Sample Libraries

  1. Go to the above location and locate the sample folder/s you wish to move.
  2. Move the folder/s to any desired location – internal or external hard drive. It’s possible to rename the folder/s (i.e.“ElectricG80 SD Samples”).
  3. Launch the instrument as standalone or load it in your host application.
  4. If prompted to Locate the samples folder, go to the new location, highlight the samples folder and click on Select folder/Open.

To change the default location on your system for future installations:

  1. Launch Waves Central.
    Windows: via the desktop shortcut or Start Menu > All Programs > Waves.
    Mac: Applications > Waves Central.
  2. In the Settings Page > Locations > Sample libraries data folder, click Change to select a new default location.