After a huge social media shitstorm, Waves has listened to its customers and re-introduced perpetual licenses and update plan.
Over the weekend, Waves switched its business model to subscription mode only and stopped selling plugins. Shortly after the announcement, a wave of outrage rolled in. It became a social media shitstorm rarely seen so epic in the music tech world.
No wonder long-term customers who have made Waves what they are today have been thrown in front of the train without warning them that you can no longer update plugins without a subscription. And everything you bought in the last few years in their endless sales is no longer worth a penny. Now the spontaneous turn of events, surprisingly, no.
Waves Perpetual Licenses and Update Plan
That was quick now. Not a week has passed, and Waves has now decided to reintroduce the perpetual licenses and “update plan“. “Who hasn’t consulted their community while developing their new master plan?” Yes, the Waves team. Now they have probably noticed what a brilliant idea it was to switch to a subscription-only business strategy without informing their loyal customers.
To be deadly serious: this is a perfect example of how to make a company’s reputation even worse than it already was. Waves have lost much of their credibility and popularity with music producers due to their endless, tedious sales (save now 80% OFF, get it now for $29,99, buy 2 get 2 free…) and expensive update plans.
The subscription model move burst all the resentment. And now the return to perpetual licenses and update plan (WUP) in addition to the model.
I don’t know if Waves will get back the lost customers. It’s tough. Waves would have to completely reinvent itself, away from endless sales and better communication. Yes, many music producers will now use the plugins again but think 2-3 times before buying a new plugin.
Here’s what the Waves says in the official statement
Press Release
Dear Waves community,
Over the past few days, many of you have expressed concerns about our decision to discontinue perpetual plugin licenses and our move to an exclusive plugin subscription model. I would like to start by apologizing for the frustration we have caused many of you, our loyal customers. We understand that our move was sudden and disruptive, and did not sufficiently take into consideration your needs, wishes, and preferences. We are genuinely sorry for the distress it has caused.
After respectfully listening to your concerns, I want to share with you that we are bringing back the perpetual plugin license model, side-by-side with the new subscriptions. You will again be able to get plugins as perpetual licenses, just as before.
In addition, those of you who already own perpetual licenses will once again be able to update your plugins and receive a second license via the Waves Update Plan—again, just as before. This option, too, will be available alongside and independently of the subscription program.
We are currently putting all our efforts into making perpetual licenses available to you again, as quickly as possible. In the meantime, you can keep up-to-date on this webpage, where we will post real-time updates as they are available.
I would like you to know that we are committed to you, our users. We listened to your feedback, and we will continue to listen to you. Waves is a company filled with users and creators, just like you, and we are all as passionate about the products as you are. With this in mind, we will strive to find the way to make things right by you, and hopefully regain your trust.
Thank you for your feedback and continued support—I wish you all the best,
Meir Shashoua
CTO and Co-Founder
More information here: Waves Audio
Nah, I’m done with Waves. But I kind of have been for a while. Too many other great companies doing what they do. Fab Filter, Soft Tube, etc.
In fact, there is nothing wrong in this regard. Those who were addicted to these plugins, for about the same price, the cost of updating, got even more plugins by subscription. But, waves released today, so enjoy further choice between subscription and single plugins.