Freedom251 › Audio Enhancement Software
Elgato Wave Link
What Elgato Wave Link is
Elgato Wave Link is a free audio routing and effects app for streamers, podcasters, professionals and other content creators. It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets and computer-recognized capture cards. A horizontal routing matrix sends sources to output mixes, with up to five independent mixes and separate routing and volume levels. You can group applications such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify or Chrome into a channel, then send mixes to OBS Studio, MS Teams or other apps that accept audio input. Effects support VST3 on Windows and Audio Unit on macOS, with unlimited effects per input; plugins are available through Elgato Marketplace or third parties. A Stream Deck plugin can adjust volume, mute channels, toggle effects and switch mixes. The free plan lists up to eight software or non-Wave inputs, four Wave-device inputs and five virtual mixes. Windows requires Windows 11 and 8 GB RAM; macOS requires version 15.0 or newer and 8 GB RAM. ASIO is unsupported, and effects may add latency.
Who it suits
Wave Link suits creators who want to route microphone and application audio into separate mixes, apply effects, and send mixes to streaming or meeting applications. It is available for Windows and macOS.
What it does well
- Free plan with no subscription or feature gates
- Supports USB and XLR microphones and other audio devices
- Up to five independent output mixes
- Unlimited effects per input
- Sends mixes to OBS Studio and other audio-input apps
What to know first
- Requires Windows 11 or macOS 15.0 or newer
- ASIO is not supported
- Effects may add latency
Limits
The Wave Link 3.0 plan lists up to eight software or non-Wave input channels, four Wave-device inputs, and five virtual mixes. Windows requires Windows 11 and 8 GB RAM; macOS requires version 15.0 or newer and 8 GB RAM.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Available on Windows and macOS · Works with any microphone or audio interface · No subscription or feature gates | Free |
| Wave Link 3.0 | Windows 11 or macOS 15.0+ · up to 8 software/non-Wave input channels · up to 4 Wave-device inputs · up to 5 virtual mixes | Free |
As elgato.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Elgato Wave Link app website.
- Download Wave Link for Windows or macOS.
- Use a USB or XLR microphone, interface, headset, or capture card recognized by your computer.
- Route sources to output mixes and group applications into channels as needed.
- Add audio effects from Elgato Marketplace or third-party plugins if wanted.
- Send a mix to OBS Studio, MS Teams, or another application that accepts audio input.
Verdict
Wave Link offers audio routing, effects and multiple independent mixes without a subscription. Check its operating-system requirements and ASIO limitation before choosing it.
Questions
Is Elgato Wave Link free?
Yes. The Free plan costs nothing and has no subscription or feature gates.
Which platforms does Wave Link support?
It supports Windows and macOS. Windows requires Windows 11 with 8 GB RAM; macOS requires version 15.0 or newer with 8 GB RAM.
What does the Wave Link 3.0 plan include?
It lists up to eight software or non-Wave input channels, four Wave-device inputs, and five virtual mixes. The listed price is free.
Which microphones and audio devices work with Wave Link?
It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer.
Can Wave Link send audio to other apps?
Yes. Mixes can be sent to OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input.
Does Wave Link support ASIO?
No. ASIO is not supported, and effects may add additional latency.
Facts from Elgato Wave Link's own pages
- App grouping
- Multiple applications can be grouped into one channel, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify, or Chrome. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Audience
- Elgato describes Wave Link as designed for streamers, podcasters, professionals, and content creators. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Audio effects
- It supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Independent mixes
- Wave Link supports up to five independent output mixes with separate routing and volume levels. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Wave Link can send mixes to OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Marketplace
- Audio effects can be installed from Elgato Marketplace or supplied as third-party plugins. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Microphone compatibility
- It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Notable limit
- ASIO is not supported, and effects may add additional latency. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Wave Link provides broadcast-level audio routing and effects for content creators. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Routing
- Users can send any audio source to any output mix through a horizontal routing matrix. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Security support
- Elgato says it accepts vulnerability reports through a support ticket and provides security updates for at least two years after a product's last sale date on elgato.com. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Stream Deck
- The Wave Link Stream Deck plugin can adjust volume, mute channels, toggle effects, and switch mixes. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- Elgato provides FAQ, contact, and download links for Wave Link support. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
- System requirements
- Windows requires Windows 11 with 8 GB RAM, while macOS requires macOS 15.0 or newer with 8 GB RAM. · elgato.com, 30 Sept 2026
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