Steinberg has recently unveiled WaveLab 12, their latest offering in the world of audio mastering and editing. This new version boasts nearly 80 new features and improvements, making it a significant update for professionals and enthusiasts in the audio industry.

At A Glance

• Extended copy and paste functionality

• Synchronized audio file and montage navigation

• New Startup Assistant

• Built-in Steinberg ASIO driver for Windows

• Frequency band monitoring

• Plug-in settings replicator

• Enhanced album wizard

• Audio Editor display options

• Speaker configurations with playback plug-ins

• New Black Valve and VoxComp compressors, EQ-P1A and EQ-M5 equalizers, SampleAlign, and Raiser limiter

• A myriad of improvements to the Audio Editor, Audio Montage, Batch Processor, and for content creation and productivity

In Detail

WaveLab 12 is designed to cater to a wide range of audio tasks, making it a versatile tool for mastering, editing, and sound design. One of the key highlights of this release is its compatibility with Audio Random Access (ARA), allowing WaveLab's advanced editing features to be used seamlessly within other digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Cubase 13, Nuendo 13, Reaper 7, and Studio One 6.5.

Steinberg highlights the ease of integrating WaveLab 12 into existing workflows, regardless of the DAW used. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who frequently switch between different audio platforms. Additionally, the new drag and drop and copy/paste functions simplify the workflow, enabling smooth transfer of audio ranges, with or without effects, across different applications.

WaveLab 12 also introduces automatic transient markers, which provide optimal visual guidance for snapping audio selections to transient and release points, significantly speeding up the editing process. The tab key can be used for quick navigation across transient points, further streamlining workflow efficiency.

The update includes enhanced visual analysis tools, like audio waveforms in multiple colors and fully customizable coloration, which aid in the detailed examination of audio files and montages. These tools are crucial for mastering engineers and sound designers who need to delve deep into the spectral content of their audio.

Steinberg's Marketing Manager, Luis Dongo, commented, "With almost 80 exciting additions and improvements, most of which have been requested by our trusted users, WaveLab 12 is the most feature-rich version that we have ever released." He also emphasized the significance of ARA support, opening up possibilities for a broader range of users.

WaveLab 12 Price

WaveLab 12 comes in two editions: WaveLab Pro 12 and WaveLab Elements 12, priced at €499 and €99.99 euros respectively. Updates from previous versions are available, and customers who activated WaveLab Pro 11 or WaveLab Elements 11 from December 27, 2023, are eligible for a free update.

The release of WaveLab 12 marks a significant step forward for Steinberg, offering audio professionals and hobbyists alike a more integrated, efficient, and versatile tool for mastering and editing audio. The array of new features and improvements demonstrates Steinberg's commitment to evolving with the needs of its users, ensuring that WaveLab remains at the forefront of audio processing technology.