Waves Online Mastering review
A focused web mastering service with reference matching, previews, and flexible credit plans.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Waves Online Mastering is a browser-based AI mastering service for musicians, producers, and audio professionals. It accepts WAV, AIF, AIFF, and MP3 uploads for stereo-track mastering, then provides a processed preview before a full-length master is created. The service combines selectable mastering styles, reference-track matching, Presence and Depth controls, and WAV or MP3 downloads in a browser-based workflow. Waves Audio Ltd. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Its main strength is control without requiring a broader production platform. Users can compare a 30-second free preview, upload a reference track, choose a mastering style, and adjust tone before purchasing a master. The plan structure supports both occasional and recurring work: 1 Credit, 5 Credits, and 15 Credits cover one-off use, while Standard provides 36 credits per year and Pro offers unlimited use subject to a fair-use policy. The published plans show annual subscriptions for Standard and Pro, while the one-off options are credit packs.
The service fits users who want browser-based mastering with reference matching and downloadable stereo masters, particularly within the Waves ecosystem. It is less suitable for workflows requiring stem mastering, loudness-target controls, or a desktop and mobile application, since its listed platform is web and its category specifications identify stereo mastering rather than stem processing. Choose it for focused AI-assisted mastering and flexible usage options; consider an alternative when multitrack mastering or broader platform coverage is central to the workflow.
Waves Online Mastering pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Reference-track upload and matching with selectable mastering styles
- 30-second previews plus Presence and Depth tone controls
- WAV and MP3 downloads with a browser-based master library
- Where it doesn't
- Web-only access limits platform coverage
- Designed for stereo tracks rather than stem mastering
- No free plan or published loudness-target controls
Waves Online Mastering fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update