Following Steinberg’s announcement at the NAMM Show 2026, WaveLab 13 is now officially available. The latest version of the popular editing and mastering software introduces a whole host of new features, many of which centre around the suite’s Dolby Atmos capabilities.
Dolby Atmos
WaveLab 13 introduces new Master and Album montages that have been designed to help users finalise their immersive sound projects with precision and ease. The Master montage simplifies the import and editing of ADM files, applying processing, normalising and re-rendering while preserving object spatial information; the Album montage makes arranging multiple ADM files into a single, cohesive album master straightforward, letting users visualise their clips in multiple formats from stereo through to 9.1.6, as well as providing the option to update the display automatically to match the Dolby Atmos Renderer.
Loudness and TruePeak normalisation helps to ensure accurate levels across multiple ADM files, with options to preserve or adjust differences between them and stereo masters, and compatible ADM files can be combined into a new file with crossfade support — multiple ADM files of any type can be merged into a single file, too. There’s also a stereo reference track that allows for accurate A/B comparison and length alignment of the ADM file with a stereo master. An Immersive Plug-in Hub feature then allows standard VST 3 plug-ins to be inserted across up to 128 audio channels, as well as allowing plug-ins to be inserted on a per-bed, clip and track basis.
“We are very proud of what we’ve achieved with WaveLab 13, which includes offering a standardised workflow to master music for Dolby Atmos. On top of that, with over 30 new features, additional plug-ins and workflow accelerators, WaveLab 13 is a remarkable release that will make both existing and new users very happy.” - Luis Dongo, Senior Marketing Manager, Pro Audio, Steinberg
Plug-Ins
An updated MasterRig 2 plug-in suite boasts a new modern design with a fully scalable user interface, side-chain support, and new, enhanced modules for EQ, compression, limiting and stereo imaging.
Further Dolby Atmos-based enhancements are provided by MixerDelay, which aligns speaker channels by individually adjusting delay times, and Bass Manager, which optimises low-frequency distribution, enhancing clarity and consistency in immersive mixes. VocalChain then offers a state-of-the-art multi-effect tailored for vocal and speech processing, presenting users with a set of tools such as EQ, compression and reverb in a simple and intuitive interface, while UltraShaper merges advanced compression with powerful transient shaping in a single processor. Plug-ins can also now be instantly removed by simply dragging them outside of their slot.
Key Features
- Dolby Atmos Workflow: New Master Montage, Album Montage and high-end plug-ins make finalising immersive sound projects fast and efficient.
- Loudness & TruePeak Normalisation: Ensure accurate levels across multiple ADM files.
- A/B comparison: Compare a current project to an alternative version or a reference track quickly and accurately.
- Multi-core Support: Simultaneously process multiple tasks in the Audio Montage.
- Mastering: Updated MasterRig 2 plug-in suite with new processing modules, side-chain support and improved user interface.
- Vocal Production: State-of-the-art VocalChain plug-in designed for vocal and speech processing.
- Dynamics Processing: Compression and transient shaping in one powerful plug-in.
- Clip Signal Routing: Route signals directly to track plug-ins with side-chain capabilities.
- Clip & Track Colours: Navigate projects faster and maintain creative focus with flexible GUI colour management.
- Plug-in Updates: Greater VST 3 compatibility, new Pitch Shifter and Underwater plug-ins, interface scaling and instant plug-in removal.
- Plus many more improvements to the Audio Montage for faster, more efficient workflows.
“WaveLab 13 is an exciting step forward for Dolby Atmos mastering workflows. As immersive audio continues to grow across the industry, WaveLab brings comprehensive Dolby Atmos capabilities to a broader range of audio professionals. The intuitive workflow combined with advanced processing tools gives mastering engineers the control and flexibility they need for their Dolby Atmos projects.” - David Gould, Sr., Director of Content Creation and Distribution, Dolby Laboratories
Compatibility
WaveLab 13 is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or higher, and Macs running macOS 15 and above.
Pricing & Availability
WaveLab 13 is available now, with pricing as follows:
- WaveLab Pro 13: $499.99€499
- WaveLab Elements 13: $€99.99
