Elgato Unveils Wave Next: The Audio Ecosystem Powering a New Era

Five years of real-world experience culminate in a unified ecosystem of free software, purpose-built hardware, and hands-on control.

 MUNICH, Germany, March 3, 2026 — Elgato, a brand of CORSAIR, today announced Wave Next, the company’s next generation of audio products and the most significant evolution of the Wave platform since its debut in 2020. Wave Next brings together six deeply integrated products: Wave Link 3.0 software, Wave:3 MK.2, Wave XLR MK.2, XLR Dock MK.2, Wave XLR Pro, and Stream Deck + XL. Together, they form a cohesive ecosystem spanning audio capture, processing, and control, built for how modern creators and professionals actually work.

“When we launched the first Wave microphone in 2020, we set out to make audio workflows easier for creators,” said Julian Fest, SVP and General Manager of Elgato. “Since then, hundreds of thousands of real-world setups have taught us what works, what is still too complicated, and where the real bottlenecks are. Wave Next is the synthesis of everything we have learned, reimagined into a single platform offering powerful software that is now free for everyone, hardware that processes audio at the source, and physical controls that make managing it all feel effortless.”

Wave Link 3.0: Free for Everyone

At the center of Wave Next is Wave Link 3.0, a complete redesign of Elgato’s audio mixing platform. It is now free to download on Windows and macOS and is compatible with virtually any microphone, mixer, or audio interface.

Wave Link 3.0 brings intuitive control to modern audio workflows by unifying hardware sources and software inputs in a single application. Users can create up to five independent submixes, routing voice, music, chat, game audio, and more into separate outputs tailored for streaming, recording, monitoring, or calls. Per-channel effects processing allows each source to be shaped individually with VST plugins. A new horizontal routing table replaces traditional channel strips with a clear overview of the entire workflow. Applications can be assigned to channels with a single click, and multiple apps can be stacked within a single channel. Native Stream Deck integration enables hands-on control through a plugin that automatically generates interface layouts, or profiles, based on each user’s setup.

Wave Link 3.0 works with any audio device. When paired with Elgato Wave hardware, it unlocks deeper integration including guided setup, a dedicated device control panel with direct access to Wave FX Processor settings, monitoring mode selection, Auto Gain Wizard, and LED customization. Whether someone is streaming, podcasting, or on back-to-back calls, Wave Link 3.0 provides a transparent and controllable audio workflow regardless of the microphone they use.

In addition, bespoke effects from Elgato and select third-party developers are available on Elgato Marketplace, with more arriving over time. Users can expand their setup with curated tools designed specifically for the Wave ecosystem.

Wave FX Processor: Redefining the Signal Path

Powering every new Wave device is Wave FX Processor, a custom chip developed in partnership with Lewitt Audio that fundamentally rethinks how audio moves from microphone to application. Wave FX Processor optimizes the entire signal path by moving critical processing onto the hardware where possible, and integrating software-based effects where appropriate. The result is finished audio that arrives natively in every application without the need for virtual audio devices or routing workarounds.

The signal path begins with Clipguard 2.0, a layered architecture that combines multiple analog-to-digital converters, 32-bit floating-point internal processing, and intelligent limiting to prevent distortion before it happens. A suite of five onboard DSP effects including Low Cut Filter, Expander, Voice Tune, Compressor, and EQ, then shapes the voice in real time with zero latency and no CPU load. VST Insert technology creates a dedicated low-latency path between the hardware and Wave Link. Studio-grade VST effects are processed on the computer and injected directly back into the hardware signal chain. The result is a single microphone input that carries the fully processed signal, including onboard DSP and software effects, into any application.

“For years, creator audio has been shaped by tools designed for other contexts such as stage, studio, and broadcast,” said Stephan Nöthen, Principal Product Architect of Elgato. “Wave FX Processor rethinks how gain is applied, how effects are processed, and how software and hardware interact. The result is studio-grade performance without studio-grade complexity.”

Wave FX Processor powers four devices that form the new foundation of the Wave platform:

Wave:3 MK.2: USB Condenser Microphone

For users who want professional sound without a complex setup, Wave:3 MK.2 delivers advanced processing in a streamlined USB format. Built around a supercardioid capsule tuned with LEWITT, it captures focused and detailed voice while reducing ambient noise. A multifunction dial with LED ring provides intuitive control over gain and monitoring, while capacitive mute enables silent operation. Auto Gain Wizard simplifies setup, and two monitoring modes allow users to hear DSP-processed or fully integrated audio with VST effects applied. All settings are stored directly on the microphone for consistent performance across systems.

Wave XLR MK.2: Integrated Mic Interface

For creators who prefer XLR microphones but want integrated processing and software control, Wave XLR MK.2 equips any XLR microphone for digital production workflows. With 80 dB of clean gain, 48V phantom power, and 135 dB of dynamic range, it supports everything from sensitive condenser microphones to gain-hungry broadcast dynamics. Auto Gain Wizard streamlines level configuration, while a high-power headphone output and selectable monitoring modes provide precise feedback. Linear Mic Mix and Mic/PC Mix allow flexible control over how microphone and system audio are balanced during recording, streaming, or calls.

XLR Dock MK.2: For Stream Deck +

Designed exclusively for Stream Deck +, XLR Dock MK.2 integrates professional XLR audio directly into a modular control surface. It adds 80 dB of clean gain, 48V phantom power, onboard DSP effects, and low-latency VST Insert support, all managed through Stream Deck + dials and LCD keys. Audio and control come together in a compact footprint that reduces desk clutter while maintaining full monitoring flexibility through an upgraded headphone amplifier with dual mix modes. XLR Dock requires Stream Deck + and does not operate as a standalone device.

Wave XLR Pro: Integrated Audio Matrix
Shipping Q2 2026

The new benchmark for desktop audio production. Wave XLR Pro integrates two fully independent XLR inputs with 80 dB of clean gain each, replacing the need for separate interfaces or mixers in dual-microphone setups. Five hardware-based mixes provide zero-latency monitoring, allowing separate outputs for stream, recording, and personal monitoring without additional routing tools. A built-in Maximizer effect maintains consistent loudness, while per-channel Ducking automatically lowers other audio sources when you speak.

High-power headphone outputs on both the front and rear panels support 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm connections and drive headphones up to 600 ohms, enabling host and co-host to monitor separate mixes. USB Aux connects a second PC, console, or phone, while stereo line I/O integrates external mixers or powered monitors. Standalone Mode preserves routing and DSP settings even without a connected computer. Paired with Stream Deck, Wave XLR Pro brings advanced audio control into a compact desktop format that even features a quarter-inch thread for seamless mounting.

Stream Deck + XL: Audio You Can Touch

Once audio is routed through Wave Link and processed by Wave FX, Stream Deck + XL becomes the control surface that ties it all together. With 36 customizable LCD keys, 6 multifunction dials, and an ultra-wide touch strip, users can adjust levels, mute inputs, toggle effects, and switch between mixes with real-time visual feedback and without opening software. Paired with Wave XLR Pro, it delivers professional mixing capabilities without the learning curve, footprint, or price tag of a traditional mixing desk. Beyond audio, Stream Deck+ XL remains a powerful tool for streamlining workflows across applications and industries.

Wave Next: Built to Scale

Wave Next is designed as an integrated ecosystem in which each component reinforces the others. Wave Link 3.0 provides routing and mixing intelligence at the software level, Wave FX Processor advances the signal path in hardware, and Stream Deck delivers physical control across the entire platform.

Users can begin with a single USB microphone and expand to multi-microphone or dual-PC setups across the Wave lineup. Because the software, hardware, and control surfaces are designed to work together, expansion does not require rebuilding workflows from scratch.

Simple when you need simplicity and powerful when you need power, Wave is designed to evolve. Wave Next signals the next chapter of Elgato audio, where software, hardware, and control are designed as one. This is Wave Next.

Availability

Customers can order Wave:3 MK.2, Wave XLR MK.2, XLR Dock MK.2, and Stream Deck + XL starting today on elgato.com and at authorized retailers in CORSAIR’S global network. Wave XLR Pro ships Q2 2026. Wave Link 3.0 is available as a free download at elgato.com.

Media Kit

Get high-resolution product images:

Wave:3 MK.2 – https://e.lga.to/Wave_3_Media
Wave XLR MK.2 – https://e.lga.to/Wave_XLR_Media
XLR Dock MK.2  – https://e.lga.to/XLR_Dock_Media
Wave XLR Pro – https://e.lga.to/Wave_XLR_Pro_Media
Stream Deck + XL –  https://e.lga.to/Stream_Deck_Plus_XL_Media

Webpages

Learn more:

Wave:3 MK.2 – https://e.lga.to/wave-3-mk2
Wave XLR MK.2 – https://e.lga.to/wave-xlr-mk2
Wave XLR Pro – https://e.lga.to/wave-xlr-pro
XLR Dock MK.2 – https://e.lga.to/xlr-dock-mk2
Stream Deck + XL – https://e.lga.to/stream-deck-plus-xl
Download Wave Link 3.0 – https://e.lga.to/wave-link-app

About Wave

Since launching the first Wave microphone in 2020, Elgato has continually expanded its audio portfolio to include interfaces, mounts, studio accessories, and software. Stream Deck brings it all together, enabling direct control over every aspect of audio. Wave Next is the next chapter: a unified ecosystem built to scale with any setup, making professional-grade audio more accessible, intuitive, and connected than ever before.

About Elgato

Elgato is a world leader in online audiovisual technology, empowering content creators and digital professionals to transform their ideas into immersive, impactful experiences. From award-winning cameras, microphones, and lighting to control surfaces, capture cards, and studio mounts, Elgato sets industry benchmarks that shape the future of digital storytelling. Backed by parent company CORSAIR (Nasdaq: CRSR), the brand leverages a strong global distribution network and consistent product innovation to deliver sustained growth. A trusted name in a rapidly expanding market, Elgato drives value for both creators and investors through its commitment to excellence and forward-thinking strategy.

Elgato PR Contacts

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