Elgato Wave XLR – Microphone Interface, XLR/USB-C, Anti-Clipping, 75 dB Amplifier, Phantom Power, Direct Monitor, Touch Mute, Wave Link App for Digital Mixing
Studio-quality amplifier: Up to 75 dB higher gain for very low noise amplifies insensitive microphones.
Phantom power supply: 48 volts for control of condenser microphones.
Brand
Elgato
Product Dimensions
8.41 x 8.79 x 11.81 cm, 300 g
Batteries
1 Lithium Ion batteries required.
Item model number
10MAG9901
Colour
Black
Voltage
1 Volts
Power Source
electirc
Operating System
mac
Supported Software
Elgato Wave Link-app (Mac, Windows)
Are Batteries Included
No
Lithium Battery Weight
0.19 g
Number Of Lithium Ion Cells
1
Number of Lithium Metal Cells
1
Manufacturer
Elgato
Language
English
Guaranteed software updates until
unknown
Date First Available
16 July 2021
2270 reviews for Elgato Wave XLR – Microphone Interface, XLR/USB-C, Anti-Clipping, 75 dB Amplifier, Phantom Power, Direct Monitor, Touch Mute, Wave Link App for Digital Mixing
Rated 5 out of 5
CC –
This is the ideal XLR interface for getting microphone audio on a PC for streaming, podcasting, voice overs, or just discord/skype/teams. Works great with an ElectroVoice RE20 even without a cloudlifter. Also works well with the AT2035 with phantom power.
The most noteworthy features that set it apart from other audio interfaces are the Wave Link app and the capacitive mute button on top. Wave Link is incredibly useful for mixes, and close integrations with stream deck mean controlling it can be simple too. Adding VSTs directly to the audio to do compression, EQ, de-essing, and notably noise suppression is much simpler than with other apps like Voicemeeter, and having the effects apply to the output directly instead of through OBS let’s apps like discord hear the same audio. The inbuilt Noise Suppression plugin is surprisingly good, while I would not recommend using it if avoidable as it does definitely affect audio quality, it works well to make noisy backgrounds (such as with an air conditioner or fan on) bearable for people on the receiving end of voip calls.
I’ve tried a number of other audio interfaces like the Scarlett 2i2, Komplete Audio 2, and Line 6 UX2, and the WaveXLR is simply the best for a desktop mic. The others have its roots in recording instruments in addition to vocals and it shows. Out of those 3 the only one that comes close is the classic Line 6 UX2 which had a great selection of preamps and effects that were built in to the Pod Farm app, but the WaveXLR definitely has a cleaner interface and more features. Capacitive mute is a simple feature but is very convenient once you use it. It avoids having the loud ‘pop’ that using the phantom power switch as your mute button leads to, and is both quieter and easier to press than a virtual button.
While it does not have the same mixing capabilities out of the box as the GoXLR (which I do not recommend as TC helicon has basically stopped software support for it), nor does it have the number of inputs that more instrument-minded interfaces have, the Wave XLR is designed simply to have one mic hooked up to it with a bunch of features available for that mic, and it does its job very well.
Rated 4 out of 5
Orange Dugong –
I love having an interface for my sounds, it is great to have more control over the sound of my streams. BUT, the software is complicated and not very clearly written and provided. The online ‘manuals’ are made for ppl who know what this device. After using it for 2 weeks I am enjoying the device.
Rated 5 out of 5
James Cottell –
it came fast and was easy to use
Rated 5 out of 5
Jayf –
The Elgato Wave XLR is a great piece of equipment for your sound setup. While deciding whether or not to get this, I had to look at the benefits and drawbacks this device had in comparison to the GoXLR Mini. A drawback of this device is that, compared to the GoXLR Mini, the Elgato Wave XLR isn’t as convenient because it lacks physical faders (the sliders for different sound sources). This could be a deal-breaker for some people, but it wasn’t enough for me to ditch the option.
In my opinion, the Wave XLR has many more benefits than the GoXLR Mini. The compact design of the Wave XLR makes my setup nice and tidy compared to the size of the GoXLR Mini. It fits perfectly on top of my computer, and its cable management is perfectly fine since all its ports are coming off the back. The Elgato Wave Link software is incredibly intuitive. It separates the audio into two potentially identical tracks: the monitor track and the stream track. Because of this, you can adjust your sound levels for your stream track (what the stream may hear or what an audience might hear) separately from what you hear (the monitor track). You can also switch between what track is currently playing through your headphones right on the software so that you can properly adjust the sound levels.
The Wave XLR has VSTs for all audio sources, so you can add limiters, equalizers, noise gates, etc. to your microphone or any other sound. It also allows you to use your microphone with the VSTs on any program, so you can speak to your friends through Discord for example with your VSTs.
There is a knob on the front of the device that lets you adjust the gain for the microphone you have plugged in. Fortunately, the Wave XLR has enough gain to power power-hungry microphones such as the Shure SM7B, so there is no need to worry about whether your microphone will ever be too quiet. You can push the knob to switch it from adjusting your microphone to your headphone level, and you can push it again to adjust how much of your microphone you hear back and how much of your system you hear back. Keep in mind that monitoring your microphone directly through the Wave XLR and NOT through the Wave Link software will NOT have any of the VSTs you put on.
Overall, this is an amazing device, and for $40 cheaper than the GoXLR Mini, you are definitely getting enough bank for your buck. It has everything the GoXLR Mini has except the physical faders (sliders), and more. I would recommend this to any streamer who is looking for an audio interface that is compact and powerful enough to power a microphone like the Shure SM7B.
Rated 5 out of 5
Linus Sewell –
So far I’ve had great results from this thing. It has a nice small footprint and is the same size as the Stream Deck Mk2 if you have one of those, making it fit perfectly if you have other Elgato products. The headphone output of up to 250 Ohms is perfect as well, as I use Sennheiser HD58X headphones and these provide enough power for my to not need a seperate amp/dac. The software is where this shines, as it provides amazing control and great functionality that works well with the product.
CC –
This is the ideal XLR interface for getting microphone audio on a PC for streaming, podcasting, voice overs, or just discord/skype/teams. Works great with an ElectroVoice RE20 even without a cloudlifter. Also works well with the AT2035 with phantom power.
The most noteworthy features that set it apart from other audio interfaces are the Wave Link app and the capacitive mute button on top. Wave Link is incredibly useful for mixes, and close integrations with stream deck mean controlling it can be simple too. Adding VSTs directly to the audio to do compression, EQ, de-essing, and notably noise suppression is much simpler than with other apps like Voicemeeter, and having the effects apply to the output directly instead of through OBS let’s apps like discord hear the same audio. The inbuilt Noise Suppression plugin is surprisingly good, while I would not recommend using it if avoidable as it does definitely affect audio quality, it works well to make noisy backgrounds (such as with an air conditioner or fan on) bearable for people on the receiving end of voip calls.
I’ve tried a number of other audio interfaces like the Scarlett 2i2, Komplete Audio 2, and Line 6 UX2, and the WaveXLR is simply the best for a desktop mic. The others have its roots in recording instruments in addition to vocals and it shows. Out of those 3 the only one that comes close is the classic Line 6 UX2 which had a great selection of preamps and effects that were built in to the Pod Farm app, but the WaveXLR definitely has a cleaner interface and more features. Capacitive mute is a simple feature but is very convenient once you use it. It avoids having the loud ‘pop’ that using the phantom power switch as your mute button leads to, and is both quieter and easier to press than a virtual button.
While it does not have the same mixing capabilities out of the box as the GoXLR (which I do not recommend as TC helicon has basically stopped software support for it), nor does it have the number of inputs that more instrument-minded interfaces have, the Wave XLR is designed simply to have one mic hooked up to it with a bunch of features available for that mic, and it does its job very well.
Orange Dugong –
I love having an interface for my sounds, it is great to have more control over the sound of my streams. BUT, the software is complicated and not very clearly written and provided. The online ‘manuals’ are made for ppl who know what this device. After using it for 2 weeks I am enjoying the device.
James Cottell –
it came fast and was easy to use
Jayf –
The Elgato Wave XLR is a great piece of equipment for your sound setup.
While deciding whether or not to get this, I had to look at the benefits and drawbacks this device had in comparison to the GoXLR Mini. A drawback of this device is that, compared to the GoXLR Mini, the Elgato Wave XLR isn’t as convenient because it lacks physical faders (the sliders for different sound sources). This could be a deal-breaker for some people, but it wasn’t enough for me to ditch the option.
In my opinion, the Wave XLR has many more benefits than the GoXLR Mini. The compact design of the Wave XLR makes my setup nice and tidy compared to the size of the GoXLR Mini. It fits perfectly on top of my computer, and its cable management is perfectly fine since all its ports are coming off the back.
The Elgato Wave Link software is incredibly intuitive. It separates the audio into two potentially identical tracks: the monitor track and the stream track. Because of this, you can adjust your sound levels for your stream track (what the stream may hear or what an audience might hear) separately from what you hear (the monitor track). You can also switch between what track is currently playing through your headphones right on the software so that you can properly adjust the sound levels.
The Wave XLR has VSTs for all audio sources, so you can add limiters, equalizers, noise gates, etc. to your microphone or any other sound. It also allows you to use your microphone with the VSTs on any program, so you can speak to your friends through Discord for example with your VSTs.
There is a knob on the front of the device that lets you adjust the gain for the microphone you have plugged in. Fortunately, the Wave XLR has enough gain to power power-hungry microphones such as the Shure SM7B, so there is no need to worry about whether your microphone will ever be too quiet. You can push the knob to switch it from adjusting your microphone to your headphone level, and you can push it again to adjust how much of your microphone you hear back and how much of your system you hear back. Keep in mind that monitoring your microphone directly through the Wave XLR and NOT through the Wave Link software will NOT have any of the VSTs you put on.
Overall, this is an amazing device, and for $40 cheaper than the GoXLR Mini, you are definitely getting enough bank for your buck. It has everything the GoXLR Mini has except the physical faders (sliders), and more. I would recommend this to any streamer who is looking for an audio interface that is compact and powerful enough to power a microphone like the Shure SM7B.
Linus Sewell –
So far I’ve had great results from this thing. It has a nice small footprint and is the same size as the Stream Deck Mk2 if you have one of those, making it fit perfectly if you have other Elgato products. The headphone output of up to 250 Ohms is perfect as well, as I use Sennheiser HD58X headphones and these provide enough power for my to not need a seperate amp/dac. The software is where this shines, as it provides amazing control and great functionality that works well with the product.