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Waves Audio unveils eMotion LV1 Classic fully integrated live mixing console

Waves Audio has unveiled its new fully integrated live mixing console, the eMotion LV1 Classic, which will be on show at NAMM 2025.

With 64 stereo channels and 44 stereo buses of sound, intuitive workflow, 16 onboard Waves Signature Preamps, and Waves processors included with the console, the new Waves eMotion LV1 Classic is a hardware mixing desk designed to pack more live mixing power in a compact console than ever before, says the manufacturer.

The eMotion LV1 Classic builds upon the Waves LV1 mix engine, which until now has been available only as a software-based modular system. This new hardware console delivers the LV1’s advantages and intuitive UI – now in the preferred console form factor and workflow of live sound engineers worldwide.

The LV1 Classic is powered by a double-precision 32-bit floating point mix engine, operating at 44.1–96 kHz sample rates, reportedly ensuring unmatched clarity and headroom. The console’s audio is further enhanced by 16 onboard Waves Signature Preamps, featuring fully discrete analogue circuits, low noise floor, and the ability to switch between pure transparent preamp sound and rich harmonic enhancement. LV1 Classic can be expanded with Waves IONIC stageboxes that also include Waves Signature Preamps.

The console’s software and hardware architecture is designed for maximum intuitiveness. Any operator, from seasoned professionals to volunteers in charge of house of worship sound, can quickly control what they need, states Waves.

It is intuitive, the new build is robust, and above all I’m continuously amazed by the console’s incomparable sound.

The console boasts a large 21.5-inch multi-touch screen, 17 all-new 100mm faders, and a smart Quick-Access UI that reportedly guarantees speedy control of all important mixer functions. The console also allows customisation of user-defined actions and views, via both the screen and the tactile surface.

The LV1 Classic comes equipped with 16 built-in Waves processors, including tools favoured by the live sound industry: Dynamic EQ (F6), live vocal pitch correction (Waves Tune Real-Time), feedback and mic bleed elimination (X-FDBK and PSE), plus compression, de-essing, gating, EQ, effects, analogue saturation and more (via plugins such as the LV1’s channel strip eMo D5/F2/Q4 plugins, H-Delay, R-Comp, Magma, and more).

Up to eight plugin inserts are available flexibly on every single channel (every input channel plus all other channels including any bus/group), so that users can shape their processing freely without being locked into any pre-determined processing setup. The console’s processing is powered by a robust internal Waves DSP engine (with the option of easily adding more DSP if needed).

In addition to the onboard processors, users can upgrade seamlessly to a portfolio of over 160 live-optimised Waves plugins, including analogue emulations of SSL, API, and Abbey Road processors, surgical and creative mixing tools, Dugan auto-mixing, and more.

This robust yet compact desk blends all Waves audio and UX expertise, marking a new era in Waves’ product offerings for the live sound industry.

Also available as an upgrade is the new eMo IEM plugin for immersive in-ear mixing. With eMo IEM running in LV1 Classic, no external hardware or complicated routing is required to mix immersive in-ears: with a simple click of the button, LV1 Classic can send immersive in-ear monitor mixes, providing performers with a more natural and comfortable monitor sound (which they can control themselves via the LV1’s personal monitor mixing mobile app, MyMon).

The LV1 Classic systems are easy to scale up with easy expansion into systems of all sizes, from small systems with a single console with IO and DSP expansions, to mega systems with multiple consoles at different mix positions (FOH, monitors, broadcast).

Up to 14 SoundGrid-compatible IO devices can be added to LV1 Classic, including Waves IONIC and other SoundGrid stageboxes, Dante and MADI converters, and more.

At just 38 lbs (17.2 kg), LV1 Classic can be taken on any commercial flight. At only 15.8" H x 22.1" D x 22" W (402 x 561 x 560 mm), it is easily deployed in space-constrained setups.

Parnelli-winning FOH engineer Ken “Pooch” Van Druten (Iron Maiden, Jay Z), who has consulted Waves on developing the LV1 Classic, remarked, “I’m proud to have advised on the workflow architecture of this great console. It is intuitive, the new build is robust, and above all I’m continuously amazed by the console’s incomparable sound.”

Jeff Sandstrom, FOH engineer for Chris Tomlin and a leading voice in the house-of-worship audio community, added: “LV1 Classic is the perfect solution for churches in need of uncompromising sound fidelity, accessible workflow, and powerful processing that solves many typical house-of-worship audio challenges, all in a compact form factor.” 

Waves Senior Product Manager Yaniv Litmanovich commented: “We are excited to introduce the eMotion LV1 Classic console, making Waves’ sonic capabilities and tools accessible for all in a familiar yet innovative form factor. This robust yet compact desk blends all Waves audio and UX expertise, marking a new era in Waves’ product offerings for the live sound industry.

See it at NAMM on booth 18304.