1. Get a Hardwave account The Analyser is free, but you need a Hardwave account to download it.
2. Download the Hardwave Suite Go to https://hardwavestudios.com/downloads and download the Suite installer. The Suite is the only installer; individual plug-ins are not downloaded separately.
3. Install the Suite Run the installer and sign in with the same Hardwave account you created. Windows will show "Windows protected your PC". Click More info then Run anyway. macOS will refuse to open the app. Right-click the installer, choose Open, then confirm in the dialog.
4. Install the Analyser In the Suite window find Hardwave Analyser (free) and press Install. The Suite copies the VST3 and CLAP files to the standard plug-in folders for your operating system:
| Platform | VST3 folder | CLAP folder |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | `C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3` | `C:\Program Files\Common Files\CLAP` |
| macOS | `~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3` | `~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP` |
| Linux | `~/.vst3` | `~/.clap` |
5. Make Ableton see the plug-in Open Ableton Live and go to Preferences → Plug-Ins. Turn on Use VST3 Plug-In System Folders (and Use CLAP Plug-In System Folders if you prefer CLAP). Click Rescan to force Ableton to scan the folders where the Suite installed the Analyser.
6. Load the Analyser on a track Create an audio or MIDI track, click the Devices browser, and locate Hardwave Analyser under Plug-Ins → VST3 (or CLAP). Drag it onto the track. The Analyser will open its interface and start visualising the signal.
7. Verify the version The current stable version of Hardwave Analyser is 1.0.26 (free). You can check the version number in the plug-in's title bar or in Ableton's device view.
Tips and troubleshooting
If Ableton does not list the Analyser after a rescan, close and reopen Ableton, then rescan again. On Windows, if the installer is blocked by SmartScreen, use the "More info → Run anyway" path described above. * On macOS, if you still cannot open the installer, ensure you right-click and choose Open rather than double-clicking.
You are now ready to use Hardwave Analyser in Ableton Live to monitor levels, frequency balance, and stereo width in real time.