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An introduction to Elgato Wave:3 MK.2, based on information from the maker and distributors: what it does, how to use it and who it may suit. It is not scored.
Professional effects run right onboard, shaping your voice and stopping distortion in real time.
— Elgato official site
What is Wave:3 MK.2?
The Wave:3 MK.2 is a USB-C condenser microphone from Elgato. It has a built-in Wave FX processor with DSP (a chip for digital signal processing), so shaping your voice happens on the microphone itself rather than in software on your computer. Elgato describes it for streamers, podcasters and anyone who wants clean-sounding vocals with minimal setup.
At the core of Wave FX is Clipguard 2.0. Elgato says it prevents the distortion caused by sudden loud sounds at the hardware stage. After that come onboard DSP effects (such as EQ and compression) and VST effect inserts, all processed in one continuous signal path.
For control there is a multifunction dial on the front. Pushing it cycles through input gain, Voice Tune, headphone volume and monitor mix, and turning it adjusts the selected one; a long press starts Auto Gain. An LED ring shows levels, you tap to mute, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack lets you hear yourself without delay.
Settings are made in Elgato's free Wave Link app, where you can adjust DSP settings, insert VST effects and mix multiple audio sources; the FAQ says it also works out of the box without the software. It has a 16 mm condenser capsule, a cardioid pattern and an internal pop filter, and it ships with a desk stand.
According to the Elgato quick start guide, the front LEDs show input gain (first LED), Voice Tune (three star-shaped LEDs above it), headphone volume (second LED) and monitor mix (third LED). The dial turns to adjust, pushes to switch items, and a 5-second hold starts Auto Gain.
It mounts on the included desk stand or on a mic arm using the 1/4-inch thread on the bottom, with 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch adapters provided. It is a side-address microphone, so you speak into the front from about 10 to 20 cm away.
Elgato recommends connecting it directly to the computer rather than through a USB hub. The Wave Link software offers up to 5 custom mixes, per-app routing and Voice Focus, AI-powered noise suppression.
Wave FX processor (onboard DSP)
Processing such as EQ and compression is done by the DSP in the microphone, not by the computer. Elgato says what you hear in the headphones has no delay and does not depend on computer load.
Clipguard 2.0
Elgato describes it as a function that keeps loud or sudden sounds from clipping into distortion. It may help reduce recording mistakes when your voice level suddenly changes, as in streams and commentary.
VST inserts via Wave Link
With Wave Link you can apply VST effects directly to the mic signal and use the processed voice in any app without virtual devices. VST effects, however, do not carry over to phones and tablets.
Auto Gain and multifunction dial
Hold the dial for 5 seconds and speak at your normal volume, and Auto Gain finds a suitable gain level. The LED ring filling up and glowing green means it is done; red means try again. Normally you use the dial to switch between gain, headphone volume and more.
Voice Tune
Elgato describes a custom blend of compression and harmonics that gives the voice a broadcast-style warmth. It adapts as you speak, and its strength is set with a single slider in Wave Link or via the dial.
Headphone output and pop filter
The 3.5 mm headphone jack gives zero-delay monitoring. It supports headphones up to 250 ohms, with output volume decreasing as impedance rises. An internal pop filter reduces plosives.
Voice Focus
A Wave Link feature with a slider that sets how much reverb and background noise is reduced. Elgato describes it as AI-powered noise suppression.
Up to five custom mixes
Wave Link lets you build up to five mixes for streaming, recording, monitoring, calls and more. Apps can be routed to any channel in one click and inputs can be grouped.
Stream Deck integration
With Stream Deck, a free Wave Link plug-in lets you control the microphone from keys.
LED ring shows levels
The front LED ring shows the current state and audio level. After Auto Gain the ring turns green; if it is red, redo the process.
Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Capsule | 16 mm condenser (integrated JFET) |
| Polar pattern | Cardioid |
| Resolution | 24 bit |
| Sample rate | 48 kHz |
| Frequency response | 70 – 20,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | -20 dBFS typical at 1 kHz |
| Max SPL | 130 dB SPL typical at 1 kHz |
| Dynamic range | 110 dB |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 2.0 HS), 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack |
| Weight | 250 g without stand / 570 g with stand |
| Dimensions | 46 x 85 x 167 mm without stand / 213 x dia. 100 mm with stand |
| OS | Windows 11 or newer, macOS 14.2 or newer (Wave Link is free) |
| Mounting | Included desk stand, or mic arm via 1/4-inch thread (3/8-inch and 5/8-inch adapters included) |
| SKU | 10MAO9901 |
| Wave Link mixes | Up to 5 |
| Suggested manual gain | Around 20 dB |
| Microphone type | Side-address (speak into the front) |
What is included and system requirements
- Wave:3 MK.2 microphone
- Desk stand
- USB-C cable (250 cm)
- 5/8" and 3/8" adapter
- OS: Windows 11 or newer, macOS 14.2 or newer; software is Wave Link (free download)
- Sold separately: Wave Shock Mount, Wave Pop Filter, mic arms (Wave Mic Arm MK.2 / LP) and extension rods
- Recommended accessories sold separately: Wave Mic Arm MK.2, Wave Mic Arm LP, Wave Desk Stand, Wave Extension Rods, Wave Pop Filter and Wave Shock Mount
How to use it
- Connect the microphone to your computer with the supplied USB-C cable.
- Download and install the free Wave Link from Elgato's site (the mic works without it, but you need Wave Link to adjust DSP settings).
- Point the front (the side with the multifunction dial) at your mouth and place the mic about 10-20 cm away.
- Set it on the desk stand, or mount it on a mic arm (sold separately).
- Hold the dial for 5 seconds to start Auto Gain, and speak at your normal volume to set the gain.
- Plug headphones into the 3.5 mm jack and check your voice through zero-delay monitoring.
- In Wave Link open the Effects tab and adjust the DSP settings or VST inserts.
- For manual gain, start around 20 dB and adjust to your voice and room.
- For Auto Gain, hold the dial for 5 seconds and speak at your normal level. The ring turns green when done; if it turns red, repeat.
- Speak from about 10 to 20 cm away. As a guide, hold a hand up in a stop position: thumb at your lips, little finger at the microphone.
- Log in to the Elgato Marketplace to install VST effects into Wave Link.
- Set the volume to a moderate level before connecting headphones, to protect your hearing.
Streaming and game commentary
Clipguard 2.0, which guards against sudden loud sounds, plus tap-to-mute and the LED ring may suit operation during a stream. Elgato lists streamers first among its target users.
Podcasts and radio-style speech
Voice Tune is described as adding broadcast-style warmth. It may be worth trying when you want to polish narration or talk.
Home narration and rough vocals
Because you can record while hearing yourself through the headphone jack without delay, it may also work for narration and rough vocal takes. Being USB, it can be started without an audio interface.
Recording on phones and tablets
The FAQ says it works with phones or tablets that support USB Audio Class 2.0. The onboard DSP effects carry over, but VST effects do not.
Adjusting settings by hand during a stream
The dial controls gain and headphone volume, so it may help when you want to change settings without leaving the screen.
Podcasts with several audio sources
With up to five Wave Link mixes, it may suit podcasts where guest audio and music are kept separate.
Desks with a mic arm
The 1/4-inch thread lets it mount on a mic arm, which may suit a desk where space is limited.
Who it may suit
- People who want to polish their voice for streams and podcasts over USB alone may find it suitable.
- Those who want to adjust the mic's DSP and VST effects in an app may find it suitable.
- Users who want hand-operated mute and monitoring when recording vocals or speech at home may find it suitable.
- People who want an easy start without an audio interface may find it suitable.
Good to know before you buy
- Requires Windows 11 or newer or macOS 14.2 or newer. Wave Link (free) is needed to adjust DSP settings and insert VST effects.
- A shock mount is not included (the Wave Shock Mount is sold separately).
- The sample rate is 48 kHz and the resolution is 24-bit.
- VST effects do not carry over to phones and tablets; to change settings, reconnect to a computer running Wave Link.
- The price is from the official US store and may change by region and over time.
- The full Wave Link feature set (DSP settings, VST inserts, mixes) requires a Windows or macOS computer.
- Elgato recommends connecting directly to the computer, not through a USB hub.
- Clipguard can only be switched on or off.
- Check the warranty and local pricing with the retailer where you buy.
How it differs from similar products
We do not pick a winner; the official figures are placed side by side.
Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X
Wave:3 MK.2: 48 kHz/24-bit, max SPL 130 dB, onboard DSP and VST inserts, $169.99 (per Elgato). AT2020USB-X: up to 24-bit/96 kHz, USB-C, headphone output with mix control, touch mute, $169.00 (per Audio-Technica).
Wave:3
Elgato describes what the Wave:3 MK.2 adds as a Wave FX processor running DSP effects and Clipguard 2.0 on the microphone, VST insert support, an LED ring for level monitoring, and Auto Gain and Voice Tune (per Elgato's FAQ).
Price
$169.99 (Elgato official site, checked 2026-10-27). Prices can vary by region and promotion, so check the official page before buying.
See Wave:3 MK.2 on the product page
Sources: elgato.com audio-technica.com (checked 2026-10-27)
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