DO NOT Buy The Elgato Wave:3 MK.2 (Until You Watch This)

Product reviewed

Elgato Wave:3 (Mark II) — a USB microphone successor to the original Wave:3 (also discussed alongside the software ecosystem “Wave 3.0”).

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Key features mentioned

Hardware: nearly identical to Wave:3

• Same USB-C port, headphone out, top capacitive mute, and front control dial
• Same style desktop stand + adapter for mic stands
• Color difference noted: Wave:3 Mark II available in black/white, while the original differs

Wave FX onboard processing (main upgrade)

• Mark II adds an onboard “Wave FX processor” for local processing
• Examples mentioned: compression, EQ, and more
• Original Wave:3 required effects primarily on the software side

“Voice Tune” effect (Mark II-only)

• Described as adding:
  • Analog-style compression
  • Gentle harmonic warmth
• Control strength slider: weak → strong
• User keeps it around ~60% for taste (as mentioned)
• Adjustable “on the fly” using the device interface (stars/rotary dial referenced)

Auto gain

• Press-and-hold the knob for about ~5 seconds (per subtitles) to trigger auto gain by having you speak briefly

Filtering and dynamics tools (Wave FX hardware effects)

• Enhanced low cut
  • Bottom roll-off described as around ~80 Hz (typical)
• Expander
  • Reduces gain below a threshold (threshold mentioned around 44 dB)
  • Drop shown around ~19 dB
  • Framed as more natural than a harsh noise gate
• EQ
  • Default “recommended” voice EQ curve includes:
    • Bass boost
    • Cutting the boxy region around ~500–700 Hz
    • Presence boost higher up

Monitoring/setup improvements in Wave 3 software

• Setup includes input gain control and output volume
• Linear mic mix replaces/updates older monitoring mix behavior for more direct control
• Direct monitoring toggle available

32-bit audio / workflow claim

• Claims 32-bit recording / “32-bit flow into the computer”
• Benefits claimed:
  • More edit range in post
  • With the processor design, it’s “virtually impossible to clip”
• Host attempts a “screaming test” (subtitle results not fully confirmed)

VST inserts support

• Mark II described as supporting VST inserts directly in the signal path
• Claimed advantage: send processed audio to multiple platforms without changing mic/audio routing
• Contrasted with an older two-microphone “microphone FX” workflow approach

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Visual / user experience notes

• Monitoring lights:
  • Green while live
  • Turns red on mute (behavior similar to other Wave devices)
• Setup flow in Wave 3.0:
  • Guidance to position the mic at a distance appropriate for a condenser mic (not right on-axis like a dynamic)
  • Gain targets referenced around ~14 dB, with the user later adjusting to ~19 dB to land near “-10 dBish” after processing in OBS
• Device is positioned as designed for close use with a stand rather than handheld

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Sound comparison / conclusions (as described)

• Core question: whether to upgrade from Wave:3 → Wave:3 Mark II, or buy Mark II if new to Wave
• Host expectation:
  • Differences may be subtle
  • The real reasons to care are onboard Wave FX + Voice Tune
• Test approach described:
  • Evaluate raw mic sound after raising gain to about ~19 dB
  • Then compare effects/filters (subtitles don’t provide measured results—mainly describe the ecosystem and workflow)

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Price / value points (numerical)

• Wave:3 Mark II price (US): $170 (list)
• Original Wave:3:
  • Often $30–$40 cheaper at sales (host’s comment)
• Mark II current sale examples mentioned:
  • ~$141 on Amazon
  • ~$149 from Elgato
  • Framed as about ~$20 cheaper than list pricing
• Value statements:
  • Host: the extra ~$20 is “well worth it”
  • Upgrade guidance if you already own Wave:3:
    • “worth it” mainly if you want the new features and prefer the Mark II format
  • If buying new:
    • Host agrees it’s worth paying for Mark II

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Comparisons made to other products / alternatives

USB-only competitors

• Mentions FIFINE K688 and FIFINE AM8
• Positioning:
  • If you want simple USB: Wave:3 Mark II is presented as straightforward
  • If you already own another alternative and want Wave: host suggests Wave XLR Mark II may be the better direction

Better investment path for similar FX hardware features

• Wave XLR Mark II recommended over Wave:3 Mark II for users who want the Wave FX processor features but in XLR format
• Stream Deck Plus MK2 dock with Wave FX processor mentioned as an alternative workflow

Role of Wave 3.0 software

• Host claims Wave 3.0 is free
• Can be used with any microphone
• However, onboard Wave FX / Voice Tune is the key differentiation for Mark II hardware units

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Pros mentioned

• Onboard Wave FX processor (local processing vs software-only)
• Voice Tune: described as great sounding (analog-style compression + warmth)
• Auto gain
• Useful default processing:
  • EQ curve and dynamics tools like expander and low cut
• 32-bit recording benefits (editing headroom) + claim of avoiding clipping
• VST inserts in-signal-path to simplify sending one processed mic signal everywhere
• Improved, clearer linear mic mix monitoring control
• Keeps the same overall convenience as Wave:3 (USB-C, headphone monitoring, mute, dial)

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Cons / limitations mentioned (or implied)

• Mark II pricing is higher than discounted original units (list $170 vs original often cheaper)
• Wave software setup may have fewer options compared with what some users expected from the older Wave UI (subtitle mentions “you don’t have as much options”)
• Host implies the “sound difference” may not be dramatic unless onboard effects are enabled

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Unique points list (distinct product claims mentioned)

1. Mark II looks almost identical to Wave:3 (black/white only).
2. Same ports and controls: USB-C, headphone out, top capacitive mute, front dial, stand/adapter.
3. Mark II adds Wave FX onboard processor; original relies on software processing.
4. Mark II provides new/expanded effects via onboard processing.
5. Voice Tune offers analog-style compression + harmonic warmth.
6. Voice Tune strength slider: weak → strong.
7. Host/user preference mentioned: keep Voice Tune around ~60%.
8. Voice Tune can be adjusted on the fly using the device interface.
9. Setup supports input gain, output volume, and auto gain (knob press-and-hold ~5 seconds).
10. Linear mic mix monitoring for more straightforward control.
11. Direct monitoring toggle.
12. Wave setup instructs proper condenser-style positioning (not on the exact mic axis like a dynamic).
13. Enhanced low cut around ~80 Hz rolloff.
14. Expander with a threshold around 44 dB, avoiding harsh gate behavior.
15. EQ uses a recommended voice curve (cut ~500–700 Hz “boxy” region, add presence).
16. Host suggests using Voice Tune rather than a generic compressor-only approach on Mark II.
17. Host claims clipping is prevented effectively (screaming test mentioned; results not fully specified in subtitles).
18. 32-bit recording / 32-bit flow claim.
19. Mark II supports VST inserts directly in the signal path.
20. Claimed benefit: send processed audio to Discord/streaming without rerouting mic signals.
21. Pricing: $170 list for Wave:3 Mark II; original often $30–$40 cheaper during sales.
22. Sale examples: ~$141 Amazon, ~$149 Elgato.
23. Recommendation logic: - Upgrade if you want new features (and like the format) - Consider Wave XLR Mark II for users wanting the same FX processor features in XLR

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Speaker views (identified speakers)

• Main host (single primary speaker): covers comparisons, effect explanations (Voice Tune, EQ, expander, low cut), setup workflow, pricing/value, upgrade recommendations, and discusses the clipping test and VST/32-bit/VFX claims.
• No other distinct speakers are credited in subtitles; the “Sunzu said…” segment appears to be used as spoken script/sample rather than a separate commentator.

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Concise verdict / recommendation

Buy/upgrade to Elgato Wave:3 Mark II if you want the benefits of onboard Wave FX—especially “Voice Tune”—and prefer an all-in-one USB workflow with built-in processing. If you already own the original Wave:3, it’s mainly a value upgrade for the Mark II’s new features and processing workflow (with the caveat that the original can be cheaper on sale). For users choosing between Elgato routes for similar FX processor features, the host leans toward Wave XLR Mark II for many scenarios.