On 9 September 2026 Shure released WAVETOOL 4, the fourth generation of its software for listening to and monitoring live microphone channels, now with a 30 minute replay of the whole system and support for 192 channels. Venues in Dublin and Cork that run Shure Axient Digital, ULX-D or SLX-D+ wireless should look at the Shure WAVETOOL changes before their next production season, because the licensing and the feature set have both moved on.
Product image: Shure.
- WAVETOOL 4 was announced by Shure on 9 September 2026, with the software available from that day.
- The new Global Instant Replay keeps up to 30 minutes of audio history for every channel at once, which Shure says is up to six times longer than before.
- Shure says one system can now show up to 192 wired and wireless channels, about 50% more than WAVETOOL 3, with up to eight users working together.
- Shure's product page lists Axient Digital, ULX-D and SLX-D+ wireless systems and the ANX4 receiver as compatible hardware.
- Licensing now includes monthly and annual subscriptions as well as a perpetual option, all handled in ShureCloud.
- The source for these details is Shure's own press release, issued in Amsterdam ahead of IBC.
The WAVETOOL 4 release in brief
Shure published the news in its announcement of WAVETOOL 4, dated 9 September 2026. AV Interactive, the website of AV Magazine, covered it on 10 September 2026 under the headline "Shure upgrades Wavetool monitoring and listening software".
At its core, WAVETOOL lets a sound engineer hear what each microphone is actually sending, not just watch a level meter. Shure says version 4 builds on a listening first foundation and brings audio, replay, alerts and team messaging into one shared screen. The table below sets the main additions against what they mean for a working venue.
| Change in WAVETOOL 4 | What Shure says it does | Why a venue might care |
|---|---|---|
| Global Instant Replay | Rewinds the entire system with up to 30 minutes of history | A noise reported after a scene can be traced and heard again |
| Larger capacity | Up to 192 channels and eight concurrent users | Bigger casts or events can sit in one session |
| Mic issue detection | Flags real microphone problems while ignoring expected show sounds | Fewer false alarms for the person on headphones |
| Scalable interface | Channels can be zoomed, resized and given priority | Works for a small stage as well as a large production |
| Built in messaging | Chat with images, reactions and voice notes | Backstage staff can report a fault without leaving their post |
| New licence options | Subscription and perpetual licences in ShureCloud | Short runs and permanent rigs can be costed differently |
The WAVETOOL 4 product page sets out the licence options and the compatible Shure hardware, while Shure's WAVETOOL system requirements list macOS and iOS devices.
Which Dublin and Cork organisations should pay attention
Shure is clear about its target users: theatre, live sound, broadcast and houses of worship. In Dublin and Cork that points to performance venues, touring and hire crews, broadcast facilities and churches that put a number of radio microphones on stage each week.
The receivers decide it. WAVETOOL earns its keep only where the right Shure receivers are on the network. Shure lists Axient Digital, SLX-D+, ULX-D and the ANX4 receiver as compatible hardware. A site whose receivers are not on that list should test carefully before committing.
Not every building needs it. Shure's announcement does not mention conference centres, colleges or corporate event suites. If one of those sites has a few handheld microphones for a weekly town hall, the case for dedicated monitoring software is weaker than for a theatre running dozens of body packs. Alexandre Dugas, System Engineer and Crew Chief at Solotech, put it this way in Shure's announcement: "Peace of mind, that's half of the benefit."
Planning a Shure WAVETOOL trial in Dublin or Cork
Use the free month well. Shure offers a 30 day free trial. Line it up with rehearsals and the first performances of a real show, so the team can test replay and alerts under pressure.
Pick the licence to match the work. On the product page Shure recommends monthly subscriptions for tours, festivals and short productions, annual subscriptions for ongoing use, and the perpetual licence for fixed installations and long running productions. A perpetual licence covers the current version only, Shure says, while subscriptions include ongoing software updates.
Check the network path. Because Shure says discovery happens on the local network, the Mac or iPad must sit on the same network as the receivers. If that network is shared with other systems, plan for it before the trial starts.
Keep RF planning separate. WAVETOOL is about listening. Frequency coordination is handled in Shure's Wireless Workbench, which the product page lists as a related app, so that part of the job still needs its own attention.
How monitoring fits a well planned audio system
Good monitoring sits on top of good infrastructure: receivers on a properly designed network, antennas placed for the room and clear cable routes. Our page on wired and wireless systems covers how those foundations are planned, and our audio conferencing page deals with speech pickup in meeting spaces, which is often the bigger audio task in offices.
1Install designs, supplies and installs meeting rooms, Teams Rooms and video conferencing systems, as well as wider audio and AV systems for organisations in Dublin and Cork. Schools and colleges with halls used for events can read about our education projects, and our process page explains how a project moves from survey to handover. You can also get an early idea of scope using the commercial quote builder.
Questions we are often asked
What is new in Shure WAVETOOL 4 compared with WAVETOOL 3?
The main changes are a 30 minute Global Instant Replay, up to 192 channels, eight concurrent users, mic issue detection, a scalable interface and built in chat, according to Shure.
Does WAVETOOL 4 work with Axient Digital?
Yes. Shure lists the Axient Digital wireless system as compatible hardware for WAVETOOL 4, along with ULX-D, SLX-D+ and the ANX4 receiver.
Can I buy WAVETOOL 4 outright instead of subscribing?
Yes. Shure sells a perpetual licence for the current version alongside monthly and annual subscriptions, all managed through ShureCloud.
Does WAVETOOL 4 run on Windows?
No Windows version is listed. At the time of writing, Shure's WAVETOOL system requirements list macOS 11 to macOS 15 and iOS 14 or newer, and do not mention Windows.
When did WAVETOOL 4 become available?
On 9 September 2026. Shure said in its announcement that WAVETOOL 4 was available that day, with a 30 day free trial.
Book a consultation or call Dublin on 01 906 9326 or Cork on 021 202 8107.
- Log in to post comments