With the 2026 NAB Show approaching, here is one in a series of previews asking exhibitors about their plans and expectations.
Mick Olesh is CEO of Waves Audio, a provider of audio digital signal processing solutions for the professional audio, broadcast, live sound and consumer electronics markets.
Radio World: Mick what’s the most important trend affecting your clients and their businesses in 2026?
Mick Olesh: In the broadcast industry, the move toward cloud-based systems is a major opportunity. Also, AI-collaborative tools that enable fast, simple and highly efficient workflows are becoming essential.
Audio is increasingly embedded into platforms and end-to-end workflows. As a result, clients are choosing solutions that reduce time-to-quality while integrating cleanly into remote, networked production environments.
Waves’ internal roadmap, focused on cloud broadcast, cloud podcast production and API strategy, directly reflects this reality.
RW: What products will Waves highlight in its booth?
Olesh: Waves eMotion LV1 Classic is a 2026 TEC Award-winning, powerful live sound console, offering 64 stereo channels (or 128 inputs) and 44 stereo buses of industry-leading sound, expandable to 80 stereo channels (160 inputs), 52 buses and 32 auxes. It includes 16 inputs powered by Waves Signature Preamps. The LV1 Classic delivers the deepest processing in the live sound industry, with an intuitive workflow, easy scalability and maximum portability.
The Waves Cloud MX Audio Mixer is a state-of-the-art cloud-based audio mixing and processing solution, powered by a cloud version of Waves’ double-precision, 32-bit floating-point eMotion LV1 mix engine. It integrates with our audio plugins to deliver unprecedented processing power in the cloud. It supports major cloud platforms and protocols, including AWS, Google Cloud Platform and Dante Connect, and integrates with Grass Valley AMPP for cloud-based live broadcast production. It is also NDI-compatible for flexible audio routing.
The Waves SuperRack LiveBox brings VST3 plugins from Waves and third-party manufacturers to any live production or broadcast environment. It features Dante or MADI connectivity, ultra-low latency and the industry-standard SuperRack Performer plugin host, all in a single, compact unit.
Waves eMotion LV1 Control is a premium control surface designed as a fader expansion for LV1 Classic digital mixing consoles. Waves Titan SoundGrid Server enables unprecedented DSP power for running plugins in real time. Waves IONIC 24 is a 24-in / 18-out SoundGrid stagebox with pristine sound powered by Waves Signature Preamps.
And we’ll demonstrate how our comprehensive line of more than 240 audio plugins support today’s broadcast and live sound environments.24-in / 18-out SoundGrid stagebox with pristine sound powered by Waves Signature Preamps.
RW: AI technology has swept through every industry. What role does AI play in your products?
Olesh: AI acts as a collaboration tool across our product portfolio. More than 80% of our current product development incorporates some level of AI to deliver faster workflows while expanding creative possibilities through intelligent assistance.
Creators expect AI-driven automation by default. Broadcasters expect intelligent cleanup, leveling and consistency. Enterprises expect scalable AI audio processing embedded directly into workflows.
AI is no longer a premium feature. It is rapidly becoming a baseline capability.
RW: What other trends will you be watching for at the convention?
Olesh: We are closely watching continued advances in cloud-based broadcasting, new approaches to audio control surfaces, mixing consoles and the evolution of plugin-based processing.
NAB Show Booth: C2722
