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Troubleshooting

The problems that actually come up, and what to do about each.

Updated

macOS won't open DropWave

Since 3.3, DropWave is notarised by Apple and opens straight away. If macOS blocks it, you have a copy older than 3.3: download the current version, or open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down to the message about DropWave, and click Open Anyway once.

If macOS says DropWave is damaged, the download didn't finish: download it again.

Windows won't open DropWave

The first time you open the download, Windows may say "Windows protected your PC". Click More info, then Run anyway, once. DropWave then installs itself for you (Start menu, and Settings → Apps with Uninstall) and opens straight away from then on.

A file won't open

  • Check it plays on its own: press Space on it in Finder, or open it in Media Player on Windows. If nothing can play it, nothing can decode it.
  • DRM-protected files can't be decoded by anything.
  • Very short files, under about half a second, have nothing to measure.

The key looks wrong

  1. Look at the confidence. Low confidence on a drum loop is the honest answer: percussion has no key.
  2. Check the runner-up. If it's the relative key (A minor and C major), both are defensible.
  3. Press Hear key and play along. Your ear is the final judge.
  4. Still wrong? Report it in the Discord with /report and attach the file. Those reports are what the engine is tuned on.

The BPM looks wrong

  • Half or double? Use Half / As detected / Double; both levels describe the same grid.
  • Turn on Click on beats. If the click follows the drums, the tempo is right even if it isn't the number you expected.
  • Set a tempo range in Settings → General if your music lives outside 78–152 BPM, like drum & bass.

Updates don't arrive

  • Choose DropWave → Check for Updates… to check right away.
  • On Dev Beta, make sure your code is entered in Settings → Updates.
  • Updates install when you click Restart in the update bar; until then you keep the version you have.

Space doesn't play

Space plays and pauses unless you are typing in the search field. Click the waveform or press ⌥⌘P.

A plugin doesn't show up

  • Quit and reopen your DAW after installing. Hosts read their list of plugins when they start.
  • Check DropWave Manager (Settings → Manager) in DropWave (3.5.0 and later): it shows what's installed, and Install puts a missing plugin back. An update that's waiting installs once your DAW quits.
  • In Logic Pro, look under Audio FX → Audio Units → DropWave. A project that used DropWave Tune before 3.4.4 needs it inserted again: Logic now lists it as a MIDI-controlled effect.
  • In other hosts, rescan your plugins, and check that the host loads VST3 or CLAP.

DropWave Editor won't split

  • "The stem model isn't installed": open DropWave Manager (Settings → Manager) in DropWave and install DropWave Editor's stem model again. (The Editor build of 20 October still says DropWave → Install DropWave Editor…; that menu item is now DropWave Manager (Settings → Manager).)
  • Splitting needs macOS 15 or later. On an older macOS the key, tempo and tuning are still read.
  • "The stems were split at … and the project now runs at …": the project's sample rate changed since the split. Switch it back, or capture again.

Anything else

Open a ticket with /ticket in the Discord, or email hello@getdropwave.com.