Even if a crack works, Waves plugins rely heavily on licensing checks. A cracked plugin often causes high CPU usage or "plugin not found" errors in the middle of a project, unlike a properly activated Waves license.
Some cracked plugins may work if you force your DAW to run under Rosetta 2. But this creates a cascade of problems. Running your entire DAW in translation mode reduces performance and can cause crashes. Many modern plugins that are Apple Silicon native will stop working correctly when the DAW is forced into Rosetta mode.
The shift to ARM-based processors like the M1 chip presents opportunities for innovation in the audio processing industry. However, it also underscores the importance of adapting to new technologies in a legal and ethical manner. Waves and other software developers are working to ensure compatibility and performance on these new architectures. Users are encouraged to support these efforts by acquiring software through legitimate channels, thereby fostering continued innovation and support in the industry.
Their Free Bundle includes excellent EQs and utility plugins. Compression & Limiters: TDR Limiter 6 GE: A powerful, free limiter/compressor.
If you're interested in using Waves plugins on your M1-based Mac, I recommend checking the company's website for compatible plugins and following their guidelines for installation and optimization.
If you tell me which one (e.g., CLA-76, Waves Tune, H-Reverb), I can suggest the best free or low-cost alternative and explain how to optimize your DAW settings for M1 performance. Apple Silicon Support for Waves Plugins