GADGET LABS ON THE MAC
THE WAVEPRO YEARS · 1998–2001
8-in/8-out. 24-bit. ASIO. OMS. One short-lived Portland company—and one long driver hunt.
Scope: only hardware and software for which Gadget Labs documented Macintosh support. All other material is omitted.
DRIVER HISTORY
12 Mac files · every known version (#post_gadget_labs_drivers) | WAVE/824
8×8 · 24-bit / 48 kHz (#post_gadget_labs_wave824) | WAVE/424
4×4 · card-mounted I/O (#post_gadget_labs_wave424) |
WAVE/496
4×4 · 24-bit / 96 kHz (#post_gadget_labs_wave496) | MAC COMPATIBILITY
OS 8/9 · G3/G4 (#post_gadget_labs_compatibility) | ORIGINAL SOURCES
pages · pictures · reviews (#post_gadget_labs_sources) |
Archive key
Purple = the installer copy was opened and inspected.
Strike-through = Gadget Labs listed the file, but the Wayback Machine did not preserve the download.
“Date not stated” = the surviving official page gives a version and filename but no release date.
THE WHOLE RUN — PROTOTYPE TO FINAL DRIVER
| Date | Macintosh hardware / software |
| 1996 | Gadget Labs founded in Portland, Oregon (#post_gadget_labs_company) |
| 28 Jan 1998 | Forthcoming Wave/824 (#post_gadget_labs_wave824) — preliminary specifications and SoundCache architecture announced |
| 10 Aug 1998 | Wave/8·24 (#post_gadget_labs_wave824) — pre-release designation of the later Wave/824 |
| 30 Mar 1999 | Wave/824 (#post_gadget_labs_wave824) — worldwide hardware shipment announced; Apple Mac version scheduled for June 1999 |
| 24 Sep 1999 | WavePRO family (#post_gadget_labs_wavepro) introduced for Macintosh desktop audio recording |
| Nov–Dec 1999 | Wave/424 (#post_gadget_labs_wave424) — Mac shipment scheduled for November; surviving Mac driver v2.10 listing dated 16 December |
| 16 Dec 1999 | Wave/424 Mac driver v2.10 (#post_gadget_labs_drivers) |
| 29 Dec 1999 | Wave/824 Mac driver v2.10 (#post_gadget_labs_drivers) |
| 6 Apr 2000 | Wave/824, Wave/424 and Wave/496 Mac drivers v2.2.5 (#post_gadget_labs_drivers) |
| 1 Jun 2000 | Wave/496 (#post_gadget_labs_wave496) — worldwide shipments announced; Mac OS 8/9, ASIO audio and OMS MIDI documented |
| 2000 | WavePRO balanced and unbalanced analog snake cables documented (#post_gadget_labs_accessories) |
| By 7 Mar 2001 | Business ceased; surviving technical information and drivers placed in the public domain (#post_gadget_labs_end) |
DRIVERS FIRST ↓ (#post_gadget_labs_drivers) · Wave/824 (#post_gadget_labs_wave824) · WavePRO (#post_gadget_labs_wavepro) · Wave/424 (#post_gadget_labs_wave424) · Wave/496 (#post_gadget_labs_wave496) · Compatibility (#post_gadget_labs_compatibility) · Cables (#post_gadget_labs_accessories) · Manuals (#post_gadget_labs_manuals)
THE MAC DRIVER TRAIL
EVERY VERSION STILL NAMED BY GADGET LABS
“Each driver package includes both ASIO Audio support and OMS/MIDI support.”
Gadget Labs — Macintosh Hardware Drivers, 14 Apr 2001 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20010414043512fw_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/downloads.htm#mac_hardware)
WHAT THE OFFICIAL PAGE SAYS
• Separate driver package for each WavePRO card.
• Installer compressed in HQX format; StuffIt Expander required.
• ASIO audio and OMS/MIDI included in each package.
• OMS client application required for MIDI.
• The archived official download page identifies v2.2.5 as the last listed Mac release for all three cards.
THE DATED RELEASES
| Official date | Product | Version / filename / archive status |
| 16 Dec 1999 | Wave/424 | v2.10 — w424mac210.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w424mac210.hqx) |
| 29 Dec 1999 | Wave/824 | v2.10 — w824mac210.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w824mac210.hqx) |
| 6 Apr 2000 | Wave/824 | v2.2.5 — w824mac225.hqx — inspected installer copy / forum post (https://macos9lives.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7850.msg60509#msg60509) · official listing (https://web.archive.org/web/20010414043512fw_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/downloads.htm#mac_hardware) |
| 6 Apr 2000 | Wave/424 | v2.2.5 — w424mac225.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w424mac225.hqx) |
| 6 Apr 2000 | Wave/496 | v2.2.5 — w496mac225.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w496mac225.hqx) |
Official driver page carrying the December 1999 dates (https://web.archive.org/web/20000118140713id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/support/downloads.htm)
THE EARLIER BRANCHES — OFFICIAL DATE NOT STATED
Wave/824
v1.0 — date not stated — w8mac100.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w8mac100.hqx)
v1.01b — date not stated — w8mac101b.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w8mac101b.hqx)
v1.02 — date not stated — w8mac102.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w8mac102.hqx)
v1.05b — date not stated — Wave 824 b5.sit — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/Wave%20824%20b5.sit)
v2.0b — date not stated — w8mac200b.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w8mac200b.hqx)
Wave/424
v1.0 — date not stated — w424mac100.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w424mac100.hqx)
v2.20 — date not stated — w424mac220.hqx — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/w424mac220.hqx)
Gadget Labs — Driver Archive, 7 Mar 2001 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20010307022501id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/older_drivers.htm)
INSIDE THE SURVIVING WAVE/824 v2.2.5 INSTALLER
• Genuine StuffIt InstallerMaker 6.0 installer for Classic Mac OS / PowerPC.
• Five installed payloads; approximately 714 KB uncompressed.
• Payload creation dates: 29–30 Mar 2000.
• Official web release date: 6 Apr 2000.
• Inspected installer wrapper date: 14 Jul 2000.
• Uninstall support present.
• Destination folder: Wave/824.
• No separate Read Me, manual or firmware image inside the inspected installer.
The official v2.2.5 web listing and the inspected installer dates are retained separately; neither has been substituted for the other.
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
GADGET LABS
PORTLAND, OREGON · 1996–2001
• Founded in 1996; Portland, Oregon.
• Macintosh recording hardware appears in the surviving product record with the Wave/824 and the later WavePRO family.
• Mac software layer: ASIO audio plus OMS/MIDI.
Official About Us page, 12 Feb 1998 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/19980212151817id_/http://gadgetlabs.com/aboutus.htm)
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
WAVE/824
THE EIGHT-CHANNEL FLAGSHIP
(https://web.archive.org/web/20000914160618id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/images/wave824.jpg)
Official Wave/824 image (https://web.archive.org/web/20000914160618id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/images/wave824.jpg)
8 IN · 8 OUT · 24-BIT / 48 kHz · EXTERNAL RACK BOX · ASIO · OMS/MIDI · G3/G4
ON THE CALENDAR
• 28 Jan 1998: preliminary Wave/824 specifications and the SoundCache architecture announced; summer 1998 target.
• 10 Aug 1998: Wave/8·24 announced as the formal pre-release name; Oct 1998 shipment was later revised to Jan 1999.
• Worldwide hardware shipment announced: 30 Mar 1999.
• Apple Mac version scheduled for June 1999.
• Later official product and support pages document Mac ASIO, OMS/MIDI, Mac OS 8/9 and G3/G4 support.
28 Jan 1998 preliminary Wave/824 announcement (https://web.archive.org/web/19980212151824id_/http://gadgetlabs.com/namm_pr.htm)
10 Aug 1998 Wave/8·24 and 30 Mar 1999 Wave/824 announcements (https://web.archive.org/web/20001002231451id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/pr.htm)
THE HARDWARE
• PCI audio card and external rack-mount patch box.
• 8 analog inputs and 8 analog outputs; simultaneous multichannel record/playback.
• True 24-bit conversion; 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz.
• Eight balanced or unbalanced line inputs and outputs.
• +4 dBu or −10 dBV, software switched.
• 1/4-inch and XLR connectors on the breakout box.
• A/D dynamic range: 105 dB A-weighted.
• D/A dynamic range: 106 dB A-weighted.
• Hardware-buffered MIDI In/Out on the breakout box.
THE MAC LINE
“Mac ASIO” · “Mac G3 or G4”
Official Wave/824 product page, 19 Aug 2000 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20000819044402id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wave824.php)
DRIVER BRANCH
v1.0 → v1.01b → v1.02 → v1.05b → v2.0b → v2.10 → v2.2.5
Complete Wave/824 Mac driver record and file links (#post_gadget_labs_drivers)
Period review
Electronic Musician review — official Gadget Labs mirror, 7 Jul 2000 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20000707010843id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/EM824review.htm)
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
WAVEPRO
THREE CARDS · ONE MAC DRIVER IDEA
(https://web.archive.org/web/20000919122534id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/images/wavepro_image+bullets2.jpg)
Official WavePRO family image (https://web.archive.org/web/20000919122534id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/images/wavepro_image+bullets2.jpg)
WAVE/824 · WAVE/424 · WAVE/496 · SOUNDCACHE · 256× SUPER-CLOCK · ASIO · OMS/MIDI
24 SEPTEMBER 1999
• Macintosh desktop recording family built around 24-bit PCI audio cards, patch boxes and common driver architecture.
• Products with documented Mac drivers: Wave/824, Wave/424 and Wave/496.
• Wave/424 Mac version scheduled for Nov 1999.
• Wave/496 initially scheduled for Nov 1999; worldwide shipments announced 1 Jun 2000.
• Common SoundCache architecture.
• Common 256× super-clock connector for locked timing between WavePRO cards.
• On Macintosh, the surviving official record documents analog audio plus ASIO audio and OMS/MIDI drivers.
Official WavePRO announcement, 24 Sep 1999 (https://web.archive.org/web/20001002231451id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/pr.htm#wavepro)
Official WavePRO family page, 1 Mar 2000 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20000301055116id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wavepro.htm)
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
WAVE/424
FOUR CHANNELS ON THE CARD
(https://web.archive.org/web/20001011044153id_/http://gadgetlabs.com:80/images/wave424+496.jpg)
Official Wave/424 and Wave/496 image (https://web.archive.org/web/20001011044153id_/http://gadgetlabs.com:80/images/wave424+496.jpg)
4 IN · 4 OUT · 24-BIT / 96 kHz · TRS ON THE PCI CARD · ASIO · OMS/MIDI · BEIGE G3
ON THE CALENDAR
• WavePRO announcement: Mac version scheduled for Nov 1999.
• Earliest dated surviving Mac driver listing: v2.10, 16 Dec 1999.
THE HARDWARE
• PCI audio card.
• 4 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs.
• 24-bit/96 kHz converters.
• Inputs and outputs unbalanced on stereo TRS jacks mounted directly on the PCI card.
• −10 dBV nominal; input pad for +4 dBu software-switched.
• MIDI In/Out through included adapter cable.
THE CHASSIS CATCH
“The Wave/424 is compatible with the beige G3 models” and “not compatible with the newer blue & white G3 and G4 models.”
Official Wave/424 / Wave/496 page, 18 Oct 2000 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20001018053548id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wave4xx.php)
Physical limitation: later cabinets block the card-edge input connections. The later compatibility page again states that the inputs are blocked by the G4 cabinet.
DRIVER BRANCH
v1.0 → v2.10 → v2.20 → v2.2.5
Complete Wave/424 Mac driver record and file links (#post_gadget_labs_drivers)
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
WAVE/496
FOUR CHANNELS IN A BREAKOUT BOX
4 IN · 4 OUT · 24-BIT / 96 kHz · BALANCED TRS · ASIO · OMS/MIDI · OS 8/9 · G3/G4
1 JUNE 2000
• Worldwide shipments announced.
THE HARDWARE
• PCI audio card and active half-rack breakout box.
• 4 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs.
• 24-bit/96 kHz conversion.
• Balanced or unbalanced TRS connections.
• +4 dBu / −10 dBV, software switched.
• MIDI In/Out through included adapter cable.
THE MAC LINE
“For the Mac, both ASIO audio and OMS MIDI driver standards are supported under OS 8 and OS 9.”
Official Wave/496 shipment announcement, 1 Jun 2000 (https://web.archive.org/web/20001002231451id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/pr.htm#496)
• Compatible with all G3 and G4 models according to the Oct 2000 product page.
• Only surviving official Mac driver version: v2.2.5, dated 6 Apr 2000.
Wave/496 Mac driver record and file link (#post_gadget_labs_drivers)
Detailed specifications
Official Wave/424 / Wave/496 features and specifications, 18 Oct 2000 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20001018070735id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wave4xx_features.htm)
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
WHAT ACTUALLY FITS A CLASSIC MAC
OS 8/9 · ASIO · OMS/MIDI · G3/G4
| Item | Documented Macintosh support |
| Wave/824 | Mac ASIO; OMS/MIDI driver package; Mac OS 8/9; G3 and G4 |
| Wave/424 | Mac ASIO; OMS/MIDI driver package; beige G3. Card-edge inputs physically obstructed in blue & white G3 / G4 cabinets |
| Wave/496 | Mac ASIO; OMS/MIDI driver package; Mac OS 8/9; all G3 and G4 models |
| MIDI | OMS client application required in addition to the Gadget Labs driver package |
“current WavePRO ASIO and OMS drivers support both OS9 and the G4 systems.”
Official WavePRO compatibility page, 7 Mar 2001 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20010307021904id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wavepro_compatibility.htm)
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
THE ANALOG END OF THE CHAIN
WAVEPRO BALANCED & UNBALANCED SNAKES
(https://web.archive.org/web/20000517232929id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/images/snake_b.gif)
Professional balanced snake
(https://web.archive.org/web/20000518054915id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/images/snake2_ub.gif)
Professional unbalanced snake
Balanced snake
• 24-gauge Belden commercial audio cable.
• Neutrik TRS 1/4-inch balanced connectors.
Unbalanced snake
• Shielded 24-gauge Belden audio cable.
• Neutrik 1/4-inch unbalanced connectors.
Official Gadget Labs multichannel snake cable page, 19 Nov 2000 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20001119214500id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/maincables.htm)
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
THE MISSING PAPER TRAIL
MACINTOSH MANUALS & DOCUMENTATION
WavePRO Macintosh User Guide — wavepro_mac_guide.pdf — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/wavepro_mac_guide.pdf)
Earlier official filename variant — WavePRO_macguide.pdf — file not archived (https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/ftp/WavePRO_macguide.pdf)
Official manuals listing, 14 Apr 2001 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20010414043512id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/downloads.htm#manuals)
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
THE LAST OFFICIAL WORD
BUSINESS CLOSED · SUPPORT ARCHIVE LEFT PUBLIC
By 7 Mar 2001 the official compatibility page stated that Gadget Labs had ceased business and there would be no further driver development.
“technical information and software drivers that are being placed in the public domain.”
Official Gadget Labs closure/support notice, 5 Apr 2001 capture (https://web.archive.org/web/20010405204641id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wavepro_support.htm)
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)
THE ORIGINAL PAPER TRAIL
OFFICIAL PAGES · PERIOD REVIEWS · SURVIVING CAPTURES
Official Gadget Labs archive
• Press releases — Wave/824, WavePRO, Wave/424 and Wave/496 (https://web.archive.org/web/20001002231451id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/pr.htm)
• Wave/824 product page and specifications (https://web.archive.org/web/20000819044402id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wave824.php)
• WavePRO family page (https://web.archive.org/web/20000301055116id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wavepro.htm)
• Wave/424 / Wave/496 product page (https://web.archive.org/web/20001018053548id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wave4xx.php)
• Wave/424 / Wave/496 specifications (https://web.archive.org/web/20001018070735id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wave4xx_features.htm)
• Macintosh driver download page (https://web.archive.org/web/20010414043512fw_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com/downloads.htm#mac_hardware)
• Older Mac driver archive (https://web.archive.org/web/20010307022501id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/older_drivers.htm)
• December 1999 dated Mac driver listings (https://web.archive.org/web/20000118140713id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/support/downloads.htm)
• Mac OS 9, G3 and G4 compatibility (https://web.archive.org/web/20010307021904id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wavepro_compatibility.htm)
• Closure and public-domain support notice (https://web.archive.org/web/20010405204641id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/wavepro_support.htm)
Period reviews / contemporary material
• Electronic Musician — Wave/824 review, official Gadget Labs mirror (https://web.archive.org/web/20000707010843id_/http://www.gadgetlabs.com:80/EM824review.htm)
• Sound On Sound — Gadget Labs Wave/824 (https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/gadget-labs-wave824)
• Tape Op No. 18 (2000) — Digital Glamour (https://hillaryjohnson.com/2009/audio/writingsamples/tapeop18_2000_article_digitalglamour.pdf)
Archive note: the official pages, filenames, version numbers and release dates survive. Except for the inspected Wave/824 v2.2.5 installer copy, the Mac driver downloads and Macintosh guide were not preserved by the Wayback Machine.
↑ Back to timeline (#post_gadget_labs_timeline)