I'd like to know if the L2 is a 64 bit plugin. Or is it 32 bit.

Waves is great about keeping their stuff up to date (even the old stuff), so if you buy it now, it will support 64-bit and latest plugin formats. The catch is the update plan, you get free updates for 1 year after purchase, then you have to pay to continue to receive updates. If you're on windows it's not much of an issue (needing the latest updates), more of an issue to stay current on Mac, if you update the OS regularly.

Last I asked Waves about this (recently) they told me that updates that do not require re-authorization will install no matter if there's an active WUP or not. You certainly won't be getting major whole number version updates, like to v15. I've described the current WUP in more detail here.

Right, I should've been more clear about that. Major version updates. You still get incremental fixes for whatever version is installed regardless of WUP.

I think you asked about the computer plug-in bit format, but in case you asked about the audio bit depth the manual is actually a bit ambiguous on the internal processing saying in one place "Processing in the L2 is 48-bit (double precision) processing", but later stating "The L2 features double-precision resolution, that is, for TDM systems, all internal limiting and gains calculated with 48-bit fixed precision", which seems to say that this only applies to TDM systems, which is kinda odd as these are unsupported since some time. I assume old text.

The output is 16 to 24 bits however.

I asked support who implied the native version is 48 bit internally as well.

L2 is so old, but still sooo good. I know mastering engineers that still use the hardware version.

I had no idea there was one. Wow.

Indeed.

Shoot, the L1 on a drum bus still kills.

I used the hardware version for a few years, and now I'm mastering ITB. The L2 plug consistently is used in all of my mastering sessions in a similar fashion to how I used the hardware.

Waves plugins int 64-bit a few versions/years ago. While their UI might not show it, Waves is constantly updating even their oldest plugins, that's why they charge WUP for it. As no-one can afford to put all that time and energy into it and be expected to work for free.

I'd suggest "Waves is regularly updating" would be more apt. Constantly implicates to me that they'd would be adding new functionality to old plug-ins all the time, which I think is not true. Most of their products doesn't need that either. Fixing bugs and the likes is all ask for. I'd also like to add that I think Waves has second to none support. Not that I need it that often.

No they tend not to add new functionality to old plugin as nothing breaks backwards compatibility like new features.

However, they are constantly addressing bugs and performance issues and making sure that even their oldest plugin in the oldest project will still open up okay in today's DAW... providing the DAW itself can open the project.

Point is though, when they decide to make something they stick with it and will continue to work on it into the future. That's what they are so popular with big studios. Reliability.

I never got into NI Absynth as I was waiting for a more recent update to reassure me that they intend to stick with it and not drop it. Even M1 support would have been something. Anyway, just recently they announced that they were discontinuing it. I'm really glad I ended up holding off as I have no sessions relying on it.

Had it been a Waves plugin I wouldn't have hesitated as giving the Waves reputation, they have never abandoned their plugins. They won't abandon Cosmos either.