Steinberger WK Audio ID Manual User's Manual
Hardware developed and manufactured by
Osnabrücker Str.1
49328 MELLE-BUER
Federal Republic of Germany
Phone: + (0)5427-1691
FAX: + (0)5427-6416
Email: info@wk-audio.de
WK-Audio ID Operation Manual
by d.popow@musicandtext.com
Preface by Martin Stahl
The information in this document is subject to change
without notice and does not represent a commitment
on the part of WK-Audio and/or Steinberg Media
Technologies GmbH. No part of this publication may
be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or
recorded, for any purpose, without prior written
permission by WK-Audio and Steinberg Media
Technologies GmbH.
All product and company names are ™ or ®
trademarks of their respective owners.
© WK-Audio 2004
All rights reserved.
Safety First!
Safety First! – 3
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: Safety First!
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Packing List
WK-Audio ID – Basic unit
Mains cable
USB standard cable
Installer-CD-ROM, contents:
• Nuendo version 2.1
• Driver installation software
• WK-Audio ID Operation manual
• ReadMe file
System Requirements
To be able to use your WK-Audio ID, you will need
the following:
PC with a processor that runs at 1.5 GHz or faster,
a free USB port (type 1 or better) and
at least 1 Gigabyte of free RAM space.
Windows XP.
Nuendo software version 2.1 or later.
WK-Audio ID Driver software.
Safety Warning
N
OTE
:
Mains electricity is dangerous and can kill.
Within the WK-Audio ID, mains voltage is present.
Do not remove any WK-Audio ID cover with mains
connected! Check your mains wiring and earthing
before your switch the WK-Audio ID on.
The WK-Audio ID chassis is always connected to
mains earth to ensure your safety.
Do not remove the mains earth connection!
Safety Precautions
Make sure that the 230/115V switch on the ID rear
panel is set correctly before you attach the power
cable to an AC outlet!
N
OTE
:
The ID basic units with the serial numbers
ID1-0310-04 to ID1-0310-20 and the optional
Fader Modules with the serial numbers ID1 – 031201E to ID1 – 0312- 04E as well as ID1 – 0310-02E
to ID1 – 0310-05E are equipped with an internal
230/115V switch. If you have one of these units, you
should definitely read the extra information that is
supplied with these units. It explains the steps that
are necessary to change the setting of this switch.
Be sure that the ID mains connection cable is only
routed in a way that nobody can walk on or trip over
it, thereby accidentally cutting mains supply.
If you use a mains extension cable, make sure that
the overall power consumption of all connected
devices does not exceed its maximum capacity.
Before cleaning the WK-Audio ID, disconnect the
mains connection. Do not use chemicals, solvents
and abrasives for cleaning. Use a lint-free cloth and a
soft brush.
Prevent damage by avoiding exposure to fluids, dirt,
dust heat and smoke.
Prevent external objects from falling and liquids from
spilling into the appliance. Objects could fall on parts
that carry voltage (live parts) or cause a short circuit,
which could lead to fire or electric shock. Liquids could
lead to electric shock and damage the appliance.
Do not open the appliance as this will expose parts
that carry voltage. Do not attempt to service the
appliance beyond what’s described in the operation
manual. All other servicing should be referred to
qualified service personnel.
The appliance should never be used near water or in
moist places.
The appliance should only be used with a stand that
is recommended by the supplier.
The appliance should not be exposed to room
temperatures of less than 5°Celsius (41° Fahrenheit)
or more than 40° Celsius (104° Fahrenheit). Prevent
Avoid large variations in temperature and dampness
to prevent condensation which may short circuit the
appliance.
All electromechanical parts must be used in a proper
fashion to ensure long-term trouble-free operation.
Safety First! – 4
Table of Contents
Table of Contents – 5
: Table of Contents
Safety First! 3
Packing List 4
System Requirements 4
Safety Warning 4
Safety Precautions 4
Table of Contents 5
Foreword 7
Chapter Overview 7
Introduction 9
Chapter Overview 9
Welcome 10
ID Features 10
ID User Interface 11
Getting Started 13
Chapter Overview 13
Connecting the ID 14
The ID Driver Software 14
ID Driver Installation 14
Nuendo Settings 14
ID Control types 15
Motor Faders 15
Encoders with Key function 15
Square Function Buttons 15
Assigning User Functions 16
Round Function button 16
Potentiometers 16
Transport Controls 16
Trackball 16
ASCII Keyboard 16
Jog Wheel 16
The Edit Section 17
Chapter Overview 17
The ASCII Keyboard 18
ASCII Mode 18
Reverse Mode 19
Goto Mark Mode 19
Function buttons above the ASCII Keyboard 20
Window Function buttons 20
Grid Function buttons 20
Edit Function buttons 21
Global Function buttons 22
The Transport Controls 22
Locator/Preroll Displays 22
Function buttons in the Transport section 23
Preroll, Postroll, Punch & Locator Function Buttons
23
Cycle, Click, Edit Mode, Sync, Marker and other
Function buttons 24
Timecode Display 24
The Jog Wheel 25
Jog Wheel Function buttons 25
The Fader Section 27
Chapter Overview 27
The Fader Bank 28
Fader Function buttons 28
Fader Deviation Indicators 28
Select & Flip buttons 28
Track name displays 28
The Encoders 29
General Functions 29
Scroll – Assigning Tracks/Channels 29
Bank Select – Assigning Track classes 30
The Expand function 30
The Channel Strip Section 31
Chapter Overview 31
The Basics 32
Local Assign 32
Multi Channel view 33
Single Channel View 34
Equalizer 34
Aux Assign 34
Channel Assign 35
Insert 1-8 35
Insert Assign 36
Assigning an Insert effect to a slot 36
Removing an Insert effect from a slot 36
Status Panning 37
VSTI 37
The General Functions Strip 39
Chapter Overview 39
Memory 40
VU/Select 40
Enc Sens 40
Parameter Bank 40
Double Digit Display 40
Select Dial 40
Bank Select 41
Scroll 41
Automation 42
The Monitoring Section 43
Chapter Overview 43
Solo 44
Master VU 44
Solo Dim 44
Talkback Dim 45
User Settings 45
Talk Button 45
Speaker Out Controls 45
Extern Return 45
Control Room Controls 46
Studios 1, 2, 3 46
Phones 47
Technical Specifications 49
Dimensions 50
Connections 50
Specifications 50
Table of Contents – 6
Chapter
1
Foreword
Chapter Overview
This chapter contains a foreword written by Martin
Stahl, Steinberg’s Product Manager responsible for
the WK-Audio ID.
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Chapter 1: Foreword
When Steinberg introduced the first VST application,
probably only few people may have realised the significance of the technology or would have foreseen its
rapid market acceptance and high potential for further
development.
Only a few years ago, my own studio equipment consisted of an analog 24-track tape recorder, an analog
mixing desk, many 19” rack effect devices and hardware synthesizers. Such a typical analog studio was
expensive, it needed a lot of space and it was quite
inflexible. I often wished that I had more than one unit
of certain compressor device when I wanted to apply it
to yet another important channel. Not to mention the
desire for Total Recall, which really wasn’t up to much
then.
Nowadays, my studio has changed completely: it consists of a powerful PC as the command center, three
space-saving 19" TFT flat screen monitors, a high quality AD/DA converter and a surround speaker system.
Today, we smile about having been limited to the tape
recorder’s 24 tracks and using an additional compressor on track 57 is no problem anymore. All you have to
do is open the necessary VST PlugIn a second time and
there you have it. Presets that I have tailored to my
needs and saved once make my life a lot easier and
issues like Total Recall and complete automation have
become commonplace. You simply press “Ctrl-S” on
your computer keyboard and hundreds of instrument,
mixer and VST PlugIn parameters are stored. Tape
noise, loose cable contacts and crackling potentiometers are history – and development will of course not
stop there.
We believe that an increasing number of audio productions will be created and mixed solely based on VST
Workstations. There are already countless examples for
this type of production. But has this development
improved the sound of the final product? Then and now
this still depends on the people who are involved in the
production itself.
A good song is still a good song and a good sound
engineer will probably create a good mix – no matter
which technology he or she uses. The result therefore
always depends on who uses the respective technology. And this is where we get to the aspect that became
our starting point for developing the WK-Audio ID.
The development of integrated native Digital Audio
Workstation systems (DAW) has fundamentally
changed the way we use the tools in our studio today.
Especially in mixing, many new possibilities have
emerged. At the same time, some have also been lost.
Full of fascination I looked at the beautiful graphic frequency response curve display visible in the EQ PlugIn.
“That looks great, it will also sound great!” . Mesmerized I stared at the third decimal place in a text field that
controlled the level of a fader.
The new possibilities offered by the precise and graphically appealing user interface on the screen captured
my attention in such a way that a great deal of my concentration was simply used up.
Over and over I caught myself mixing according to the
graphics on screen instead of trusting my ears. But how
could I? It was virtually impossible to close my eyes
and at the same time move the mouse cursor in a circle
in order to control the replica of a frequency dial on the
screen. A mouse simply doesn’t provide the same
physical feedback as a dial. This becomes more evident
when you try to set a high pass and a low pass filter
simultaneously. It is simply impossible as there is only
one mouse available. Now imagine you want to do that
with your eyes closed… Here, the software world is
clearly less user-friendly than the hardware world.
Therefore, what was needed to rediscover mixing with
your ears instead of with your eyes was a hardware
tool that looks and feels like the good old analog mixing desk. This hardware solution would of course have
to offer the possibility to use all those fantastic new
functions that were not available on the old analog
desk. It would thus have to be a custom-made Controller for digital VST-DAWs.
In the past, a few attempts have been made to create
such a device. But these DAW Controllers carried the
burden of too many compromises – as many that it was
always necessary to fall back on using the computer
keyboard and the mouse. There again, a great deal of
the attention that should have been focused on hearing
was lost to concentrating on using the Controller. In
addition, you could develop a postural damage because
of the less than favourable ergonomic design of the
workplace.
Designing the WK-Audio ID started at this point. We
wanted to develop a VST Controller that seamlessly
combines the advantages of an analog mixing desk and
the manifold innovations provided by the VST world, so
that its user’s attention can be fully focused on what he
or she hears during recording, editing or mixing. An
Input Device that helps your creativity, that you like to
touch and that is simply fun to use. This ambitious task
was reached in a joint effort with WK-Audio, who developed and built this Controller together with us. This fantastic co-operation has produced a unique and
unparalleled production tool. The WK-Audio ID is
unique because of its innovative combination of recording, editing and mixing features with a number of
remarkable operational concepts like “Dial Editing”,
“Reverse Operation”, “Expand” or “Push Hold Detection”.
But we have also thought of the future: VST software
development progresses so fast that it was necessary
to make the WK-Audio ID future-proof as an investment. Therefore it has great reserves to grow further
with future software development. We have developed
a Controller concept that many of you have wanted. And
here it is – the WK-Audio ID.
Have fun reading this manual.
Martin Stahl
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Chapter
2
Introduction
Chapter Overview
This chapter contains the following information:
A few introductory words.
A list of WK-Audio ID’s basic features
A short overview of the ID’s user interface sections
with cross references to parts in this manual where
you can find detailed information on the respective
section.
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Chapter 2: Introduction
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Welcome
Thank you for choosing the WK-Audio ID!
This Digital Audio Workstation Controller is made
of premium hardware components. It integrates
perfectly with the Steinberg Nuendo software and
lets you seamlessly control all major functions the
software has to offer. It will help you focus your
attention where it belongs: on the audio you are
recording, editing or mixing.
The basic unit alone features a large amount of direct
hardware controls. You can step through and assign
the available individual Nuendo channels or channel
banks to the available hardware motor faders and
Encoder dials.
Using the optionally available Fader Modules, you
can extend your direct control and access up to
120 channels at once.
The WK-Audio ID adheres to the latest standards in
hardware control surfaces. It also features many
unique functions not to be found anywhere else.
An Edit section with a jog dial, its built-in
multifunctional ASCII keyboard, its direct PlugIn
access and the advanced channel selection features
really make the WK-Audio ID superior.
Functions like Expand, Global Access and the
reverse view intelligence will set new standards in
terms of workflow and usability.
The WK-Audio ID and Nuendo were developed in
parallel always ensuring optimal cooperation
between soft- and hardware.
All controls on the hardware user interface have
been put in their respective positions with an
ergonomic benefit in mind. They were chosen to best
reflect and/or give you better access to the existing
Nuendo software features.
We are sure that, once you have quickly mastered
its handling, it will greatly enhance your workflow,
thereby helping you to reduce cost and gain flexibility.
We hope that you have fun using the WK-Audio ID!
ID Features
The basic WK-Audio ID version features:
Direct and far-reaching control of the Nuendo audio
recording software application from one central
point. Functions that are not yet accessible as well
as new software functions will be supported by
future Nuendo versions.
24 channels in direct access, switchable.
40 rotary push/pull Encoders in the basic version.
12 control room potentiometers
380 backlit keys, framed (10.000.000 key cycles)
More than 50 large displays for instant feedback.
ASCII keyboard
Trackball, protected against dust and water.
Jog dial for easy editing.
Channel Matrix.
Direct PlugIn parameter access. Load, edit and apply
VST instruments and effects directly from the
Controller.
Reverse intelligence – The keys on the ASCII
keyboard can be used as On/Off switches for the
last selected function type on up to 96 channels.
Talkback microphone and headphone preamp.
Digital control room remote
32 channel VU meter bridge (24 channel meters and
8 Master section meters). Each meter has 30
segments.
1 USB connector per unit.
Non-reflecting surface.
Chassis material: Aluminum and steel.
Metal support stand.
Expandable with up to four additional Fader Modules
to provide a maximum number of 120 directly
accessible channels. Each additional Fader Module
is basically a copy of the left half of the basic WKAudio ID version. It provides 12 large touch-sensitive
motor faders, 39 Encoder dials, 52 displays and a
great number of different keys.
Other custom options:
Fader Modules, Joystick, custom modification of
electronic components, hardware and design, e.g.
built-in analog preamps, different front covers, other
LED colours, different leather for padded arm rest.,
Meter Bridge removal, Wooden side panels:
Genuine mahogany etc.
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Chapter 2: Introduction
ID User Interface
Here’s a brief overview of the ID user interface sections with cross-references to the respective manual chapters.
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Fader Module
The basic ID version includes one Fader Module as
shown above. You can add four more for direct
access to 120 channels. Each Fader Module has the
following sub-sections (top to bottom):
Channel meter bridge
This shows the levels of the channels that are
currently assigned to the 24 hardware level controls
of each Fader Module.
Channel strip section
This is used to set Aux Send level and parameters,
Fader and Encoder gain and pan as well as channel
in/out routing for the selected channel. The Channel
strip section also lets select, activate and edit insert
effects and VST instruments and it provides you with
controls for complete EQ editing. See page 6-31.
Fader section
Here you can manually control the channel levels.
See page 5-27.
Master ModuleFader Module
Master Module
The Master Module has the following sub-sections
(top to bottom):
Master meter bridge
Lets you control the output bus(ses) and the level(s) of
the channel(s) currently selected on the Fader Module.
Monitoring section
Here you can select Solo modes and make other
settings related to monitoring. Details on page 8-43.
Edit section
This features an ASCII keyboard with three powerful
modes, a Trackball, a Jog wheel, many function
buttons and the Transport controls. See page 4-17.
General Functions strip
This is the vertical blue strip on the left side of the
Master Module. It provides many general functions like
Fader assignment, Nuendo project handling etc. Find
its full description on page 7-39. Its elements are also
described in context in other section chapters.
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Chapter 2: Introduction
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Chapter
3
Getting Started
Chapter Overview
This chapter contains the following information:
❊ A description of the ID driver software installation
process.
❊ What you must do to connect the ID to the “rest of
the world”.
❊ A description of the necessary settings that you must
make in Nuendo.
❊ Basic information about the various types of control
available on the ID.
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Chapter 3: Getting Started
Connecting the ID
Connecting the ID is a simple and straightforward
process. Do this:
1. Use the included mains cable to connect the ID to a
suitable and working mains socket.
2. Switch off your computer.
3. Using the included standard USB cable, connect the
USB bus on the ID to a USB bus on your computer.
4. If you wish, connect the balanced monophonic
L/R headphone inputs on the ID rear panel to an
appropriate sound source.
The signal will reappear on the two stereo phone jacks
located at the ID front side.
That’s all there is to connecting! Next, you must
install the driver software.
The ID Driver Software
The ID driver software that you have received with ID
must be installed on the computer that you use to
run Nuendo.
It is the link that interconnects the Nuendo software
and the ID hardware. It also allows you to completely
remote control the computer from the ID’s ASCII
keyboard.
The driver software is compatible with Windows XP®.
Driver software for Mac OS should be available in
the near future.
We recommend that you always use the latest ID
software driver version. This is available on the
Steinberg and WK-Audio web sites.
(www.steinberg.de or www.wk-audio.de)
NOTE:
“Digital signature not found”, “Do not install driver”,
“Driver not certified”.
Simply continue with the installation.
4. Restart your computer when the installation procedures have been completed.
You can safely ignore alert messages like
Nuendo Settings
To allow Nuendo to recognize the ID and establish
communication with it, you must make the following
settings in Nuendo:
1. Open the Device menu and select “Device Setup…”.
The Device Setup dialog appears
2. Open the “Add/Remove” tab and select the ID in the
list to the right. Then click the Add button.
The ID has now been added to the Devices list on the left
side of the dialog.
ID Driver Installation
To install the driver software, proceed as follows:
1. Make sure the ID is properly connected to the USB
bus on your computer.
2. Switch on the ID, then switch on your computer and
let it boot up.
The automatic hardware recognition of your computer’s
operating system will detect the ID as a new USB device
and ask you for the driver software.
3. Insert the Driver CD into your CD-ROM drive and
follow the instructions displayed on your computer
screen.
The necessary driver software – a Firmware Loader and
the actual Time Base driver – will now be installed during
two separate installation processes.
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3. Select it there. Then select the MIDI in- and outputs
you want to use on the respective pop-up menus.
4. If you wish and know what you are doing at this
point, you can now also freely assign any Nuendo
function to any of the available ID User Function buttons. If you are not sure yet, leave that for now, read
on and find the information on page 3-16.
NOTE:
to use the Nuendo project template file and the
Nuendo Preferences file that come on the ID Driver
CD-ROM. You can later always create and save your
own changed settings.
To keep things simple, you may first want
Chapter 3: Getting Started
ID Control types
This section contains basic information about the
various types of control available on the ID.
Motor Faders
Each ID Fader module holds 12 touch-sensitive
100 mm motor faders.
● Moving a fader handle upwards increases the audio
level of the respective channel, moving it downwards
decreases it.
Encoders with Key function
In its Fader section, ID provides a great number of
rotary dials called Encoders. The Level and Edit
Encoders are examples for this.
Encoders can be used in several ways:
● To increase a level or a parameter value, turn the
Encoder clockwise, to decrease it turn counterclockwise.
● To switch to a parameter or overcome a safety precaution, press the Encoder as if it were a button.
what it would be like to mute a channel at a certain
point.
User Function buttons
Single and groups of User Function buttons have
been positioned in various places on the ID user
interface. You can freely assign any Nuendo function
to any of these buttons.
User Function buttons
This is where you find them:
No. of
buttons
6 User M Above the trackball.
1 User T Above the transport controls.
Default
Names
Position
Square Function Buttons
Square Function buttons will light
up when you activate a function by
pressing its button.
The square Function buttons on
the ID come in two flavours:
Fixed Function buttons
Each of these buttons is used to activate/deactivate
one predefined function.
Fixed Function buttons are equipped with two modes:
● If you press the button very briefly, the corresponding
function (e.g. Solo) will be activated. If you briefly
press the button again at a later time, the function
will be deactivated.
● Pressing a Fixed Function button for longer than 250
milliseconds will activate the corresponding function
only for as long as you press the button. As soon as
you let go of the button, the function will be disabled
at once. We call this Push Hold Detection.
This is handy in many different mixing and editing
situations, e.g. when editing with the Jog Wheel and
its related Fixed Function buttons or when trying out,
1 User A In the Automation controls
group that you can find at the
bottom of the blue General
functions strip.
2 User C Under User Settings at the top
right of the Monitoring section.
2 User W In the Edit section, above the
top left corner of the ASCII
keyboard.
1 User G In the Edit section, in the sec-
ond group of ten buttons above
the ASCII keyboard.
1 User E In the Edit section, in the third
group of ten buttons above the
ASCII keyboard.
10 User F To the left of the ASCII key-
board.
NOTE:
tions to these buttons, you can of course create your
own name tags for them. Simply print them on transparent overhead foil using a laser printer.
NOTE:
Push Hold Detection or Bounce Repeat, as it could
lead to confusing results.
Once you have assigned Nuendo func-
User Function buttons do not provide
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