Waves NETSHELL User Manual

Waves Netshell

Users Guide

Waves Netshell Users Guide................................................................................1

Introduction .......................................................................................................2

Hardware Overview.......................................................................................2

Software Overview.........................................................................................3

Hardware Installation.....................................................................................5

Software Installation ......................................................................................5

Working with the Monitor ...............................................................................5

Netshell Latency vs. Host Hardware Buffer Size ...........................................7

Audio Drop-Outs LEDs..................................................................................8

Using the Netshell Plug-ins............................................................................9

Host Computer CPU Consumption Considerations.....................................10

Netshell Known Issues – V5.2 ............................................................................11

General........................................................................................................11

Mac OS-X....................................................................................................11

Windows......................................................................................................13

Troubleshooting for PC................................................................................14

Troubleshooting for Mac.............................................................................. 15

Introduction

Thank You for purchasing your Waves Netshell product!
The Netshell is a combined hardware/software technology that provides

independent processing resources for Waves plug-ins running on a host
computer. It takes the processing load off of the host computer, allowing you to
use heavy-duty plug-ins that might otherwise be too process intensive.

In this manual we will be referring to the Netshell as the combined Netshell
software and APA hardware. The DAW will refer to your Digital Audio
Workstation, including the host software recording application (i.e. Pro Tools,
Nuendo, etc.) that you are using.

HARDWARE OVERVIEW

The Netshell hardware is the APA – Audio Processing Accelerator.
There are 2 APA models:

- APA32 – A 1U 19” rackmount unit designed for use in a machine room.

- APA44-M – A half rack unit which is quiet, portable and more powerful.
A rackmount adapter kit enables mounting one or two APA44-M units in a
1U rack space.

The APA hardware is connected to the host computer via Ethernet. Connecting a
single APA unit directly to the host computer can be done with the supplied
crossed Ethernet cable.

Connecting several APA units (up to a maximum of 8) requires an Ethernet
switch (not a hub). The APA units and the host computer should be connected to
the switch using standard (non-crossed) Ethernet cables.

For more info on the Ethernet adapter and switch specs needed please check
the APA product page on the Waves website at www.waves.com

It is highly recommended to use a dedicated 1000Mbps Ethernet adapter in the
host computer for connecting the APA units. This will ensure the necessary
network bandwidth and prevent possible conflicts with other network applications.

If you do not have a dedicated Ethernet adapter for the Netshell and you want to
connect the APA(s) to an existing network, you can use an Ethernet switch to
connect the APA(s) and the existing network to your host computer. Please note
that while Waves has done the utmost to support such a configuration, it is not an
optimal one and may compromise the Netshell’s performance.

SOFTWARE OVERVIEW

Netshell enabled plug-ins

These are the Waves plug-ins that can be run on the APA. They appear in the
DAW plug-ins menu as a dedicated component named with the suffix ‘Net’ (e.g.
L3 Net). The Netshell plug-ins as of this release are:

• L3

• IR-Series (IR-1, IR-L, IR-360)

• LinEQ

• LinMB

• C4

• RVerb

• RChannel (with external side-chain disabled)

• SoundShifter

• Morphoder

• TransX (Multi)

• Q-Clone

Netshell Monitor

The Netshell Monitor is an application used to scan and display the active APA
units and to monitor the APA’s ‘vital signs’ which are CPU load, memory and
network consumption.

It also has an ‘Audio Drop-Outs’ LED which alerts you with a glowing red light of
any audio drop-out problems between the host computer and the APA(s). After
an audio drop-out has subsided, the LED will change from glowing red to red and
will stay red until you click on it with the mouse to reset it and switch it off. This
works with the same principle of a ‘clip indicator’ so that even if there was a very
brief problem, you will be aware of it.

Another function of the Monitor is to display the Netshell’s inherent latency
(explained later in this manual), and to allow you to set it.

Finally, the monitor displays each APA’s number (relevant when there is more
than one active APA) and each APA’s ID. The Netshell ID is also written on the
sticker at the back panel of the APA unit. The ID shows you which units are
connected and working properly. If one of the units is not working you can easily
see which unit is not functioning properly. (Please see the Troubleshooting
section on page 12.)

OPERATION

Working with the Netshell is easy. Simply connect the APA hardware to the host
computer and install the Netshell software.

HARDWARE INSTALLATION

Please refer to your APA (Hardware) User’s manual for instructions.

SOFTWARE INSTALLATION

The Netshell software is embedded in all the Waves bundle installers which
contain Netshell enabled plug-ins.

If you are a new Waves user, you will need to install the plug-ins bundle of your
choice and follow the regular authorization procedure.

If you are an existing Waves V5 user, simply update your plug-ins bundle(s) to
the version that supports Netshell. No re-authorization is required for Waves V5
users.

The software installation should be performed while the APA is connected to a
power source and to the network but while the APA’s power switch is NOT turned
on.

During the installation process the installer will ask if you want to add Netshell
support or not. You should choose ‘yes’ and follow the next installation steps.
Choosing ‘no’ will continue the installation process without Netshell support.

Once the installation is complete you can switch the APA on and after it is active
you will be able to launch your DAW and use the Netshell plug-ins.

WORKING WITH THE MONITOR

We recommend launching the Netshell Monitor right after the software
installation. The Netshell Monitor is an important tool to use while working with
the APA hardware as it monitors the APA’s activity and resource consumption,
alerts of problems and allows tuning the Netshell latency for optimal usage.

If you launch the Monitor while the APA and the DAW are off, it will load with a
blank window and the status bar will indicate “Scanning for APAs”.
At this stage the Monitor is continuously scanning the network for the existence
of active APA units.

If you switch the APA on at this stage, when it finishes its boot sequence it will
show up on the Monitor window. When you switch the APA off it will disappear
from the Monitor window.

Note: The APA’s boot sequence takes around 1 minute, depending on the APA
model.