Waves Audio SoundGrid Studio User Guide
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USER GUIDE
SoundGrid Studio
Table of Contents
1. Soundgrid and soundgrid studio................................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Welcome to SoundGrid Studio .............................................................................................................................................4
1.1.1 Typical Uses .......................................................................................................................................................................5
1.1.2 How to Use This Manual ...............................................................................................................................................5
1.2 SoundGrid Tools .........................................................................................................................................................................8
1.2.1 StudioRack ........................................................................................................................................................................8
1.2.2 eMotion ST Mixer ............................................................................................................................................................9
1.2.3 MultiRack ......................................................................................................................................................................... 10
2. Using SoundGrid Studio ............................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1 Getting Started ......................................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.1.1 Hardware Installation .................................................................................................................................................. 11
2.1.2 Software Installation .................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.2 Automatic Conguration ...................................................................................................................................................... 14
2.3 Manually Conguring a SoundGrid Studio Network .................................................................................................. 16
2.3.1 Connecting and Conguring I/Os ........................................................................................................................... 17
2.3.2 Device Racks ................................................................................................................................................................... 19
2.3.3 Adding a Server ............................................................................................................................................................. 23
2.3.4 Adding Computers to a SoundGrid Network...................................................................................................... 25
2.3.5 Clock Basics ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27
2.3.6 I/O Device Control Panels ...........................................................................................................................................28
2.3.7 Patching SoundGrid Studio Inputs and Outputs ............................................................................................... 31
2.3.8 Conguration Review .................................................................................................................................................. 32
SoundGrid Studio
3. SoundGrid Studio Workows and Congurations ..............................................................................................................33
3.1 One DAW, One Computer, One I/O .................................................................................................................................. 34
3.2 One DAW, Two or More I/O Devices .................................................................................................................................. 35
3.3 One Computer, Two I/O and DSP Server, One DAW .................................................................................................... 36
3.4 Project Studio: One Computer, DSP Server, Pro Tools HD/HDX or HD Native System .................................... 37
3.5 Two Native DAWs, Two or More I/O Devices .................................................................................................................. 38
3.6 Sharing Drivers in a Studio Environment ........................................................................................................................ 39
3.7 HD Mix Room and Several Smaller Recording/Editing Rooms................................................................................ 40
3.8 Integrating Avid Hardware Devices .................................................................................................................................. 42
3.9 Large Studio ............................................................................................................................................................................... 43
3.10 Live Sound: MultiRack and SoundGrid Studio ............................................................................................................ 45
4. SoundGrid Studio Components ................................................................................................................................................ 46
4.1 Startup and Navigation ......................................................................................................................................................... 46
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4.2 SoundGrid Studio Interface ................................................................................................................................................. 47
4.2.1 Top Bar............................................................................................................................................................................... 48
4.2.2 SoundGrid Studio Sections ....................................................................................................................................... 49
4.2.3 SoundGrid Studio: System Inventory Page .......................................................................................................... 50
4.2.4 Device Racks ................................................................................................................................................................... 56
4.2.5 Settings Page .................................................................................................................................................................. 66
4.2.6 Session Info Page .......................................................................................................................................................... 68
4.2.7 Patch Page ....................................................................................................................................................................... 69
5. Further Learning ............................................................................................................................................................................. 76
SoundGrid Studio
1. SOUNDGRID AND SOUNDGRID STUDIO
Thank you for choosing SoundGrid Studio from Waves. In order to get the most out of this unique product, please take some time to
read this manual. We suggest that you also become familiar with the Waves support site: www.waves.com/support.
There you will nd an extensive answer base, the latest tech specs, detailed installation guides, software updates, and current
information about authorization and registration.
1.1 Welcome to SoundGrid Studio
SoundGrid Studio is a new way of thinking for recording studios. It brings exibility, quality, and economy to workplaces ranging
from simple project studios to complex networked recording or broadcast companies. The SoundGrid infrastructure is open to thirdparty hardware and software developers; SoundGrid Studio thus oers studios a wide range of solutions. Streamlined workow,
sharing of assets, and extremely low latency are some of its benets. SoundGrid Studio brings a new world of productivity and
freedom to sound production.
SoundGrid is an audio processing and networking protocol for real-time, low-latency audio processing. It enables applications
such as MultiRack and SoundGrid Studio and DAW plugins such as StudioRack to share and control I/O devices and servers across a
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network. It also allows recording and monitoring in near-zero latency.
The SoundGrid Studio Application congures and controls the devices in a SoundGrid network. Using SoundGrid Studio,
users can set up and manage I/Os, patch between drivers and devices, and manage the network.
Most Waves plugins are SoundGrid-compatible. The SoundGrid protocol is open to development by all manufacturers of audio
hardware and plugins.
SoundGrid Studio
1.1.1 Typical Uses
■
Use SoundGrid I/O devices with any DAW.
■
Ooad plugin processing to a server to increase the number of plugins you can use simultaneously.
■
Stream audio between DAWs from the same manufacturer or from dierent manufacturers.
■
Use SoundGrid I/O devices and servers from anywhere in a SoundGrid network with almost any DAW.
■
Use a DSP server, the StudioRack plugin, and the eMotion ST mixer to record and monitor with very low latency.
■
Integrate Pro Tools HD/HDX or HD Native systems into the SoundGrid Studio system.
1.1.2 How to Use This Manual
This manual serves both as a step-by-step “how-to” guide and as a reference to answering your questions. It is divided into four
major sections:
Welcome to SoundGrid Studio is an introduction to SoundGrid Studio: what it does, how it ts together, how it can grow.
Using SoundGrid Studio provides the essentials for installing software and hardware, setting up a network, conguring I/O
devices, adding a server and streaming audio within a network.
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SoundGrid Studio Workows and Congurations presents several audio production workows and describes how to use
SoundGrid Studio in these environments.
SoundGrid Studio Components is a reference chapter that explains the details of connecting, conguring and using SoundGrid
Studio.
Read the rst two major sections and you will know most of what you need to get up to speed. Then use SoundGrid Studio
Components to ll in the gaps. Some critical information is repeated in several places throughout this manual, so that no matter
how you use it, you will not miss important concepts and instructions. SoundGrid Studio Workows and Congurations is helpful
when considering which conguration best suits your needs.
SoundGrid Studio
1.1.3 SoundGrid Essentials
Any SoundGrid Studio system, no matter how large or small, how simple or complex, consists of three basic elements:
■
Waves SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver
■
SoundGrid Studio Application
■
One or more SoundGrid I/Os
The Waves SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver enables you to connect your DAW to the SoundGrid Studio system. This allows
your workstation to communicate with devices on the SoundGrid network. The I/Os move sound in and out of the network. The
SoundGrid Studio Application manages all these devices.
DiGiGrid IOX
Host Computer
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SoundGrid Studio Application
congures and manages devices
on the network. Users assign
I/O, control preamps, and patch
devices from this page
SoundGrid protocol enables
devices to connect to the network
and to stream audio via Ethernet
Connects SoundGrid
network with analog
and digital sources,
and with other devices
A SoundGrid network is completely scalable, so this basic conguration can grow. SoundGrid is compatible with most popular DAWs
and combinations of dierent DAWs, as well as with Pro Tools HD/HDX and HD Native systems.
SoundGrid Studio
Once you learn how the basic setup works, it is not hard to build a more powerful system.
Adding a DSP server ooads plugin processing from your DAW. This enables you to use the eMotion ST mixer and StudioRack
plugins, add additional plugins, and record and monitor with very low latency.
DiGiGrid IOX
Host Computer
SoundGrid Studio
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StudioRack
Server
eMotion ST
SoundGrid Studio
1.2 SoundGrid Tools
SoundGrid Studio works in conjunction with other systems to deliver extra DSP processing, low-latency recording and monitoring,
and live sound streaming.
1.2.1 StudioRack
StudioRack is a plugin software rack that runs chains of up to eight plugins each. It enables a greater
number of plugins per DAW channel and, with certain congurations, recording and monitoring with very
low latency.
Insert StudioRack in the host DAW as you would any plugin. Any SoundGrid Studio-compatible plugin can
be added to StudioRack. All parameters can be automated in the host DAW, controlled by Quick Keys, or
assigned to control surfaces. StudioRack can operate in Local mode, where processing is carried out in the
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local CPU, or in SoundGrid mode, where processing takes place on a DSP server.
For more information, please refer to the StudioRack user manual.
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1. DSP processing, whether in StudioRack HD or StudioRack in DSP mode, requires a SoundGrid I/O, a SoundGrid server and a StudioRack SoundGrid license.
SoundGrid Studio
1.2.2 eMotion ST Mixer
eMotion ST is a utility mixer that enables mixing and monitoring in extremely low latency. It is therefore well suited for monitor mixing.
It also serves as the audio engine and mixer for the StudioRack plugin. It is available only with SoundGrid DSP server systems.
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The eMotion ST mixer has two layers: Mixer and StudioRack. The Mixer layer accepts audio from any source on the network: DAW
output, microphone preamps, digital audio—anything you can plug into a SoundGrid Studio I/O device. The StudioRack layer
connects to up to 64 StudioRack plugins outputs for low-latency monitoring.
SoundGrid Studio
1.2.3 MultiRack
MultiRack is a host platform for Waves audio processing plugins, designed especially for live sound applications. It provides a
software rack equivalent to outboard hardware processing racks. Signal ow to and from a console is similar to that of traditional
hardware racks.
MultiRack can be integrated into a SoundGrid Studio system in order to stream audio between drivers.
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SoundGrid Studio
2. USING SOUNDGRID STUDIO
A SoundGrid network consists—at a minimum—of a host driver (a computer with the Waves SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver
installed) and one or more hardware devices. From the simplest setup to the most complex, the process of connecting and
conguring devices is based on the same principles. This section looks at the most common congurations and shows you how to
set them up. Since SoundGrid is an open protocol available to all manufactures of audio hardware and software, you may encounter
setups not specically described in this section. Once you understand the basics of using SoundGrid Studio to create and manage a
SoundGrid network, integrating other devices should not be dicult.
This section provides a general overview of the SoundGrid Studio system. Specic components are discussed in greater detail in the
chapter SoundGrid Studio Components. The specics of connecting, conguring and using hardware devices and DAWs vary among
manufactures and models. Please refer to the user manuals of your hardware devices for product-specic information.
2.1 Getting Started
Setting up a SoundGrid network involves three steps:
■
Connect the hardware devices.
■
Install the SoundGrid software.
■
Choose a SoundGrid Studio conguration template that describes your equipment and suits your needs.
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2.1.1 Hardware Installation
Connecting SoundGrid hardware is quite simple:
■
Use a Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable to connect computers to devices.
■
SoundGrid I/O devices have more than one network connector, so you can chain them together. If you prefer, you can use
an approved 1GB network switch. Some hardware units use other connectors, such as MADI or DigiLink. To learn more about
connecting these devices, refer to their user manuals.
■
Power up (we have to say that).
SoundGrid Studio
2.1.2 Software Installation
■
Register your SoundGrid product at www.waves.com. Log on to your Waves account and select Register New Product. If you do
not have a Waves account, you need to create one at this time.
■
Use the SoundGrid Studio Installer to load SoundGrid software to all computers that will be on the network. Reboot each
computer after the software is installed.
■
Use the Waves License Center to authorize the related Waves products (such as Waves plugins). SoundGrid Studio operates
without a license. Adding a DSP server requires a license from Waves.
The Waves License Center is an application included with the Waves Installer (v9 and above).
SoundGrid Studio is an application that launches at computer startup and is always available. The green SG logo on the top Menu
Bar (Mac) or System Tray (Windows) indicates that SoundGrid Studio is running.
MacPC
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Click on the SG icon to bring eMotion ST and SoundGrid Studio to the
front. You can also quit the SoundGrid Studio Application from this menu.
If the application closes, you can restart it from the Mac Dock or the Windows Start menu, or by double-clicking on the original
application icon. The SoundGrid Studio Application can be found at these locations:
Windows: C/Program les (x86)/Waves/SG Studio
Mac: Sys HD/Applications/Waves/ SG Studio
SoundGrid Studio
To navigate to the System Inventory page from other sections of the SoundGrid Studio interface, select the Setup tab at the top of
the page and then click the System Inventory tab on the left sidebar.
Navigation tabs at the top of each page take you to the
three SoundGrid Studio sections:
The eMotion ST mixer: A multi-purpose mixer, designed
primarily for monitor mixes.
An audio Patch section that connects physical and virtual
I/O devices.
A Setup page for allocating hardware and software I/O
devices, servers and controllers and for managing the
network.
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SoundGrid Studio
2.2 Automatic Configuration
The Auto Cong Wizard is a utility that scans the SoundGrid network and then allocates hardware and other devices. The rst time
you launch SoundGrid Studio, the Wizard will open. It scans the network, inventories its assets, and then congures the devices
Choose “NEXT” to start automatic conguration. This will take a few moments. Choose “CANCEL” to congure manually
Pressing the Auto Cong button will also trigger the Wizard
The Wizard assigns devices, congures and patches your system automatically.
If a SoundGrid Server is found on the network the Wizard will patch IO and Drivers to the
eMotion ST.
All connections can be viewed in the SoundGrid Studio Patch page
When the Wizard scans the system, it will automatically run essential rmware updates.
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If the Wizard cannot locate the requested SoundGrid network devices, this means the devices
might be o or not connected properly. In such a case the Wizard will allow you to rescan the
network or work as a Driver node slaved to another system.
Selecting Driver Only will close the SoundGrid Studio application and allow the Local Core
Audio Driver be assigned on a secondary “Master system”.
It is not essential to scan when adding a device. When you connect a new device to the
network, it will appear in the drop-down menu in Rack A (I/O devices) or Rack B (drivers),
or in the Servers rack. The devices can then be assigned and congured manually.
SoundGrid Studio
However, If you choose to run the “Auto Cong” a second time, you will have 2 options.
Recongure All – This will reset and rescan your network and reassign All found devices.
Important: This will reset all custom patches and congurations.
Add Devices – This will preserve current Assignments and patches and will add new devices to
your inventory.
Once the Wizard nishes, All devices assigned to you—whether manually or by the Wizard—
will appear in the System Inventory page. Audio to and from these devices will be patched, Go
to the Patch page to review or change I/O patching.
All devices assigned to you—whether manually or by the Wizard—will appear in the System Inventory page.
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Audio to and from these devices will be patched based on the template you choose.
Use the Device Racks to control devices. Go to the Patch page to change I/O patching.
SoundGrid Studio
2.3 Manually Configuring a SoundGrid Studio Network
The Wizard will congure a SoundGrid Studio network that reects your available devices and desired use. However, there are times
when you will want to change the network’s conguration: assign devices, set mic preamps, enable audio streaming between
computers, change network parameters, etc.
Use the System Inventory page (see below) to congure and manage the SoundGrid network
and your hardware and software devices:
■
Network status
■
Clock
■
Hardware and software I/Os
■
Waves SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio drivers (the computers on the SoundGrid network)
■
Servers
■
Controllers
Session name
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SoundGrid Studio section tabs
Messages
Network use status
Network and system sections
Server and controller Racks
Hardware I/O devices
Software I/O devices
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Page tabs
SoundGrid Studio
2.3.1 Connecting and Configuring I/Os
Adding hardware I/O devices to a SoundGrid network is quite simple: attach, congure, and set up preamps. Generally, Native
systems are linked solely by Ethernet. DigiLink-enabled hardware (i.e. 96, 192 I/O) requires a combination of DigiLink and Ethernet
cables. Outboard hardware that is not SoundGrid-compatible connects to a networked device via AES/EBU.
Basic Configuration
Almost any Native DAW can easily be incorporated into a SoundGrid network. With or without a server, and regardless of the
number of hardware I/O devices, Native systems are built around an Ethernet network infrastructure.
External
Word Clock
■
Connect the computer network port to an approved I/O device using a Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable
DiGiGrid IOX
Ethernet
Analog
Clock
(maximum cable run between devices is 70 m/230 ft).
■
Click SCAN to trigger the Wizard.
■
Attach analog and/or digital connections to the I/O.
■
If other applications are running, bring the SoundGrid Studio Application to the front so that it’s visible. The interface will likely
open to the System Inventory page. If not, then navigate to it as described above.
You will now see the Device Racks, further described on page 20.
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SoundGrid Studio
Connecting Pro Tools HD/HDX and HD Native Systems
Avid I/O hardware and Pro Tools HD/HDX and HD Native DAWs cannot be integrated directly into a SoundGrid network. The Pro
Tools driver is not compatible with the SoundGrid driver, so a “bridge” device is needed. The DLI/DLS interfaces give SoundGrid users
access to Avid HD interfaces and enable Pro Tools HD/HDX and HD Native workstations to join a SoundGrid network. Once bridged
to a SoundGrid network, Pro Tools HD/HDX and HD Native DAWs have complete access to I/O devices anywhere on the network.
To learn how to integrate Pro Tools HD/HDX and HD Native DAWs into a SoundGrid network, refer to the user manuals for the
StudioRack plugin and the DLI/DLS interface devices.
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SoundGrid Studio
2.3.2 Device Racks
Use the Device Racks to assign I/Os, drivers, servers and control devices. Most setup activities are done from this page.
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There are four Device Racks for assigning dierent types of resources.
■
Rack A: Hardware I/O Devices
■
Rack B: Software I/O Devices (drivers, virtual I/Os)
■
Servers
■
Control devices
For now we will focus on I/O Rack A, since this is where you assign and congure your I/O devices.
SoundGrid Studio
I/O Rack A: Hardware I/O Devices
Rack A can host up to eight I/O hardware devices. You can load devices in any order. By default,
the device in the rst slot—typically, the rst device loaded—will be the clock master.
When you connect a device and then run the Wizard, the device will appear in I/O Rack A
and will be assigned to you. All users will see the device in their Device Racks menu, but will not
be able to assign it.
Manually assigning an I/O device involves three steps:
■
Choose a device and assign it to an I/O slot.
■
If multiple devices are assigned, determine which is the clock master.
■
Open the device’s control panel to congure I/O, preamp parameters and clock.
If you add a device manually, it will appear
in the
but it will not be assigned. You must
manually claim the device as your own.
Device Racks
drop-down menu,
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When you assign an I/O using the Wizard, its audio input and output are patched automatically.
To change these connections, go to the Patch page.
SoundGrid Studio
If no device has been assigned, the slot will appear empty.
To add an I/O to an empty slot or to replace an existing one, click on the arrow next
to ADD DEVICE. A drop-down menu will appear with a list of
SoundGrid-compatible I/O devices on your SoundGrid network.
A drop-down menu indicates which I/Os are currently available to you.
If a device has already been claimed by you or someone else, its name
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will be grayed out and unavailable to select.
The I/O appears as an icon in the rst slot of Rack A.
Text on the icon indicates the device name, status, sample rate and clock information.
Pro Tools HD/HDX and HD Native DAWs, as well as Avid hardware interfaces, will appear in the device slot under the name “DLI” or “DLS.”
SoundGrid Studio
Native DAW: Adding More I/O Devices
Additional SoundGrid-compatible I/Os can be added to the old one via an Ethernet cable. Run the Wizard to set up the new
conguration. SoundGrid-approved devices can accept clock via SoE (Sync over Ethernet).
External
Word Clock
DiGiGrid IOC DiGiGrid IOX
Ethernet
Analog
Clock
Host Computer
SoundGrid I/O devices have internal Ethernet switches. Some have four ports, others two. This enables you to add devices by
chaining several units together. If you prefer, you can use an approved external 1GB switch.
Add the new device to your network by clicking the SCAN button.
SCAN button
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Open the System Inventory section of SoundGrid Studio to conrm and modify the conguration of your devices. By default, the
rst I/O device in a rack will be the clock master. To assign another device as clock master, click on the device menu and select
Set as Master
SoundGrid Studio
2.3.3 Adding a Server
Adding a SoundGrid DSP server to a SoundGrid Studio system provides the processing power for the eMotion ST mixer and the
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StudioRack plugin in DSP mode.
use simultaneously.
External
Word Clock
This enables low-latency recording and monitoring, and increases the number of plugins you can
DiGiGrid IOX DiGiGrid IOX
DiGiGrid IOC DiGiGrid IOX
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Host Computer
2. eMotion ST SoundGrid and StudioRack SoundGrid licenses are required.
Server
Ethernet
Analog
Clock
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