Waves Audio StudioRack User Guide

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Table of Contents

	Introduction	4
	About SoundGrid	4
	1. StudioRack Integration and Components	6
	1.1 Installation	8
	1.2 Inserting StudioRack	8
	1.3 File Locations	9
	1.4 StudioRack Interfaces	10
	2. Controls Common to All StudioRack Components	12
	2.1 SoundGrid Network Status Section	12
	2.2 Chainer Section	14
	2.2.1 Bypass / Disable / Enable	16
	2.2.2 Copy and Paste Features	16
	2.2.3 Storing and Recalling Presets	19
	2.2.4 Sidechain	20
	2.3 Input and Output Faders and Meters	22
	3. Plugin Automation in Studiorack	23
	4. Assigning Controls	26
	4.1 Assigning Plugin Parameters to StudioRack Quick Keys	26
	4.1.1 Displaying a Plugin’s Gain Reduction with the Quick Meter	29
	4.1.2 Disconnecting Quick Key Assignments	29

		4.1.3 Viewing Quick Keys Assignments	30
		4.2 Assigning Plugin Parameters to a MIDI Controller	31
		4.3 Assigning Plugin Parameters to an Avid Controller	32
		4.4 Multi-Assign Mode	33
		5. Low-Latency Recording and Monitoring	34
		5.1 eMotion ST Monitoring Section	36
		5.2 Monitoring Section Controls	36
		5.3 Control What You’re Listening To	38
		5.4 Establishing a Link Between StudioRack and eMotion ST	39
		5.5 Where Do You Work: StudioRack or eMotion ST?	44
		5.6 Step-by-Step Guide to StudioRack Monitoring Setup	45
		6. StudioRack for Pro Tools HD and HDX Systems	47
		6.1 How Many StudioRacks Can I Use?	47
		6.2 Using StudioRack in I/O Insert Mode	50
		Appendix 1: Moving StudioRacks to Another DAW	55
		Appendix 2: Monitor Switching Under DAW Command	56
		Appendix 3: The WaveSystem Toolbar	62
		Appendix 4: A Note to Mac Users	62

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the StudioRack plugin from Waves. In order to get the most out of this product, please take some time to read this manual. We also suggest that you become familiar with the Waves support site: www.waves.com/support. There you will find an extensive answer base, the latest tech specs, detailed installation guides, software updates, and current information about licensing and registration.

About SoundGrid

SoundGrid is a scalable network infrastructure that provides a variety of cost-effective, high-quality solutions for recording studios. It can be configured in many ways and with many hardware possibilities to provide a very flexible audio work environment. This framework is managed by the SoundGrid Studio application, which configures the network, assigns and manages I/Os, controllers and servers, and streams audio throughout the system. Any user, anywhere on the SoundGrid network, has access to any network I/O device. Adding a SoundGrid DSP server moves processing away from the host computer. This enables users to work with a large number of plugins simultaneously and to create complex, low-latency monitor mixes from numerous sources. Key to these features are the StudioRack plugin and the eMotion ST mixer.

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StudioRack is a DAW plugin.

As a channel insert to any DAW, StudioRack chains up to eight plugins, controls them, assigns them to external controllers, and manages them—with their presets—all in a way that makes it easy to move from one DAW session to another and from one DAW platform to another.

StudioRack enables users to create racks of processors with limitless parameters and flexible signal flows that are easily inserted into any track of the session.

As part of a SoundGrid network with a DSP server, StudioRack can shift plugin processing from the local CPU to the SoundGrid DSP server. StudioRack works in conjunction with the eMotion ST mixer to create numerous personalized monitor mixes that use the same plugins heard in the mix—all with virtually no latency. There are no surprises between tracking and mixing. Using StudioRack, you can switch between playback and live input while recording; switching can be controlled manually or automated from the DAW transport.

StudioRack is a flexible tool that can be used with local processing on any DAW, including Pro

Tools HD/HDX and HD Native systems. Processing can take place locally on the host CPU or on a

DSP server.

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1. STUDIORACK INTEGRATION AND COMPONENTS
StudioRack can be used in a number of configurations.
■	Local CPU Mode: Processing takes place in the host computer. In this mode, a StudioRack can be inserted
■	on tracks on any compatible DAW, regardless of the ASIO/Core Audio driver. No special setup is required.
	SoundGrid DSP Mode: Processing is sent to an external DSP server. Working in this mode requires a
	SoundGrid-compatible I/O and server.
SoundGrid real-time processing integrates differently on systems that use the Waves SoundGrid ASIO/Core
Audio driver as their sound engine than on those that use the Avid Pro Tools HD/HDX or HD Native driver:
		- SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver:
		For DAWs using the SoundGrid driver and a DSP server, processing
		takes place on the server, while audio is routed to the server and
		back by StudioRack. Integration is transparent.
		- Avid Pro Tools driver: Pro Tools HD/HDX and HD Native DAWs
		cannot be integrated directly into a SoundGrid network because	Local CPU
		they must use their own playback engine. This requires a special
		solution: I/O inserts are assigned manually to route audio between
		DAW channels and StudioRack inputs. This enables Pro Tools systems
		to take advantage of StudioRack while continuing to operate under their
		own playback engine.
		The eMotion mixer’s Monitoring section differs slightly in each of the two cases
		(see diagram).
	StudioRack	StudioRack
	SoundGrid	SoundGrid
	SG driver	Avid driver
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StudioRack Local CPU.
Opens on any DAW,
any driver. StudioRack
functions like any plugin.
StudioRack
DSP Processing
Systems using SoundGrid	HD Systems
ASIO/Core Audio driver	I/O Insert mode
StudioRacks Are Transportable
Move a StudioRack from one track to another or from one DAW session to another, and rack organization, plugins and all presets will
follow. Move a session from one studio to another, and the StudioRack—with all its properties—will follow. You will, of course, need the
same plugins in both systems, but you don’t need the same hardware. StudioRacks can move between Local, SoundGrid DSP, and I/O
Insert sessions.
StudioRacks created in SoundGrid mode on a server-based DAW system can be used in Local CPU mode on other systems. And sessions
created on a StudioRack working in Local mode can operate in SoundGrid DSP mode on a server-based network.
This means you can record and monitor with low latency at a studio with a SoundGrid DSP system, edit the tracks on a native DAW, and
then mix on a Pro Tools HD/HDX or HD Native system.
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1.1 Installation

Install StudioRack with the Waves SoundGrid Studio installer. Use the Waves Installer for the Waves plugins you will be using with StudioRack. Both installers can be found on the download page at www.waves.com. Create or log on to your Waves account, and use the Waves License Center to license your products.

Licenses

SoundGrid licensing is layered, so you can find the system that best meets your current needs.

■ The StudioRack Native license allows plugin processing on your local CPU. All Waves Native plugins are compatible.

■ The StudioRack SoundGrid license lets you offload your plugin processing to a DSP server. You can use StudioRack with either local CPU or SoundGrid processing. StudioRack SoundGrid requires SoundGrid plugins.

■ The eMotion ST license enables low-latency monitoring while recording, as well as other eMotion ST features.

License your SoundGrid components with the Waves License Center, an application that manages licenses for all Waves products

1.2 Inserting StudioRack

Whether you are using StudioRack in Local CPU or in SoundGrid mode, the plugin is always called “StudioRack” in the DAW’s insert menu. Your hardware/software combination will determine which component to load. You must, however, choose the correct track component:

■ Mono

■ Mono-to-stereo1

■ Stereo (multi-mono not supported)

1. StudioRack I/O Insert mode does not have a mono-to-stereo component.

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1.3 File Locations

The StudioRack plugin and its library are installed to a different location than your other Waves plugins. StudioRack works closely with the SoundGrid Studio Application and the eMotion ST mixer. To ensure compatibility and full functionality between them, we have isolated them from your other plugins.

StudioRack and its accompanying library are installed to:

Mac: System HD /Applications /Waves /SG Studio /Modules

PC: C /Program Files (x86) /Waves /SG Studio /Modules

StudioRack has a dedicated WaveShell for each of its supported formats: DAE, AAX, VST, VST3, AU.

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1.4 StudioRack Interfaces
There are two StudioRack interfaces. They are identical except for the eMotion ST monitoring section.
	SoundGrid network status
	Processing mode
	Plugin chainer section
	eMotion ST monitoring section
	I/O insert mode section
	Assignment controls
	Input/output section
	The red outline indicates
	the section that differs
	between modes.
StudioRack I/O Insert Plugin	StudioRack Standard Plugin
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Default Instantiation Modes
The two StudioRack interfaces differ because there are two ways of integrating StudioRack and SoundGrid Studio with the host
DAW. When inserted to a DAW track, StudioRack opens with a view that reflects the system’s configuration and the selected
component (mono, mono-to-stereo, stereo).
Host	Default Open Condition
All DAWs	Standard StudioRack component / Local DSP processing
Pro Tools HD Native*	Standard StudioRack component / Local DSP processing
Pro Tools HD/HDX* (through DSP menu)	StudioRack SG DSP I/O Insert mode
Pro Tools HD/HDX (through Native menu)	Standard StudioRack component / Local DSP processing
* Requires SoundGrid DSP server and I/O.
Switching from one processing mode to another is discussed later in this manual.
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2. CONTROLS COMMON TO ALL STUDIORACK COMPONENTS

The following controls and indicators are common to all StudioRack modes and components.

2.1 SoundGrid Network Status Section

When StudioRack is operating as part of a SoundGrid network, this section is used to monitor network status and activity and to choose between Local CPU and SoundGrid DSP processing. When the host is not part of a SoundGrid network, this panel is inactive.

PROCESSING is a drop-down menu for selecting between Local CPU and SoundGrid DSP processing. In SoundGrid DSP mode, all plugin processing is performed in the SoundGrid DSP server. In Local CPU mode, the host computer does the audio processing.

Menu options:

Switch to Local or SoundGrid - Sets current StudioRack to Local CPU or SoundGrid processing. Switch all to Local CPU - All StudioRack instances in the host session are set to Local CPU processing. Switch all to SoundGrid - All StudioRack instances in the host session are set to SoundGrid processing.

Switching from Local CPU to SoundGrid processing is done in a different manner when using Pro Tools HD/HDX and HD Native systems. Rather than using the PROCESSING menu to change modes, you must use the NATIVE/DSP button on the Pro Tools menu bar.

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Switch all instances to Local CPU mode before performing an offline bounce.

In order to provide low-latency monitoring and recording, SoundGrid DSP servers process audio in real time.

As a result, StudioRack in DSP mode does not support offline bounces.

If you attempt an offline bounce while in DSP mode, the audio will likely become corrupted.

Before performing an offline bounce in the DAW, set all StudioRack instances to Local mode. Select Switch

All to Local in the StudioRack processing section.

When the offline bounce is complete, you can switch all StudioRack incidents bank to SoundGrid DSP processing mode. Real-time bounces are not affected and can be undertaken while StudioRack is in SoundGrid mode.

VOICES displays the number of StudioRack channels in use compared with the number of allotted channels.

This applies only to server-based systems, and is independent of the voices used in the DAW. StudioRack has 64 available voices. Depending on configuration, StudioRack I/O Insert mode supports up to 64 voices. A mono StudioRack uses one voice; a stereo, two. Routing a key input/sidechain to a StudioRack also uses voices.

DSP A SoundGrid server has multiple processing cores. When StudioRack is in SoundGrid mode, the DSP meter displays the processing usage of the processing core where this StudioRack is loaded. This gives you an indication of processing headroom. If this value is over 80%, then StudioRack is using too much DSP. You may need to close or move certain plugins. If any of the processing cores—not just the one used by the StudioRack you’re currently looking at—exceed 80%, you may encounter pops or dropouts. In such a condition, the background of the window appears red.

The DSP window displays N/A if no server is present, or if you are in Local CPU mode.

To view the average CPU usage of all cores in the SoundGrid sever, refer to the DSP meter of the SoundGrid Studio on the top bar.

The SG Setup indicator is located in the Top Bar of the StudioRack interface. It reports the overall status of the SoundGrid network and server. Green indicates OK. Red indicates an error state, such as the absence of an I/O device, server or driver.

To see an overview of the SoundGrid network, click on the SoundGrid SETUP button. This section contains information about devices, servers, network status, and more. Refer to the SoundGrid Studio user guide for additional information.

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	2.2 Chainer Section
	Consider this section an equipment rack that you fill with outboard processors—in this
	case, any SoundGrid Studio plugin. A chainer rack can hold up to eight plugins, each in
	its own slot.
	Every slot has a drop-down menu that is used for loading and managing plugins. It also
	provides information about latency and can be used to enable a sidechain for the rack.
	To load a plugin into a slot, left-click on the small arrow beside ADD PLUGIN.
	Select from the list of plugins that are installed
	in your DAW. Plugins are displayed by category	Menu of a
	or by manufacturer, and will appear in the list
		populated slot
	whether or not they are licensed to you.
	A StudioRack using a server for processing
	may display a different set of plugins than a
	StudioRack in Local CPU mode.
	Chainer signal flow is top-to-bottom, but don’t be too concerned about processor sequence at this point. You can always rearrange
	the plugin order—and the signal flow—by clicking on a processor and dragging it to the desired position.
	In addition to moving plugins within a rack, you can move them from one track to another.
	Settings, assignments, and other characteristics will be preserved.
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When you assign a plugin to a slot, its interface will open.

This is the Plugin window. Set plugin parameters as you normally do. To hide a plugin interface, click the X in the upper left corner of the window or double-click on the name of the plugin in the rack. Click on the name of another plugin to bring the new plugin to the front.

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2.2.1 Bypass / Disable / Enable

To bypass a plugin, click on the IN button next to the plugin’s name. You can also select this through the menu. Disable or enable a plugin through the plugin menu, or by clicking its slot while holding down the Control key.

Both Bypass and Disable defeat the effect of the plugin’s processor. However, Disable actually removes the plugin from the processing chain without deleting it from the rack. You can re-enable the plugin without losing its settings, controls, or automation assignments. When a plugin is disabled, its name will remain visible above the slot, and its icon will be replaced with DISABLED.

Remove Plugin deletes the plugin from the slot. All parameter settings and control assignments are lost.

2.2.2 Copy and Paste Features

You can copy and paste a plugin and its parameters to another slot in a StudioRack. It is not possible to use this menu to copy only selected parameters of a plugin.

Choose Copy in the plugin menu of the selected plugin. This will copy the plugin and a snapshot of its current settings. There are two paste options:

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	Paste [plugin name]
	Pastes the plugin and settings that have been saved to the clipboard. The paste action will replace all
	contents of the slot, whether empty or populated.
	In this image the Paste [plugin name] function is the only available paste option, since the copied
	information is not relevant to the plugin in this slot.
	Paste [plugin name] Preset
	Paste Preset appears only if the information on the clipboard can be applied to the plugin in the
	destined slot. This is applicable if the plugins are of the same family, for example between REQ2 and
	REQ6, but not between Q4 and REQ4.
	In this image, both Paste [plugin name] and Paste [plugin name] Preset functions are available.
	The data copied to the clipboard contains information relevant to the existing plugin.
To copy/paste a plugin preset from an individual plugin into StudioRack, use the plugin’s Copy Preset feature to copy the preset,
then use StudioRack’s Paste Preset feature to paste the entire plugin plus the copied preset.
Copy	Paste
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Latency
For information about the latency introduced by plugins in the rack, go to the plugins’ drop-down menus. “Latency” indicates the
latency introduced by the plugin. “Rack Latency” is the total latency of the rack. If no latency is introduced by any of the plugins in
the rack, both sections will be grayed out.
No latency introduced.	When the selected plugin does	When the selected plugin and
	not introduce latency but other	the other plugins in the rack
	plugins in the rack do, only	introduce latency, both latency
	“Rack Latency” reports a value.	indicators report a value.
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2.2.3 Storing and Recalling Presets

At the top of the interface of each Waves plugin are two WaveSystem Toolbars, one for each plugin and one for the entire rack. The WaveSystem Toolbar is a narrow control bar that you can use to load or save plugin presets, undo and redo actions, and compare settings. For more information, please refer to the final chapter of this user guide, “The WaveSystem Toolbar.”

To load a plugin preset, click the LOAD button on the toolbar above the plugin. A drop-down menu shows the plugin’s presets, including factory presets and the user presets you have saved.

There is also a WaveSystem Toolbar for the StudioRack itself that allows you to save and load presets for

the entire rack, including the structure of the rack, the plugins, and their settings. Plugin presets are interchangeable between all modes of StudioRack— Local, DSP, and I/O Insert. However, if plugins that are not SoundGrid-compatible are used in a Local session that is later opened in DSP mode, the incompatible plugins will be disabled. Similarly, plugins that are not licensed will not be available.

Use the rack’s A/B button to compare parameters for the entire rack. This allows you to compare changes made in several plugins and hear how they affect the overall sound. However, an A/B comparison will not compare changes to a rack’s structure (adding or deleting plugins, or changing the plugin sequence in the rack).

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While the rack toolbar can save and load the parameters of the plugins in the rack, the Undo/Redo buttons

in this toolbar will not reflect changes in parameter settings of hosted plugins—only the parameters of the rack

itself. For example, clicking Undo on the Rack Toolbar may affect the rack’s input or output level, or undo a previous plugin addition or removal, but will not reflect changes in the parameter settings of individual plugins. So, if you’ve changed the rack’s input gain setting and then made four adjustments within a plugin, clicking Undo on the rack toolbar will return rack input to its previous level, but

the intervening plugin parameter changes will be unaffected. To undo the plugin changes, use the plugin’s toolbar. The WaveSystem Toolbar has 32 levels of Undo/Redo.

Learn more about the WaveSystem Toolbar in this manual’s final section, “The WaveSystem Toolbar,” or visit www.waves.com.

2.2.4 Sidechain

You can assign an external sidechain to the plugins in a rack.2 The key input can be activated on any hosted plugin with sidechain capability. Only one sidechain signal at a time can be fed to a rack. However, once the signal has been routed to StudioRack, the sidechain can be applied to any sidechain-capable plugins.

Only when an active sidechain is in place does the “Enable Sidechain” menu item become active. Also, the Sidechain button (S/C) appears at the top of the Plugin window. This switch activates the rack sidechain for the selected plugin.

The Sidechain Listen switch also becomes visible.

2. Sidechain not available in StudioRack I/O Insert mode or with VST 2.4

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