WAVES SoundGrid Studio User Guide 22 April 2020 1 SoundGrid Studio/ User Guide
Contents Welcome to SoundGrid Studio ............................................................................................. 5 Part 1: Getting Started .......................................................................................................... 6 Getting Started: 1, 2, 3 ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Connect the Hardware ....................................................
Part 4: Patch Window ......................................................................................................... 60 Patch Window Sections ............................................................................................................................................. 61 Filtering Tools .......................................................................................................................................................................................
The Plugin Menu .................................................................................................................................................................................100 External Inserts ...................................................................................................................................................................................105 Change the Position of a Plugin ...................................................................................
Welcome to SoundGrid Studio SoundGrid is a proven networking tool for connecting audio devices, streaming audio, and offloading plugin processing. SoundGrid Studio is the application that controls the network that makes all of this possible: • • • • SoundGrid Studio lets you offload processing from a host computer to a high-speed server. This results in a huge improvement in DSP, which lets you use many, many more plugins. All you need is a SoundGrid server and the StudioRack plugin.
Part 1: Getting Started Part 1: Getting Started Setting up a SoundGrid system, regardless of its size or complexity, involves only connecting the host computer with all network devices and installing the software. During initial configuration, you’ll be prompted to choose which devices to assign. SoundGrid Studio will take care of the rest. If later you add, remove, or replace devices, SoundGrid Studio will reconfigure the system once you select the devices to assign.
Part 1: Getting Started Getting Started: 1, 2, 3 SoundGrid Studio is a modular system, so how you set up your system depends on how you want to use it. The smallest system can grow into a much larger system simply by adding more components, so there’s little new to learn as you grow. Still, initial setup is determined by your needs. GETTING STARTED INVOLVES JUST THREE STEPS: 1. Connect the hardware. 2. Install the software. 3. Start SoundGrid Studio for guided configuration.
Part 1: Getting Started SOUNDGRID NETWORK ELEMENTS HOST COMPUTER: CONTROL SOUNDGRID STUDIO AND THE DAW The host computer controls the mixer and the SoundGrid network that connects all devices and streams audio. Applications, plugins, and preset files are located here. With Native systems, plugins processing is carried out on the host. When a SoundGrid server is assigned to the system, high-speed processing is done on the server.
Part 1: Getting Started AUDIO I/OS: RECORD AND MONITOR SOUND In the example below, the host that’s running SoundGrid Studio is connected to one SoundGrid I/O device. This enables input and output and provides clock. SOUNDGRID 1 Gb SWITCH: ADD SERVER AND CONNECT MULTIPLE DEVICES Whenever more than one device (e.g., hardware devices and server) you must use a 1 Gb Ethernet switch. With a server and at least one SoundGrid I/O, the SoundGrid Studio eMotion ST mixer can be used with real-time throughput.
Part 1: Getting Started ADDITIONAL I/O DEVICES: EXPAND AS YOU NEED Add more I/O devices Connect additional I/O devices to the switch. Any combination of SoundGrid I/Os can be added to the network, up to a maximum of 16, including the local driver. If another Ethernet switch is needed, it can be connected to the primary switch. Add a computer Assign a driver to stream audio between studios or to share I/Os between systems. The sequence of the connectors to the switch is unimportant.
Part 1: Getting Started 2 Install the Software Installing the SoundGrid Studio application involves these steps: 1. Download and install the SoundGrid Studio application with Waves Central. 2. Download and install any new plugins or plugins you’d like to demo. 3. Activate licenses to the host computer or a USB flash drive.
Part 1: Getting Started 1. Identify the host computer LAN port. If more than one valid LAN port is present, you will be prompted to choose the correct one. If you can’t identify the correct network port, please refer to this support article. 2. Scan the network for devices. On-screen prompts guide you through device selection, and the Wizard then assigns devices to your inventory. 3. Patch input and output I/Os. 4. Update device firmware.
Part 1: Getting Started NOTES • The SoundGrid Studio application is installed in the Waves folder in the host computer’s Applications folder. We suggest that you do not move it from that location. • Keep your SoundGrid Studio app and plugins up to date. Launch Waves Central and you will be notified if newer versions exist. Updating the SoundGrid Studio app also enables device driver updates. • SoundGrid Studio launches when the host computer is started and remains open in the background.
Part 1: Getting Started What Next? Automatic setup is the same for all applications of SoundGrid Studio. For many SoundGrid Studio uses, no further configuration will be needed. To add or change I/O devices, modify patching, use the mixer, or change studio and network settings, select the relevant window from the tabs on the Top Bar. All SoundGrid Studio functions are controlled from these four windows.
Part 2 Top Bar Part 2: Top Bar The Top Bar combines navigation tools, presets, feedback about network status, and more. It’s visible from every view, so you can quickly access the main menus and monitor system status.
Part 2 Top Bar Top Bar SoundGrid Studio is made up of windows, layers, modes, channels, and a monitor section. At the top of the interface is a control bar that’s called, not surprisingly, the Top Bar. This is SoundGrid Studio’s most basic tool for navigating the application and for monitoring critical functions. The Top Bar is always visible.
Part 2 Top Bar FILE MENU Use the File menu to save and load sessions and templates, along with session-wide presets. 17 New Session Closes the current session and loads a new empty session. Export User Presets Creates a file with all user presets for the entire session, not just those of the selected channel. The exported presets are stored as one .xps file that can be saved to other media.
Part 2 Top Bar CHANNEL SELECT MENU Use the drop-down menu to directly select any channel. The name of the selected channel is shown in the box to the right. The channel name is displayed on the mixer channel strips and in the Patch window. PRESETS MENU The Presets is used to save, load, export, import, and manage presets. Presets are saved as part of a session. To use presets from another session, choose the Import from File menu item.
Part 2 Top Bar menu. When then opening the User Preset menu, preset names will be preceded by “Delete.” Select the preset and it will be deleted. This cannot be undone. 19 Import from File Opens a navigation window to locate presets files that have been saved. Imported presets are added to the User Presets menu. Paste Pastes the copied channel condition to another channel. The Copy command copies all rack information.
Part 2 Top Bar Copying Channel Information Use the Preset menu to copy an entire channel, or specific channel settings, to another channel. COPYING CHANNELS WITHIN A SESSION 1. Select a channel and choose Copy from the Preset menu. 2. Select the target channel. Click Paste. 3. Select what to replace and what to leave unchanged. Choose Select All to paste all channel settings. 4. Select the import parameters and click OK.
Part 2 Top Bar Window Select Tabs Each window has its own control sections that vary according to the function of the window. MIXER WINDOW The Mixer window is inspired by traditional mixing consoles, so this is probably the most familiar view. It provides a broad, multichannel view of the entire mixer: input, routing, plugins, assignments, and channel parameters.
Part 2 Top Bar DSP METER The average peak processing load value is displayed as a green bar and peak value as a yellow line. Red indicates that an audio drop has occurred. The bar is gray when a server is not assigned. This may happen for two reasons: Processing overload (momentary or constant) Solution: Disable some plugins. Some plugins exhibit a high average/peak ratio. This may cause temporary CPU overloads that result in audio drops.
Part 2 Top Bar HELP AND GET INFO (WAVES LOGO) Click here to open the Information Page, which provides software versions and other useful information. It also lets you quickly access this user guide. Saving and Loading a Session Select Save or Save Session As in the Presets to save the current session in its present condition. Sessions can be saved to any user-defined location, but we suggest you use the default location. Mac: Users/Shared/Waves/SoundGridStudio/Sessions Windows: Users\Public\Waves\ SoundGr
Part 2 Top Bar LOADING A SESSION Select Load Session from the Presets menu. Important: Loading a session can result in a dropout or click. Do not load a new session when this is not acceptable. RESOLVING LOAD ERRORS If there are differences between the needs of the session being loaded and the current mixer size or inventory, the mixer must reconcile this mismatch. Example 1: The saved session has more channels than does the current mixer configuration.
Part 2 Top Bar If the saved session does not match current inventory, you will be offered two options Option 1: Session Choose Session and the session loads completely, even though the device inventory does not match the session. Devices called for by the session and missing from the rack slot will appear as not available (N/A). The session’s patching does not change, but the I/O channels of unavailable devices are not accessible and are colored red.
Part 2 Top Bar Templates A template is a mixer session based on a previous session or a factory preset. It loads all mixer parameters (except the I/O inventory), which facilitates moving projects between mixer systems whose inventories are not identical. When creating a new session, it’s common to begin with a template, since most of the tedious setup work is already taken care of. Templates are saved to and loaded from the File menu.
Part 2 Top Bar Floating Panels Plugins and Mixer Windows can be detached from their docked locations and floated. PLUGIN FLOATING WINDOWS When a plugin is opened from the Rack layer mode, its complete interface appears as a floating window that can be moved anywhere on the host’s displays. If a plugin interface is hidden by another object, it remains open and can be brought to the front by clicking on its rack icon. Certain items are common to all floated plugin interface panels.
Part 2 Top Bar TEAR-OFF WINDOWS There are four eMotion ST windows: Mixer 1, Mixer 2, Patch, and Setup. You can “tear off” one or more windows to spread SoundGrid Studio control over several displays. Click and drag downward, away from the Top Bar. A new window will appear. It can be positioned on any of your displays. The original Window Selection Panel. All window tabs are available. In this example, we will separate the Patch window from the other windows to create its own screen.
Part 2 Top Bar Part 3: Setup Window Part 3: Setup Window Use the Setup window to control the SoundGrid network, configure the mixer and devices, and set up the interface just as you want it.
Part 3: Setup Window Setup Window Overview 30 1 Quit application 2 6 Network link up/down SG Connect assignment System controlling SoundGrid Studio 7 Network speed Server Racks 3 Start auto-configuration Sample rate selector Control racks 4 Host network port select I/O racks (hardware + software I/Os) Mixer config settings Re-scan network ports SoundGrid driver assignment Interface preferences 8 SoundGrid Studio/ User Guide
Part 3: Setup Window Network Controls 1. Quit Closes the session and quits the application. 2. System Identifies the host system that is controlling SoundGrid Studio. 3. Auto-Configure / Start Automatically configures a system based on current inventory. There are three options: Reconfigure: Discards all previous assignments, patches, and settings and re-scans the network and takes a snapshot of all found devices. It then updates assignments and patches accordingly.
Part 3: Setup Window 7. Speed Reports the speed of the SoundGrid network. Options: 100 Mb/sec, 1 Gb/sec, N/A. Sample Rate Section 8. Sample Rate Selector Menu The value box displays the sample rate of the SOE clock master device. Use the Sample Rate drop-down menu to set the sample rate of the SOE clock master. If the SOE clock master is locked to an outside source (e.g., word clock, digital, SPDIF), then SoundGrid Studio cannot change its sample rate.
Part 3: Setup Window Device Racks: Assigning and Managing Network Devices Device racks are used to assign and control the hardware and software I/Os, servers, and controllers available on the network. Use these to set up a new configuration or to modify an auto-configured setup. Click on the File icon at the top of a rack slot to open the Device menu. I/O Devices Racks There are 16 I/O device slots: two sets of eight. Every rack slot can assign one I/O device.
Part 3: Setup Window I/O Device Racks Displays and Controls Slot sequence number Device name Device menu access Device status Clock source Sample rate Clock master indicator Device’s control panel button Identify hardware Firmware status and re-flash Enable sharing Offline device Shared device Shared driver There are several status indicators and buttons on the icon itself and just below it.
Part 3: Setup Window Indicator Possibilities Function Slot Sequence Number Left rack 1–8 Indicates the rack slot number. I/Os appear in the Patch window in this sequence. Use slot 1 of the right rack for assigning the DAW driver. Device Name Text entry The device product name followed by a number is the default name. Change the device name by double-clicking on its Name Box. Devices Menu Drop-down menu Used to add and remove devices from the slot and to set the device as clock master.
Part 3: Setup Window ID Hardware Locate hardware device FW Offline Device 36 Activates lights on the hardware device associated with the icon. Status of device’s firmware: Green Firmware is compatible with installed mixer software. Blue Firmware is compatible with installed mixer software, but a newer version exists. Firmware should be updated as soon as possible. Red Firmware is not compatible or is out of date. Click the FW button to re-flash device hardware. Red Device is offline.
Part 3: Setup Window I/O Devices Menu Items Once an I/O device has been assigned to a rack slot, additional menu items are available. Menu Item Possibilities Set Master A list of all devices that can Designates the device as the SOE network clock master and other devices be used as a clock source as clock slaves. The letter “M” and the blue text in the slot indicate that the for the local SOE network. device is the master.
Part 3: Setup Window These menu items apply only to drivers. Menu Item Possibilities Function Set Master Assigns main driver. Assigns this as the main driver. The second driver serves as a backup. Share On or Off Allows other SoundGrid Studio systems to share the device, rather than assigning the entire device to one SoundGrid Studio. Share Preamp Control enables other users to share control of preamp channels on shared devices.
Part 3: Setup Window SG Connect SG Connect is a feature of the SG Driver that enables an ASIO/Core Audio device to appear in the SoundGrid Studio inventory as a SoundGrid I/O. This lets you incorporate a non-SoundGrid device in a SoundGrid network for high-speed offload processing. When you run Auto Config and if no SoundGrid I/Os are present in the network, you will be asked if you want to assign the SG Connect Driver. If so, it will be assigned its dedicated slot.
Part 3: Setup Window I/O Sharing A single SoundGrid system consists of a host computer with the SoundGrid Studio app running, an Ethernet switch, at least one SoundGrid server, and a least one I/O. These elements communicate through a SoundGrid SOE network. All connected I/O devices within this system can be assigned and patched to the host. All I/O devices, servers, and local drivers in this SOE network are seen in the System Inventory.
Part 3: Setup Window SYSTEM INVENTORY IN SUPER SYSTEMS All devices in a super system—whether assigned to a host or not—are displayed in the Device menu of each independent system’s Inventory (left). In this example there are five I/O devices, none of which have been assigned to a system. Each connected host’s local driver is also shown. The letter preceding the device name identifies the SoundGrid Studio system to which the device is physically connected to.
Part 3: Setup Window The font style and shading indicate the type of assignment. Italics indicates that the device is sharing-enabled. Unassigned devices Once a device is assigned, its name is followed by the name of the host to which it is assigned.
Part 3: Setup Window Shared Devices: Clocking Considerations When a device is shared by two systems, both systems must be locked to the same clock master. If a client system assigns a shared device that’s part of a system with a different clock source, something must be done to rectify the difference. When assigning a shared device whose clock source is not the same as that of the client system, this prompt will appear. Click OK to set the clock of the client system as your system’s clock.
Part 3: Setup Window If the shared device cannot synchronize to the new clock, it will be unavailable for sharing by that host. Other hosts in the super system may be able to sync to the shared device if they can adjust their clocks accordingly. A shared device can be a slave or the clock master of in its own SOE network, indicated by the M on the shared device’s icon (left). On the right, the device is still the SOE master of the system it’s being shared with but is a slave within its own system.
Part 3: Setup Window Patching Shared Devices Patching Shared Input Devices When a device is shared, all of its inputs are available to all users. The shared device appears in the Patch window along with the non-shared devices. Learn how to patch in and out of the mixer, within the mixer, and between devices in the SoundGrid network in the next chapter, The Patch Window. PATCHING SHARED OUTPUT DEVICES Once assigned, a shared I/O device appears in the client’s Output Patch window.
Part 3: Setup Window Shared and Un-Shared Devices in the Patch B-IOS, owned by System #1 System #2, using shared device B-IOS Device B-IOS appears as an assigned device in the output patch of System #1 (left) and as a shared remote device in System #2 (right). When an output patch is made in either system, the corresponding I/O channel in the other system is colored orange to indicate that the patch is in use.
Part 3: Setup Window If the manager of a device patches to an I/O channel that’s already taken by a client, the preexisting client patch will turn red. The client is no longer patched to that I/O output channel. Patching shared outputs in the Mixer window follows the same rules as in the Patch window. Devices shared by other systems in the super system are indicted with . A warning alerts the client that the original patch has been disabled.
Part 3: Setup Window Removing Shared Devices Client Select Remove from the Devices drop-down menu. Since the remote device is, by necessity, the local clock master, removing it will result in another device becoming the clock master. This prompt will appear. Once the device is removed, SOE clock will return to the previous master. This may result in a short audio drop. Manager Deselect the Sharing icon or uncheck Share in the Device menu to end sharing for a device.
Part 3: Setup Window IF THE SHARING HOST BECOMES UNAVAILABLE If the manager of a shared device fails (e.g., Ethernet connection is broken, computer stops working, computer is taken away), the shared device will continue to function. As long as the device is powered up and is connected to the manager’s SoundGrid network, it will pass audio. The device, however, is still owned by the missing host, so a client cannot access the device’s control panel.
Part 3: Setup Window Servers The Servers rack is used to assign, remove, and configure a SoundGrid server. The server’s CPU temperature is shown on the icon. ` Menu Item/Indicator Possibilities Function Devices Drop-down menu Choose among the servers on the SoundGrid network. A server that is assigned to another host is unavailable and grayed out. Server Network Buffer Range @ 44.1kHz/48 kHz: 40–224 samples Default: 40 samples (0.
Part 3: Setup Window Add or Change the Server Servers are assigned and removed in the same manner as I/O devices. Some SoundGrid devices contain I/Os as well as a server. Treat these devices as two separate units. One will appear in Device Rack A or B as an I/O under its own name. The other will appear as SGS-1, SGS-2, etc. DSP Meters The meter bars on a server icon indicate DSP load of the server’s cores.
Part 3: Setup Window External Control Devices Use this rack to assign external controllers to the mixer. Indicator/Menu Item Possibilities Selected Control Category Controller Device Status Function Displays selected protocol. Displays presence and status of device Off>Device corresponding to the selected protocol is not present or not functioning properly. On > Device is present and operational. Assess Control Panel (Gear Button) Switch Opens the control panel of the selected controller.
Part 3: Setup Window Setting Sample Rate The SoundGrid network is synchronized with a clocking protocol called Sync-Over-Ethernet (SOE). This is a versatile protocol that allows the host to easily assign a clock master and to control sample rate throughout the system. As in any digital network, one I/O is assigned as the clock master of the system. The other I/Os are slaves and must lock to the sample rate by the master. Here is a basic SoundGrid Studio setup.
Part 3: Setup Window Assigning I/O Devices Manually 1. Click the Device Menu icon in the upper right corner of an I/O device rack slot to open the Devices menu. All devices available to this SoundGrid system are displayed here. Devices that are currently unavailable are grayed out. 2. Assign hardware and software devices to device slot. The sequence is unimportant. 3. Select an available device. It will appear in the rack.
Part 3: Setup Window Working Offline The eMotion ST mixer can be pre-configured or modified offline. Virtual devices can be assigned to the racks, allowing for detailed preparation of patching, channel settings, plugins presets, mixer configuration—the entire system—without a server or I/O devices. A session that has been prepared offline—whether on the host computer, a laptop, or a tablet—is a complete session and is fully operational when a server and I/Os are added. 1.
Part 3: Setup Window Mixer Settings CONFIGURATION The Configuration section sets the size of the mixer. The mixer can have 8, 16, 32, or 64 channels, with 8 stereo groups, 8 AUX channels, 16 stereo monitor channels, and an L/R main buss (depending on the selected configuration and license). Mixer size is normally established when a session is created, but you can change the mixer configuration of an existing session.
Part 3: Setup Window Setting Maximum Latency The Server Network Buffer is the amount of time it takes for audio to stream from the I/O to the server and back. This determines the maximum latency for a processing route. Internal Routing latency is determined by the number of paths that are necessary to complete a route. The more paths, the greater the latency, and usually the larger the Server Network Buffer must be. Set the Server Network Buffer size in the Server rack.
Part 3: Setup Window Update Plugins If you install and activate new plugins—purchased or demo—while SoundGrid Studio is running, they may not be recognized immediately. Click the Scan button. This initiates a scan of all installed and licensed plugins and enables SoundGrid Studio to recognize them. If plugins are still not found, read this technical support article. GENERAL SETTINGS Enable Notification Center SoundGrid Studio provides pop-up windows to guide you through the Auto-Config process.
Part 3: Setup Window User Interface Settings Section The U/I Settings section is used to control meter behavior. Input Meter Sets whether the input meters on the eMotion ST mixer display pre-trim or posttrim input values. Mixer Window Sets whether the Mixer window meters display channel/buss input or output signal. Output Meter When Mixer Window is set to Output Meters, this sets the meter view of channels, groups, and auxes: pre-fader or post-fader.
Part 3: Setup Window Part 4: Patch Window 60 The Patch window establishes connections within the mixer, between the mixer and I/O devices, and between assigned devices on the SoundGrid network. It provides a comprehensive, detailed tool for patching the mixer and presents a wide overview of the mixer’s condition so that an engineer can quickly understand its configuration.
Part 4: Patch Window Patch Window Sections The Patch window is divided into two functional sections that help you patch between channels, busses, and I/Os. Frame for Filtering Tools: This frame contains the tools used to determine which channels and devices are needed in the patch grid to execute a particular patch. Patch Grid: This is where the channels are patched. The grid changes in functionality and appearance based on patch view and filtering.
Part 4: Patch Window Filtering Tools Since the Patch window can connect “anything to anything” within the eMotion ST mixer and between any assigned devices on the SoundGrid network, the number of potential patches is very large. To make patching manageable, sources and destinations are filtered according to the purpose of the patch. Use the Patch View Selector to select the type of patch you want create.
Part 4: Patch Window Patch Views The Patch View Selector filters the types of channels to display, based on what kind of patch is to be performed. There are four patch views: MIXER AND DEVICES Input Patch between an assigned I/O device and one or more mixer channels. Output Patch between channel outputs and any assigned I/O device. Internal Assign channels to groups, main out, and links. NETWORK PATCHING Device to Device Patch between assigned network devices.
Part 4: Patch Window NAVIGATING THE GRID FILTERS The scrolling arrows on each grid filter bar make for easier navigation within a long list of channels or devices. PATCH DIRECTION An arrow indicates whether patch signal flows from top to left or from left to top. The Patch Grid Once a patch view and a grid filter are selected, the relevant channels will be displayed in rows and columns. This (the Patch Grid) is where filtered channels, busses, and devices are patched.
Part 4: Patch Window I/O DEVICE CHANNELS Hardware and software I/O devices are represented by icons, which can appear in the horizontal and/or vertical grid filter bars, depending on the patch view. Click on a device icon to expand its I/O channels, along with other applicable information. Any number of available I/Os can be expanded simultaneously. DEVICE-TO-DEVICE MODE ROWS: I/O CHANNELS DEVICE-TO-DEVICE MODE COLUMNS: I/O CHANNELS Name of I/O device: same as shown on the Icon Format: analog vs.
Part 4: Patch Window Mixer Channels, Mix Busses and Control Groups MONO AND STEREO CHANNELS • Input channels can be changed from mono to stereo by double-clicking on the M or L/R buttons. When a mono channel is flipped to stereo, its name is shown in both the left and the right sides. • When a channel is flipped from stereo to mono, the left channel patch becomes the mono patch. • Mono/Stereo status reflects the current state of the channel and can be changed only on Input channels.
Part 4: Patch Window SELECTED CHANNEL A blue highlight identifies the selected channel, whose name is shown in the Name box in the left corner of the Top Bar. PATCH POINT A patch is created at the intersection of horizontal and vertical grid lines. Select patch points one by one, or draw a straight line vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Click again on a patch to remove it. • A valid patch is blue/green. • A red patch indicates that the device is not available.
Part 4: Patch Window Mixer Inputs Input signal flow is from top to left (I/Os on top, mixer input channels on the left). To avoid confusion, it is convenient to name the mixer channels before patching. You can create and save templates to streamline setup. Templates can store all channel, I/O, patching and processing information, which can later be modified if needed. INPUT PATCH BEHAVIOR 68 • Inputs A and B can patch to the same I/O channels or to different I/Os.
Part 4: Patch Window Mixer Outputs A mixer channel or buss can be patched to any available I/O that has been assigned to SoundGrid Studio. The Output view has two grid filters: Channel Direct outs and Mix Busses out. Mixer outputs are displayed on the left, assigned I/O device channels are displayed along the top. Each channel or buss can output from one of four sources, indicated by the multi-colored buttons.
Part 4: Patch Window Internal Routing This window assigns channels to groups, main out, and links. In this mode, there is no patching to outside devices.
Part 4: Patch Window Device-to-Device The Device-to-Device patch connects hardware or software I/O devices to each other. These patches do not pass through the mixer. This is used to stream all channels from an SoundGrid I/O directly in to a DAW’s inputs (and back), using the SG Driver. DEVICE-TO-DEVICE PATCH BEHAVIOR All I/O devices that are assigned to the inventory appear in this patch view. A device can patch to any other assigned device, but not to itself.
Part 4: Patch Window . Part 5: Mixer Window The Mixer window is inspired by traditional mixing consoles, so this is probably the most familiar view. The window provides a broad, multichannel view of the entire mixer: input, routing, plugins, assignments, and channel parameters.
Part 5: Mixer Window Mixer Window Overview SoundGrid Studio includes a full-featured, 64-channel studio mixer. It can supplement a studio console or replace it altogether. All channel controls can be adjusted or accessed here: preamps, channel strips, plugins, keystroke shortcuts, monitors, and auxes. The StudioRack plugin uses the mixer for ultra-low-latency monitoring and recording.
Part 5: Mixer Window Mixer Layers The eMotion ST Mixer is, like most digital mixers, organized in layers. Layers represent categories, or types, of channels. Layer Channels are the specific channels you are viewing and controlling. Select a Mixer Layer with the four buttons at the top of the interface. CHOOSE A LAYER TYPE Layers are filtered by type and function: Mixer View the full mixer layout. All mixer channels, groups, effects and monitor aux busses, and link controls are accessible here.
Part 5: Mixer Window LAYER SELECTOR The Mixer Layer Selector panel at the bottom is used to choose which channels, groups, Auxes and Monitors, and link groups are at the front of the display. In this example, the Mixer layer type and the GRP/AUX layer are selected.
Part 5: Mixer Window Channel Layers The four Channel layers address all mixer input channels. Any channel can be mono or stereo, and this does not affect the total number of channels available. Input channels can control I/O preamps (depending on input device), and each channel can have up to eight plugins. They can be routed to groups, main and direct outs, and sent to AUX and Monitor channels. These four layers share the same view and functionality. Only the channels change.
Part 5: Mixer Window Groups/AUX Layer Groups are commonly used to down-mix several channels to a single buss, the “Group.” This allows for global control of the mix of these channels. Think of the group as being “downstream” from the channels. For example, a drum group may be fed from 16 drum channels and mixed to a group. This mixed group can then be further processed, faded, panned, etc. • Send to the AUX or Monitors and/or to the Main out. • Up to 8 plugins per group. • All group busses are stereo.
Part 5: Mixer Window Monitor Layer Channels can be sent to any of 16 Monitor channels. Auxes can be patched directly to the main buss, with no need for additional return channels, or to the matrix and I/O devices. Effects and Monitor channels are very similar in most Layer Modes, but their signal flows differ slightly. Monitor channels are typically used for monitor feeds. Signals are sent from channels and busses. These aux monitor channels will be mixed and then assigned directly to outputs.
Part 5: Mixer Window Link Layer A Link group is a collection of channels that move together in all modes. Links are not the same as channel groups. Groups mix together the audio of several mixer channels. Links control the faders and mutes of several channels—no audio passes through a Link fader. Link groups serve two purposes: • Move a group of faders together: adjust one fader in the link group and the others will follow along. Offsets between channels are kept.
Part 5: Mixer Window Move the DCA fader to change the gain offset of all the faders under its control. When you move a DCA fader, the controlled faders don’t move. They stay at their original positions, while “ghost faders” show the current channel level, as determined by the offset introduced by the DCA fader. This makes it easier to return the faders in the link group to their previous positions. The Link layer is made up of the 16 Link faders. From here, you can control each of the link groups.
Part 5: Mixer Window StudioRack Layer The StudioRack layer is made up of the StudioRack instances in the Host DAW session. Each StudioRack channel represents one StudioRack instance. StudioRack is a plugin chainer that provides efficient parallel processing, frequency-defined chainer racks, stereo and M/S/R input, and macro control. When used in conjunction with a SoundGrid server, plugin processing is offloaded from the host computer to the server.
Part 5: Mixer Window Low-Latency Monitoring During Recording Low-latency monitoring while recording is accomplished by sending the input signal from the I/O directly to a SoundGrid DSP server (see diagram). When StudioRack is in playback, the monitor signal passes though the DAW, as is expected. When the StudioRack monitor status switches to input, the I/O input signal is split to two paths.
Part 5: Mixer Window StudioRack Monitor Setup This is an overview of configuring the eMotion ST mixer SuperRack layer with StudioRacks in a DAW session. For detailed instructions, please refer to the StudioRack user guide. StudioRack consist of four sections. In this example, we are concerned with the top section, which is where the link between this StudioRack and the eMotion ST mixer is established.
Part 5: Mixer Window • • The SoundGrid panel is used to establish a link between each StudioRack and the mixer. Setup Window Indicates SoundGrid server status. When green, the server is working properly. Red indicates a missing server, whether removed from the rack, turned off, disconnected, or faulty. All StudioRacks will mute when server is missing. Click on the WSG button to access the SoundGrid Studio Setup window. DSP percent Shows the average DSP use of all cores in the server.
Part 5: Mixer Window FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO CONNECT a) Open the DAW session and set the Playback Engine to “Waves SoundGrid.” b) Insert a StudioRack on each track where you want to perform low-latency monitoring while recording. c) Confirm that the WSG logo is green, if not, click to access the SoundGrid Studio Setup window to address the problem. d) Assign the StudioRack input I/O channel used for low-latency monitoring during recording. e) Switch monitor signal between input and play.
Part 5: Mixer Window To populate channels in the eMotion ST StudioRack layer, set the StudioRack input channel to match the driver input channel in the DAW track where the StudioRack is inserted. This StudioRack instance will appear as a channel strip in the StudioRack layer of the mixer. The channel input will match the Input assignment in the StudioRack plugin. By setting the StudioRack input to the same source, switching from Input to Playback will match.
Part 5: Mixer Window StudioRack placement in the mixer is directly related to the channel population in the inventory. If, for example, you select IOS channel 5 in StudioRack A and IOX channel 2 in StudioRack B, the placement of these channels in the mixer will be determined by which device slot the IOS and IOX are assigned to in the Setup inventory.
Part 5: Mixer Window Monitor Switching Under DAW Command StudioRack can follow commands from the host DAW to switch automatically from Playback to Input state and back. To accept these commands, StudioRack uses a virtual HUI device. This device is installed automatically to the computer, but it must be connected manually to the DAW. This allows low-latency recording and monitoring of overdub tracks using preprogrammed DAW in-points and out- points.
Part 5: Mixer Window Custom Layers Channels of any layer type can be combined in user-created Custom layers. This enables control of specified channels in one view, without having to jump between mixer layers. Channels can be organized in any order within a Custom layer. To assign a channel to a custom layer, click on an empty channel strip to open the multi-level assignment menu. Assign a channel to the strip.
Part 5: Mixer Window Mixer Channels A Mixer’s processing, routing, and control take place on channels. To control these channels, two things are needed: 1. A mechanism for controlling channel input, panning, cue/solo/mute and other traditional mixer functions (Channel Strip) 2. A means of selecting and controlling the processing, routing, and controls applied to a layer of channels or busses (Layer Modes).
Part 5: Mixer Window Channel Strip Sections Common to All Layer Modes The bottom section of all channel strips is the same in all modes. PAN/BALANCE/ROTATION KNOB Pans a mono signal between left and right when sent to a stereo buss. The stereo panner/rotator controls the balance of a stereo signal or moves the image without changing its internal balance. CHANNEL MUTE A user-selected Mute for a specific channel will be solid red. A Mute activated by a DCA fader or asolo will flash red.
Part 5: Mixer Window Pan/Balance/Rotate Functions Multi-function pan/balance/rotate knobs provide mono panning and stereo balance and rotation. MONO PANNER/STEREO BALANCE KNOB Stereo Mono When a mono channel is routed to a stereo buss, rotating the center panner will move the source right to left within the stereo image. When the input channel is stereo, the panner moves the overall sound left and right, but the feeling of the image can change.
Part 5: Mixer Window Mixer Layer Modes Input Mode The Input mode section accepts signals from outside sources, whether driver channels or I/O device channels. Input select menu Link left and right channels (stereo only) 48v phantom on/off Phase reverse Preamp gain Channel trim INPUT SELECT MENU Toggle the track between Mono and Stereo with the menu items Flip to Stereo and Flip to Mono. This converts the format of the entire channel: input and output, imaging, plugins, sends, and meters.
Part 5: Mixer Window LINK LEFT AND RIGHT CONTROLS When Link is selected, the left and right controls are linked for 48k phantom preamp gain (with comatible I/Os), phase reverse, and channel trim. An existing offset between left and right will be maintained. Switches are absolute—all on or all off. THESE CONTROLS ARE AVAILABLE WHEN USING I/OS WITH DIGITAL PREAMPS THAT CAN BE CONTROLLED REMOTELY 48V PHANTOM POWER Activates the microphone preamp 48v phantom power.
Part 5: Mixer Window Rack Mode Each eMotion ST mixer channel can host up to eight plugins. The Rack mode is used to add, remove, rearrange, and control these plugins. To insert a plugin, click on an empty rack slot and choose from the Plugin list. If a slot is already populated, right-click on the plugin icon to open the expanded Plugin menu. Choose a plugin from the multi-level drop-down menu. Here are some of the most commonly used functions when working with plugins in the Rack window.
Part 5: Mixer Window Route Mode The Route mode patches Input, Group, AUX, and Monitor layers channels. Patching is different for each layer. ROUTE MODE: CHANNELS LAYER Input I/O Channel: Open the drop-down menu to select an input device channel. Use this menu, too, to flip the channel between mono and stereo. Input: Choose between two sets of I/O device inputs—A or B. This provides alternate inputs to each channel without changing mixer and plugin settings.
Part 5: Mixer Window ROUTE MODE: GRP/AUX LAYER Groups can be assigned to L/R Main output and direct channel outs. Copy Mix From: An aux channel input can accept a mix as an input, whether from the Main mix channel or from another aux channel. Select Copy Mix From to add that mix to the input of the AUX or MON aux channel. Change All Sources: Changes source of all sends to the AUX channel. FX Input Assignments: Patch from Channels, Groups, and other AUX channels. You cannot patch from outside the mixer.
Part 5: Mixer Window Adjusting an Aux Send All channels are sent to the AUX and Monitor auxes in the same manner. Certain sends are not possible due to their places in the signal flow, as described above. Select an AUX Layer mode. Select an aux that you want to send from the selected channel. Auxiliary channel numbers are shown in the panel on the left side of the layer mode section. Turn an aux send on or off by clicking its send number. Select the source for each send on the source cell.
Part 5: Mixer Window Sends on Faders In the “Sends on Faders” mode, the channel faders control the level of the aux send, not the channel level. The master fader controls the level of the aux channel rather than that of the main out. CONTROLLING AUX SENDS WITH LARGE FADERS Select a channel from which you want to send to an aux. In the panel on the right, click the number of the aux channel whose sends you wish to adjust. The interface changes color to indicate that channel faders have flipped function.
Part 5: Mixer Window Using Plugins Plugins are managed in the Rack mode. You can assign up to eight plugins to any mixer channel, including AUX and Monitor busses. Up to four plugins can be inserted in each headphone and control room monitor. Inserting a Plugin Click on an empty rack slot. This opens the Plugin menu. If a slot is already populated with a plugin, use Ctrl+click to open the menu. Go to the Plugin List sub-menu and choose from among the available plugins.
Part 5: Mixer Window BASIC PLUGIN MENU If a plugin slot is empty, the Plugin menu looks like this. It’s used for four things: Insert a plugin from the Plugin List. Paste a copied plugin and its preset . View current latency for the entire rack Add external inserts to the rack. All other menu items are grayed out. PLUGIN LIST The Plugin List is a drop-down menu that lists all available plugins. Only plugins that have components compatible with the current rack format are displayed.
Part 5: Mixer Window EXPANDED PLUGIN MENU Once a plugin has been inserted in a rack slot, an expanded menu replaces the basic menu. Plugin List Plugin Section Presets Section Latency Section External Inserts, Recall-Safe Plugin Section Bypass Bypasses the plugin while keeping it in the processing chain. This serves the same function as the IN button on the plugin floating menu. Enable/Disable Plugin Removes the plugin from the processing chain without deleting it from the rack.
Part 5: Mixer Window assignments. When a plugin is disabled, its name will remain visible above the slot and its icon will be grayed out. You can also disable and enable a plugin by clicking its rack slot while holding down the Ctrl key. Remove Plugin Deletes the plugin from the rack slot. All settings and control assignments are lost. You can also remove a plugin by dragging it off the mixer. Copy Copies the plugin and its settings.
Part 5: Mixer Window Latency Section Latency Indicates the delay introduced by the plugin or external insert, displayed in samples and milliseconds. Rack Latency Indicates the total latency of all plugins and inserts in the rack. If no latency is declared by any of the plugins in the rack, both latency menu items will be grayed out. Latency Compensation On/Off Removes the highlighted plugin from the rack’s latency compensation calculations.
Part 5: Mixer Window External Inserts You can add external inserts to a plugin rack. An external insert follows the same routing path as plugins and can be moved up and down the rack to change its position in the processing chain. Using an External Insert 1. Choose a plugin slot in the rack. 2. Select External Inserts from the Plugin Menu. 3. Choose an available insert from the menu. 1. Click on the External Insert icon to open the control page. 2.
Part 5: Mixer Window Change the Position of a Plugin Drag to move a plugin or external insert to another channel, or Alt+drag to copy. Move a mono plugin module to a stereo channel and the plugin becomes a stereo module. The mono plugin’s parameters will be applied to both sides of the stereo module. If a stereo plugin is moved to a mono channel, then settings of the left stereo channel become the mono parameters. Do not add, remove, disable, or move a plugin when an audio dropout is not acceptable.
Part 5: Mixer Window Plugins Can Change the Rack Structure Mixer channels can be mono or stereo. The format selected in the input section defines the rest of the channel (i.e., rack, imager, and output). You can, however, use a mono-to-stereo plugin to convert a channel from mono to stereo at any position in the rack. This example shows a mono rack. API-560 and Doubler 2 in the first two slots are mono components. RChannel in slot 3 is a mono-to-stereo plugin, so its processing and output are stereo.
Part 5: Mixer Window Monitor Panel The Monitor panel provides individual monitor mixes to four sets of headphones, as well as three custom control room mixes for three different studio loudspeakers. Setting up a monitor consists of these steps: Select a monitor mix (Headphones 1–4 or Control Room). The CR button to the left of the Headphones title copies the sources and trims from the Control Room setup. The selected mix is identified in the box at the top of the panel.
Part 5: Mixer Window Talkback The Talkback function sends the signal of an assigned I/O to selected busses, which are then routed to I/Os. It is used primarily to communicate between the mixer and the artists. Hold the Talk button to mute the control room speakers and open the Talkback channel. SETTING UP THE TALKBACK Select an input I/O channel. This is normally the input from the Talkback mic. Select the physical input group (A or B).
Appendix Appendix Controlling SoundGrid Studio Remotely Setting up Mackie HUI in a DAW 110 SoundGrid Studio/ User Guide
Appendix INCORPORATING MIDI MIDI devices can be assigned to the mixer for remote control of certain functions. Program change messages can be sent from a MIDI controller to the mixer or from the mixer to a MIDI controller. Also, mixer faders, panners, and mutes can be remotecontrolled. Control protocols are assigned and removed in the Control rack of the System Inventory page. Select the MIDI protocol from the drop-down menu. Click on the Gear button to open the MIDI Control Surface Options panel.
Appendix Show Control Section This section sets the MIDI port and channel used for triggering Scenes using MIDI program change messages. Select a MIDI Device: Select an Input and Output port from the drop-down menu. All available MIDI ports are listed. The selected device appears in the Port Name box. Choose a MIDI Channel: Select a MIDI channel for Input and Output. Assigning a Specific (single) channel (when applicable) means that all data from other channels are filtered out from the incoming stream.
Appendix Input Port/Output Port: Select MIDI Ports. Selection can be set in specific port only. Follow Mixer Window: When Follow Mixer Window is selected, the MIDI faders will map the faders of the selected Layer, as displayed in the Mixer window. For example, when Mixer Layer 17–32 is selected, MIDI channel 1 will control mixer channel 17. When AUX is selected, MIDI Channel 1 will control Monitor 1. When Follow Mixer Window is off, the mixer and the controller work independent of each other.
Appendix MACKIE CONTROL PROTOCOL The mixer can be controlled with any control surface device using a Mackie Control protocol option. Some controllers support several protocols, so it’s important to confirm that the device is set to the Mackie Protocol Mode. There are also tablet applications that emulate controllers using Mackie Control protocol. Consult the user guide of your control surface. Control protocols are assigned and removed in the Control rack of the System Inventory page.
Appendix Linking Layers and Faders Both the Mixer window and the controller can be used to select between layers. The “Faders” drop-down menu establishes the relationship between the controller and the Mixer window when selecting layers. In some circumstances, you will want layer selections made in one interface to be reflected in the other. Doing this moves the active layer to the front in both interfaces, and fader moves in one device are reflected in the other.
Appendix Faders: Follow Aux-Sends Flip In the “Sends on Faders” mixer mode, the channel faders control the level of the aux send, not the channel itself. Select “Follow Aux-Sends Flip” to enable controller faders to follow this behavior. Master 1 Use this drop-down window to assign which channel the master fader is controlling. This can be the Main L/R mix or any other channel or buss in the mixer.
Appendix Setting Up Mackie HUI in a DAW The following are examples of how to set up a Mackie HUI in the most popular DAWs. If you cannot find the information you’re looking for, refer to the user manual or website for your DAW. Logic Pro X 1. Go to Logic Pro X menu > Control Surfaces > Set Up. 2. On the upper left side of the window, click on “New” and choose “Install.” 3. Choose “Mackie Designs” – “HUI” and then click on “Scan.” 4. A pop-up window will appear. Click on “Add Manually.” 5.
Appendix Pro Tools 11 1. Go to Setup. 2. Choose Peripherals. 3. Click on the MIDI Controllers tab, and set one of the slots to “HUI.” 4. Set “Receive From” and “Set To” as “Waves SoundGrid StudioRack.
Appendix Cubase 1. Go to Device > Device Set Up 2. On the top left corner of the window, click on “+” to add a device, and choose “Mackie HUI.” 3. In the Mackie HUI window, assign “MDI Input” and “MIDI Output” to “Waves SoundGrid StudioRack.
Appendix Studio One 1. In the Studio One upper menu, go to Studio One > Preferences. 2. Click on the “External Devices” tab. 3. Click on “Add” to add a device. 4. Open the Mackie folder and Choose “HUI.” 5. Set “Send and Receive From” to “Waves SoundGrid StudioRack.
Appendix Digital Performer 1. In the Digital Performer top menu, go to Setup > Control Surfaces Setup. 2. In the small window that opens, click on “+” to add a device and choose “HUI” from the list. 3. Set “Input and Output” ports to “Waves SoundGrid StudioRack.
Appendix Reaper Go to Options menu > Preferences. Select “Control/OSC/web” at the bottom of the list. Click on “Add,” then select “HUI (partial)” In “Midi Input” and “Midi Output” select “Waves Audio Ltd. – Waves SoundGrid – StudioRack” Click “OK.
Appendix 123 SoundGrid Studio/ User Guide
