WAVES

MultiRack
SETUP GUIDE
V9.80

Table of Contents
1.

Overview............................................................................................................................. 3

2.

Basic Requirements ............................................................................................................ 3

3.

Software ............................................................................................................................. 4

4.

Required Waves Licenses .................................................................................................. 4

5.

Installing MultiRack ............................................................................................................. 5

MultiRack Native/SoundGrid Application Installer ............................................................... 5
Installing SoundGrid Studio with I/O Firmware and Control Panel for DiGiGrid MGB/MGO
and Allen & Heath (Standalone Installers)........................................................................... 6
MultiRack-Compatible Plugin Installer................................................................................. 7

6.

MultiRack Native ................................................................................................................. 8

Hardware Connections ....................................................................................................... 8
Analog Connections ............................................................................................................ 8
MADI Native Connections ................................................................................................... 8
Yamaha Native Connections............................................................................................... 9
Behringer Native Connections ............................................................................................ 9
Software Setup ..................................................................................................................10

7.

MultiRack SoundGrid Hardware Connections ....................................................................11

SoundGrid Requirements ..................................................................................................11

8.

Yamaha Hardware Connections ........................................................................................12

9.

MADI-Enabled Console Hardware Connections.................................................................13

10. Allen & Heath Hardware Connections ................................................................................14

11. MultiRack SoundGrid Software Setup ................................................................................15
Preferences Window ..........................................................................................................15
Plugin Manager Tab...........................................................................................................16
Remote Control Tab ...........................................................................................................17
12. SoundGrid Inventory: .........................................................................................................20
System Parameters ...........................................................................................................20
I/O Devices ........................................................................................................................22
SoundGrid Servers ............................................................................................................23
13. SoundGrid Connections Window .......................................................................................24
14. Setting Up the SoundGrid Driver ........................................................................................25

1. Overview
There are two versions of the MultiRack software: Native and SoundGrid.
Native utilizes the computer's CPU to power the plugin processing. In practice, this means that
plugin count and overall system latency depend on the computers CPU and sound driver
capabilities.
SoundGrid uses a dedicated SoundGrid DSP server to power the plugin processing, providing
low latency, high plugin counts, a backup DSP server, and networking capabilities.

2. Basic Requirements

PC or Mac Host Computer The main brain and controller for the system that runs the
MultiRack live plugin host application.
Refer to http://www.waves.com/support/tech-specs/system-requirements when choosing
your computer.

USB flash drive (optional): The USB flash drive key holds the licenses for Waves V9
plugins and provides activated licenses on the go. Alternatively, you can authorize your
host computer's hard drive through the Waves License center (when using Multirack
Native).
The USB flash drive must be connected to the console at all times when using Multirack
SoundGrid. Check USB flash drive compatibility: http://www.waves.com/support/usbflash-drive-formats.

Optional MIDI Controller A MIDI controller can be used to remote control MultiRack
SoundGrid in real time without using a mouse or keyboard.

3. Software

MultiRack Native Host software for Waves Native plugins; supports MultiRack
Native-compatible plugins only.

MultiRack SoundGrid Host software for SoundGrid-compatible plugins; supports

MultiRack SoundGrid-compatible plugins only.

MultiRack SoundGrid for DiGiCo offline software For preparation of offline

MultiRack sessions for SD consoles using DiGiCo's SD offline editor.

SoundGrid Studio Required for recording and/or playback only (installation optional).
Can be installed on a separate computer dedicated to playback/recording.
SoundGrid Studio includes:

The SoundGrid Studio Application for routing and setting up SoundGrid Studio

Waves SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver for Windows and Mac.

I/O Firmware and Control Panel for the Yamaha WSG-Y16 card.

SoundGrid Studio with I/O firmware and Control Panel for DiGiGrid MGB/MGO is
available on the DiGiGrid MGB/MGO download page as a standalone installer
(http://www.waves.com/downloads/digigrid-mgb-mgo).

SoundGrid Studio with I/O firmware and Control Panel for the Allen & Heath M-Waves
card is available on the Allen & Heath M-Waves download page as a standalone
installer (http://www.waves.com/downloads/allen-heath).

4.

Waves plugins The audio processors hosted by MultiRack.

Required Waves Licenses

Licenses can be activated on a USB flash drive or on the host computer's hard drive.

Native systems require the MultiRack Native application and Waves Native plugins.

SoundGrid systems require the MultiRack SoundGrid application and SoundGridcompatible plugins.

To learn more about the Waves License Center, visit http://www.waves.com/support/waveslicense-center.

For activation instructions, see http://www.waves.com/support/activate.

5. Installing MultiRack
MultiRack Native/SoundGrid Application Installer
Follow the instructions below to download and install MultiRack SoundGrid and/or MultiRack
Native.

Download the multi-platform MultiRack installer at

http://www.waves.com/downloads/multirack and choose your platform.

Launch the installer and choose the software to install:

Waves License Center (for license activation and management)

MultiRack SoundGrid

MultiRack SoundGrid for DiGiCo offline software

SoundGrid Studio I/O firmware and control panel for Yamaha WSG-Y16 card

SoundGrid Studio with I/O Firmware and Control Panel for DiGiGrid MGB/MGO is
available on the DiGiGrid MGB/MGO download page as a standalone installer
(http://www.waves.com/downloads/digigrid-mgb-mgo).

SoundGrid Studio with I/O firmware and Control Panel for the Allen & Heath M-Waves
card is available on the Allen & Heath M-Waves download page as a standalone
installer (http://www.waves.com/downloads/allen-heath).

MultiRack Native

Follow the instructions to complete installation.

Installing SoundGrid Studio with I/O Firmware and Control Panel for DiGiGrid
MGB/MGO and Allen & Heath (Standalone Installers)
1. Download the appropriate standalone installer:
o

Allen & Heath M-Waves V2 http://www.waves.com/downloads/allen-heath

DiGiGrid MGB/MGO http://www.waves.com/downloads/digigrid-mgb-mgo

2. Click Next, then follow the instructions to complete the installation.

3. Reboot your computer when installation is complete.
4. Open the SoundGrid Driver Control Panel:
Mac: The Control Panel shortcut is located on the Mac Dock or in Applications >
Waves > SoundGrid Studio.
PC: The Control Panel shortcut is located on the desktop or in C:\Program Files
(x86)\Waves\SoundGrid Studio.

MultiRack-Compatible Plugin Installer

1. Download the multi-platform V9 plugin installer at
http://www.waves.com/downloads/multirack and choose your platform.
2. Launch the installer and choose your plugins or plugin bundle from the list. Installed
plugins support both Native and SoundGrid formats, depending on the licenses you have
and on compatibility. To accommodate live users, you can choose to install all
SoundGrid-compatible plugins at once by choosing All SoundGrid Compatible Plugins
from the menu.
3. Follow the instructions to complete installation.

6. MultiRack Native
Hardware Connections
Connect an ASIO / Core Audio interface to your host computer. Use MADI, AES/EBU, or analog
cables, depending on your console and audio interface. See examples below.

Analog Connections

MADI Native Connections

Yamaha Native Connections

Behringer Native Connections

Software Setup

Open the Preferences window (Ctrl+P in Windows/Cmd + , on Mac). Set the audio I/O device by
clicking the Audio Device dropdown menu and choosing from the available devices. (MultiRack
Native supports Windows ASIO and Mac Core Audio sound cards.)

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7. MultiRack SoundGrid Hardware Connections

SoundGrid Requirements

The SoundGrid I/O card pipes audio in and out of the console. Please refer to the
manual of your card for specific instructions regarding setup.

The SoundGrid DSP server acts as the number cruncher for all plugins used in the
application. It is possible to connect a second redundant server working as a backup.
Check http://www.waves.com/live-sound/soundgrid-servers for an updated list of
qualified servers.

The network switch connects devices to the network. Check

http://www.waves.com/live-sound/soundgrid-switches for an updated list of certified
switches.

An optional secondary computer may be used for connecting a DAW (Digital Audio
Workstation) to your network for simultaneous recording and/or playback.

Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet Cables

Check http://www.waves.com/1lib/pdf/live/soundgrid-cables.pdf for an updated list of
qualified cables.

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8. Yamaha Hardware Connections

Begin by connecting your console and all other components to the network switch in order to
create the SoundGrid network. Your MultiRack SoundGrid and DAW can be installed on the
same computer or on separate computers.

You may connect two SoundGrid DSP servers, in which case the second server will
function as a redundant server.

All components must be connected to the network switch using Cat 5e/Cat 6 cables.

For more specific installation instructions, please refer to the audio I/O or server hardware
manual.

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9. MADI-Enabled Console Hardware Connections

Begin by connecting your console and all other components to the network switch in order to
create the SoundGrid network. Your MultiRack SoundGrid and DAW can be installed on the
same computer or on separate computers.

You may connect two SoundGrid DSP servers, in which case the second server will
function as a Redundant Server.

All Components must be connected to the network switch using Cat 5e/Cat 6 cables.

For more specific installation instructions, refer to the audio I/O or server hardware manual.

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10.

Allen & Heath Hardware Connections

See detailed instructions here.

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11.

MultiRack SoundGrid Software Setup

Preferences Window
Enter the Preferences window from the Edit menu (PC) or the MultiRack SoundGrid menu
(OSX), or by typing Ctrl+P (PC) or Cmd + , (Mac).

Local LAN Port lists the available network adapters on the host machine. Choose the network
adapter that is connected to the SoundGrid network. Network adapters are displayed by their
MAC addresses and port name. When you select the proper port, a SoundGrid network found
message will be displayed.
Host Recovery Type: If MultiRack SoundGrid crashes, audio streaming and processing will
continue without interruption, but user control will be lost; MultiRack SoundGrid will relaunch
itself automatically. When MultiRack SoundGrid relaunches, it synchronizes to the server. At the
moment of synchronization there is a short mute (<1 second, depending on session size). The
recovery type allows control over the precise time this muting occurs:

Automatic When recovery type is set to Automatic, MultiRack SoundGrid will load the
session to the server as quickly as possible.

15

Manual When recovery type is set to Manual, MultiRack SoundGrid will relaunch itself
but will not load the session to the server until you press the Connect button on the
dialog box that appears.

Alert about changes that affect all snapshots: When this option is selected, a warning will
appear each time you attempt to modify any rack configuration. This is helpful when you are
learning the application, but may prove annoying for more seasoned users.
Recall first snapshot when session loads: It is recommended that you start your shows with
the first snapshot.
Enable verbose log: When this option is selected, MultiRack SoundGrid goes into a debug
mode that outputs a so-called verbose data file. The file is used to collect data that technical
support may require. When selected, the message area of the Status Bar displays the flashing
message Verbose Output. The output file is titled Debug MultiRack_date<dd.mm.yyyy>.txt.
Load last session on application launch: Select this option to load the last opened session
on your next application launch.
Open in Full Screen Mode: Select this to load MultiRack SoundGrid in Full Screen mode.

Plugin Manager Tab

16

The plugin-manager allows you to select which versions of Waves plugins MultiRack will work
with. Select the version you want to use, click OK, and select the Rescan present Licenses
menu command to re-scan the plugins and load the version you have selected to use.

Remote Control Tab

The Remote Control tab sets the connection between MultiRack and a console, which remote
controls MultiRack through an integrated workflow. In this tab you will discover the console over
the network and set up a connection with it, and load the appropriate configuration file that
activates the integrated work flow with that console. Through this integrated work flow you are
able to:

Load and save MultiRack session files through the console. When you load, open new, and
save files on the console, MultiRack tracks this work and respectively load, open new and
saves files with the same names. The files are saved into a specific folder where MultiRack
knows to look for them when Remote Control is active.

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Synchronize MultiRacks snapshots with the consoles snapshots. When you store and
recall snapshots, corresponding snapshots are stored and recalled on MultiRack side,
keeping MultiRacks snapshots in sync with the consoles.

Touch and Turn. Select a plugin parameter on MutiRacks interface, and change its values
through the consoles dedicated control.

More functions are available, depending on each console implementation. For specific
description of each remote control functions per console, look for the Read Me file
accompanying each configuration file.
In order for remote control over IP to work, the firewall
Discovery. The Discovery section allows you to discover all of the remote-controlling capable
consoles and devices on the local network, either through automatic or manual modes. Once
discovered you can select one, and set a connection to it. From that point on, MultiRack will
slave its workflow to the console or device.
Automatic Discovery. This is the default option and the simpler one. Click the Discover button
and MultiRack will search the network for possible remote control consoles. The devices it
discovers will be Iisted in the drop-down menu. Select the device you want to act as remote
controller, and click the Connect button below. MultiRack will establish a connection to that
device.

Discover button. Click the button to discover all remote-controlling capable devices
and consoles on the network.

Remote Controller List drop-down menu. This menu lists the remote-controlling
capable devices MultiRack has discovered on the network.

Manual Discovery. If MultiRack has failed to automatically discover your remote controlling
device, then insert the devices IP Address and the Port number. Refer to the devices manual,
your network administrator or customer support to find which IP Address the device is set to and
which port the remote control communication with MultiRack the device is set to.

IP Address. Insert the remote controllers IP Address here.

Port. Insert the relevant port number here. This is the port thorugh which the remote
controller will communicate with MultuRack. This information may be found on the
devices interface, in its manual, or through its customer service.

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Connect button and display. Once the remote controller is discovered, clicking the Connect
button will make MultiRack establish connection with the device. Error messages and alerts will
be shown in the Display area.
Remote Controller Configuration File. This section allows you to load the file that tells
MultiRack which functions to turn off and how to modify its regular behavior so that its work
flow will integrate with the remote controlling devices. For example, the configuration file may
turn off MultiRacks session file loading and saving, effectively slaving these operations to the
remote controller. What will happen is that file naming, saving and loading, will be initiated solely
from the remote controlling device.
Use Configuration File. Turn this on to have MultiRack use the configuration file and respond
correctly to the remote controller. If this function remains unchecked, MultiRack will ignore the
remote controllers commands.
Browse button and display. Click the Browse button to open an Open dialog, allowing you to
browse to the correct configuration file and load it. MultiRack will ask you to restart the
application. The remote control configuration will apply only after restarting the application.
NOTE: make sure you select the configuration file that matches your remote controller.

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12.

SoundGrid Inventory:

This window is accessed by selecting SoundGrid Inventory in the Edit menu.

Changes in the Inventory window are allowed only in Setup mode. In Show mode, the window
opens as display-only and no changes are allowed. Changes made in the Inventory window are
applied immediately.

System Parameters

Sample Rate displays the sample rate. MultiRack SoundGrid is slaved to the console
or I/O sample rate; this field cannot be edited.

Network Latency sets the network latency value. This field allows you to change
SoundGrid network throughput latency. This value sets the buffering delay used by the
processing engine(s) and affects SoundGrids end-to-end latency. Plugins that add
latency will add to the overall latency (system latency + plugin latency) of the specific
rack into which these plugins are inserted. See http://www.waves.com/livesound/soundgrid-servers for correct settings.

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The above diagram illustrates the various latencies in the SoundGrid system. Network latency
occurs between the I/O device and the processing engine; driver latency is added between the
network and the host computer on which the driver is installed. ASIO or Core Audio buffering is
usually added between the driver and the DAW software.

Driver Latency determines the SoundGrids drivers input latency, i.e., the latency
between the drivers host computer and the network. This value sets the added latency
required for recording and playback. A setting of 256 samples will work well on most
computers.

Test Redundancy: In a setup using a redundant server, a second server is connected

to the main audio processing DSP server. When the main server fails, the secondary
backup server automatically takes over and begins processing. Click the Test
Redundancy button to make sure the redundant server is capable of holding the
session being handled by the main server. This is important when the two servers are
not identical.

Refresh is used to refresh the inventory list after you have changed devices or settings.
The Inventory table displays all SoundGrid devices available on the network, allowing
you to select/assign the devices you are using.

Assign selects devices for usage in your setup. The number you assign to the device is
its index number in the Inventory list. For an I/O device, setting 1 means this is the first
I/O device and its channels will be the first listed in the routing menus.

21

Device displays the type and description of the device. When you hover with a mouse
over a device row, the devices software/firmware version is displayed as a tool-tip.

I/O Devices

I/O: An I/O device that streams audio to and from the SoundGrid network.

DRV: A SoundGrid driver installed either on another computer connected to the

network, or on the same computer on which MultiRack SoundGrid is running.

MR: MultiRack, SoundGrids audio processing device. MultiRack is the device that
receives audio for processing.

Control Panel: Contains a setting button for configurable devices, for example DiGiGrid
MGO/MGB. Click the button to access the control panel of each device.
Channel: Displays the number of channels available on the device. I/O and MultiRack channels
cannot be set and are display-only. SoundGrid Driver channels can be set by the user. For
example, if you set 32, your driver will have 32 recording and playback channels.
Name: Double-click this field to rename the device.
MAC address / Computer Name: Displays the devices MAC address or computer name.
Status: Displays the devices status in real-time.
Clock: Displays I/O devices clock status. Sync OK indicates that the device is synced internally
or to another device.
Master: The Radio button lets you choose the I/O device as Clock Master. (Yamaha WSG-Y16
and Allen & Heath M-Waves cards are automatically set as Clock Master.)
ID: Applicable for I/O-type devices only. Clicking this button will temporarily turn on the selected
I/Os link and activity LEDs while turning all other I/O devices LEDs off, allowing you to identify
the device in the network.
Device Firmware: This column holds an Update button for each I/O or server device. Click the
button to update the devices firmware if incompatible with the MultiRack version you are using.

22

The Update process will display a progress bar and status messages. Follow the status
messages and instructions carefully. At the end of the process, reboot the updated devices, let
them boot, then click the windows Refresh button.

SoundGrid Servers
The Servers table is very similar to the Inventory table and is used in the same way. This table
is separate from the I/O Device table, since servers do not have channels and do not receive
audio connections.
Choose 1 for the server you intend to use as your main processing engine; choose 2 for the
server you intend to use as a redundant server.

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13.

SoundGrid Connections Window

The Connections table allows you to create audio connections (routes) between source and
destination devices.
Go to Edit menu and select the SoundGrid Connections menu item, or press F3. On the lefthand side of the table, select the source device and its output channels that will be routed to the
destination devices channels. Channels are set in ranges; for example, setting Source channels
1 to 8 means you are routing the devices channels 1 through 8 to send audio to a destination
device
Components that are not assigned in the Inventory section will not appear in the list and cannot
be used.

A new connection is created by double-clicking the Double-click to Add a Connection area.

The Connections table has the following controls:
On/Off

Turn the connection on and off by check-marking it. Note that if a

connection becomes invalid it is automatically un-checked.

Source: Device Name

Use the pull-down menu to select a source device by its name (as
set in the Inventory window), i.e., the device that will send audio in
this audio connection.

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Source: Output Chn

Range

Use the pull-down menu to select a source device by its name (as
set in the Inventory window), i.e., the device that will send audio in
this audio connection.

Destination: Device
Name

The channels of each connection are set by ranges. Use the two
edit fields to set the range of channels the source device will send.
Note that the values are limited by the number of channels the
device supports and by your Inventory settings.

Destination: Input Chn

Range

The channels of each connection are set by ranges. Use the left
edit field to set the range of channels the destination device will
receive; the right field is display-only and will change according to
your setting in the left field. Note that the values are limited by the
number of channels the device supports and the number of
channels set in the source device (Source and Destination channel
count must match).

Please note:

Channel settings must start with an odd number, and the connection must have an even
number of channels. For example, channel ranges can be set 1-8, 3-6, 7-14 and so on.
Connections set to 4-7, 2-11 or similar are invalid.

Channels can be set by direct value entry or by dragging the mouse up or down.

If a device or channel(s) used in a connection become unavailable, the connection is

automatically deactivated but is not removed.

If, while setting up a connection, a conflict in connection arises, the connection will be
marked as invalid in red italics and will be turned off; you will not be able to apply the
windows setting. Overlapping connections are marked blue.

14.

Setting Up the SoundGrid Driver

Please refer to the Waves SoundGrid Studio User Guide.

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