SuperRack

Discover the next generation of live plugin processing. Run plugins in real time, customize your workspace with floating windows, set extended-scope snapshots, and run any live show with more speed and confidence than ever before.

Designed from the ground up and optimized for speedy operation, SuperRack is a cutting-edge plugin rack that lets live sound and broadcast engineers run up to 64 stereo racks (multi-channel racks are supported) through multiple instances of Waves’ plugins, with near-zero latency (in SoundGrid mode). SuperRack offers endless customization options that make it easy for you to tailor the application to your very own mixing workflow.

SuperRack operates in either Native mode, which handles plugin processing on the CPU of your Mac/PC, with any ASIO/Core audio interface, or in SoundGrid mode, which handles plugin processing on an external SoundGrid DSP server to significantly increase plugin count, minimize latency, and enable the host and I/O devices to be far apart from each other, to accommodate complex setups.

SuperRack is a natural extension of your mixing console. Designed for quick setup time, flexible touch-friendly workspace, and unlimited workflow customization, SuperRack enables FOH, monitor, broadcast, and AV engineers to run any show with speed and confidence.

A single SuperRack license includes both SoundGrid and Native versions
View and control multiple plugin instances simultaneously
Supports V12 plugin resizing
Multitouch-friendly graphic interface
Expand your workspace to up to four monitors
Easily tweak small plugin parameters with a ‘Touch & Slide’ fader
Map application and plugin controls to MIDI & computer keyboard for quick hands-on access
Switch inputs and outputs while maintaining processing chains
Adjust multiple racks simultaneously with the ‘Linking’ function
Share SoundGrid I/Os in a network to build complex setups
Selectively recall snapshots via scope filter
Comprehensive device and network monitoring
Advanced latency alignment management
Host mirroring (DiGiCo) and DSP server redundancy
Import MultiRack sessions into SuperRack with ease

Mac

Model/CPU
MacBook Pro / Mac Pro / iMac / Mac Mini with Intel i5 CPU or higher
MacBook Air laptops are not supported
Apple M1 (ARM-based) processors are not yet supported.

Memory
8 GB RAM

Operating System
10.14.6, 10.15.7, 11.0.1 (Intel only)

Screen Resolution
1920x1080

SuperRack V12 requires a graphics card that supports ‘Metal’. Learn more.

Windows

Model/CPU
Intel i5 or higher

Memory
8 GB RAM

Operating System
Windows 10 64-bit

Screen Resolution
1920x1080

Tablets
Windows 10 64-bit with Intel i5 and up CPU

Important Notes:

Mac models without ‘Metal’ support are not supported with the current version. Learn more.
MacPro models from 2012 and earlier are not supported with the current version.
SuperRack v12 supports V12 and V11 plugins, on the following operating systems only: Windows 10, macOS 10.14.6, 10.15.7 and 11.0.1 (Intel only).
View all SuperRack support articles.
SoundGrid is a ‘private’ network: in order to have a clean network stream, the SoundGrid network should not be used to run any non-SoundGrid applications. Using non-SoundGrid protocols on the same network that carries SoundGrid audio might result in audio drops, application freezes, and other unexpected results.
Installing SuperRack v12 will update all SoundGrid firmware (interfaces and servers) and drivers to v12, which is not compatible with SoundGrid v9 software. To also use MultiRack SoundGrid or SoundGrid Studio, you will need to switch between v12 and v9 SoundGrid firmware and drivers.
SoundGrid host applications must be aligned to the same version for Device Sharing.
OS X users: When launching SuperRack, you might experience a brief flicker. This occurs when SuperRack adjusts the computer’s screen resolution and color scheme to its requirements. Upon quitting SuperRack, the screen will revert to the previous resolution and color scheme.
For best performance of audio transport from the SoundGrid Core Audio Driver to the SoundGrid network, Apple computers should use one of the following adapters:
- Sonnet Solo 10GB Thunderbolt 3-to-Ethernet Adapter (Type C connector)
- OWC Thunderbolt 3 10GB Ethernet Adapter (Type C connector)
- Apple Thunderbolt 2 to 1GB Ethernet Adapter (MDP connector)
Recording and playing back over 32 channels using your local Apple ethernet port is not recommended and may cause random audio drops.
Windows Users: For best performance of audio transport from the SoundGrid Core Audio Driver to the SoundGrid network, Windows computers featuring USB-C connectivity should use the following qualified adapter:
- Plugable USB Type-C Gigabit Ethernet Adapter USBC-E1000
DiGiCo Users: DiGiCo V1143 software is required to establish SuperRack remote control.
VPN software can alter network settings to meet its requirements. These changes can affect the network ports used for SoundGrid and may compromise performance of the SoundGrid network. We strongly advise that you remove, disable, or turn off all VPN software while working with SoundGrid.
MIDI feedback is not available in SuperRack.
Waves Plugins and applications are supported and tested on operating systems installed on the built-in system hard drive. Operating systems installed on external hard drives are not tested and may not be fully functional with our software.

SupeRack SoundGrid User Guide SuperRack User Guide

Known Issues

For a list of all known issues, please click here.

Control Surfaces

Touch and Multi-Touch Screens

Supports up to four screens (requires 4-port graphic adapter)
Single-touch support for Mac (using compatible drivers)

Sample Rate Support

44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz

Supported I/Os

SuperRack is compatible with all SoundGrid I/Os.
If the outputs of a DiGiGrid D / Q / M interface are patched to a Soundgrid Driver, audio will not pass if the Driver Network Buffer is set to 1024 samples in the Soundgrid host application. Workaround: change the driver’s network buffer to 512 or lower.
For some systems it is advisable to use a secondary computer for recording/playback. This provides optimal CPU and disk performance on the primary computer that is running SuperRack.

Supported SoundGrid Servers

All SoundGrid servers are supported, except DiGiGrid DGS-XL (not sold by Waves), which is neither certified nor supported for use with SuperRack.
For detailed SoundGrid server benchmarks, please see the Tech Specs tab in each of the servers product pages.

Supported Cables

Cat 5e, Cat 6 and Cat 7 cables are supported. Tested and approved cable length: 100 meters from I/O box to switch; up to 4 hops/switches. Consult this page for further info.

Supported Plugins

Waves plugins: See our plugin compatibility chart and plugin latency chart.

Third-party plugins: SuperRack v12 supports 64-bit plugins only, and therefore does not currently support third-party plugins. SoundGrid-compatible plugins by other manufacturers will be supported in the future, pending the manufacturers’ schedule.

Technical Support & Sales

Contact Technical Support & Sales

Run Plugins with Near-Zero Latency

Deliver award-winning sound quality with near-zero latency. SuperRack is powered by Waves’ SoundGrid^® technology, which provides you with real-time processing, using state-of-the-art tools trusted by countless Grammy-winning engineers.

Set Up Any Show Quickly and Easily

SuperRack is designed with user experience in mind. Using the setup wizard, the system scans and identifies all connected devices and configures them automatically. Link multiple racks together and adjust their parameters simultaneously to prevent redundant work. Instantly switch the order of plugins within each rack, copy plugins and their presets from channel to channel, add hardware processors as external inserts on your plugin racks, and much more.

Tailor the System to Your Workflow

Customize the workspace to your unique workflow by setting up and recalling snapshots with comprehensive scope, for plugin position, tempo, windows, worksurface setup, and much more. Use Custom Layers to combine the most important racks from your session into one view. Control SuperRack using User Assignable Keys, a MIDI device, and the computer keyboard.

Enjoy a Flexible, Touch-Optimized Workspace

Connect up to 4 touchscreens to unlock more workspace control and visibility into your session than ever before. Control your plugins with precision using a touch-and-slide fader to control small parameters that are tricky to adjust with just your fingertips.

Run the Show with Confidence

To ensure your system is stable and reliable, SuperRack lets you configure SoundGrid server redundancy and system mirroring. SuperRack also offers detailed network monitoring and device status, allowing you to view event logs for both the application and the network when needed.