How to Set up SuperRack SoundGrid with a Waves Equipped Console

Apr 19, 2023

Learn how to set up a console equipped with a Waves IO with SuperRack SoundGrid.

Shopping List

Let’s start with a list of all hardware, software and peripherals you will need to set this up:

  1. Waves equipped console (Yamaha, Allen & Heath, Behringer, etc.).
    DiGiCo users, please refer to this article.
  2. A computer, running either Windows or Mac that fully supports SuperRack SoundGrid, with:
    • SuperRack SoundGrid installed and licensed.
    • SoundGrid supported plugins.
  3. A USB flash drive for Waves licenses (optional).
  4. A SoundGrid Server to process plugins.
    When using a redundant server, it is highly recommended that they are of the same model and generation.
  5. A SoundGrid supported network switch. When connected to a DiGiCo or LAWO console, use three switches or less between the host computer and the console.
  6. Four SoundGrid compatible Ethernet cables at supported lengths (you should always have a few extras with you). Five cables if you have a redundant server.

Setting up

  1. Install and Activate Waves SuperRack SoundGrid and Plugins on the host computer:
    • Ensure your computer fully supports running both SuperRack SoundGrid and your Waves plugins versions (V10 and up). Version 9 plugins are not supported with SuperRack.
    • Install and Activate Waves licenses on the host computer:
      • Download Waves Central and follow the installer steps to install.
      • Open Waves Central.
        1. Click on Install Products
        2. Under “My Products” Select:
          • SuperRack SoundGrid.
          • Waves bundle/s or plugins you own licenses for and wish to install and activate on this setup.
          • Under Target Device for Licenses select the device you want to activate the licenses to.
          The Console’s Driver will be installed with SuperRack, there’s no need to install it separately.
        3. Click on Install and Activate.

Connect the network:

  1. Connect the following to Switch A with compatible ethernet cables at supported lengths:
    • Waves I/O Card
    • Host Computer
    • Server #1 – A Primary
    • Server #2 – A Redundant (optional)
    • Recording/Playback computer (optional)
  2. Power everything up.

Setup SuperRack:

  1. Launch SPRK on the host computer.
  2. In the Setup tab, under Port, choose the host computer’s LAN port that is used for SoundGrid. When a valid SoundGrid Port is recognized, the link status will show “Up” and the speed should show 1GBps.
  3. Assign the Waves I/O and server in the I/O, Devices, Hosts and Servers panels respectively.
  4. Open the Waves I/O control panel and make sure the clock source is set according to your clocking scheme. If the console is the only clock source, set the card to Digital.
  5. Now that your devices are assigned and clocked correctly, you can route audio to the racks manually or automatically. To route automatically, go to Overview 1 and select the 1-64 layer.
  6. Select Auto Route and choose which bank to route to, A or B.
    SuperRack will now patch racks to the card in fixed routing. 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 etc… If you require a different routing scheme, you can patch racks manually.

Setup Waves on the console:

  1. Make sure the console recognizes the card.
  2. If there are no other clocking devices in the network, set the console as master clock.
  3. If there is another master clock in the system, set the console as Slave.
  4. Create an insert to SuperRack on a selected channel and check audio is coming into SuperRack and back to the console.