Waves CA1000 User manual

Waves CA1000
Commercial Audio DSP Engine
Getting Started Guide

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Waves CA1000 is designed to dramatically improve audio quality and clarity in AV installations. It integrates easily
into an audio system using a standard ASIO device or Dante® audio networking.
The CA1000 can process up to 16 bidirectional (16x16) audio channels. The DSP processing engine uses the
Waves SuperRack application, which is fully integrated to run natively on the CA1000.
There are seventeen audio processing presets included, each designed for professional AV installations. They
address challenges of playback quality, speech intelligibility, feedback suppression, and more. The presets are
based on over two dozen low-latency Waves premium plugins. They can be used with their factory settings or
modified and saved as user presets for quick access to your custom settings.
Dante network audio channels are supported through the integrated Dante Virtual Soundcard driver (DVS), and
audio can be routed easily to and from the CA1000, using the Dante network controller.
ASIO devices are supported by installing the appropriate ASIO device driver directly on the CA1000.
The CA1000 is physically rugged and operationally robust and is designed for space-limited installations. It can be
rack-mounted or sit on a surface. It occupies only 1U half rack space.
The CA1000 hardware features include:
Intel® Celeron processor
8 GB RAM
256 GB SSD internal storage
2 HDMI ports
2 Ethernet ports
2 USB-3 ports, 2 USB-2 ports
Shelf-mountable case, 1U half-rack

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Connections and Controls
Front Panel
Power switch
Hold for five seconds to shut down the device.
2 USB-2 ports

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Real Panel
Power connector (C13) 100-240 VAC, 15W, auto-switching
2 USB-3 ports
2 HDMI ports
2 Gigabit Ethernet Network ports RJ-45 Gb Ethernet connectors. Use either port for
connection to the Dante network. The right-most
connector is the factory-configured Dante network
port.

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Setup Guide
Follow these steps to prepare the CA1000 for operation in an AV installation with an ASIO interface or Dante
network audio.
HARDWARE CONNECTIONS
1. Connect the power cables to mains. For the computer and all devices, use the enclosed power cables.
2. Connect the keyboard and mouse (used for CA1000 setup and configuration).
3. Connect up to two displays to the HDMI ports.
4. Connecting the CA1000 to a Dante network: Connect one of the LAN Ethernet ports to the switch on the
Dante audio network. The right-most RJ45 connector is the factory-configured Dante network port. Port
assignment can be changed in the Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS) configuration window.
Note: DVS is configured at the factory as the selected Audio Device in the SuperRack Setup tab.
5. Connecting the CA1000 to an ASIO interface: Connect the ASIO interface to one of the USB connectors on
the CA1000. Follow instructions provided by the interface manufacturer to install and configure the ASIO
driver on the CA1000.
Note: DVS is configured at the factory as the selected Audio Device in the SuperRack setup tab. If using an
ASIO device, the corresponding device driver must be selected after installing the ASIO interface.
WAVES CA1000 SOFTWARE
The Waves CA1000 comes with the software activated and is ready to use. The following applications are
included with the Waves CA1000 system:
•Waves SuperRack
•Audinate Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS)
Waves plugins that are used in the Waves CA preset library are installed and activated on the CA1000.
It is also possible to download the CA1000 software and plugins using your own Waves account. Follow these
steps to transfer the pre-activated licenses to your account:

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1. Create a free Waves account, if you don’t already have one (www.waves.com/create-account). This
account is used to manage your Waves products and licenses.
2. Register the CA1000 at www.waves.com/support. The product serial number can be found on a sticker
placed on the chassis of the CA1000 device, or on a printed sheet included in the CA1000 product box.
Once your registration is complete, the associated product license(s) will be deposited in your license
cloud.
3. Connect the CA1000 to the Internet using one of the Ethernet ports and launch the Waves Central
application to manage your Waves product license(s).
WAVES CA1000 SYSTEM POWER PROTECTION
It is highly recommended that the Waves CA1000 is installed in a rack with a power protection device, such as
an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). The UPS should include a power status notification mechanism,
typically a USB connection and software driver for the protected device.
Installing the system with the UPS status notification allows monitoring of the source power. In the event of a
power failure, the UPS will trigger a managed shutdown of the CA1000 and the Windows operating
environment.
Routing Setup
All devices should be properly connected and powered on. The CA1000 will automatically load all required drivers
and software and launch SuperRack.
Channel Patching and Routing Overview
All audio channels are routed to and from the CA1000 using either the Dante network or the ASIO interface. For
Dante installations, audio channel routing is completed using the internal rack audio patching on SuperRack, and the
external Dante patching, using the Dante Controller (or another compatible routing application).

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Routing Dante channels to the CA1000 using Dante Controller
The CA1000 appears on the Dante Controller application as a 16x16 channel device. Using the Routing View
window is a common way to create audio routes in Dante, as shown below. Refer to the Audinate website
(www.audinate.com) for more information.
CA1000 Tx/Rx channels (16x16)
Patches select routing between
Dante network devices

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Routing Dante Channels to CA1000 SuperRack Channels
Now you’re ready to route the Dante channels in SuperRack. A rack must be routed to an input and an output Dante
channel. Rack input and output routing is done in the SuperRack Rack window or Overview window. In the following
example, we will route rack input from a Dante channel to a single rack in the Rack window. Use the tab at the top to
open the Rack window.
SUPERRACK CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT
Select a rack.
Click on the Input arrow. This opens the Input
Device Assignment menu.
Select an input format (e.g., mono, Stereo, 5.0).
Select an input audio channel. Note that
channels are displayed in the “Dante Virtual
Soundcard.”
Rack outputs are routed in the same manner.
Confirm the routing in the Dante Controller for the network devices that will be connected to and from the CA1000.

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Inserting the CA1000 Presets (Plugin Chains)
Each plugin rack can support a single Waves CA preset. A preset includes several plugins, which are automatically
loaded when the preset is selected.
SUPERRACK RACK MENU
1. To insert a preset in a rack, click on the down arrow
(Rack window). This opens the drop-down menu.
2. Select “Factory Presets”, then “Waves CA Presets”.
3. Choose a preset category, then the desired preset.
Please refer to the Waves SuperRack user guide for comprehensive instructions about setting up and using the
Plugin rack. Download user guides for Waves plugins from the Waves Manuals Download page.

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Waves CA Presets (Plugin Chains)
The Waves CA Presets are arranged in four groups in SuperRack. The groups and corresponding presets are shown
below:
•Main Outs
oMain Out PA Generic
oMain Out PA with Subs
oPodcast Mic Mix Out
•Master Out Streaming
oMain Out Streaming 1
oMain Out Streaming 2
oPodcast Master
•Mic Speech Inputs
oHandheld Mic
oHeadworn Mic
oLav Mic
oPodcast Mic
oQA Mic
oSpeech Mic
oGooseneck Mic

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•Subgroups
oHandheld Group
oLav Group
oMic Group
oMusic Ducking Control
oPlayback Group
The following sections provide brief descriptions of the presets and the plugins used to create them. These are ideal
starting points for many typical installations. Each preset is designed to be usable without any changes. It is,
however, recommended that the integrator evaluates the resulting audio in the specific room installation and makes
necessary changes to the plugin settings to achieve optimal results.
Visit waves.com to learn more about the plugins used in these presets.

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Mic Speech Input Presets
Handheld Mic Preset
Designed to support a broad range of handheld mics used for any purpose, including singing and speaking. Some
adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a specific installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•NS1 provides noise suppression to substantially reduce background noise without affecting the vocal audio
source from the mic.
•MV2 helps improve the level of vocal audio and keeps the audio consistent.
•Q10 provides the front-end EQ to reduce low frequencies (typically troublesome with handheld mics) and
lower/eliminate “pops” in the voice processing.
•Sibilance Live greatly reduces the “S” and “Sh” sounds that occur in speech, which can be overemphasized
when amplified. This plugin process is very transparent and maintains the natural timbre and resonance of the
speaker’s voice.
Headworn Omni Mic Preset
Designed to support common head-worn omnidirectional mics, as used by an individual speaker (e.g., a main
presenter, pastor, master of ceremonies). Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a specific installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•X-FDBK provides real-time feedback suppression. It identifies the precise frequencies that cause feedback
and surgically cuts them, dramatically shortening the setup time required.

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•PSE helps to decrease ambient noise and potential phasing from other nearby mics. PSE also lets you reduce
stage bleed and sensitivity to feedback when a mic is idle, by automatically lowering mic levels when that mic
is not being spoken into.
•Q4 provides the front-end EQ to reduce low frequencies (typically troublesome with headworn mics) and
lower/eliminate “pops” in the voice processing.
•RVox smooths vocal dynamics with light compression and limiting. It gives more presence to quiet speakers
or those who are not familiar with speaking into a microphone, and it tames loud or overly dynamic speakers.
•Sibilance Live greatly reduces the “S” and “Sh” sounds that occur in speech, which can be overemphasized
when amplified. This plugin process is very transparent and maintains the natural timbre and resonance of the
speaker’s voice.
•F6-RTA is the final plugin process in the chain; it adds polish to the speaker’s voice before amplification.
Lav Mic Preset
Designed to support common lapel or lavalier (lav) mics, typically used by speakers who move about the stage,
such as presenters and pastors. Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a specific installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•Q10 provides the front-end EQ to reduce low frequencies (typically troublesome with headworn mics) and
lower/eliminate “pops” in the voice processing.
•C1 Comp balances the voice dynamics using very subtle compression settings.
•F6-RTA is the final plugin in the chain; it adds polish to the speaker’s voice before amplification.

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Podcast Mic Preset
Designed to process mic channels (or spoken voice channels, teleconference system inputs, etc.) used for online
streaming or podcasts.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•NS1 provides noise suppression to substantially reduce background noise without affecting the vocal audio
source from the mic.
•Q4 provides the front-end EQ to roll off low frequencies and reduce/eliminate “booms” and “pops” in the voice
processing. The preset also has a small boost between 1-2kHz to improve the clarity of the speaking voice.
•Sibilance Live greatly reduces the “S” and “Sh” sounds that occur in speech, which can be overemphasized
when amplified. This plugin process is very transparent and maintains the natural timbre and resonance of the
speaker’s voice.
•Playlist Rider provides automatic levelling of the audio signal to maintain a consistent vocal audio level for
the stream.
QA Mic Preset
Designed to support a broad range of handheld mics that may be used for audience Q&A. These mics are usually
placed in the room, and thus “in front” of the main PA. Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a specific
installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•X-FDBK provides real-time feedback suppression. X-FDBK identifies the precise frequencies that cause
feedback and surgically cuts them, dramatically shortening the setup time required.

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•PSE helps to decrease ambient noise and potential phasing issues from other nearby mics. PSE also lets you
reduce stage bleed and sensitivity to feedback when a mic is idle by automatically lowering mic levels when
that mic is not being spoken into.
•Vocal Rider Live automatically adjusts and smooths the vocal audio to maintain a consistent signal level.
Vocal Rider also has an exclusive Spill control to differentiate the vocal from background instruments and
noise.
•Q4 provides the front-end EQ to reduce low frequencies (typically troublesome with handheld mics) and
minimize the “thumps” and “pops” that occur when the mic and/or stand is handled.
•D5 is the final plugin in the chain. It provides five state-of-the-art dynamics processors—Gate, Leveler,
DeEsser, Compressor, and Limiter—in one easy-to-use interface.
Speech Mic Preset
Designed to support a broad range of handheld mics or conference table mics, as used by an individual speaker
(e.g., main presenter, pastor, forum speaker, master of ceremonies). Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune
for a specific installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•Q4 provides the front-end EQ to reduce low frequencies (typically troublesome with handheld mics) and
lower/eliminate “thumps” and “pops”.
•RVox smooths vocal dynamics with light compression and limiting. It gives more presence to quiet speakers
or those who are not familiar with speaking into a microphone, and it tames loud or overly dynamic speakers.
•Sibilance Live greatly reduces the “S” and “Sh” sounds that occur naturally in speech, which can be
overemphasized when amplified. This plugin process is very transparent and maintains the natural timbre and
resonance of the speaker’s voice.
•F6-RTA is the final plugin in the chain; it adds polish to the speaker’s voice before amplification.

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Gooseneck Mic Preset
Designed to reduce problems commonly encountered when gooseneck mics are mounted to a lectern or table
stand. Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a specific installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•X-FDBK provides real-time feedback suppression. X-FDBK identifies the precise frequencies that cause
feedback and surgically cuts them, dramatically shortening the setup time required.
•F6-RTA is used to make precise EQ adjustments to the voice audio based on the type and installation
placement of the mic.
•Q4 provides the front-end EQ to reduce low frequency thumps (which may occur from bumping the lectern or
table area around the gooseneck mic) and boost the mid- and high-mid frequencies for improved voice clarity.
•PSE helps to decrease ambient noise and potential phasing issues from other nearby mics. PSE also lets you
reduce stage bleed and sensitivity to feedback when a mic is idle by automatically lowering mic levels when
that mic is not being spoken into.

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Subgroups Presets
Handheld Group Preset
Designed to optimize the PA for the summation of multiple handheld or table mics used in a typical installation
environment. This preset should be used to ring out the system prior to setting the individual input channel presets.
Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a specific installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•F6-RTA is first in the chain to help focus the audio processing tasks.
•X-FDBK provides real-time feedback suppression. It identifies the precise frequencies that cause feedback
and surgically cuts them, dramatically shortening the setup time required. At installation, X-FDBK should be
set up to capture the specific characteristics of the room.
•GEQ Modern is the final plugin in the chain. It is used to remove any remaining problem frequencies in the
handheld mic group. Although basic generic EQ notches are provided for many common problematic
frequencies, these should be adjusted as needed during installation system tuning.
Lav Group Preset
Designed to optimize the PA for summing multiple lavalier (lav) mics. This preset should be used to “ring out” the
system prior to setting the individual input channel presets. Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a
specific installation use case.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•F6-RTA is first in the chain to help focus the audio processing tasks.

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•X-FDBK provides real-time feedback suppression. It identifies the precise frequencies that cause feedback
and surgically cuts them, dramatically shortening the setup time required. At installation, X-FDBK should be
set up to capture the specific characteristics of the room.
•GEQ Modern is the final plugin in the chain. It is used to remove any remaining problem frequencies in the
handheld mic group. Although basic generic EQ notches are provided for many common problematic
frequencies, these should be adjusted as needed during installation system tuning.
Mic Group Preset
Designed to optimize the PA for the summation of multiple mics used by multiple speakers. This preset helps to
even out and level the mics for sound consistency. Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a specific
installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•C6-SC provides dynamic compression for general shaping of the mic subgroup, with additional processing to
help with de-essing and de-popping.

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Music Ducking Control Preset
Designed to provide a special processing chain for one subgroup (typically mics) that can override another chain
(typically background music). In this case, the background music is automatically compressed when a mic is being
used. This chain requires the use of the sidechain feature to trigger the chain’s music ducking control.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•Vitamin provides multiband processing of the background source (music).
•Playlist Rider provides automatic levelling of the audio signal. It helps balance the volume of multiple sources
(host, guest, music playlist, audio clips)—automatically, non-destructively, and in real time—to achieve
natural, consistent levels.
•D5 compresses the background music audio when there is audio signal on the sidechain input. This should be
connected to the appropriate mic subgroup.
Playback Group Preset
Designed to provide consistent volume level and sound for source audio players assigned to the subgroup.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•C1 Comp is first in the chain and provides moderate compression when the overall input signal is too high.
•Playlist Rider provides automatic levelling of the audio signal. It helps balance the volume of multiple sources
(host, guest, music playlist, audio clips)—automatically, non-destructively, and in real time—to achieve
natural, consistent levels.
•F6-RTA is the final plugin in the chain. It adds polish to the playback group audio before amplification.

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Main Out Presets
Main Out PA Generic Preset
Designed to provide final processing of the audio signal before amplification in the PA (for an installation without
subwoofers). Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a specific installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•F6 RTA adds low- and high-mid frequency polishing to the audio mix.
•MaxxVolume provides additional final processing to smooth and level the audio before routing to the main PA.
Main Out PA with Subs Preset
Designed to provide final processing of the audio signal before amplification in the PA, for an installation that
includes subwoofers. Some adjustments may be needed to fine-tune for a specific installation.
Processing Chain by Plugins:
•C1 Comp is the first plugin in the chain. It provides very light compression to smooth the overall input signal.
•Q4 provides the overall output EQ control, with a slight boost in the 2kHz range.
•F6 RTA adds low- and high-mid-frequency polishing to the audio mix.
•Sub Align aligns the PA subs and tops for the specific room installation to add punch and clarity to the low
frequencies.