Waves IONIC 16 User manual

Safety Instructions for IONIC 16
WARNING:ELECTRICAL HAZARD
To ensure your safety, please read this manual thoroughly before using the unit. Please observe these safety rules.
1. Keep this user guide for future reference.
2. Take notice of and comply with all warnings
included in the user guide or indicated on the
device itself.
3. Do not expose this unit to rain or moisture. Do not
spill water or other liquids on this unit.
4. When cleaning the cabinet or other parts of this
appliance, use only a dry or slightly damp soft
cloth.
5. Do not block any ventilation openings or interfere
with the proper ventilation of this unit. Install in
accordance with the instructions.
6. Do not defeat the internal ventilation fans.
7. Do not use or store near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other heat-
producing appliances.
8. Protect the power cord from being walked on or
otherwise damaged by items placed on or against it.
Particular attention should be given to the plugs,
receptacles, and the point where the cord exits the
appliance.
9. To avoid the risk of electrical shock, do not touch
any exposed wiring while the unit is in operation.
10. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.
11. Unplug this unit and all connected electrical
equipment during lightning storms or when left
unused for a long period of time.
12. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the appliance has been
damaged in any way or fails to operate normally.
For questions about safe installation, please contact us at www.waves.com.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
3
Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................................. 4
HARDWARE AND CONNECTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 5
Front Panel ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Rear Panel....................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Getting Started................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Connect the Hardware ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Download and Install Software ........................................................................................................................................ 9
Configure the System .................................................................................................................................................... 11
Status Indicators ........................................................................................................................................................ 12
Updating Firmware..................................................................................................................................................... 13
Identifying a Device on the SoundGrid Network......................................................................................................... 13
Shared Devices on Multiple LV1 systems...................................................................................................................... 13
IONIC 16 CONTROL PANEL ............................................................................................................................................ 14
Input Page.................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Output Tab ................................................................................................................................................................. 18
Clock Tab ................................................................................................................................................................... 19
System Info Tab and About Tab................................................................................................................................. 20
Presets....................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Device ID.................................................................................................................................................................... 21
RESETTING THE UNIT .................................................................................................................................................... 21
SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................ 22
Dimensions ................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Installing IONIC 16 in a Rack ..................................................................................................................................... 25
Waves Inc
2800 Merchants Drive, Knoxville, TN 37912 USA
1-865-909-9200
www.waves.com

IONIC 16 / User Guide
4
Introduction
The Waves IONIC 16 audio Interface is a stagebox for use with SoundGrid systems. It is particularly suited for
eMotion LV1 live sound systems. IONIC 16 provides 16 channels of mic/line input on XLR/TRS combo connectors
and 12 line level outputs on XLR connectors. There are also XLR AES3 input and output connectors and two
headphone jacks. Most I/O connections are from the front panel.
IONIC 16 features a new generation of Waves Signature Preamps: fast response; maximum headroom, and fully
discrete analog circuits. A switchable harmonic enhancer adds analog warmth and harmonics without compromising
punch or clarity. Preamp impedance is selectable between 2k ohms and 7k ohms.
IONIC operates within a SoundGrid system. Devices are connected to the eMotion LV1 application via Ethernet
cables and can be up to 100 meters from the SoundGrid-compatible Ethernet switch. The 2U, 19" rack-mountable
cabinet can be mounted in a flight case or rack. IONIC 16 has two power supply options: 100 V–240 V mains and a
24 VDC external power supply. Using them together provides auto-switching redundancy.
SoundGrid is the Waves high-speed networking protocol for moving audio, clock, and other information between a host
system and I/O devices—and between I/O devices themselves. A SoundGrid host manages the network and assigns
servers and I/O devices to mix, process, and record, depending on the host.
SoundGrid is scalable. Connect one I/O device to a DAW and you have a high-quality sound card. Add more I/Os and
your system becomes more flexible and powerful. Depending on the application, a SoundGrid host can assign up to
sixteen I/O devices. Complete SoundGrid systems can be networked together to share devices.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
5
Hardware and Connections
Front Panel
Analog Inputs 1–16, XLR mic/line; TRS, line
Analog Outputs 1–8, XLR
Two headphone jacks and controls
SoundGrid status LED

IONIC 16 / User Guide
6
Rear Panel
Power switch
Firmware reset (for troubleshooting)
Mains fuse1
Ethernet status indicators
Mains: IEC 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz
etherCON network connector
External power socket2
AES input and output
Analog outputs 9–12
1Fuse: 2 amp slow blow
2External power supply: 24VDC / 4-pin XLR: pin 1positive, pin 4 negative
Warning
Before changing the fuse, confirm that the mains cable and the external power supply cables are
disconnected from the IONIC 16 device.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
7
Getting Started
An eMotion LV1 SoundGrid system consists of at least one I/O device and at least one server. The I/O provides
bidirectional audio and clock, and the server powers the mixer and provides plugin processing for large plugin
counts. These, along with the LV1 application, make up a SoundGrid network.
There are three steps in setting up a SoundGrid network:
1. Connect the I/Os and servers to the host computer via a SoundGrid-approved 1GB switch. Use Cat 5e (or
better) Ethernet cables.
2. Install the eMotion LV1 software.
3. Configure all devices using the LV1 Inventory.
Refer to the eMotion LV1 User Guide for detailed information about connecting and configuring SoundGrid devices.
Connect the Hardware
The system below consists of an eMotion LV1, one server, and one Ionic I/O. This provides mic and line inputs
onstage, as well as monitor channels. The devices are connected through the 1GB Ethernet switch.
LV1 application
Connect one of the host computer’s Ethernet
ports to the switch. Use this port ONLY for the
SG network—do not connect it to the internet
or other networks.
Ionic 16 I/O Stagebox
I/O on stage. All I/Os can be up to 100 meters
from the switch.
SoundGrid Server
The power of the server determines the plugin
count.
SG switch
For an up-to-date list of approved SG switches,
visit this support article.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
8
EXPAND YOUR SYSTEM
You can assign up to 16 I/O devices to an LV1 system, depending on the number of channels per devic e, as well as
your LV1 license. You can also add up to eight servers (max: four active servers and four redundant servers). Note
that in this example there is an additional Ethernet switch onstage.
However large the system, basic hardware connections are always the same.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
9
Download and Install Software
IONIC 16 operates in a SoundGrid environment, so a SoundGrid app (such as eMotion LV1) must be installed on the
host computer. If a SoundGrid app is not currently installed, use Waves Central to install it. Waves Central is an app
used to install all Waves software products and to manage licenses. If you don’t have the Waves Central app, you
can download it here.
Installation is the same for all SG host apps. Here, we are using eMotion LV1 to illustrate three situations for
installing or updating an SG host application or drivers.
LV1 CLEAN INSTALL
To install the current version of eMotion LV1 and the SG drivers, launch Waves Central and follow these steps:
Select Install Products
Choose All Products
Search for the product by name
Select LV1 and click Install
If you have not activated your LV1 license, you can do so from the Licenses tab. Learn more from the Waves
Central user guide.
When the installation is complete, you will be prompted to re-start your computer.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
10
ADDING AN IONIC 16 TO AN EXISTING LV1 SYSTEM
When assigning a new IONIC 16 to an existing LV1 system, you probably won’t need to do anything special. Since
all SG drivers are installed when you install a SoundGrid host, the device should be available for assignment. If,
however, the driver is damaged or missing, you can reinstall it from Waves Central. There are two ways to go about
this.
Update LV1 to Latest Version
This updates LV1 and all drivers to the current version.
Go to Waves Central. If updates are available, it will be
indicated at the top of the window.
Click Update.
Install Drivers Only
You can install or update drivers without updating LV1 to a newer version.
Go to Waves Central.
Search for and select the
IONIC 16 driver.
Install.
LICENSES
You do not need a license to use IONIC 16. However, many hosts or specific host configurations do require a license.
Refer to the LV1 product page for details. Plugins and bundles likely require licenses.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
11
Configure the System
A SoundGrid network is configured in the LV1 Setup window. At the heart of this page are racks where devices are
assigned. This is the Inventory. Any compatible device that’s part of the host’s SoundGrid network, or shared across
other SoundGrid networks, will be available for assignment.
CONFIGURING DEVICES AUTOMATICALLY
The first time you launch LV1, click Auto-Config to configure all your devices. For most configurations, this is
sufficient.
If you later want to add devices or rearrange your inventory, run Auto-Config from the System
Inventory page. Auto-Config identifies the computer’s Ethernet port that is attached to the SoundGrid
network. Next, it scans the SoundGrid network for devices. It then assigns devices and patches them to the
host. We recommend that you let Auto-Config take care of device assignment, at least for your initial setup.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
12
MANUAL DEVICE CONFIGURATION
You can assign, remove, and manage a device manually. Click on
the arrow symbol in a device slot (circled here in yellow) to open
the Device Menu, then select an IONIC 16 from the Network
Devices submenu. If more than one IONIC 16 is connected to the
SoundGrid network, each will appear in the Device Menu. Any
device that is not already in use will be available for assignment
(‘Free”). If no other devices are assigned, the current device will
become your clock master.
The local computer can be assigned from the Network Device menu. Drivers and servers are assigned in the same
manner. See the LV1 user guide for specific instructions about device assignment, I/O channel patching, and clock.
Status Indicators
The LED on the front panel of IONIC 16 indicates network status.
Blinking Red
Device is ON, but not connected to a system (host).
Blue
Device is connected to a system.
Yellow
Device needs a firmware update.
Multi-color
ID light that is triggered by the panel that is controlling the device. This identifies the hardware.
Red/White bursts
The device is not connected to the SG Network and is running on external power.
Blue/White bursts
The device is connected to the SG Network and is running on external power.
LEDs on the rear panel show the speed/standard of the Ethernet connection.
One LED
100 MBS
Two LEDs
1 GB

IONIC 16 / User Guide
13
Updating Firmware
The color of the FW button in a device slot indicates the current firmware status. To update firmware, click on the FW
button. Do not disconnect the device or turn off the computer before Done appears.
Once the update is ready, turn the device off and on to reset it. If a driver is missing or damaged,
you may need to reinstall it from Waves Central (see page 10).
Identifying a Device on the SoundGrid Network
Click the ID button to activate a hard-to-miss LED on the panel of the corresponding hardware
device. You can also activate the LED from the top bar of the device’s control panel.
Grey
Compatible firmware
Blue
Compatible firmware, but a newer version exists
Red
Firmware not compatible and must be updated in order to use
Shared Devices on Multiple LV1 systems.
Multiple eMotion LV1 systems can join together to form a super system. I/O devices can be shared
among these systems. Individual I/O channels can be assigned across the network, and preamps can be
controlled from any LV1 in the network.
Consult the eMotion LV1 user guide for details.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
14
IONIC 16 Control Panel
There are two ways to open the device control panel:
FROM THE DEVICE RACK
Click on the Gear button on a device in the rack slot.
FROM THE DRIVER CONTROL PANEL
Open the driver control panel and then click the Hardware Control Panel button. The
driver control panel is located here in the host computer:
PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\Waves\SoundGrid\Driver Control Panel
Mac: System HD/Applications/Waves/SoundGrid
CONTROL PANEL PAGES
The Clock, Input, and Output pages are used to set up and manage the unit. The About and System Info pages
provide information about the unit, such as MAC address, SOE master, firmware version, and more.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
15
Input Page
The Input tab is used to configure the device’s 16 analog mic/line inputs.
Preamp controls
Presets: load and save
Input meters
Device name in Inventory
Preamp input gain adjust
Device status: when red, device is offline
AES input meters
Clip level indicator selector
Power source: Int/Ext
Device ID on/off

IONIC 16 / User Guide
16
PREAMP CONTROLS
Mic/Line
Sets input level mode for mic or line inputs.
Mic: Enables input level adjustment (-3 dB to +60 dB), for both XLR and TRS.
Line: Gain is fixed. XLR is set to 0 dB, 7k ohms. TRS set to -6 dB pad, 14.6k ohms.
48 v
Phantom power: on or off
Mic impedance
Sets mic impedance: 2k ohms or 7k ohms. This enables proper pairing of the mic to the
preamp. Some mics work better at a lower impedance, others at a higher one. To a certain
extent, 2k ohms was the classic impedance during the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s. Beyond the 2000s, 7k
ohms predominates. It is more linear and there is less signal loss, especially if you perform
analogue splits before the preamp. However, it’s not cut and dry: there is a slight sound
difference between the two impedances. Except where the impedance choice is obvious, it’s
best to experiment with these two options.
HMX
Turns Waves Harmonic Enhancer on or off. Harmonic enhancement usually results in a more
natural-sounding, warmer sound, as found in classic analog equipment.
Bypass HMX for a more neutral sound.
The AES signal’s sample rate is always converted to match the sample rate of the IONIC 16 device.
INPUT LEVEL ADJUST
Controls the gain of the IONIC 16 preamps. Small values are used for line inputs, large for
mic inputs. Range: 0 dB to 60 dB in steps of 1 dB
A setting of 0 allows a +24 dB input without clipping. A setting of +20 dB allows a +4 dB
input without clipping. The channel number is shown to the left of the control; the current
gain is indicated in the box above.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
17
LEVEL ADJUST
Use the Clip Level drop-down menu to set the level at which clipping will be indicated by the LED in the meter. This
does not affect the level of the audio, only the point at which clipping is indicated.
Range: -6 dB to 0 dB
PSU INDICATOR
This indicates the IONIC 16 power source.
110 v to 240 v internal power supply
Redundant 24 VDC external power supply; 4-pin XLR—pin 1 negative, pin 4 positive

IONIC 16 / User Guide
18
Output Tab
There are 12 line outputs, a stereo AES output, and 2 stereo headphone outputs.
Headroom Select
Select +18 dBu or +24 dBu mixer headroom
Analog output meters, dBFS
-60 dB to 0 dB, +18 dBu and +24 dBu full scale line output levels
AES output meter
Level indication only; no input control
Headphone meters
One meter for each headphone channel

IONIC 16 / User Guide
19
Clock Tab
Use the Clock tab to manage the clock relationship between the IONIC 16 and the SoundGrid network. The following
image shows IONIC 16 locked to the network via Sync Over Ethernet (SOE). The device can also serve as the SOE
clock master.
Source Select
Request a clock source. If this source is not available, IONIC 16 will poll all other
potential clock sources. If there are no available clock sources, IONIC 16 will switch
to internal clock.

IONIC 16 / User Guide
20
Sample Rate
When IONIC 16 is the SOE clock master and is set to internal clock, this drop-down
menu is used to set the device’s sample rate (and hence the sample rate of the SOE
network). When IONIC 16 is not the clock master, this window displays the SOE
network sample rate.
Status
Displays the device network sync status.
SOE
Indicates SOE status (on/off, SOE Master/SOE Slave)
Current Clock Source
Indicates the actual current clock source. If the device is unable to sync to the
requested clock, this displays the fallback.
System Info Tab and About Tab
The About page contains a description of the device. The System Info tab contains technical details about the device,
including MAC address, firmware version, and module version. This information is useful for troubleshooting. Please
have this information handy if you contact Waves technical support concerning the device.