Waves MultiRack SoundGrid V9.5 User manual

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Waves
MultiRack SoundGrid V9.5
For DiGiCo
Troubleshooting Guide

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Table of Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................31. Components Required for Establishing a MultiRack SoundGrid System..................32. Proper System Configuration...................................................................................43. Troubleshooting.......................................................................................................84. SoundGrid Preferences...............................................................................................8
SoundGrid Inventory ...................................................................................................9
SoundGrid Servers................................................................................................11
SoundGrid Connections ............................................................................................12
General Information - How Do I Know Which Version Is Installed?........................135. What Is installed?..................................................................................................156. Physical Connection..............................................................................................167. FAQ.......................................................................................................................208. FAQ - Installation.......................................................................................................20
FAQ - Usage.............................................................................................................22
FAQ - Licenses..........................................................................................................24
Appendix ...............................................................................................................269. Appendix A –Servers................................................................................................26
Waves SoundGrid Extreme Server........................................................................26
Waves SoundGrid Server One ..............................................................................27
Waves SoundGrid Impact Server ..........................................................................28
Appendix B –How to Re-Flash SG Server Manually.................................................29
Appendix C - SoundGrid Compatible Switches..........................................................30
Appendix D - Ethernet Cables for SoundGrid Systems..............................................30
Appendix E –Compatible Plugins & Latency Chart...................................................32

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Introduction1.
The objective of this document is to assist you with troubleshooting Waves MultiRack
SoundGrid V9.5 for DiGiCo systems. This guide is written under the assumption that you
have read and followed the setup instructions available on our website before attempting
to fix your problem.
This guide is divided into five sections:
1. Illustration of a functioning SG System
2. Guide to resolve a non-functioning SG System
3. General information about the SG System components
4. Frequently asked questions
5. Appendix
Components Required for Establishing a MultiRack2.
SoundGrid System
1. Waves I/O card: Pre-installed in the console.
2. Waves qualified SoundGrid Server: A multi-core PC used for real-time audio
processing. See a list of Waves-qualified Servers in Appendix A –Servers.
3. Network switch: See a list of Waves-qualified switches in Appendix C - SoundGrid
Compatible Switches.
4. Ethernet Cables: Standard CAT5e or CAT6 Ethernet cables. See a list of supported
length per cable type and application in Appendix D - Ethernet Cables for SoundGrid
Systems.
5. USB Flash Drive/iLok with activated licenses for Waves SoundGrid compatible
plugins.

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Proper System Configuration3.
This section displays the basic Windows and Settings of an operational Waves
MultiRack SoundGrid System. Establish a proper system configuration by following the
“Setup Instructions” below, which are also available online on our Download Page:
1. Launch the SD Software.
2. Select the “Waves” Tab.
3. Go to Window Preferences.
4. General Tab Settings:
Link Status = Up
Link Speed = 100 Mbps
SoundGrid Network Found

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5. Plug-in Manager Tab Settings:
The plugin version you intend to use and have licenses for is checked.
6. Go to Window SoundGrid Inventory
7. SoundGrid Inventory Settings:
Sample Rate: Matches the state of the console.
Network and Driver Latency: Correct settings depend on the Server in use.
I/O: DiGiCo I/O is assigned and Status is On. (Only SD7 consoles can apply 64
channels.)
MR: MultiRack is assigned and Status is On.
SG Server/s: Assigned and Status is On.

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Minimum Network Latency Settings
48 kHz
96 kHz
Extreme Server
40 Samples
80 Samples
Server One
40 Samples
80 Samples
Impact Server
56 Samples
112 Samples
Please Note: : In the SoundGrid Inventory window the Network Latency range is 40 / 56
/ 80 / 96 at 48 kHz sampling rate, and 80 / 112 / 160 / 192 at 96 kHz.

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8. Go to Window SoundGrid Connections.
9. SoundGrid Connections Settings:
DiGiCo I/O connection to MutliRack is checked.
MutliRack connection to DiGiCo I/O is checked.
In/Out CH Range is 1-32 (Only SD7 consoles can apply 64 Channels).

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Troubleshooting4.
If an ERR appears in the MultiRack SoundGrid status window while the MRSG is
loaded, follow these steps to inspect all settings and the system components:
SoundGrid Preferences
1) Click on the Waves Tab.
2) Go to Window Preferences.
3) If you see the SoundGrid network NOT found message, and Local LAN Port is
set to None, open the dropdown menu, and set it to your console’s Ethernet card.
4) If you see the SoundGrid network NOT found message, and Local LAN Port is
already set to your console’s Ethernet card, check the following:
a) If Link Status is UP, and Link Speed is 100Mbps, it means that the I/O and
SoundGrid Server are disconnected.
b) If Link Status is DOWN, and Link Speed is N/A, it might be for one of the
following reasons:
The Switch is turned off or not compatible - Please refer to Appendix
C - SoundGrid Compatible Switches.
The Ethernet cable is disconnected or defective on the Console (host)
computer.
Some of all cables are possibly too long or not compatible –Please
refer to Appendix D - Ethernet Cables for SoundGrid Systems.
If the SoundGrid Preferences are set correctly and the issue persists, check the
SoundGrid Inventory window next .

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SoundGrid Inventory
Go to Window SoundGrid Inventory.
1. Sample Rate:
If the Sample Rate Appears as N/A, it might be for the following reasons:
DiGiCo I/O is not assigned.
If DiGiCo I/O is assigned and On, the Internal Data Cable connecting DiGiCo I/O
to the console might be unplugged or defective. Another option is that the DiGiCo
I/O itself is defective. To resolve the problem please contact DiGiCo.
2. DiGiCo:
a) If the DiGiCo I/O Status is On, assign the Device. It should be functional now.
b) If the DiGiCo I/O Status is NOT On, un-assign the DiGiCo I/O and click refresh.
c) If the DiGiCo I/O appears as “Not Compatible”,then click “Update”
Once the Firmware update has completed, you will be prompted to turn the Console off.
If the update fails and an error message "Could not find the appropriate Firmware
Updater file" appears, it means that the I/O Firmware version is old, and you need to
download the Firmware Updater Tool.

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Instructions for downloading the Firmware Updater Tool:
1. Go to the Waves For DiGiCo downloads page -> Version 8 tab.
2. Download the Firmware Updater Tools required for V1-to-V2.5
Upgrade. Choose between SD7 and all other models.
3. Copy this file to your SD console via a USB Flash Drive. Technical Note:
No need to disable the ReadyOn for this process.
4. Run DiGiCo-firmware-updater-for-sdx-type.zip file on your console and
follow the instructions.
5. If this is an SD7 console, repeat the process for the second Engine.
d) If the DiGiCo I/O has disappeared from the list, it might be for one of the following
reasons:
Ethernet cable is disconnected from I/O or Switch.
Ethernet cable is disconnected from Host or Switch.
Defective Ethernet Cable.
Network Switch is turned off.
Network Switch is not compatible (Switch doesn’t have 1GB connection).
Please refer to Appendix C - SoundGrid Compatible Switches.
Not a CAT5E or CAT6 cable.
Ethernet cables are too long –Pleases refer to Appendix D - Ethernet Cables
for SoundGrid Systems.
DiGiCo I/O Internal data cable or power supply cable are disconnected or
defective:
i. If the Network activity led light is ON on your SoundGrid switch port but
OFF on the I/O, the problem is in the data cable. To resolve this issue
please contact DiGiCo for further instructions.
ii. If the Network activity led light is OFF on both the SoundGrid switch port
and the I/O, the problem is with the power supply cable. To resolve this
problem please contact DiGiCo for further instructions.
Defective DiGiCo I/O. To resolve this issue please contact DiGiCo for further
instructions.

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SoundGrid Servers
Once you have confirmed that the I/O is functioning properly and is not the cause of the
problem, check the SG Server/s:
a) If SG Server Status is On, assign the Device, it should be functional now.
b) If the SG Server Status is N/A, un-assign it and press refresh.
c) If SG Server appears as “Not Compatible”, press “Update”.
Once the Firmware update has completed, the server will automatically restart and the
Server Status will be ON. Next, assign SG Server to 1. If a second redundant server is in
use, repeat the same update process, and upon completion assign the redundant server
to 2.
d) If the SG Server has disappeared from the list, it might be for the following
reasons:
Server is OFF.
Ethernet cable is disconnected from Server or Switch.
Ethernet cable is disconnected from Host or Switch. (Hint: in this case the I/O
status will appear as N/A).
Defective Ethernet Cable.
Network Switch is turned off.
Network Switch is not compatible (Switch doesn’t have 1GB connection).
Please refer to Appendix C - SoundGrid Compatible Switches.
Ethernet cable is not compatible - Not a CAT5E or CAT6 cable.
Ethernet cables are too long –Please refer to Appendix D - Ethernet Cables
for SoundGrid Systems.
We suggest to manually re-flash the SoundGrid Server using a USB Flash Drive only if
all possibilities above have been exhausted. Please refer to Appendix B –How to Re-
Flash SG Server Manually.
Once the SoundGrid Inventory window is set up properly, the only thing left to
inspect is the SoundGrid connections window.

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SoundGrid Connections
1. Go to Window SoundGrid Connections.
2. Make sure that the following connections are set up properly:
a. Source - DiGiCo I/O - to Destination –MultiRack.
b. Source - MultiRack - to Destination - DiGiCo I/O.
The channel range for these connections depends on your SD console model:
SD7: 1 - 64 Channels, running 32 Mono/Stereo MultiRacks.
SD5, SD8, SD9, SD10, SD11 : 1 - 32 Channels, running 16 Mono/Stereo
MultiRacks.
3. Turn Individual Connections On.
You can create connections manually or use the “Load Default” button. Remember to
turn individual connections ON.

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General Information - How Do I Know Which5.
Version Is Installed?
The version of the MultiRackSoundGrid will appear in the “Load Screen” when launching
the SD software. There are two other ways for determining which version is installed on
the DiGiCo console:
1. Click the “Advanced” tab and select “About MultiRack” and its window will appear
.
2. Exit to Windows, navigate to D:\SDx folder and right lick on the file named
MultirackACGI, Next, select “Properties” and check the Version Tab.
Only the latest installer for each major version is available on our website. To determine
which installer was used on a current system, you can access the Windows Control
Panel, click on Add or Remove Programs and compare your version with the installer
version on our download page.
The images below illustrate how hovering the mouse over a component in the Inventory
Window displays the current Firmware version installed. (It is not possible to see this
information if your Firmware is listed as incompatible.)

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1. Hovering mouse over SoundGrid Servers to view Firmware version:
2. Hovering mouse over SoundGrid I/O to view Firmware version:

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What Is installed?6.
After running the installer, files will automatically be placed in their designated locations
as listed below. Do not move files manually.
D:\Waves\V9 Plug-ins
D:\Waves\Caches
D:\Waves\Prefrences
D:\Waves\Waveshells
D:\Waves\Firmware
D:\SDx
Why all MultiRack SoundGrid compatible plugins are installed by default
In the instance where a DiGiCo system is owned by a rental company, we recommend
installing all potentially relevant plugins in advance. This should help optimize your
DiGiCo system to meet the needs of most users. It is further advisable to avoid any
frequent or repeated un-installing and re-installing of plugins as it may render your
system more prone to errors. Individual users can access any pre-installed plugins by
simply purchasing the respective licenses.
On privately owned systems unlicensed plugins can be manually removed by navigating
to D:\Waves\V9 Plug-ins, and moving the respective plugin “.bundle” files to a new
folder titled “Unused Plugins” (you can create this folder yourself). It is recommended
that the location of this folder is within the Plugins Folder for easy access. This action
should only be performed after closing the MultiRackSoundGrid..
Caches
When loading MultiRack SoundGrid for the first time, the application scans the system
and creates cashe files for the plugins.

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Physical Connection7.
The basic connections are illustrated in the picture below.
Switch
A 1GB switch is required, due to the amount of information flowing between the I/O and
the servers.
The connection of the server to the switch must show a 1 GB link. The Host (DiGiCo
embedded computer) will show a 100 MB link. This is a limitation of the onboard
Network Adapter and is normal.
Insufficient link speed of different components will result in missing or N/A listings within
the Inventory Window.
You can determine the link speed by looking at the indicators on the switch itself. There
are indications on the Ethernet ports as well.

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Switch
Led State Per Port
Activity
ProSafe 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet
Switch GS108v3
Left LED - 100 Mbps link
Right LED - 10 Mbps link
Both LEDs - 1000 Mbps link
Blinking
HP 1410-16G Switch (J9560A)
16 Port Rack Mountable Switch
Link/Act - 10 or 100Mbps
Speed ON - 1000Mbps
Blinking
Preferences Window
The Preferences Window consists of two sections.
General Tab (Local LAN Port): Lists all available network adapters. Choose the
network adapter that is connected to the SoundGrid network. Network adapters are
displayed by MAC addresses and port name. When you select the proper port and all
components are connected and recognized, a message “SoundGrid Network Found”
will be displayed.

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Plug-in Manager Tab (only available in V9):
Please note: MultiRack V9.5 supports V9 plugins only.
Rescan Present Licenses
If you are preparing a session, and routing without licenses (flash drive or iLok key); the
plugin won’t process audio but you can still assign inserts, FX, and load the plugin.
To enable a disabled plugin:
Connect your USB flash drive (V9).
Go to Advanced Menu and click on “Rescan Present Licenses”. All disabled
plugins will be enabled.
You can re-enable plugins individually by right clicking on any disabled ones, and
choosing the Enable option from the menu.

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Inventory Window
The Inventory window lists all of the SoundGrid Components on your network and lets
you select, assign, and update the devices you are using. The Device column lists all
available Components: I/O card, MultiRack (the processing device) and SG Servers
(MultiRack’s processing engine).
Please remember:
- A device isn’t usable until it is assigned.
- Devices might be listed in the inventory window even if they are not connected or
recognized. (Previously connected and assigned information is saved to a
preference file.)
It is important to pay attention to the “Status” column. There are three possible modes:
- On: Connected and available to be assigned.
- In Use: A different MultiRack SoundGrid or Driver is connected to the same
Network and is controlling this Device. The Current MultiRack SoundGrid will not
be able to use this particular device.
- N/A: The device was originally assigned but it is currently not connected or
recognized..
Incompatible: This message will appear if the I/O or Server firmware version doesn’t
match the version of MRSG installed, which will require you to click the “Update” button
on the same Device Line.
Sample Rate: This field displays the sample rate. The MultiRack SoundGrid is slaved to
the console’s sample rate at all times, and this field cannot be edited. This information is
derived through the DiGiCo I/O. If the I/O is faulty or neither connected, recognized, or
assigned, the Sample Rate info will display N/A.
Network Latency: The range is 40 / 56 / 80 /96., This value sets the buffering delay
used by the processing SG Server. For correct latency setting per server See a list of
Waves-qualified Servers in Appendix A –Servers.
Plugins can introduce and add latency to the overall system latency. A plugin latency
chart can be viewed in Appendix E –Compatible Plugins & Latency Chart.

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FAQ8.
FAQ - Installation
Question:
I am unable to extract the installer file to my Flash Drive.
Answer:
Please make sure your Flash Drive has at least 2GB of free space. If you are still not
able to extract the installer, try a different USB Flash Drive.(your current drive may be
defective). If you are still unable to extract the installer file, it might be that the file is
corrupted. In this case, please try to download the file again from:
http://www.waves.com/downloads/digico#v9
Question:
How do I know if I have the latest version of Waves on My system?
Answer:
Refer to “How Do I Know Which Version Is Installed?”.
Question:
How do I only update the MultiRack SoundGrid on my system?
Answer:
Visit the www.waves.com download page for DiGiCo. An individual MultiRack SoundGrid
installer is available. You can also run the “All-In-One” installer.
Question:
A new plugin has been released, and I updated my license. How do I install only this
new plugin on my MultiRack SoundGrid?
Answer:
Visit www.waves.com download page for DiGiCo. An individual V9 MRSG Plugin
installer is available. You can also run the “All-In-One” installer.
Question:
I get a blue screen after restarting my system.