WesAudio _MIMAS User manual

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www.WesAudio.com
_MIMAS
User manual
EN
Copyright 2016 by WesAudio

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Thank You for the purchase of _MIMAS
_MIMAS
World's first 1176 style compressor with digital control through VST/AAX/AU plugin
With kind regards
Radoslaw Wesolowski and Michal Weglicki

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World's first 1176 style compressor with digital control
through VST/AAX/AU plugin.
Since year 1968 this style of compression dominated hundreds of recordings and to this day it is
most commonly used signal processor in the industry. Lightning-fast attack and release times
became main companions of audio engineers. WesAudio proudly presents _MIMAS –ng500
series implementation of legendary FET compressor. This time, along with classic analog sound,
You will receive most demanded feature in audio industry –DIGITAL RECALL.

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Contents
1. Abbreviations and terms...........................................................................................................................6
2. Installation and compatibility. ..................................................................................................................6
3. Front panel................................................................................................................................................9
4. Overview.................................................................................................................................................10
5. Specification............................................................................................................................................11
6. Software..................................................................................................................................................12
6.1. Installation..............................................................................................................................................12
6.1.1. WINDOWS .............................................................................................................................................12
6.1.2. OSX......................................................................................................................................................12
6.1.3. Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................................12
6.2. Plugins ....................................................................................................................................................14
6.2.1. Dedicated plugin - _mimas .................................................................................................................14
6.2.2. GConBlackBox.....................................................................................................................................16
6.3. Setup for mixing .....................................................................................................................................17
6.3.1. HW insert/External effect...................................................................................................................17
6.3.2. Direct output ......................................................................................................................................18
6.4. Memories ...............................................................................................................................................19
6.4.1. Synchronization upon connection......................................................................................................19
6.4.2. Memory synchronization between plugin and hardware ..................................................................19
6.4.2.1. Synchronized memory enabled.............................................................................................20
6.4.2.2. Synchronized memory disabled ............................................................................................20
6.4.3. Note about Pro Tools “Compare” functionality..................................................................................20
6.5. Automation ............................................................................................................................................20
6.5.1. Automation record .............................................................................................................................20
6.6. Digital Side Chain....................................................................................................................................21
6.6.1. Reaper note about automatic Side Chain detection in VST3..............................................................21
6.7. Pro Tools Integration..............................................................................................................................21
6.8. Multi Host Support.................................................................................................................................22
6.9. GCon Manager .......................................................................................................................................23

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6.9.1. How to check firmware upgrade. .......................................................................................................23
6.9.2. How to perform firmware upgrade. ...................................................................................................24
7. Saturation mode .....................................................................................................................................24
8. LEDs.........................................................................................................................................................25
9. Warranty.................................................................................................................................................25

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1. Abbreviations and terms
GCon –high speed communication protocol which allows full management and recall of analog devices.
Please note that this is just management protocol, audio signal transfer is not in scope of its capabilities.
NG500 –Next generation 500 series.
NG500 connector –special connector which extends standardized 500 series connector with additional pins.
2. Installation and compatibility.
WesAudio _MIMAS compressor module is designed to be installed into:
An API™ 500 Series compatible rack
_TITAN or any other ng500 compatible chassis,
WesAudio _MIMAS cannot function standalone, requiring the power source supplied by the rack
system.
After unpacking your _MIMAS module, please check for any visible damage that may have occurred
during transit. If there is any problem, please contact your dealer immediately!
!!!Ensure the rack is completely powered down before attempting
installation to prevent damage to the module!!!
Module installation walkthrough:
Choose the position in the rack to which you will install the module and slide it in so that the edge
connector of the module aligns with the matching connector in the rack. A gentle push and the module
should slide home into the rack connector. Attach the front panel to the front of the rack with screws
supplied by your rack manufacturer. This is important for mechanical rigidity. Do not over tighten these
screws to avoid stripping out the threads. Apply power, test that everything is working OK, and most
importantly, enjoy!
500 series compatibility note:
Each WesAudio device in ng500 (Next Generation 500 series) product line is equipped with special
connector. This connector is an extension to 500 series, and allows your device to be managed/recalled
through specialized GCon protocol (e.g. _Titan 500 series 10 slots frame).

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This extension is compatible with 500 series standardized plug type, however some manufacturers
apply enormous screws to the plug itself, which prevent the device to fit in. Based on official research
more than 90% of available 500 series racks will fit just fine. Currently known exceptions:
–Rupert Neve Designs 500 series Rack (confirmed),
–Aphex 500 series rack (not confirmed),
–Some older BAE racks (not produced anymore).

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If you are in possession of any of those 500 series
racks, there are two options:
1) NG500 module won’t fit into this racks because
of upper screw attached to 500 series
connector. This particular screw can be
removed without any side effects in most of
listed racks. With such simple modification
your rack is ready to host any NG500 module
on this particular slot.
2) IMPORTANT ORDER NOTE: Each device can be
ordered without special 500 series connector,
however:
–The device compatibility with _titan frame is
broken, and will not work.
–The device can be managed/recalled via
direct USB connection without any problems.

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3. Front panel
1 Input –Determines the level of the input signal entering the compressor, as well as the
threshold. Higher settings will increase amounts of compression or limiting.
2Output –Determines the level of the output signal leaving the compressor. It is used to recover
compression lost signal.
3Attack –It sets the Attack time from 20 microseconds to 800 microseconds. The attack time is
fastest when the Attack knob is in fully clockwise position, and it’s slowest when it’s in its fully
counterclockwise position
4Release –It sets the Release time from 50 millisecond to 1100 milliseconds. The release time is
fastest when Release knob is in its fully clockwise position, and is slowest when it is in its fully
counterclockwise position.

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5VU/GR LED meter –It can display level of input and output signal as well as gain reduction level.
Switching between display modes is possible from DAW plugin.
6Ratio - This buttons determines deepness of the compression and limiting. A ratio 4:1 is the
smaller possible value of compression, while 20:1 is larger value of limiting. 8:1 is the last button
when compression occur, after that, is only limiting. When all LEDs are active –all button mode
is engaged. Keeping ratio button for more than 1 second will also activate saturation mode
described in chapter 3.
7Bypass –true bypass button
8Link –activate link to other module
9SC Filter/Link –this button determine three side-chain hi-pass filter frequency (60Hz, 90Hz, 150Hz).
10 A/B –two slot memory buttons which can be used to compare two different compressor settings
11 DATA LED –indicates that data is being sent from DAW to device
12 H-LINK LED –indicates state of host-module connection
13 USB –module control USB port
4. Overview
Below picture shows a short overview of _MIMAS implementation.

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5. Specification
Short specification summary:
Input impedance : 2.4 Kohm
Output impedance: 600 ohm
Frequency response: 20Hz –20kHz (+/- 1dB)
Signal to noise ratio SNR : >83dB
THD+N: <=1%
Attack time: 20us - 800us
Release time: 50ms - 1100ms
Compression ratio : 4:1; 8:1; 12:1; 20:1; all button mode
True Bypass
SC High Pass filter - 60,90,150Hz
Output impedance : 600ohm
Power consumption: 3W
Dimensions : 38x133x158mm
Warranty: 2 years

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6. Software
Software package can be downloaded from http://www.wesaudio.com/download by anyone who
purchased related HW unit. To check currently supported plugin types and platforms, please follow above
link.
6.1. Installation
To install WesAudio software package, please visit http://www.wesaudio.com/download and
download recent version of software.
6.1.1. WINDOWS
Start the installer application, if you will encounter any system warnings about this particular installer,
please ignore them*, then select any components which you would like to install**.
If this is FIRST installation, please unplug all WesAudio devices from your workstation.
When USB driver will be installed, application will inform that all devices should be connected –
please do so.
If USB driver installation is triggered, user will be asked to restart computer. We know that this is
unwanted activity, but it is necessary step for USB driver to install with success.
If computer restart is triggered, this Installer will start again during start up. If for some reason
installer won’t be started after the restart, please start same installer manually again.
6.1.2. OSX
Because OSX architecture and USB devices handling is much simpler in concept, the only thing to
note is to have all devices connected during install procedure.
Start the installer application, if you will encounter any system warnings about this particular
installer, please ignore them *(sometimes it is necessary to open context menu with right mouse button
and trigger installation once again).
6.1.3. Troubleshooting
If anything would fail during installation procedure please contact our support at
[email protected]om. We will get back to you ASAP.
Below you can find some symptoms and description which will help to investigate the issue:

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“Can’t find my device on plugin drop down menu”
Unfortunately there could be dozens of root causes. On Windows machine it is very important to check if
USB device is successfully connected on system level. That can be checked in “Control Panel->System-
>Device Manager”:
** Please note that for WINDOWS it is necessary to install USB driver which is critical to communicate with
HW units. It is required step only during first installation, and this option will be automatically disabled
during any software upgrades.

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6.2. Plugins
_MIMAS unit can be managed through two different plugin types: Dedicated plugin (_MIMAS) and
GConBlackBox.
6.2.1. Dedicated plugin - _mimas

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1) Connection status: Show current status of connection:
a. ON –Connection is established.
b. OFF –Connection is NOT established.
c. Connecting –Connection process is ongoing. If “Connecting” state is visible for longer
period of time (more then 5 seconds), and plugin has no control over the unit, that would
mean:
i. HW unit is no longer connected to your Workstation.
ii. HW unit was disconnected or detached by operating system for some reason.
iii. Any other reason which should be consulted with [email protected]om.
2) Select connection button: This button shows all connected devices, if “drop-down” list with
element IDs is not visible, that means that no devices has been detected which support GCon
protocol.
3) Toggle connection button: Button toggles connection status ON/OFF. Please note that button
works only if ID has been previously selected using “Select connection button”.
4) Connection details: Additional connection information:
a. USB –module has been connected through direct USB connection in front panel.
b. S#X –Slot number which is functionality available in _Titan frame, and means that internal
connection protocol between module and Frame is engaged.
5) Connection ID: Unique Connection ID of connected HW unit.
6) Fast setup change: Button switches between available setups A/B/C. Please note that this presets
won’t switch any connection related parameters. That means Connection ID is shared between all
available setups (A/B/C) and won’t be changed if any of those buttons is hit.
7) Undo: Undo last parameter change (up to 20). Please note that setup change button (A/B/C) clears
current history.
8) Redo: Redo last parameter change (up to 20). Please note that setup change button (A/B/C) clears
current history.
9) Drive: Drive button activates saturation mode described in Chapter 3.
10) Meter selection: Selects particular meter:
a. GR - gain reduction,
b. IN –input signal,
c. OUT –output signal.
11) Menu: New menu button added in release 4.0:
a. Copy/Paste Preset –allows to copy fast presets between each other, or between different
plugin instances.
b. Memory write –allows to write current plugin state to hardware internal memory (option
active only when global setting “Plugin and hardware memory sync” is disabled).
WesAudio _MIMAS plugin contains two types of plugins: Mono and
Stereo. Mono plugin is designed to work with a single HW unit. Stereo plugin
links one plugin with 2 hardware units, which allows to keep two devices
configured exactly the same way.

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6.2.2. GConBlackBox
GConBlackBox plugin is generic recall plugin. It doesn’t implement any controls, it was created to
easily recall large amount of units.
How does it work?
Just start your session and create one instance of GConBlackBox plugin on any track/aux. It will
automatically connect to any GCon hardware currently available and synchronize its parameters. From
now on, any change of parameter through a hardware front panel will be notified to GConBlackBox
plugin. There are many possible use cases, please go through few examples:
When fast session preparation is a requirement –just load the session and create one instance
of GConBlackBox to have total recall of all your units.
During recording session, when plugin control is not really necessary (GConBlackBox can be
inactivated after recording is over –it can be re-activated if necessary in the future)
To recall large amount of units –when during such session there is a need for some automation
moves, dedicated plugin can still be started on top of GConBlackBox (its state will be
synchronized with GConBlackBox upon connection with a hardware).

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6.3. Setup for mixing
The configuration of devices is plain & simple, and its management side follows Plug&Play
principles, so besides physical connection to your machine there are no other steps required.
6.3.1. HW insert/External effect
If you would like to work with WesAudio devices inside your DAW, audio signal has to be sent to &
received from the HW unit. Below you can find steps which describe that process in details.
To set up you environment two steps are necessary:
1) Device Control Setup:
a. Connect your workstation through USB cable and USB 2.0+ port (**) with your
hardware unit or _Titan rack frame.
b. Insert on your track WesAudio plugin which matches with your hardware and select
your device from drop down list.
c. After connection state “ON” is light up, your device is ready to use, and saving your
session activity will store all the settings as they are.
2) Device Audio Setup:
a. Create any type of external effect which is supported in you DAW (e.g. “External effect”
in Cubase/Nuendo, “Hardware Insert” in Pro Tools).
b. Configure “Send” to WesAudio HW unit IN.
c. Configure “Return” to WesAudio HW unit OUT.
d. Connect all the wires from you audio interface, to the unit IN/OUT.
e. Insert this effect after* WesAudio plugin in insert chain.
Now you are ready to work in the Box with external audio units with all digital usability features
provided by your DAW.
Audio signal
HW
I
N
DAW
WesAudio
AAX/VST3
USB cable
O
U
T
Audio signal
Audio Interface
OUT
Audio Interface
IN

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6.3.2. Direct output
WesAudio devices and plugin management functionalities are perfect solution for hybrid mixing,
when on some stage signal is sent to the analog world and summed outside DAW. In that approach:
3) Connect your HW with your machine using USB cable and USB 2.0+ port in your workstation
(**) or _Titan rack frame.
4) Insert on your track WesAudio plugin which matches with your HW and select your device from
drop down list.
5) Set up track/aux output to audio interface output which routes signal to the WesAudio device.
From now on you can use automation and recall features in analog domain!
* THIS IS IMPORANT ONLY FOR AUTOMATION & SIDE CHAIN FEATURE: In practice audio signal and
plugin parameters are mediated through whole insert chain in order, so by keeping Plugin after external
effect could cause small latency (equal audio interface latency) which is causes by ASIO buffer setting (it
is most pessimistic case and most probably it would be anyway smaller, but it depends on HOST(DAW)
implementation). In simpler worlds such latency would be exactly the same, as time which is need to get
audio to your audio interface and back. Keeping your plugin before external effect, would “compensate”
this unwanted effect, and your device will apply parameters before audio signal gets through it.
** PLEASE NOTE: Officially supported interface is USB 2.0 –please check your USB HUB to be
compatible with this particular USB revision.

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6.4. Memories
Parameter storage could be summarized like this:
-_MIMAS unit has TWO separate fast presets which can be triggered via A/B buttons.
-_MIMAS plugin can store UNLIMITED number of configurations, when each preset can contain
THREE instant configuration changes (A/B/C –fast presets).
6.4.1. Synchronization upon connection
When new plugin instance is loaded into DAW, its state is unmodified, that means that no
parameters are yet modified. When user will initiate connection to hardware unit by setting Connection
ID, Plugin will download current state of parameters from the unit including any available fast
configuration presets. So for instance, if connection between _MIMAS plugin and _MIMAS hardware will
be triggered, and plugin will be in unmodified state, all parameters states will be downloaded to the
plugin, including _PRESET_A and _PRESET_B states.
6.4.2. Memory synchronization between plugin and hardware
In general there two modes of operation which can be modified through
GConManager/_SETTINGS application: synchronization enabled, and synchronization disabled.

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6.4.2.1. Synchronized memory enabled
This is default setting enabled through “Plugin and Hardware memory sync” option, and it
causes direct link between unit and plugin memory. In this case, when plugin is connected with a
hardware, all parameters including number of fast presets which unit can store (e.g. A/B) will be
synchronized. So when plugin will be disconnected (through manual toggle button hit, DAW session
close, etc.) all hardware configuration will remain unchanged.
6.4.2.2. Synchronized memory disabled
In this case, plugin works as separate form of persistence implementation. That means if HW
unit is connected to work with the Plugin, all settings from Plugin are applied to the device (or from the
hardware to the plugin), however unit configuration will get back to previous state when Plugin will
initiate disconnection (through connection toggle button, session close etc.) . So in practice HW unit
internal memory isn’t affected by the software at all. This functionality can be useful if user needs to
switch often between different modes, for example session needs to be recalled, but unit is used during
production activities without any session loaded (then unit can be easily recalled through session load,
and when session is closed, unit will go back to the state before the recall had happened).
6.4.3. Note about Pro Tools “Compare” functionality
Each plugin type (e.g. _mimas) implements compare functionality which can be used to easily
compare current settings with saved state. That functionality is implemented, but there is one thing to
note:
- HW unit ID, which is selected from drop down menu during plugin connection is stored in a plugin
settings (session file or settings file), and if such ID is selected after plugin state is saved, hitting compare
button would cause disconnection, and reconnection when it is hit back again. Such behavior is
triggered by Pro Tools host implementation which doesn’t inform if plugin state is loaded via “Compare”
button, or via normal settings load. To avoid this situation, it is recommended to save preset state after
plugin is connected with the Hardware.
6.5. Automation
WesAudio devices are capable to follow any automation triggered from your DAW. Our devices
were tested against high performance peaks.
6.5.1. Automation record
Besides normal automation feature all knobs are touch sensitive, and this brings possibility to
record automation using Hardware unit itself. Just enable automation record in your DAW and start
moving HW knobs!