WesAudio ngLEVELER User manual

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www.WesAudio.com
ngLEVELER
User manual
EN
Copyright 2020 by WesAudio

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Thank You for the purchase of ngLEVELER
ngLEVELER
Next generation 16-channel automation system
With kind regards
Radoslaw Wesolowski and Michal Weglicki

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Next Generation 16-channel automation system
ngLEVELER –“Next generation Leveler” is analog automation system with convenient
features for better studio integration. Besides its automation engine it also brings analog
saturation per each channel which helps tracks to get more presence in the mix.

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Contents
1. Overview...................................................................................................................................................7
2. Specification..............................................................................................................................................8
3. Front panel................................................................................................................................................9
4. Software installation...............................................................................................................................10
4.1. Installation..............................................................................................................................................10
4.1.1. Windows.............................................................................................................................................10
4.1.2. OSX......................................................................................................................................................10
4.1.3. Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................................11
4.2. GCon Manager .......................................................................................................................................12
4.2.1. How to check firmware upgrade. .......................................................................................................12
4.2.2. How to perform firmware upgrade. ...................................................................................................13
5. Set up GCon Connection.........................................................................................................................14
5.1. USB .........................................................................................................................................................15
5.2. Ethernet..................................................................................................................................................16
5.2.1. Default network configuration. ..........................................................................................................17
5.2.2. Enable/Disable DHCP..........................................................................................................................18
5.2.3. Static IP address..................................................................................................................................19
5.2.3.1. Windows –how to check your IP address.............................................................................19
5.2.3.2. OSX –how to check your IP address......................................................................................21
5.2.3.3. Set up static IP address..........................................................................................................23
5.2.4. Direct connection –setting IP address on PC/MAC............................................................................24
6. Signal connection....................................................................................................................................25
7. ngLEVELER automation and recall ..........................................................................................................26
7.1. DAW Plug-in ...........................................................................................................................................26
7.1.1. Plug-in management panel.................................................................................................................27
7.1.2. Plug-in channel description ................................................................................................................29
7.1.3. Plug-in –automation of linked channels............................................................................................30
7.2. Third party controllers............................................................................................................................31
7.2.1. ngLEVELER management via HUI or Mackie Control third party controller.......................................32

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7.2.1.1. Configuration.........................................................................................................................33
7.2.2. ngLEVELER and DAW management via HUI/Mackie control third party controller...........................34
7.2.2.1. Configuration.........................................................................................................................34
7.2.2.2. DAW Toggle ...........................................................................................................................38
7.2.3. ngLEVELER management via EUCON controller .................................................................................39
7.2.3.1. Eucon controller in Mackie Control mode / ngLeveler..........................................................39
7.2.3.2. DAW channels / Eucon controller / ngLeveler.......................................................................43
7.2.3.3. Eucon plug-in control / ngLeveler..........................................................................................43
7.2.4. Controller functions mapping to ngLEVELER......................................................................................45
7.2.5. How to create Virtual MIDI ports .......................................................................................................46
7.2.5.1. Virtual MIDI on OSX...............................................................................................................46
7.2.5.2. Virtual MIDI on Windows ......................................................................................................47
7.2.6. Troubleshooting..................................................................................................................................47
7.3. ngLEVELER control from DAW faders.....................................................................................................48
7.3.1. Configuration –GCon system .............................................................................................................49
7.3.2. Configuration –DAW MIDI .................................................................................................................49
7.3.2.1. Pro Tools configuration .........................................................................................................50
7.3.2.2. Studio One 4 configuration....................................................................................................51
7.3.3. Configuration –DAW Faders & plug-in...............................................................................................53
7.4. External controller and ngLEVELER(s) number of channels ...................................................................55
8. Multiple ngLEVELER units .......................................................................................................................56
9. Metering .................................................................................................................................................57
10. Usage examples ......................................................................................................................................58
10.1.Summing stage automation ...................................................................................................................58
10.1.1. Summing automation/level management.....................................................................................59
10.1.2. Summing mixer/console insert points automation .......................................................................60
10.1.3. Summing mixer/console groups insert points automation ...........................................................61
10.2.Any analog outboard automation..........................................................................................................62
10.3.Recording session management ............................................................................................................63
11. Abbreviations and terms.........................................................................................................................64

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12. Warranty.................................................................................................................................................64
13. History.....................................................................................................................................................65

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1.Overview
ngLEVELER is an Automation system with full digital recall:
MAIN FEATURES:
16 channels of analog automation with total recall
+25 dBu (IN) / +28 dBu (OUT) of headroom
6dB passive attenuator (PAD) for better integration with high level signals
Very low noise and distortion –THD+N(20Hz-20kHz) at 0dBu < 0.008%
MUTE and SOLO for each channel
HUI/Mackie Control integration
16 channels of Proprietary THD
IN and OUT (before and after signal leveling) metering fully integrated with DAW plug-in
Flexible DAW/Live plug-in control for instant recall
DB-25 analog connectivity
Management via Ethernet or USB
Fully digitally controlled and isolated analog circuit,
Full automation record via HUI/Mackie Control
Free software and firmware upgrades

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2.Specification
Short specification summary:
1U device, depth : 262mm
Warranty: 2 years
THD+N(20Hz-20kHz) at 0dBu < 0.008%
Freq response: 0-250kHz (-3dB)
Input impedance > 10kohm
Output impedance < 50ohm
Channels crosstalk > 100dB
Max input level: +25dBu
Max output level: +28dBu
Dynamic range > 118dB
Hardware Digital resolution: ~2500 steps per channel*
(*) DAW, or HUI/MACKIE CONTROL controller may support lower resolution, in that case
it will translate to lower number of HW steps.

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3.Front panel
1) Power switch.
2) Power LED indicator.
3) H-LINK - indicates unit’s connection to HOST –this led will be enabled if plug-in is
connected to this particular unit.
4) Data - indicates that data is being sent from DAW plug-in to the device. Please
note that for Ethernet connection any communication to the device will cause
this led to indicate traffic.
5) IN metering –signal level for each channel measured after PAD, however before
ngLEVELER main circuit (Leveling, THD, Solo, Mute).
6) OUT metering –signal level for each channel measured after ngLEVELER main
circuit.
7) IN 1-8 DB-25 socket - input to channels 1-8.
8) OUT 1-8 DB-25 socket - output from channels 1-8.
9) IN 9-16 DB-25 socket - input to channels 9-16.
10) OUT 9-16 DB-25 socket - output from channels 9-16.
11) USB socket –unit’s control USB port (GCon management connection).
12) Ethernet socket –unit’s control Ethernet port (GCon management connection).
13) Power socket.

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4.Software installation
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.
4.1. Installation
To install WesAudio software package, please visit
http://www.wesaudio.com/download and download recent version of software.
4.1.1. 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.
4.1.2. 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 “Option” click (or right mouse button) and trigger installation once again).

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4.1.3. Troubleshooting
If anything would fail during installation procedure please contact our support at
[e-mail]. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Below you can find some symptoms and description which will help to investigate the
issue:
“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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4.2. GCon Manager
GCon Manager is generic application which implements configuration management
over compatible units. It can be found in Application folder data:
- For OSX: “/Applications/WesAudio/GConManager”
- For WINDOWS: folder specified during installation phase, by default in: “c:/Program Files
x86/WesAudio/GConManager.exe”.
This section describes how manage firmware of available units, but GConManager also
provides other functions which will be described in next chapters.
4.2.1. How to check firmware upgrade.
Each device reports to your workstation with particular version, which indicates
compatibility between your host application, and remote module. To check firmware
upgrade please to GCon Manager CONFIG application:

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4.2.2. How to perform firmware upgrade.
To perform firmware upgrade go to GConManager upgrade and hit “Start” button.
This will trigger upgrade operation for all modules which are not up to date with your
host software.

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5.Set up GCon Connection.
This chapter goes through possible setups and describes main configuration steps.
Please note that audio signal connectivity is described in next chapter Signal
connection, this chapter describes digital management side.
In general ngLEVELER implements two connection types:
USB 2.0+.
Ethernet 10/100 –based on UDP protocol (LAN single subnet).

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5.1. USB
To connect your ngLEVELER frame directly to your workstation, just connect it to any
available USB 2.0+ socket via USB cable.

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5.2. Ethernet
ngLeveler as any network device, can be connected to your workstation in
following ways:
By joining your local area network (LAN)
Or directly connected to your workstation.
In some cases it is mandatory to set IP addresses* for your workstation and ngLEVELER.
Below you can find possible setup in your local area network, and how different devices
can access ngLEVELER resources:
(*) In case you would like ngLEVELER to join already existing network, most probably
your workstation has IP address already set up through static configuration entry, or
through DHCP (by your router).

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5.2.1. Default network configuration.
Each ngLEVELER chassis by default has DHCP
enabled. So if you would like to connect your
ngLEVELER to your router, just do it!
…However if you would like to change that configuration, please read description
below.

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5.2.2. Enable/Disable DHCP
To change any network specific configuration of your ngLEVELER chassis:
1) Connect your ngLEVELER directly to your workstation through USB cable (If
connection to ngLEVELER is already established through Ethernet cable, this step is
not necessary),
2) Start GConManager and go to _CONFIG application.
3) Then select your ngLEVELER unit from the elements tree on the left.
4) Then change DHCP option to “ON”. Unit will restart, and your connection to
ngLEVELER will be established again.
Now you can disconnect USB cable, and connect ngLEVELER using Ethernet cable.

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5.2.3. Static IP address
In general there are few use cases when you would like to configure ngLEVELER IP
address manually:
1) When you router doesn’t support DHCP
2) When your LAN network is configured manually for example through hardware
switch.
3) When you would like to connect your ngLEVELER directly to your Ethernet socket in
your workstation.
As a first step please check your currently configured IP address.
5.2.3.1. Windows –how to check your IP address.
Start cmd application (hit Windows “START” button and type “cmd”):

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Type “ipconfig” which will show current network configuration:
Then you have to find your currently connected network card (Ethernet card or
Wi-fi card) and check IP address. In this particular case IP address is 192.168.0.100.
ngLEVELER IP address has to be in the same subnet, so for above example it would
mean any IP address from 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.254, excluding currently
occupied addresses by any devices connected to your network (like your
workstation address, router address, etc.).