SoundGrid QRec

User Guide
 Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 3
Configurations ....................................................................................................................... 4
Interface ................................................................................................................................ 5
Assigning Devices .................................................................................................................. 8
Patching to a DAW .............................................................................................................. 11
Appendix A: SoundGrid Host Applications ......................................................................... 12
Appendix B: I/O Sharing ...................................................................................................... 14

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 Introduction
SoundGrid QRec is a host application that configures a SoundGrid network, assigns I/O devices, and enables device
sharing between hosts. It is designed for quickly setting up for recording and playback on your computer using
SoundGrid devices. Its simplicity makes it ideal for small configurations that do not require the comprehensive
features of larger SoundGrid hosts.

The SoundGrid Driver is the backbone of the SoundGrid network. It handles audio streaming/transport and routing
between the computer and the devices in the network. It is installed automatically with all SoundGrid hosts and
devices. SoundGrid QRec manages the network, assigns I/O devices, and patches audio between these devices
and the computer. It is particularly suited for incorporating a DAW into a SoundGrid network.

Each SoundGrid I/O device has its own device driver that enables it to connect to the network. Device drivers are
installed with any SoundGrid host application or individually from Waves Central. 1 Consult your application’s user
guide to learn how to assign and manage devices.

1
Waves software is installed with the Waves Central application, which can be downloaded here.
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 Configurations
SoundGrid QRec can be used to assign up to four SoundGrid I/O devices. When only one I/O device is assigned,
connect it directly to the host with an Ethernet 5e (or better) cable.

Host computer running SoundGrid QRec

SoundGrid I/O device

Connect additional I/O devices via a 1 Gigabit Ethernet switch.

SoundGrid components are like building blocks that let you expand, change, and customize your work environment.
A home studio, a multi-room postproduction facility, or an FOH rig are put together in the same manner. For efficient
setup, you can create a session in your own studio, take the session with you to another studio or venue, and open it
on another physical setup.

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 Interface

The SoundGrid network is

established in the top and right
sections of the interface.

Devices are assigned and

configured and managed in the
four I/O Device Slots.

Driver Select Menu

Selects the host network port that connects the SoundGrid audio driver to the SoundGrid network. Open the
drop-down menu to choose a port. The status of a driver is indicated by its text color and style.

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 DRIVER SELECT MENU COLOR CODES

Text Color Driver Status

White The driver that resides on the SoundGrid port is free for you to use. It also indicates non-
SoundGrid network port selections.
Green The driver is assigned to you and is not available to other hosts unless you share it.
Gray (italics) The driver is in use by another host and is not available to you (SoundGrid QRec cannot be
a sharing client).
Gray (not italics) The driver is installed and compatible but has crashed or otherwise failed.
Red The driver is incompatible with SoundGrid QRec.

Network Link
Reports the status of the Ethernet connection to the computer running SoundGrid QRec software.
Options: UP, DOWN

Speed
Reports the speed of the SoundGrid network. Options: 100 Mb/sec, 1 Gb/sec, N/A

Sample Rate
Displays the sample rate of the SG network (i.e., 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz). Sample rate is set by
assigning one I/O device as the clock master and setting the sample rate in its I/O module.
At least one I/O device must be assigned to establish network clock and sample rate.

Driver Channels
Sets the number of driver channels (i.e., 32, 48, 64, 96, or 128 channels). This determines how many channels
are available to the DAW. The number of driver channels used are indicated on each of the devices.
Network Buffer
The network buffer helps the OS send synchronized information between the ASIO/Core Audio drivers and the
I/Os through the network port. When many channels are going in/out of the driver(s) to several destinations, the

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 Driver Network Buffer may need to be increased to reduce the possibility of audio drops or artifacts as a result
of overloading the network port driver.
Driver Sharing
Permits sharing of local driver channels. Other users will be able to share the device. Learn about I/O sharing
in Appendix B at the end of this user guide.

I/O Device Slots

I/O devices are assigned in these four slots.

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 Assigning Devices
The collection of devices that can be assigned to the SoundGrid QRec is called the Inventory. Devices are assigned,
removed, and managed in the four device slots. The order of the device slots determines the order of patching. The
device in Slot 1 is the first to patch. It will patch until all of its channels are connected or the number of driver channels
is met. Slot 2 will start its patching where Device 1 left off, and so forth, until there are no more driver channels
available.

To Assign a device to a slot, click on the small arrow to open the Device assignment
drop-down menu. This is a list of all I/O devices on the SoundGrid network. Select a
device to assign it to the slot.

The text color of the device name in the menu indicates the assignment status of the device.
Text Color Device Status
White Device is Free.
Green Device is assigned to you and is not available to other hosts unless you share it. The green
text will persist even when the device is shared.
Gray (italics) Device is in use by another host and is not available to you.
Gray (not italics) Device is down (e.g., crashed, disconnected, powered down).
Red Device is incompatible with SoundGrid QRec.

If you assign an I/O to a slot that is already populated, the connections of the removed I/O channels will be deleted.
Select “None” to unassign the device and the remove the connected I/O channels. This frees the device for other
hosts on the local SG network.

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 DEVICE SLOTS

Device Name
Identifies the I/O device assigned to the slot:
slot number / device model (followed by a series number if
there is more than one device of the same model) / MAC ID

A device taken by another host is grayed out and its name

is in italics. Double-click on the I/O name to rename it. Use
the arrow to open the Device Assignment menu.

Device Control Panel

Click on the Gear icon to open the control panel of the I/O
device.
Enable Sharing
Sharing allows other hosts to share I/O channels from this device. When Sharing is enabled, all of the device's
inputs are shareable. The device's outputs can be shared only if they are not routed to QRec (“Out” is Off). If
the device's outputs are routed in QRec (“Out” is On) then they are not shareable. For more information about
device sharing, see Appendix B
ID
Click the ID button to identify the I/O device. When ID is on, a light on the device will blink or change colors.
FW
Displays the status of the device’s firmware:
Grayed out Firmware is compatible and no new update is available.
Yellow Firmware is compatible with installed SoundGrid software, but a newer version exists.
Red I/O is not compatible.

Click the FW button to update the I/O device’s firmware. When the process is complete, you will be prompted to
restart the device.

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 Clock
Click to designate the device as the clock master.

When an I/O is assigned, its channels are not immediately patched. The channels will be patched when you select
the In and/or Out boxes.
In
Click to patch the inputs of the selected device. When clicked “On,” all of the device’s inputs are patched. When
clicked “Off,” all of the device’s inputs are disconnected. The number of channels that have been patched is
displayed.
Out
Select to patch the outputs of the device. When this is clicked “On,” all of the device’s outputs are patched. When
clicked “Off,” all of the device’s outputs are disconnected. The number of channels that have been patched is
displayed.

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 Patching to a DAW
To patch a DAW to the SoundGrid network, select Waves SoundGrid as the DAW playback engine. The SoundGrid
devices will appear in the I/O Setup of the DAW. I/O devices will appear in the DAW based on their slot order in
SoundGrid QRec.

The maximum number of patches is limited by the number of driver channels. If, for example, you have set 32 driver channels
and have assigned a 128-channel MGB in Slot 1, only its first 32 channels will be patched. Slots 2–4 will not be able to patch
audio, since there are no remaining driver channels.
If the device in Slot 1 does not exhaust the number of Driver Channels, the remaining channlels will be avialable in Slot 2, and
then Slots 3 and 4.
In order to maximize the number of avaialble patches, plan the sequence of your device assigments.

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 Appendix A: SoundGrid Host Applications
Which SoundGrid host application you choose depends largely on how you work and what you do: live or studio,
eMotion LV1 mixer or another console, and what you expect to do with your network. All SoundGrid host applications
can run on Mac or Windows.

EMOTION LV1

eMotion LV1 is a fully featured mixing console for live sound with 16, 32, or 64 stereo/mono input channels. It can
connect with and share up to 16 I/O devices, as well as expansion slots and DAWs.

Features include (depending on configuration):

• 44 buss/return channels
• 16 monitor auxes and 8 FX auxes (mono/stereo)
• 8 audio groups, 8 mono/stereo FX Aux mix busses
• 8 matrix channels
• 16 DCA faders
• 8 mute groups and 8 user-assigned shortcut keys
With slots for up to eight plugins at every stage of the
signal flow and the option of a redundant server for
complete reliability, it can replace an FOH console or
serve as a top-end monitor console.

Visit the eMotion LV1 product page to learn more.

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 SUPERRACK
SuperRack is the next generation of Waves plugin
processing for live consoles. It combines the functionality
of MultiRack with the advanced technology and improved
workflow of the eMotion LV1 mixer.
• Up to 64 racks of plugin processing (features based on
the configuration)
• Easy integration with live mixing consoles
• Up to 8 floating plugins per rack
• Link plugin controls
• Near-zero latency (in SoundGrid mode)

Learn about SuperRack at the SuperRack product page.

SOUNDGRID STUDIO
SoundGrid Studio is a studio-oriented mixer and plugin
processing host. It is available in 8-channel, 32-channel,
and 64-channel configurations.
• Manage a SoundGrid network, assign I/O devices, and
patch between them.
• Add a server to offload plugin processing from the host.
This significantly increases CPU power and enables low-
latency monitoring while recording.
• The eMotion ST mixer offers remote preamp control, 8 aux
channels and 8 monitor channels, 8 groups, 16 links, and a
powerful monitor section (depending on configuration).
• Up to 8 plugins can be inserted into each channel, group,
FX aux, or monitor aux.

Visit the SoundGrid Studio product page to learn more. A list of SoundGrid-compatible plugins can be found here.

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 Appendix B: I/O Sharing
A host in an SG network can share devices with other hosts.

Note: I/O sharing can be enabled on all SoundGrid hosts. Here we are using SoundGrid Studio as an example of
sharing. The process is similar with all hosts, but some features differ from one host to another.

BASIC SOUNDGRID SETUP

Once a device has been assigned to a host, it is unavailable for further
assignment. In the example on the left, two I/O devices are assigned to a host.

NETWORKED SOUNDGRID SYSTEMS

You can connect several SG networks together to form
a “Super System,” as shown on the right. Use a
dedicated Ethernet switch to connect the systems.

Any host can assign any available device. As is the case

with the simple system above, these assignments are
exclusive; devices assigned to a host are available only
to that host.

This is device remote assignment, but not device

sharing.

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 SYSTEM INVENTORY IN SUPER SYSTEMS

All devices in a super system—whether assigned to a host or not—are displayed in the

Device menu of each independent system’s Inventory (left). In this example there are five
I/O devices, none of which have been assigned to a system. Each connected host’s local
driver is also shown. The letter preceding the device name identifies the SoundGrid Studio
system to which the device is physically connected to.

When a device is removed from a host, it becomes Free and it can be assigned by any
other host, which in turn becomes its manager.

Sharing a Device
Device sharing enables hosts to share devices so that other hosts can use their available I/O channels. A host
that enables sharing on an assigned device controls that device’s sharing privileges. This host is the manager of
the device. A host that patches I/O channels from a device that’s been assigned to another host (the manager)
is called the client of that device. A host can be a manager of some devices and a client of others. A device
can have several clients, within the limits of the device’s maximum output to the network. Each destination
establishes a direct connection from the shared IO device, so the total outputs to the network increases.

For example, a 128-input MGB patched to four hosts will use up the 1 Gb network capacity of the SoundGrid
network. In this case, the device will output 128 x 4 channels=512 channels (at 48 kHz).

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 Setting up Device Sharing

Select the assigned device you want to share with other systems. Click the device’s Sharing
icon. The device can now be shared. Sharing can also be enabled from the Device menu.
Only the manager of a device can activate its sharing.

Other systems can now assign the I/O device to their Inventories and patch available I/O
channels. Output I/O channels patched by the manager cannot be shared with other systems
until the device’s manager releases the patches or removes the device from its inventory.

The status of all the connected devices is shown in the Device menu. Text style and shading indicate the type of
assignment. Italics indicates that the device is sharing-enabled.

Unassigned devices

Once a device is assigned, its name is followed by the name of the host to which it is assigned.

Locally assigned device (grayed out)

Sharing-enabled device on another system (not grayed out, italics)

Device assigned to another system (grayed out, italics)

Unassigned driver
Sharing-enabled driver on another system

Driver assigned to local host

Driver assigned to another system

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 Shared Devices: Clocking Considerations
If a device is shared by two systems, both systems must be locked to the same
clock master. If a client system assigns a shared device that’s part of a system
with a different clock source, something must be done to rectify the difference.

When assigning a shared device whose clock source is not the same as that of the client system, a prompt will
appear (see above). Click OK to set the clock of the client system to be your system’s clock. The shared device, or
its master clock, is now the local SOE clock master for all the devices in your local SoundGrid network.

Click Cancel to explore other ways to provide a clock common to both systems.

In this example, device A-IOS is shared with system B. This means that the device is
now assigned to two independent systems (A and B) that must be synchronized to the
same master clock device. In this example, A-IOS becomes the clock master of system
B—all other devices become SOE slaves.

It is possible to assign another device as the clock master while using a shared device,
as long as all devices share the same clock.

Use each system’s Set Master menu to reassign clock masters. Select the
same device in both systems, if possible, and the clock will be common to
both systems.
The shared device can now be a slave in the client system.

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 If the shared device cannot synchronize to the new clock, it will be unavailable for sharing by that host.
Other hosts in the super system may be able to sync to the shared device if they can adjust their
clocks accordingly.

A shared device can be a slave or the clock master in its own SOE network,
indicated by the M on the shared device’s icon (left). On the right, the device is
still the SOE master of the system it’s being shared with, but is a slave within its
own system.

When devices from more than two systems are assigned to a system’s inventory, all systems must be locked to the
same master clock device.

Note: Changing the master clock assignment in a system that includes shared devices will result
in a clock reset in all associated systems. This results in a short audio dropout.

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 Patching Shared Devices

When a device is shared, all of its inputs are available to all users. The shared
device appears in the Patch window along with the non-shared devices.

Refer to your SG host application’s user guide to learn how to patch in and
out of the mixer, within the mixer, and between devices.

PATCHING SHARED OUTPUT DEVICES

Once assigned, a shared I/O device appears in the client’s Output Patch window. “IO Sharing, Remote
Device” is shown on its icon. Patching shared I/Os follows the same conventions as patching unshared
SOE devices. There are, however, a few considerations when sharing devices. In the example on the
next page, the device “B-IOS” is owned by System 1 and is being shared by System 2.

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 Removing Shared Devices

Client
Select Remove from the device’s drop-down menu. Since the remote
device is, by necessity, the local clock master, removing it will result in
another device becoming the clock master. This prompt will appear.
Once the device is removed, SOE clock will return to the previous
master.

This may result in a short audio drop.

Manager
Deselect the Sharing icon or uncheck Share in the Device menu to
end sharing for a device. If you attempt to remove a device that is
being used by another system, this prompt will appear. You will not be
able to un-share the device until it is no longer patched by other
clients.

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