{"id":1724399,"date":"2014-12-22T21:08:53","date_gmt":"2014-12-22T21:08:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/?post_type=articles&p=1724399"},"modified":"2014-12-22T21:08:53","modified_gmt":"2014-12-22T21:08:53","slug":"digigrid-faq","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/articles\/digigrid-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"DiGiGrid FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following FAQ is from DiGiGrid. To view their site, which contains even more information on each individual DiGiGrid product as well as videos and support information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is DiGiGrid?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is SoundGrid?<\/a><\/p>\n

What are the basic components of a SoundGrid system\/network?<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s the difference between\u00a0DiGiGrid MGB and MGO?<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s the difference between\u00a0DiGiGrid IOS, IOX, and IOC?<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s the difference between\u00a0DiGiGrid DLS and DLI?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the SoundGrid Studio System?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the SoundGrid Studio Application?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is StudioRack?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is eMotion ST?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is MultiRack?<\/a><\/p>\n

How does\u00a0DiGiGrid work with AVID HDX?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the maximum amount of I\/O devices that can be assigned simultaneously in the SoundGrid Studio Application?<\/a><\/p>\n

Do I use Waves eMotion ST as my main mixer or as an effects submixer?<\/a><\/p>\n

Does the Waves MultiRack SoundGrid System have a redundancy solution?<\/a><\/p>\n

Does Waves StudioRack support any control surfaces?<\/a><\/p>\n

Does the SoundGrid network provide Word Clock synchronization?<\/a><\/p>\n

How do I use the SoundGrid DLS\/DLI to add processing power to Pro Tools HD\/HDX?<\/a><\/p>\n

How do I use\u00a0DiGiGrid to add processing power to a native DAW (Logic, Cubase, Ableton, Pro Tools Native, etc.)?<\/a><\/p>\n

Does\u00a0DiGiGrid offer MADI support?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is AEB?<\/a><\/p>\n

Is SoundGrid AVB-compatible?<\/a><\/p>\n

Should I use Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables?<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I use\u00a0DiGiGrid interfaces as I\/Os for my DAW without using a SoundGrid DSP server?<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I use my\u00a0DiGiGrid product abroad?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the USB port on the\u00a0DiGiGrid DLS and IOS?<\/a><\/p>\n

Does\u00a0DiGiGrid support 192 kHz processing?<\/a><\/p>\n

I’m not sure how much of the full system I need. Can I start with one\u00a0DiGiGrid device, then add more as my requirements become clearer?<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I use my existing Ethernet cables that are routed through my building?<\/a><\/p>\n

I have an older laptop. Can I use that for\u00a0DiGiGrid?<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I use\u00a0DiGiGrid with any DAW?<\/a><\/p>\n

Are\u00a0DiGiGrid MGB and MGO bus-powered?<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I connect a headphone amp to\u00a0DiGiGrid devices?<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I take my\u00a0DiGiGrid DLS or IOS server out on a live event?<\/a><\/p>\n

Will there be any future firmware updates? If so, how will I be able to access them?<\/a><\/p>\n

Can\u00a0DiGiGrid IOS be used as a clocking source?<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I simultaneously use my AES I\/O and S\/PDIF input connections on a\u00a0DiGiGrid IOS?<\/a><\/p>\n

What are the different latencies of the SoundGrid Studio System?<\/a><\/p>\n

How would a\u00a0DiGiGrid DLS fir into my system, which consists of a HD native card, a Lynx Aurora 16 with LT-HD, and a ‘blue’ 192? Could I connect the 192 to the DLS and still use the DLS’s server capabilities?<\/a><\/p>\n

Waves SoundGrid and\u00a0DiGiGrid interfaces are new. How do we know if it will still be around in a few years?<\/a><\/p>\n

What is a SoundGrid DSP server?<\/a><\/p>\n

What makes the SoundGrid DSP server different from other servers?<\/a><\/p>\n

How many plugins can I run in real time on the built-in SoundGrid servers of\u00a0DiGiGrid IOS and DLS?<\/a><\/p>\n

What are the benefits of using SoundGrid for Streaming Audio Signals?<\/a><\/p>\n

I can see the potential of the\u00a0DiGiGrid interfaces and SoundGrid Studio System for multi-room studios that want to invest in a networkable audio infrastructure, as long as you don’t already own a Pro Tools HD\/HDX system. But if I already own such a system, wouldn’t it be a waste of money to get a\u00a0DiGiGrid interface as well, since all I need is the Pro Tools hardware and the Waves software?<\/a><\/p>\n

If my session was created using\u00a0DiGiGrid I\/O with a SoundGrid system, can I then continue to work on it without a\u00a0DiGiGrid I\/O and on a non-SoundGrid system?<\/a><\/p>\n

When I use a\u00a0DiGiGrid DLS or DLI with a Pro Tools HD\/HDX or HD Native system, does DLS\/DLI appear in the Pro Tools I\/O setup window?<\/a>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is DiGiGrid?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nDiGiGrid is a collaboration between Waves and DiGiCo\/Soundtracs that aims to provide the audio market with processing and networking solutions based on the Waves SoundGrid platform. DiGiGrid offers audio interfaces for native DAWs, Pro Tools systems, Waves MultiRack and MADI-enabled consoles.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is SoundGrid?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nSoundGrid\u00ae is the Waves networking and processing platform for real-time professional audio applications. Audio networking occurs over standard Ethernet infrastructure. Real-time processing uses Intel DSP SoundGrid servers.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What are the basic components of a SoundGrid system\/network?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nHardware: A DiGiGrid I\/O, and a Mac or PC to run the SoundGrid host application. The system is scalable and can be expanded easily by adding more computers, SoundGrid I\/Os, and SoundGrid DSP servers.<\/p>\n

Software: The SoundGrid Studio Application and a SoundGrid ASIO\/Core Audio driver. Additional SoundGrid software (MultiRack SoundGrid, StudioRack SoundGrid, the eMotion ST mixer) can also be used depending on your needs.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s the difference between\u00a0DiGiGrid MGB and MGO?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nBoth are MADI-to-SoundGrid interfaces. MGB connects via two sets of BNC coaxial connectors, while MGO connects via two sets of LC optical connectors.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s the difference between\u00a0DiGiGrid IOS, IOX, and IOC?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nAll three are SoundGrid I\/Os.<\/p>\n

IOS has 8 analog preamps and line outs, two headphone outs, and an AES in\/out. It also includes a built-in SoundGrid DSP server and a network switch, and is designed to be a central hub with networking and processing capabilities.<\/p>\n

IOX has 12 preamps, 6 analog outputs and 4 headphone outs\u2014perfect for your studio’s performance\/recording room.<\/p>\n

IOC has 2 analog preamps, 8 line inputs\/outputs, 16 AES inputs\/outputs, an ADAT in\/out, and two headphone outputs. This diversity of connectivity options makes it ideal for studio control rooms.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s the difference between\u00a0DiGiGrid DLS and DLI?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nBoth are Pro Tools-to-SoundGrid interfaces with two DigiLink ports and a network switch. The only difference is that DLS includes a powerful built-in SoundGrid DSP server, while DLI doesn’t.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the SoundGrid Studio System?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nThe SoundGrid Studio System is a real-time processing and networking platform. It allows your DAW to offload its plugin processing and enables your devices to communicate with one another and with the devices of the people you work with. A SoundGrid Studio System comprises both hardware (DiGiGrid I\/Os and SoundGrid DSP servers) and software (SoundGrid ASIO\/Core Audio driver, the SoundGrid Studio Application, the eMotion ST mixer, and either StudioRack or MultiRack).
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the SoundGrid Studio Application?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nSoundGrid Studio is an application for managing the SoundGrid network’s hardware and the SoundGrid ASIO\/Core Audio driver on your host computer, allowing you to configure connections, routing, clocks, and more.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is StudioRack?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nStudioRack is a software rack designed to run plugin chains, giving you the choice of directing the processing to a SoundGrid DSP server or to your host computer’s CPU. When your plugin chains are processed on the SoundGrid server, StudioRack lets you monitor your tracks in low latency via the eMotion ST mixer.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is eMotion ST?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nWaves eMotion ST is a SoundGrid software digital mixer with 8 mono\/stereo input channels, additional 64 mono channels from StudioRack, and 9 mix busses. Along with StudioRack and a SoundGrid server, eMotion ST enables low-latency monitoring with hundreds of plugins.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is MultiRack?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nMultiRack is a host application designed to serve as a multi-channel plugin rack for live sound (FOH\/monitoring\/broadcast). MultiRack provides control over plugins and snapshots\/scenes for live sound systems.<\/p>\n

There are two versions of MultiRack: a Native version for local processing on your computer’s CPU, and a SoundGrid version for low-latency processing on an external server. The SoundGrid version requires a SoundGrid I\/O, a SoundGrid DSP server, and SoundGrid-compatible plugins.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

How does\u00a0DiGiGrid work with AVID HDX?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nDiGiGrid communicates with and complements your Pro Tools system via the DiGiGrid DLI and DLS audio interfaces. DLI and DLS units connect directly to your Pro Tools cards via their DigiLink connectors and help transfer audio between the HDX and SoundGrid systems, giving you more processing power and networking possibilities.<\/p>\n

Watch\u00a0this video<\/a>\u00a0to learn how to use DiGiGrid DLS\/DLI with Pro Tools HDX.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the maximum amount of I\/O devices that can be assigned simultaneously in the SoundGrid Studio Application?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nUp to 8 SoundGrid-compatible hardware I\/O devices and 8 software I\/Os (host computers running the SoundGrid ASIO\/Core Audio drivers).
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Do I use Waves eMotion ST as my main mixer or as an effects submixer?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nYou can use the Waves eMotion ST mixer in various ways according to your needs. It can be used as your main mixer, as an input mixer, as an effects submixer, or in conjunction with StudioRack for real-time low-latency monitor mixes. You can control eMotion ST through StudioRack within your DAW, or open it as an additional standalone window.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Does the Waves MultiRack SoundGrid System have a redundancy solution?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nYes, there is a redundancy solution for Waves MultiRack SoundGrid system by adding a second SoundGrid DSP server.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Does Waves StudioRack support any control surfaces?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nStudioRack supports most Avid control surfaces under Pro Tools. StudioRack’s MIDI Learn function lets you control any plugin used within StudioRack.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Does the SoundGrid network provide Word Clock synchronization?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nYes. All DiGiGrid interfaces and ASIO\/Core Audio drivers connected to the same SoundGrid network can send and receive Word Clock. Visit the\u00a0SoundGrid Studio Application<\/a>\u00a0page at waves.com to learn more.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

How do I use the SoundGrid DLS\/DLI to add processing power to Pro Tools HD\/HDX?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nDiGiGrid DLS and DLI (the latter with an external SoundGrid DSP server) bridge Pro Tools HD\/HDX systems with the SoundGrid low-latency processing platform, enabling you to run hundreds of SoundGrid-compatible Waves and third-party plugins in extremely low latency.<\/p>\n

Watch\u00a0this video<\/a>\u00a0to learn more.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

How do I use\u00a0DiGiGrid to add processing power to a native DAW (Logic, Cubase, Ableton, Pro Tools Native, etc.)?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nWith native systems you can use any DiGiGrid interface (some with an external SoundGrid server). This will enable you to use StudioRack SoundGrid in order to process SoundGrid-compatible Waves and third-party plugins on the SoundGrid DSP server and monitor your tracks with all plugins on in super-low latency.<\/p>\n

Watch\u00a0this video<\/a>\u00a0to learn more.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Does\u00a0DiGiGrid offer MADI support?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nAll MADI-enabled consoles are supported by DiGiGrid’s MADI-to-SoundGrid interfaces (MGB and MGO), enabling you to record your show directly to any DAW for virtual soundcheck purposes. Moreover, together with Waves MultiRack, a SoundGrid DSP server, and a switch, you can process in real time using your favorite SoundGrid-compatible plugins.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is AEB?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nWaves AEB (Audio Exclusive Broadcast) is the name of the connection protocol used by the SoundGrid system components.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Is SoundGrid AVB-compatible?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nSoundGrid is scheduled for full AVB compliance in the future.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Should I use Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nYou can use either. Cat 5e cables have a shorter length limit than Cat 6 cables.<\/p>\n

To learn more, please see this\u00a0cables compatibility chart<\/a>.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I use\u00a0DiGiGrid interfaces as I\/Os for my DAW without using a SoundGrid DSP server?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nYes, any DiGiGrid device can be used with any DAW, just like any other high-quality I\/O interface, and give you up to 128 I\/Os, regardless of whether you are using a SoundGrid DSP server.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I use my\u00a0DiGiGrid product abroad?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nDiGiGrid devices are designed for use in any country. All you need is the appropriate mains lead.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the USB port on the\u00a0DiGiGrid DLS and IOS?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nIt is a service port for server troubleshooting.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Does\u00a0DiGiGrid support 192 kHz processing?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nSoundGrid currently supports up to 96 kHz. 192 kHz will be supported in future releases, with updates downloadable from the web directly into your DiGiGrid device.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

I’m not sure how much of the full system I need. Can I start with one\u00a0DiGiGrid device, then add more as my requirements become clearer?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nNo problem. All you need in order to set up a basic SoundGrid system is one DiGiGrid interface. You can later add more DiGiGrid interfaces and\/or SoundGrid DSP servers and network them all together via Ethernet cables.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I use my existing Ethernet cables that are routed through my building?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nYes, as long as your Ethernet infrastructure complies with the SoundGrid network’s requirements. Please consult our list of compatible\u00a0switches<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0cables<\/a>.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

I have an older laptop. Can I use that for\u00a0DiGiGrid?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nYou can use your old PC or Mac computers with DiGiGrid as long as they meet the minimum requirements. Please see the System Requirements chart in the Waves\u00a0SoundGrid Studio Application page<\/a>, under the Support tab.<\/p>\n

Please note: DiGiGrid requires your computer to have a 1GB Ethernet port.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I use\u00a0DiGiGrid with any DAW?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nDiGiGrid can be used with most popular DAWs. See the list of supported DAWs in the Waves\u00a0SoundGrid Studio Application<\/a>\u00a0page, under the Support tab.<\/p>\n

If you want to use the eMotion ST mixer and StudioRack, we suggest you become familiar with their system requirements and supported hosts as well:\u00a0eMotion ST<\/a>\u00a0(under the Support tab);\u00a0StudioRack<\/a>\u00a0(Tech Specs tab > Supported Hosts tab).
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Are\u00a0DiGiGrid MGB and MGO bus-powered?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nNo, they are powered via the supplied power adaptor.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I connect a headphone amp to\u00a0DiGiGrid devices?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nSome DiGiGrid devices have multiple headphone outs. If you need more than the onboard headphone outputs, you can use the DiGiGrid device’s line outs to connect to your headphone amp.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I take my\u00a0DiGiGrid DLS or IOS server out on a live event?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nYes, DLS and IOS are rack-mountable devices suitable for various live purposes.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Will there be any future firmware updates? If so, how will I be able to access them?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nFirmware updates are available with the latest versions of the related software. The firmware is easily updated via MultiRack or the SoundGrid Studio Application.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Can\u00a0DiGiGrid IOS be used as a clocking source?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nAny DiGiGrid device can be used as a master clock, set through its control panel.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

Can I simultaneously use my AES I\/O and S\/PDIF input connections on a\u00a0DiGiGrid IOS?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nNo. You can use only one at a time.
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

What are the different latencies of the SoundGrid Studio System?<\/h3>\n

<\/a>
\nLatency is something that may change between systems. If you’re not using SoundGrid processing at all, the total latency depends on your DAW’s native buffer + SoundGrid system A\/D, D\/A and network buffer:<\/p>\n