DiGiGrid IOS / IOS-XL User Guide
Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................. 3 HARDWARE AND CONNECTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 4 GETTING STARTED .......................................................................................................................................................
Introduction DiGiGrid IOS and IOS-XL are SoundGrid interfaces with built-in DSP servers for DAWs and Waves SoundGrid applications. IOS and IOS-XL have the same I/O sections. Both models feature eight mic/line inputs with premium grade preamps, eight line outputs, two headphone outputs, and MIDI, S/PDIF, and AES inputs and outputs. They also feature a built-in network switch to connect more SoundGrid components to your system.
Hardware and Connections IOS-XL is a 2U rack-mounted device. Aside from headphone jacks, all connections are from the rear panel. IOS/IOS-XL FRONT PANEL Front panel LEDs indicate status regarding essential device functions for each channel.
IOS/IOS-XL REAR PANEL Mains input: 90–240 V AC 50/60 Hz Built-in 1GB Ethernet switch, four ports The four-port Ethernet switch can connect IOS directly to a host computer and three other devices without an external Ethernet switch. For larger systems, a 1 GB SoundGrid-approved Ethernet switch is necessary. It is not important which of the Ethernet ports is used to connect to the SoundGrid network.
Getting Started Configure SoundGrid and assign your devices as follows, however large or small your system. Connect the hardware Install the software Configure your system Connect the Hardware Systems can range from small and simple, to huge and complex. One I/O In this example, one DiGiGrid IOS or IOS-XL is connected directly to the SoundGrid host computer using a Cat 5e Ethernet cable or better. This provides plugin processing and/or DAW playback/recording via the SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver.
Add I/Os Adding I/O devices not only increases the number of I/O channels, but lets you have separate devices for stage and FOH, or live room and control room. Both the IOS and IOS-XL feature a four-port Ethernet switch to connect with SoundGrid devices. When more than four device connections are needed, use a "star" network configuration with a 1GB Ethernet switch. Only use switches tested and approved by Waves.
Download and Install Software INSTALLING A NEW SOUNDGRID HOST SYSTEM Installing the Waves SoundGrid host application will also install applicable device drivers and ASIO/Core Audio drivers. Your devices will appear in the Inventory of your host system. If a device is not visible in the Inventory, you may need to install a specific driver from Waves Central—please see below. First, however, check the device’s connections and power.
Configure the System A SoundGrid network is configured and devices are assigned in a host’s Setup window. At the heart of this window are racks where devices are assigned. Any compatible device that’s part of the host’s SoundGrid network will be available for assignment. This collection of devices is called the Inventory. Setup is similar with all hosts: identify the host’s LAN port, select a device slot, and use the drop-down menu to choose an available device.
Manual Device Configuration You can assign, remove, and manage a device manually. Click on the plus or arrow symbol in a device slot to open the Device Menu, then select a device. SoundGrid QRec Any device not already used will be available for assignment. If no other devices are assigned, the current device will become your clock master. Drivers and servers are assigned in the same manner. See the user guide of your host system for specific instructions on device assignment and I/O channel patching.
Device Firmware An I/O that is using outdated or incompatible firmware will not work properly in a SoundGrid network until its firmware is updated. The color of the FW button in a device slot indicates the current firmware status. SoundGrid Studio Grey Compatible firmware Blue Compatible firmware, but a newer version exists Red Firmware not compatible and must be updated in order to use SoundGrid QRec If a device requires updated firmware, click on the FW button to start a hardware scan.
IOS / IOS XL Control Panel There are two ways to open the device control panel: FROM THE DEVICE RACK Click the Gear button on a device in the rack slot. SoundGrid Studio SoundGrid QRec FROM THE DRIVER CONTROL PANEL Open the driver control panel and then click the Hardware Control Panel button. The driver control panel is located here in the host computer: PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\Waves\SoundGrid\Driver Control Panel Mac: System HD/Applications/Waves/SoundGrid CONTROL PANEL PAGES The Clock and Control
Controls Page This is where you configure the inputs and outputs of the IOS/IOS-XL. Mic preamps, line inputs and outputs, digital I/O, level control and metering. The Controls page is divided into three sections: Top Bar Analog section Digital section Focus section: input and output levels and 48V phantom power for selected I/O channel are controlled here.
TOP BAR The Top Bar of the Controls page includes an illustration of the IOS/IOS-XL rear panel. When an input or output is selected in the main section of the page, the corresponding connector is highlighted. ANALOG SECTION There are eight mic preamps and line inputs and eight line outputs. Each preamp channel is represented by a button that turns the channel on or off. Each channel has a meter and a clip indicator.
REMOTE PREAMP CONTROL You can control input preamp functions directly from the channel strip of SoundGrid applications, including eMotion LV1, SoundGrid Studio and SuperRack SoundGrid. Control Function 48V Phantom Preamp Gain Input Input Polarity Digital Input Trim On or Off Controls analog gain in an assigned I/O device that includes a controllable preamp. Mono channels have one polarity reverse button. Stereo channels have two. Buttons are latching and are colored green when polarity is reversed.
DIGITAL SECTION Digital inputs and outputs are selected in pairs. Two buttons in the Focus section are used to switch digital input and clock between AES/EBU and S/PDIF. This choice is reflected in the Top Bar illustration. Use the SRC button to enable input sample rate conversion. When SRC is selected, IOS/IOS-XL will convert incoming digital stream to the sample rate of the clock that the device is locked to. Sample rate conversion is indicated by a yellow light on the channel button.
CLIP INDICATION AND SMALL METERS Clip Indication Threshold sets the level where clipping is shown on the meter in the Focus section. The threshold can be set to 0 dB, -1 dB, -2 dB, or -3 dB. This setting is global: it affects level indication for all channels—input and output. Each channel button—analog or digital, input or output—has a small level meter that indicates when signal is present and provides a rough idea of level. A red light on the channel button indicates clipping.
Clock Page Use the Clock page to set the clock source and sample rate for the device and to assess clock status. SOURCE sets the requested clock source. 18 Internal The device itself provides the SEO clock. External WC Clock is provided by an external device via the Word Clock Input connector. Sync over Ethernet The device receives clock from the SoundGrid network.
SAMPLE RATE sets the sample rate when Clock Source is set to Internal. Range: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 kHz. If the device is the network (SOE) clock master, as determined in the Device Racks of the SoundGrid host, then this setting determines the sample rate of the SoundGrid network. If Clock Source is set to an external clock source, you cannot change the sample rate from the host. The Sample Rate menu is grayed out and inoperative.
System Info Page and About Page The About page contains a description of the device. The System Info page contains technical details about the device, including MAC address, Firmware version, and Module version. This information is useful for troubleshooting. Please have this information handy if you contact Waves technical support concerning the device.
Presets The Top Bar is used to load and save device presets and to identify device hardware. A saved preset includes all Clock and Control panels parameters. Save IOS/IOS-XL presets to use on future sessions or copy them to another computer to duplicate a configuration. Click the Identify button to indicate which IOS/IOS-XL hardware device belongs to this Control Panel. Clicking the button causes the Network LED on the front panel of the IOS/IOS-XL to flash in a rather psychedelic manner.
Using IOS/IOS-XL with a DAW Setting up SoundGrid devices with a DAW involves these steps: Patch the I/O device and the SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver When using a DAW on a SoundGrid network, the SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver serves as a bridge between the I/O device and the DAW. It enables the I/O to communicate with the DAW and it provides patches. Patching an I/O to the SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver differs slightly among hosts.
Specifications General 23 • 2U rack-mounted (standard 19 inch rack-mount wide, 2U high, 380 mm deep, excluding connectors) • Supported sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz (176.4 kHz and 192 kHz will be supported in the future) • 8 channel mic/line inputs (on XLR/TRS combo) • 8 channel line outputs (on TRS or 25-pin D-con) • 2 headphone outputs with analog level knobs; range: Off to +15 dB • 2 channel AES/EBU or S/PDIF (switchable), SRC optional.
Analog Inputs Specifications • Input Impedance: Mic: 2.5 kiloohm / Line: 8 kiloohm • Gain Range: Mic: 0 dB to +52.5 dB in 7.5-dB steps / Line: 0 dB to +52.5 dB in 7.5-dB steps • Maximum Input Level: Mic: +26 dBu / Line: +36 dBu • Mic Equivalent Input Noise: > -126 dB (150 Ohm source, gain +60 dB) • Harmonic Distortion: Typically < 0.01% @ unity gain, 10-dB input @ 1 kHz • Frequency Response: +/-0.
IOS / IOS-XL Analog Connectors DB25 8-channel balanced connector AES59-2012 G C H G 13 12 25 C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H G C H 11 24 10 23 9 22 8 21 7 20 G=Ground XLR connectors Positive (+) 25 Pin 2 6 19 C=Cold 5 18 4 17 3 16 2 15 1 14 H=Hot ¼” TRS connectors Positive (+) Tip Negative (-) Pin 3 Negative (-) Ring Signal Ground Pin 1 Signal Ground Sleeve Chassis Ground Case DiGiGrid IOS/IOS-XL / User Guide
Resetting the Unit If an unsuccessful firmware update results in the device no longer being recognized by the host. Follow these steps to reset the unit: 1. 2. 3. 4. Turn off the unit. Press and hold the Reset button. Restart the unit while holding the button. Release the Reset button once the device has fully booted. The unit is now in “force update” mode, and a new firmware update can be performed.
