DirectOut SG.

IO / User Guide
1
 DirectOut SG.IO

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Warnings, Conformity, and Certifications ......................................................................................................................... 3

HARDWARE AND CONNECTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 4

Install the DirectOut SG.IO .............................................................................................................................................. 4

GETTING STARTED ........................................................................................................................................................... 5

Connect the Hardware ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
One I/O......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Add I/Os ....................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Download and Install Software ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Configure the System ...................................................................................................................................................... 8
Manual Device Configuration ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Automatic Device Configuration ................................................................................................................................... 9
Device Firmware ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

DIRECTOUT SG.IO CONTROL PANEL ........................................................................................................................... 11

Clock Page .................................................................................................................................................................... 12
System Info Page and About Page ................................................................................................................................ 14

USING AN I/O DEVICE WITH A DAW .............................................................................................................................. 15

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

2
 Introduction
DirectOut PRODIGY Series audio devices perform state-of-the-art conversion, signal routing, and signal processing.
DirectOut SG.IO is an insert module that links PRODIGY to a SoundGrid network. 1 Audio and clock data are carried
over an Ethernet cable using Sync-over-Ethernet to synchronize multiple devices and perform digital splits. This enables
up to 128 channels of bidirectional audio at 48kHz and 64 channels at 96kHz. PRODIGY users working on practically
any DAW can take advantage of Waves reverbs, equalizers, compressors, limiters, delays, and more. Plus, additional
SoundGrid I/O devices can be assigned to the network.

SoundGrid is the Waves high-speed networking protocol for moving audio, clock, and other information between a host
system and I/O devices—and between I/O devices themselves. A SoundGrid host configures the network—assigning
servers and I/O devices to mix, process, or record, depending on the host. SoundGrid devices link to the SoundGrid
network with standard Ethernet cable.

SoundGrid is scalable. Depending on the host application, a SoundGrid host can assign up to sixteen I/O devices.
Complete SoundGrid systems can be networked together to share devices.

Add a server to a SoundGrid system to offload plugin processing from the host CPU to a SoundGrid DSP server. This
dramatically increases processing power and enables greater plugin counts. It also provides very low system latency.

Warnings, Conformity, and Certifications

Before installing and using the DirectOut SG.IO module, please refer to the DirectOut PRODIGY user guide for
important safety and compliance information.

1
The optional SG.SRC.IO features advanced sample rate conversion.
DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide
3
 Hardware and Connections
Install the DirectOut SG.IO
Refer to the DirectOut PRODIGY user guide for installation instructions concerning Audio Network Module
installation.

AUDIO NETWORK MODULE

Each module is equipped with 1 x SFP and 2 x RJ45-sockets (Gigabit-Ethernet) for transmission of audio signals.

PORT 1 RJ45 socket (1 Gbit/s)

PORT 2 Network interface - connect here for network
transmission.
PORT 3 SFP cage
Insert SFP transceiver here and connect to the
network.

LEDs on Ethernet ports 1 and 2 indicate status.

LED orange - indicates the link state of the network connection.
(ON) = device link active
(OFF) = device link not active

LED green - indicates the activity state of the network connection.

(ON) = data sent or received
(OFF) = no data transmission

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

4
 Getting Started
All SoundGrid systems, regardless of size, are set up in the same manner:

Connect the hardware

Install the software
Configure your system

Connect the Hardware

One I/O
Here, one DirectOut SG.IO is used to connect a DirectOut Prodigy processor to a the SoundGrid host application’s
SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver for plugin processing and/or DAW playback/recording. The interface is connected
directly to the host using a Cat 5e Ethernet cable or better.

Host computer with SoundGrid application

DirectOut Prodigy processor with SG.IO

module inserted

The host computer’s LAN port that’s connected to the SoundGrid network should be used for SoundGrid only. Do not
share this port with the internet or other networks.

In this configuration, all plugin processing is carried out on the host computer. The speed and power of the host defines
overall latency.

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

5
 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. When there are more than two network connections, use a "star" network
configuration with a 1GB Ethernet switch. Only use switches tested and approved by Waves.

Host computer

DirectOut Prodigy processor with

SG.IO module inserted

Additional SoundGrid I/O

1GB Ethernet switch

See this support article for a list

of supported switches.

You can connect and assign up to 16 SoundGrid I/O devices to the network, depending on the SoundGrid host
application. You can also add more computers to enable audio streaming between hosts.

ADD A SERVER
To add a server to your SoundGrid system, just connect it to the Ethernet switch and configure it in your host application.
This moves all DSP processing from the host computer to the server, which provides a higher plugin count and enables
the eMotion LV1 and ST mixers. Visit the waves.com hardware pages to learn more about SoundGrid servers. Consult
your host application’s user guide to learn how to configure additional I/Os and servers.

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

6
 Download and Install Software
INSTALLING A NEW SOUNDGRID HOST SYSTEM
Installing the Waves SoundGrid host application will also install all 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 its driver from Waves Central—please see below. First, however, check the device’s connections and
power.

ADDING AN I/O DEVICE TO AN EXISTING SOUNDGRID HOST SYSTEM

If you are already using a Waves SoundGrid host application and your device does not appear in the Network Devices
list, use Waves Central to update the host application, which also updates the device drivers—or install just the missing
device driver from Waves Central. 2
Waves Central
All Waves software is downloaded and installed via the Waves Central application. To install a specific device
driver, launch Waves Central and follow these steps:
Choose All Products.
Search for the driver by name.
Choose the driver and click Install.

If you are new to Waves products, begin by downloading the Waves Central installer from the Waves Download
Page. See the Waves Central User Guide for instructions on how to install drivers, plugins, and applications.

LICENSES
You do not need a license to use this device. However, many hosts or specific host configurations do require a license.
Refer to your host’s product page for details.

2
The SoundGrid QRec host is installed with any I/O.
DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide
7
 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.

Please consult the user guide of your host application for specific instructions.

SoundGrid QRec

SoundGrid Studio Setup Window

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

8
 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.
Any device not already used will be available for assignment. If no other
SoundGrid QRec 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.
SoundGrid Studio

Automatic Device Configuration

Certain SoundGrid hosts—including SoundGrid Studio, eMotion LV1 or SuperRack SoundGrid—offer an Auto-
Config tool. Once your devices are connected and powered up, click Auto Config to start the configuration.

Auto-Config chooses the correct LAN port on the host computer and scans the SoundGrid network for devices. It then
patches the devices to the host. We recommend that you let Auto-Config take care of things, at least when you are
getting started. If later you add, remove, or swap a device, Auto-Config will reconfigure your inventory and re-patch.

Note that SoundGrid Studio assigns the SoundGrid driver automatically. SuperRack SoundGrid and eMotion LV1 require
that the SoundGrid ASIO/Core Audio driver is assigned manually.

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

9
 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.

Grey Compatible firmware

Blue Compatible firmware, but a newer version exists
Red Firmware not compatible and must be updated in order to use.

SoundGrid Studio SoundGrid QRec

If a device requires updated firmware, click on the FW button to start a hardware scan. Do not disconnect the device or
turn off the computer before Done appears. Once the update is ready, turn the device off and on to reset.

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

10
 DirectOut SG.IO 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 page is used to set the clock source and monitor clock status. The About and System Info pages provide
information about the unit, such as MAC address, SOE master MAC Address, firmware version, and more.

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

11
 Clock Page
Use the Clock page to set the clock source and sample rate for the device and to assess clock status. Clock controls are
on the left side of the page, status indicators are on the right.

SOURCE sets the clock source

Internal The device is the SOE clock master. Other devices in the SoundGrid network will lock to it.

The device is locked to an external clock source; it is a clock slave to the external device. SG.IO will
Digital likely be the master of the SoundGrid network in this setup.
The DirectOut SG.IO module sets its clock to the sample rate of the SoundGrid network. The device
SOE can be the SOE master or a slave.

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

12
 SAMPLE RATE sets the sample rate when Clock Source is set to Internal. Range: 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 kHz.

CLOCK STATUS INDICATORS

Three windows on the right side of the Clock control panel help you
to quickly assess the network status of the DirectOut SG.IO.

Status Reports the presence or absence of sync between the DirectOut SG.IO and the SoundGrid network.

Current Clock Source Displays the current sync method. This may differ from the choice made in the Source menu.

Indicates that the device is assigned to the SoundGrid network and whether it’s the SOE master or a
SOE slave.

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

13
 System Info Page and About Page
The About page contains a description of the device. The System Info page contains technical details, 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

A bar at the top of the control panel lets you save and load presets. A preset describes the condition of the control panel
status, including clock source and sample rate.

Click the ID button on the right to illuminate an LED on the device. This helps to quickly identify the hardware device
associated with the control panel.

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

14
 Using an I/O Device 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. When you use a host’s Auto-Config tool, the host input
channels are patched automatically in an order based on rack. The order of the devices in the Device Rack determines
the default patching order. Please refer to your SoundGrid host’s user guide for details.

Configure the DAW for SoundGrid

1. Set the DAW playback engine to “Waves SoundGrid.” The SoundGrid driver channels will now appear in the DAW
I/O preferences and in the Input/Output selector in each DAW channel.
2. Route the DAW inputs and outputs to SoundGrid.

DirectOut SG.IO / User Guide

15