MultiRack is a software host that lets FOH and monitor engineers run multiple, simultaneous instances of the same award-winning Waves plugins used in recording studios and mixing rooms the world over. The world’s best-sounding reverbs, equalizers, compressors, limiters and delays are at your fingertips, without the limitations of hardware and at a fraction of the cost.
MultiRack application is ideal for live sound, broadcast, post-production facilities and more. With easy setup and advanced preset capabilities, MultiRack delivers all the flexibility and portability of software, with sound quality and convenience that beats hardware.
- Take studio sound to the stage and back again
- Quick and simple setup
- A fraction of the cost of hardware
- Full recall, full control
- Set and save presets, snapshots and Hot plugins per song and song sections
- Advanced side-chaining capabilities
- Windows- and OS X-compatible
- Run plugins live in real time and low latency (MultiRack SoundGrid only)
- Simultaneous processing and recording capabilities (MultiRack SoundGrid only)
- Plugin chain presets saved on MultiRack can be loaded in StudioRack, and vice versa
- Supports 5.1 and 7.1 Surround plugins and plugin components (NEW)
- Hot Plugin Panel with individual gain reduction meters for each plugin (NEW)
MultiRack Native relies on the power of a host computer to process the audio and uses an ASIO/Core Audio interface to connect to a console.
What you need:
- PC or Mac Host Computer – The main brain and controller for the system that runs the MultiRack live plugin host application. Refer to the system requirements page when choosing your computer.
-
ASIO/Core Audio Interface – A variety of standard ASIO/Core Audio interfaces are supported:
- Multichannel analog interface to connect to analog consoles.
- Built-in FireWire/USB interfaces to connect to Behringer X32, PreSonus StudioLive, Midas Venice, Mackie Onyx-i, etc.
- Waves SoundGrid interfaces to connect to Yamaha, A&H and MADI-enabled consoles.
- MultiRack Native Application – The host software required to run Waves Native plugins.
- Plugins – Waves MultiRack Native-compatible plugins for audio processing, hosted by MultiRack Native.
- USB Flash Drive (optional) – The USB flash-drive key holds the licenses for Waves V9 plugins and provides activated licenses on the go. When using MultiRack, the USB flash drive must be connected to the computer at all times. Check USB Flash Drive compatibility. Alternatively, you can activate the Waves V9 plugins and MultiRack software licenses on your host computer’s hard drive through the Waves License Center.
- Optional MIDI Controller – A MIDI controller can be used to control Plugins in real time, without using the mouse or keyboard.
MultiRack SoundGrid uses an external SoundGrid DSP server to achieve low-latency performance and run multiple plugins in real time.
What you need:
- PC or Mac Host Computer – The main brain and controller for the system that runs the MultiRack live plugin host application. Refer to the system requirements page when choosing your computer.
- SoundGrid I/O Interface – The SoundGrid I/O interface pipes audio in and out of the console. MultiRack SoundGrid supports dedicated SoundGrid interfaces for DiGiCo, Yamaha, A&H, and any MADI-enabled console.
- MultiRack SoundGrid Application – The host software required to run Waves SoundGrid plugins.
- Plugins – Waves MultiRack SoundGrid-compatible plugins for audio processing hosted by MultiRack SoundGrid.
- USB Flash Drive (optional) – The USB flash-drive key holds the licenses for Waves V9 plugins and provides activated licenses on the go. When using MultiRack, the USB flash drive must be connected to the computer at all times. Check USB Flash Drive compatibility. Alternatively, you can activate the Waves V9 plugins and MultiRack software licenses on your host computer’s hard drive through the Waves License Center.
- SoundGrid Server – The SG server acts as the main “number cruncher” for all plugins used in the application. It is also possible to connect a second “redundant” server working as a backup. Check the list of qualified servers.
- Network Switch – Check the list of qualified switches.
- Optional MIDI Controller – A MIDI controller can be used to control Plugins in real time, without using the mouse or keyboard.
- Optional Secondary Computer – The secondary computer may be used for connecting a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) application to your network for simultaneous recording and/or playback.
Support
System Requirements
Mac Pro (4,1) or higher
MacBook Pro / iMac / Mac Mini with Intel i5 CPU or higher
MacBook Air laptops are not supported
Memory
8 GB RAM
Operating System
10.11.6 – 10.14.5
* MultiRack V9 will not be supported under Mac OS X 10.15
Screen Resolution
Full HD
Intel i5 or higher
Memory
8 GB RAM
Operating System
Windows 8.1 / Windows 10 64-bit
Screen Resolution
Full HD
Tablets
Windows 8.1 / Windows 10 64-bit with Intel i3 and up CPU
Windows for Apple via Boot Camp
Mac mini 2014 and up, i7 8 GB RAM, Windows 10
Important Notes:
- Please consult the MultiRack Support Notes page for all updates about known issues, fixes, etc.
- SoundGrid is a ‘private’ network: in order to have a clean network stream, the SoundGrid network should not be used to run any non-SoundGrid applications. Using non-SoundGrid protocols on the same network that carries SoundGrid audio might result in audio drops, application freezes, and other unexpected results.
- Bucket View in the CLA MixHub plugin is currently not supported in MultiRack.
- Compact servers are supported under MultiRack SoundGrid up to version 9.5 only.
-
We highly recommend using the following qualified systems:
- Mac mini 2014 and up, i7, 8 GB RAM, minimum 256 GB SSD, Windows 10 via Bootcamp.
- HP EliteDesk 800 G3, Customized with i5-7600 CPU @ 3.5Ghz, 16 GB RAM, 128/256 SSD, Intel HD Graphics 630, 3 display ports, Ethernet port (Intel I219-LM), Windows 10.
- Waves Axis One.
-
OS X users: For best performance of audio transport from the SoundGrid Core Audio Driver to the SoundGrid network, new Apple computers featuring Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C connectivity should use one of the following adapters:
- Sonnet Solo 10G Thunderbolt 3-to-Ethernet Adapter
- OWC Thunderbolt 3 10G Ethernet Adapter
- Mac OS El Capitan and later: When multiple GUI actions are performed on MultiRack, memory may gradually become full and the computer might freeze. We advise to restart the computer occasionally to clear the memory cache, or to restart it prior to the show.
-
Touch and Multi-Touch Screens:
- Multi-touch support for Windows 8.1 and up, with touchscreens supporting 10-point touch.
- Single-touch support for Mac (using compatible drivers).
- Windows Users: Connecting to a SoundGrid network via Thunderbolt 3 is currently not supported.
- VPN software can alter network settings to meet its requirements.
These changes can the affect the network ports used for SoundGrid and may compromise performance of the SoundGrid network.
We strongly advise that you remove, disable, or turn off all VPN software while working with SoundGrid.