Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction ..................................................................................................... 3

1.1 Welcome ............................................................................................................. 3
1.2 Product Overview................................................................................................ 3
Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide ............................................................................................. 4
2.1 Connect Your Console to the Sound Card or External I/O.................................. 5
2.2 Create a New Session and Set the Preferences................................................. 6
2.3 Add Empty Racks ............................................................................................... 8
2.4 Snapshots ......................................................................................................... 11
2.5 Create Processing Groups................................................................................ 13
2.6 Saving in MultiRack .......................................................................................... 14
2.7 Recall Safe Mode.............................................................................................. 14
2.8 Overview Window: Viewing the Status of All of Your Racks ............................. 15
2.9 Controlling MultiRack with MIDI ........................................................................ 16
How is MIDI Used with MultiRack?................................................................................ 16
The Controller Strip ....................................................................................................... 16
Assigning Hardware Control with the Remote Controller Editor .................................... 18
Remotely Triggering Snapshots .................................................................................... 20
Hot Plug-in Mode........................................................................................................... 20
2.10 Show Mode .....................................................................................................22
2.11 Shortcuts That Are Always Available .............................................................. 22
2.12 Automatic Recovery........................................................................................ 22
Chapter 3 – MultiRack Windows and Controls Explained ............................................. 23
3.1 Status Bar ......................................................................................................... 24
3.2 A Quick Look at the Windows ........................................................................... 26
MultiRack Window ......................................................................................................... 26
Rack View Window........................................................................................................ 26
Group Properties Window ............................................................................................. 27
Snapshots Pane ............................................................................................................ 27
Preferences Window ..................................................................................................... 28
3.3 The Windows in Detail ...................................................................................... 28
MultiRack Window: Setting Up Your Processing Environment...................................... 28
Rack View: Using Your Plug-ins .................................................................................... 34
WaveSystem Toolbar Buttons ....................................................................................... 35
Controller Strip............................................................................................................... 36
Group Properties Window: For Organization and Latency Alignment ........................... 37
Snapshot Pane: Automating Your Racks ...................................................................... 39
Preferences Window: Global Controls........................................................................... 43
Chapter 4 – MultiRack Menus........................................................................................... 46
4.1 File Menu ..........................................................................................................46
4.2 MultiRack Menu (OS X only)............................................................................. 47
4.3 Edit Menu..........................................................................................................47
4.4 Snapshots Menu ............................................................................................... 50
4.5 Help .................................................................................................................. 51

2
Chapter 1

Introduction
1.1 Welcome
Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of Waves MultiRack, please
take the time to read through this manual.

In conjunction, we also suggest you become familiar with [Link]. There you
will find an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation guides,
new Software Updates, and current information on Authorization and Registration.

By signing up at [Link], you will receive personalized information on your

registered products, reminders when updates are available, and information on your
authorization status.

1.2 Product Overview

MultiRack is a host platform for Waves audio processing plug-ins, designed especially for
live sound applications. It provides a software equivalent to outboard hardware processing
Racks, and signal flow to and from your console is similar to what you’re accustomed to
with traditional hardware Racks. MultiRack allows you to program up to 1000 Snapshots
per Session, so you can seamlessly change setups between or even within songs.

3
Chapter 2

Quickstart Guide
The Quick Start section contains all you need to know to configure your system and to get
up to speed with the application.
We will follow these steps as we get started:
1. Connect your console to the sound card or external I/O
2. Create a new Session and set the preferences
3. Add new Racks and set their audio signal flow
4. Add plug-ins for sound processing
5. Create Snapshots for easy recall of Racks and processors
6. Organize Racks into groups for ease of operation and latency management
7. Set up your MIDI environment for remote control

After the Quick Start chapter is a detailed description of MultiRack’s interface, so if you
have a question about a particular button, function, or feature, this is the place to look. At
the back of this manual, you’ll find details of MultiRack’s application menus.

Follow the steps in the Quick Start guide, and then experiment with a Session of your own.
It won’t be long until you’re managing complex concert setups with much greater ease than
ever before.

Please note: Throughout this manual, keyboard shortcuts indicating Ctrl/Cmd refer to
Windows (Ctrl) and Mac (Cmd) respectively.

4
2.1 Connect Your Console to the Sound Card or External I/O
Before starting the application, connect your console to your sound card or external I/O. It’s
useful to make a chart of the connections, so that when you assign Racks to specific I/O
channels, you won’t need to look behind your console.

MultiRack signal flow to and from your console is similar to what you’re used to with
external hardware processors: Some connections will be from aux sends on your console,
with returns on faders; others will be from channel inserts. You may also choose to connect
via a patch bay or router.

5
Here are some flowchart examples of MultiRack connections. For more about Rack I/O
configurations, see the detail section “MultiRack Window: Setting up Your Processing
Environment.”

2.2 Create a New Session and Set the Preferences

A Session is a collection of Racks, each of which contains plug-in processors. It holds the
“architecture” of your setup (input and output routing, how many Racks, in what order,
which plug-ins and their order, etc.), as well as Rack I/O levels and plug-in settings.
Normally, a Session will contain the setup for an entire show, while Snapshots are used to
change settings between or within songs.

MultiRack will initially open with a blank Session. Afterward, it will open to the most recent
Session.

6
Get started by accessing the Preferences
window: Ctrl+P in Windows/Cmd+, on Mac). Set
the audio I/O device by clicking the Audio
Device dropdown and choosing from the
available devices. (MultiRack supports Windows
ASIO and Mac CoreAudio sound cards.)

The rest of the Preferences can be set later.

7
2.3 Add Empty Racks
A Rack is a chain of plug-ins used to process an audio signal, whether mono, stereo, or
mono-to-stereo. In the hardware world, signals flow from a console’s channel insert or aux
track, are processed with a collection of outboard gear, and then returned to the console.
MultiRack follows the same principle, except that processing takes place in virtual Racks
filled with plug-in processors rather than in hardware racks.

The first step in building a MultiRack processing setup is to add empty Racks.
Double click on the area that says Double Click to Add Rack.

This will reveal a dialogue box that asks how many Racks
you want to add, as well as what type of Rack (Mono,
Stereo, or Mono-to-Stereo). Don’t worry about making the
wrong choice; you can always change this setting later.

Now you’ll see one or more empty Racks. Define the

audio input and output channels of each Rack by clicking
on the left (input) and right (output) side rails of the
interface. The Audio I/O pull-down menu will open. The
number of channels available depends on the I/O device
you are using. Set the channel(s) for both input (left side
rail) and output (right side rail) for each of the Racks
you’ve created.

8
 You may decide later to change a Rack’s input
from mono to stereo, or to mono-to-stereo. Use the
Switch Rack Type pull-down to modify the input
and/or output.

As you add Racks, a blank area will appear beneath the newest Rack. Double click in area
to add more Racks, up to a maximum of 64.

Just as it’s important to write on the scribble strip of your console to identify the source of
each channel, it’s equally useful to name the Racks of your MultiRack Session. Label a
Rack by clicking, then typing, in the Rack name text
cell at the top of the Rack. In this example, we’ve
labeled the Rack “Hi Hats.”

To delete a Rack, right click on it and choose Delete Rack from the menu, or choose
Delete Selected Racks from the Edit menu.

This is a good time to Save your Session. Look in the File menu for the command, or type
Ctrl/Cmd+S.

9
2.4 Add Plug-ins for Sound Processing
Once you’ve created Racks and assigned their I/O channels, it’s time to add plug-ins to
each Rack. A Rack can hold up to eight plug-in processors, and the signal will always flow
from left-to-right.

Click on the small arrow near the Input Fader to add a plug-in from the pull-down list. Plug-
ins are organized by type of processor. Add another plug-in by clicking on the arrow to the
right of the first plug-in, and so forth. You can always rearrange the plug-in order by clicking
on a processor and dragging it to the desired position.

To view a plug-in and adjust its parameters, double click on the box representing it. The
plug-in’s interface will appear below the Rack. This view is called Rack View. Set the plug-
in as desired. At the top of the interface of all Waves plug-ins is the WaveSystem toolbar,
which is used to load or save your favorite settings for that plug-in. Learn more about the
WaveSystem Toolbar in this manual’s section entitled “Rack View: Using Your Plug-ins.”

To exit Rack View and return to MultiRack window, double click on any empty area at the
top of the Rack, or click the red [X] button on the right. To move to another plug-in interface,
simply double click on the plug-in you’d like to see. You can also navigate between the
plug-ins in a Rack by using the left/right arrows on your keyboard. To delete a plug-in, right
click on it and choose Remove Plug-in. (This action is undo-able.)

10
2.5 Snapshots
With MultiRack, you can easily store and recall Snapshots of the Racks and the plug-ins
they contain. A Snapshot is sort of a “super preset,” a picture of all of the Racks in your
MultiRack Session. It contains the following parameters:

• Rack input and output gain

• Rack in/out and mute states
• Current plug-in parameters

Snapshots are contained and saved as part of a Session file. A single Session file can
contain up to 1000 Snapshots. Snapshots can also be exported to or imported from files in
order to integrate them into a Session.

Use Snapshots to change the state of Racks (mute/out), levels, and most importantly, the
settings for the plug-ins. Snapshots do not change the physical configuration of a Session,
so you cannot use a Snapshot to change the audio I/O, the Rack order, or the plug-ins in a
Rack. However, since Snapshots can take plug-ins in and out of the processing path, you
can insert several plug-ins into a Rack, and then control which are in use in specific
Snapshots.

Snapshots are stored, recalled, and managed in the

Snapshot Pane. To open this window, click the Snapshots
button.

11
Here, you can store up to 1000 Snapshots. We’ll discuss the
Snapshots Pane in greater detail later in this manual. For
now, it’s sufficient to know that first you should set your I/O
levels and plug-in parameters as desired, then click on a
Snapshot register where you want to store the information.

Click Store As…. This will reveal the Store Snapshot As

window.
Type a name for this Snapshot and click Store. In the image
to the left, we’re adding a Snapshot for the chorus of “Song
#2,” and storing it into Snapshot slot #0004.

To recall a Snapshot, double click on a defined Snapshot in

the Snapshot Pane, or select the desired Snapshot, then
click on Recall. The functions in the Snapshot Pane are
pretty logical, so you can learn how it works through
experimentation. Refer to the next section of this manual,
“MultiRack Windows and Controls,” for more details about
these features.

12
2.6 Create Processing Groups
Since MultiRack allows you to build Sessions of up to 64 Racks, each of which are specific
processing chains, you may choose to organize related Racks into groups to better manage
your Session. Grouping Racks offers a few advantages:

• Group related Racks together (such as all drum channels), and they will share a
common group name.
• Groups are color-coded, making visual identification of similar Racks much easier.
• Grouped tracks can be latency-aligned, offsetting unequal delays caused by each
channel’s chain of plug-ins, which may have different latencies.

Create a group by clicking on the grouping pull-down menu and choosing Open Group
Properties window. Here you create Rack
groups and determine if and how Racks
within the group will be latency-aligned.

In this example, we named the group

“Drums.” Each new group is automatically
assigned a color. (We will discuss latency
alignment in more detail in the section
“Group Properties Window: For
Organization and Latency Alignment.”) For
now, choose Auto, which sets the latency
of all Racks in the group to match that of
the Rack with the greatest latency.

Close the window.

To add more Racks to a group, click on the grouping pull-down menu, where the group
name will appear, and then select the
group that you want the Rack to belong to.

13
2.7 Saving in MultiRack
MultiRack offers four different levels of “Save,” enabling you to quickly and confidently store
and recall needed Session information. From most specific to most general, here are your
options for saving information:
• Per Plug-in: Each plug-in has its own WaveSystem Toolbar, so you can load and save
your favorite plug-in settings without affecting the rest of the processing environment.
Say you have a C4 preset that you’d like to use for the bass. Simply load the preset
from the C4’s WaveSystem Toolbar’s Load menu.
• Per Rack: There’s a WaveSystem Toolbar at the top of each Rack, so you can load and
save settings for an entire Rack, independent of the Snapshots.
• Snapshots are used to store your plug-in and Rack settings.
• Sessions hold the settings for every plug-in, Rack and Snapshot, and contain the
information about the architecture and signal flow for the entire setup.

2.8 Recall Safe Mode

There are times when you don’t want certain Racks or specific plug-ins to be affected by
Snapshot changes. The Recall Safe Mode allows you to select the Racks and/or plug-ins
that won’t be affected as you change Snapshots that would normally affect them. The
recall-safe option applies within the Session (not a specific Snapshot).

To set a Rack or plug-in to Recall Safe:

• Select Recall Safe in the Snapshots menu, or type Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+R.
• Racks: Select a Rack or multi-select several Racks, then right click in any empty area of
the Rack. Select Recall Safe from the pull-down menu. A Rack’s blue input/output rails
indicate that it is in Recall Safe.
• Plug-ins: Select the plug-in or plug-ins you want to set to Recall Safe. Right click on any
of the selected plug-ins and choose Recall Safe from the pull-down menu. Recall Safe
plug-ins glow blue.
• To remove a Rack or plug-in from Recall Safe mode, de-select Recall Safe from the
right click menu in Recall Safe mode.
• Plug-ins or Racks that are set to Recall Safe can be edited. However, their Recall Safe
status can be viewed only while in Recall Safe mode.
• Selecting Recall Safe in the Snapshots menu does not activate or de-activate Recall
Safe. Rather, it only allows you to see plug-ins and Racks and set them to Recall Safe.
14
 When you turn Recall Safe mode off, Racks and plug-ins which have been Recall Safe
remain so; they just don’t glow blue.

2.9 Overview Window: Viewing the Status of All of Your Racks

Once you’ve filled several Racks, you’ll want a convenient way to keep track of everything
happening within your processing environment. To get an overview of your Racks, select
Overview from the View menu. This will reveal the Overview Window, where you’ll see a
condensed view of each Rack.

The Overview Window tells you if a Rack or an individual plug-in is functioning, and it
enables you to turn on or off, bypass, or mute a Rack. Clipping is also indicated for each
Rack.

Use the Overview Window when you want to keep an eye on the entire processing setup.
Since each mini-Rack in the Overview Window displays clipping information, you can easily
watch out for over-level clipping across your entire setup.

15
2.10 Controlling MultiRack with MIDI
Since FOH situations demand that you keep your hands on the console and your eyes on
the show, you may not always want to control MultiRack using a mouse and a computer
display. Instead, you may choose to control MultiRack using your digital console or other
familiar MIDI hardware controller for greater efficiency.

The following MultiRack functions can be controlled via MIDI:

• Navigation between Racks and between plug-ins
• Global controls such as Rack or Plug-in On/Off, Mute, etc.
• Selected Plug-in parameter controls
• Snapshot recall

How is MIDI Used with MultiRack?

Important MultiRack functions can be assigned to a MIDI hardware controller using the
Remote Controller Editor, which is supplied with MultiRack. Assigning is simple: On the
Editor’s interface, select the MultiRack function you wish to control, and move the desired
knob or press the desired button on your MIDI controller to establish an assignment. Even
when you have Racks full of processors, you can only control the plug-in that’s currently
being displayed. This way, you always know which plug-in parameter you’re adjusting. So
when controlling MultiRack via MIDI, you will always first select the Rack and plug-in you
want to address, and then adjust its parameters.

The Controller Strip

A MultiRack Session can have up to 64 Racks, each containing up to eight plug-ins. Since
every plug-in has several parameter controls, remote control of so many different variables
could be a logistically complex task, and would require users to re-map MIDI links each
time the configuration changes. MIDI mapping is simplified in MultiRack by using a matrix
that sits between the plug-in and the MIDI controller. This matrix assigns key parameter
control knobs and buttons to fixed matrix positions so that MIDI assignments always make
sense, regardless of type of processor. For example, when using dynamics processors, the
matrix usually assigns the first variable MIDI position to Threshold, the second to Ratio, the
third to Attack, and so forth. With EQ processors, the first variable position is usually Input
Gain, followed by Band One Gain, Band One Frequency, etc. The matrix is reflected in the

16
Controller Strip, which can be displayed at the bottom of the Rack View page by choosing
Show Controller Strip from the View menu or by using the shortcut Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+C.

The Controller Strip shows up to eight variable controls (top row) and eight switches for the
displayed plug-in that can be remotely controlled via MIDI. Many plug-ins have more than
eight variable and or discrete controls; to assign these additional controls, extra Controller
Strip pages are provided. Use the Remote Controller Editor’s Next/Previous buttons to
navigate to the relevant page of Controller Strip parameter controls.

MultiRack’s standardized Controller Strip means that the relationship between hardware
and software need be set only once. The specific parameter control will change with each
type of plug-in, but the logic will remain consistent within groups of Waves plug-ins.

17
Assigning Hardware Control with the Remote Controller Editor
Use the Remote Controller Editor to map relationships between hardware MIDI controllers
and numerous MultiRack functions. Its interface displays MultiRack functions that can be
controlled directly via MIDI, including the eight continuous and eight discrete controls of the
Controller Strip. You can assign up to 46 MIDI links to desired MultiRack controls using a
standard MIDI “Learn” routine:

There are three categories of MIDI controlled MultiRack functions that you can assign with
MIDI Remote Control:

• Navigation Use MIDI buttons to navigate between and within Racks to select and edit
the specific plug-in to control. You can additionally assign up to eight Hot Plug-ins that
can be recalled by touching the assigned MIDI controls. In this way you can access
critical plug-ins without having to navigate to them.

• Plug-in/Rack Controls Once a Rack and a plug-in are selected, you have direct control
over the Rack (levels, on/off, in/out, etc.), as well as control over the plug-in parameters.
Plug-in control is available for the eight knobs and eight buttons shown on the plug-in’s
Controller Strip.

18
• Snapshot Recall This provides control for Next and Previous Snapshots. You can also
directly recall specific “Hot” Snapshots.

To assign MIDI controls, launch the Remote Controller Editor by clicking Editor from the
Control Setup tab of the Preferences window.

Select a MIDI port. Use the pull-down menu to choose the port your MIDI controller is
connected to.

Assign hardware controllers to the navigation tools:

• Click on any of the five navigation keys (Up Rack, Down Rack, Prev Plug-in, Next Plug-
in, or Select).
• Choose the hardware control you want to assign and move or press it to communicate
with the Remote Controller Editor. You’ll see floating text above the selected parameter,
indicating the MIDI command assigned to the respective parameter.
• This completes the assignment of the MIDI switch or variable controller. Proceed with
the other navigation functions.

Follow the same procedure for the eight

continuous parameter controls and eight
discrete switches of the Controller Strip.
Remember, the specific plug-in parameter
controls and switches will change with type
of plug-in, but the position and the assigned knob on your MIDI hardware controller will
remain fixed.

You can assign control of a Rack’s Input and Output Gain,

as well as Rack On/Off, Rack In/Out and Mute.

19
Remotely Triggering Snapshots
Assign hardware switches to control the Previous and Next Snapshot function.
When using remote MIDI control to scroll to a Snapshot, the Snapshot will
become active immediately.

By creating Hot Snapshots, you can assign up to eight Snapshots to specific MIDI switches.
This is useful for very important or frequently used Snapshots.

In the Snapshots pane, select a Snapshot you want to make Hot. Right click on the
Snapshot name and choose a Hot Snapshot number from the pull-down menu. Once you
create a hot Snapshot, the assignment procedure is the same as with other MIDI trigger
assignments. Hot Snapshots are displayed in red in the Snapshots Pane and their Hot
Snapshot number is indicated on the right side of the window.

Hot Plug-in Mode

You can designate up to eight plug-ins as “Hot Plug-ins.” Hot Plug-ins can be directly
recalled via MIDI, in much the same way that Hot Snapshots are used. To make a plug-in
Hot:
• Select Hot Plug-in Mode from the Edit menu
• Select a plug-in you want to designate as hot.
• Right click on the plug-in and choose a Hot Plug-in number (1-8) from the submenu

Set a Hot Plug-in

The plug-in will now display a numbered
marker (H1, H2, …) indicating its Hot Plug-in
designation.

Once you complete the

assignments, save the MIDI/Keyboard Setup
file, using the Save or Save As… buttons at
the bottom of the interface.

You are now finished with the Remote Controller Editor and may close the application.

20
Return to MultiRack and open the Control
Setup tab of the Preferences window. Browse
to your newly created MIDI control file in the
window, MIDI/Keyboard Setup File.

Select the desired MIDI/Keyboard Setup file.

The mapping you assigned with Remote
Controller Editor will become available to
MultiRack.

MIDI control setup is discussed in greater

detail in the section “The Preferences
Window.”

21
2.11 Show Mode
Show Mode is a “safe mode,” used during
performances, that lets you adjust parameters within
plugins, but not change routing, configuration, and other
settings that could cause problems in a live situation.
When Show is selected you’re locked out from much of
the interface - select Setup to return to the Setup mode.
To move between Setup and Show modes, double-click the Setup/Show button.

2.12 Shortcuts That Are Always Available

Right click on any blank area of the Rack’s interface and you’ll have quick options to
perform a number of common tasks:
• Rack On/Off
• Rack In/Out
• Mute Rack
• Copy Rack
• Duplicate Rack
• Delete Rack
• Assign Processing Groups

2.13 Automatic Recovery

As MultiRack is an application for live usage, it is equipped with an automatic recovery
mechanism. This means that if MultiRack quits unexpectedly, it will automatically re-launch
and re-open the same Session file it was running when it crashed, with the same Snapshot
that was recalled when the crash occurred (if applicable).

22
Chapter 3

MultiRack Windows and

Controls Explained
In this section, we take a look at each of MultiRack’s windows in greater detail. If you’ve not
read the first section of this manual, “MultiRack Quick Start,” please do so before
continuing. There are terms and concepts discussed in the Quick Start that are essential to
understanding MultiRack workflow.

23
3.1 Status Bar
At the top of the interface, above all of the Racks, is the Status Bar, with which you select
modes and monitor system status. This information bar is visible from any view.

Audio On/Off Turns the audio engine on and off. Use this button to reset
button the engine if audio has become corrupted, or if the
application is unresponsive.

Show/Setup Double-clicking this button switches between Setup mode,

button in which you can change any setting, including audio I/O,
Rack order, and number of plug-ins, and Show mode,
where you can adjust plug-in parameters but not the
“structural” aspects of the Racks. Show mode is designed
for performance and stability, and protects you by preventing
changes that might bring about clicks, audio drops,
instability or glitchy behavior.
If you find you cannot cut, paste, or move Racks, you’re
likely in Show mode. Return to Setup mode to change the
layout of your Racks. Setup mode allows you to edit all of
the application’s editable parameters. It’s intended for use
while setting up the live Session, connecting the Racks,
adjusting the audio processing parameters, setting up
remote options, etc.

Snapshot button This opens the Snapshots pane, where you name,
manage and recall Snapshots. You can also open the
Snapshots pane by typing Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+O.

24
Snapshot button This opens the Snapshots pane, where you name,
manage and recall Snapshots. You can also open the
Snapshots pane by typing Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+O.

Snapshot pull- Displays the current Snapshot and allows you to quickly
down menu recall any Snapshot directly.

Snapshot Click the left arrow to recall the previous Snapshot, and
previous/next the right arrow to recall the next Snapshot, in sequential
buttons order.

Message area Error and alert messages are displayed in this area.

MIDI This indicator flashes when MultiRack receives a

remote/MIDI message.

SYS This meter displays MultiRack’s overall system

(system resources resources consumption, as a percentage and in color. A
meter) red indicator indicates significant audio dropouts. This
warning will hold for one second.

25
3.2 A Quick Look at the Windows
The MultiRack interface consists of just five windows, each of which displays details about
your Session. Here is a brief description of the windows, after which each will be described
in more detail.

MultiRack Window
This is the main user window, where up
to 64 Racks are connected and
controlled. Here you add Racks, fill
Racks with plug-ins, adjust levels, and
generally get organized.

Rack View Window

This window opens when you double
click on a plug-in within a Rack. It
displays the selected plug-in interface,
as well as the Rack where it’s located.
This is where you edit plug-in
parameters, import your favorite plug-in
presets, and control the levels of
individual plug-ins. In this view, each
plug-in has its own WaveSystem
toolbar for loading and saving plug-in
presets.

26
Group Properties Window
Here you group sets of Racks for easier
organization and to adjust for latency alignment
between the group’s Racks.

Snapshots Pane
Lists all Session Snapshots and allows Snapshot management.
Here you can store, rename, move, duplicate, and recall
Snapshots.

27
Preferences Window
Contains all application and
global settings that affect the
entire application. This
window is accessed from
the Edit menu (PC) or Apple
menu (OS X).

3.3 The Windows in Detail

MultiRack Main View: Setting Up Your Processing Environment

This is the view where you’ll probably spend most of your setup time. It’s here that you build
Racks of processors.

Racks are stacked one

below another; there are
no unoccupied slots
between Racks. By
default, MultiRack opens
with the last Session used.

28
 To add a Rack, double click on the area below an existing
Rack (if one exists).
The Add Racks dialog window will appear. It allows you
to add Racks below the last Rack in the Session. The
numeric field specifies the number (1-64) of new Racks to
be added. From the drop-down menu choose the Rack type: mono, mono-to-stereo, or
stereo.

When a new Rack is added, its default setup is:

No plug-ins; Gain at 0dB; Rack on; Rack in; Mute off; No group; Untitled name; No input;
No output.

To select a Rack, click anywhere on the Rack.

To select multiple Racks, Ctrl/Cmd+Click on the Racks you want to select, or click/draw a
rectangle over the contiguous Racks you want to include.
To move a Rack or Racks, select or multi-select, then drag and drop. You can also cut
and paste Racks. As Racks move, their I/O settings follow them. Several Racks moved at
the same time will clump together and move as one unit, and all Racks below this group will
move downward to make room for the new arrivals.

The Rack Control Strip

At the top of each Rack is a status bar that you use to control, name and put it into
processing groups. The control strip has the following windows and buttons:

29
On/Off Disables a Rack and removes it from CPU processing. Mutes
all signals routed to the Rack. Turning off an unneeded Rack
results in better CPU management of the system.
In/Out Disables the Rack’s plug-ins and passes the signal directly
from Rack input to Rack output. Typically used for “before
and after” comparison or to bypass processing.
Mute Silences the Rack, but doesn’t remove it from CPU
processing. Muting is performed on the Rack’s input to allow
reverb tails and delay taps to fade gracefully.
Rack Name The user-defined name of the Rack. Double-click to enter a
(“Kick One” in new name or use the pull-down menu to open another Rack.
this example)
Group Name Refers to the name of the processing group, if any, to which
(“Drums” in this the Rack has been assigned. Use the pull-down menu to
example) assign the Rack to another processing group.

Selecting Racks and Using Keystroke Commands

You can copy, paste, delete, duplicate, and perform other operations on a Rack or Racks
you have selected.
• To select a Rack, click on any empty area of the Rack.
• To select multiple adjacent Racks, click on a Rack, then Shift+Click on the most distant
Rack of the group you want to select.
• To select multiple non-adjacent Racks, Ctrl/Cmd+Click on several Racks.

Right click on the top

part of a selected Rack
and you will see a pull-
down menu that offers
several functions:

30
Active(On) Turns Rack on/off, disabling and removing it from the
CPU. This is useful for greater CPU efficiency when a
Rack is not needed.

Bypass Disables the Rack’s plug-in processing and passes

signal from Rack input to Rack output.

Mute Mutes entire Rack but doesn’t remove plug-ins from

CPU.

Cut Rack(s) Cuts the Rack and its contents and places them in the
computer’s clipboard.

Copy Rack(s) Copies the Rack and its contents into the computer’s
clipboard.

Paste Rack(s) Pastes the Rack, including its content and state.

Duplicate Rack(s) Creates a copy of the Rack, including its content and
state.

Delete Rack(s) Deletes the Rack. Racks below this Rack will move
upward.

Global Paste Rack Copies the Rack’s parameters from the recalled
Snapshot and pastes them into the selected Snapshots
when “Global Paste” is selected in the Snapshot Pane.
For example, if your singer has a cold and you need to
EQ the vocals differently, Global Paste allows you to
change specific settings, then embed these parameter
changes into all of the Snapshots you’ve made, rather
than having to adjust each Snapshot separately. The
Global Paste function is discussed in detail in the
“Snapshots” section of this manual.

31
Recall Safe Places the selected Rack or plug-in into a “safe” mode
that protects it from Snapshot recalls. Recall Safe
Racks or plug-ins are unaffected by all Snapshot
recalls, even if a Snapshot has parameters that
should be changed on Snapshot recall This command
is allowed only when Recall Safe Mode is selected in
the Snapshots menu.

Assign the Rack to Presents a list of available processing groups from

a processing group which to choose.

Switch Rack type Allows you to change the Rack configuration (mono,
stereo, mono-to-stereo).

Input and Output Sections

At the far left of a Rack is its Input Rail, where audio is selected from
outside sources. Here you choose an input source, and indicate mono or
stereo.

To the right of the Input Rail is the Input Audio Fader, with a range of ±18dB.
On the far right side of each Rack are the Output Rail and the Output Audio Fader. Rack
audio input and output levels are stored within Snapshots.

Each Rack can be connected to input and output channels as follows:

• A mono Rack can connect to a single input channel and a single output channel.
• A stereo Rack can connect to a consecutive-pair of input channels and a consecutive-
pair of output channels.
• A mono-to-stereo Rack can connect to a single input channel and to a consecutive-pair
(starting with odd) output channels.
• A physical input channel can be connected to more than a single Rack, feeding them
simultaneously.

32
• A physical output channel can be connected to only one Rack. Two or more Racks
cannot share the same output.

Use the same menu with which you set the

input/output channels to switch the channel
configuration of the Rack.

Adding Plug-ins to a Rack

To add a plug-in to a Rack, click on the small arrow to the right of the Input Fader. Select a
plug-in from the pull-down menu. An icon representing the plug-in will appear on the Rack,
along with a new small arrow that you can click to add a new plug-in to the right of the
existing one.
Signal flow within a Rack is always from left-to-right.
While in the Main view, you can always change the plug-in sequence within a Rack by
grabbing a plug-in and moving it to the desired location. Each plug-in icon has an In switch
with which you can bypass that processor without disengaging it from the Rack. There is
also a level meter on the icon that shows plug-in output level.

33
Rack View: Using Your Plug-ins
Double click on a plug-in’s icon to open its interface and enter MultiRack’s Rack View.

Here you adjust each plug-in. If you’re already familiar with Waves plug-ins, this window will
be very easy to use. At the top of each plug-in’s window is a WaveSystem Toolbar, used to
load, save, and compare processor settings. The layout of the WaveSystem Toolbar may
vary from one plug-in to another. Use this toolbar to save plug-in or Rack-specific presets.

34
WaveSystem Toolbar Buttons

Undo Undoes the last change(s) you made within the plug-in.

Setup A Toggles between two setups, allowing you to compare

(Setup B) different settings. This facilitates quick A/B comparisons and
lets you determine which of two settings works best without
having to save a preset. An asterisk (*) on the button
indicates that changes have been made since a preset was
loaded.

A►B; B►A Copies the current settings to the second setup register.
The direction of copying is from the currently shown setup
to the one not shown.

Load Here you load factory presets, user presets, and other
preset files. Factory presets are permanent elements of the
Load popup menu, created by Waves. They cannot be
changed or deleted.

You can turn the current settings of the plug-in you’re using
into a user preset by clicking the Save button. User presets
can be changed and deleted, and the preset files you save
through the WaveSystem toolbar will appear as Load menu
presets until you close the preset file or close the plug-in.

Some plug-ins have a very large library of presets, too large

to display on the main pull-down menu. To load these
library files or load presets from external files, select “Open
Preset File.” Waves preset files are saved with an .XPS
extension.

To delete a user preset, hold Ctrl/Cmd+click on the Load

menu. You will be given the option of deleting the user
preset.

35
Save Save your plug-in presets here. You can save the current
parameters as a user preset in the Preset menu, or create a
new file. If you choose to save the preset as a new file —
outside the plug-in’s Preset menu — WaveSystem will ask
you where you want to put it.

? (Help) Opens the PDF manual for the current plug-in.

Clicking on the Waves logo will bring up the “About This

Plug-in” page, providing information about the plug-in.

There are several quick ways to move from one plug-in to another within a Rack:
• Use your keyboard’s left and right arrows. This will move you through the list of plug-ins
in the Rack, opening each plug-in interface as it is selected. Note: If the current plug-in
contains a selected value window, this will not work, and it may change the parameter
within the selected value window.
• Click on another plug-in icon. This will move you directly to the new plug-in and open its
window.

Controller Strip
Selecting Show Controller Strip from the View menu while in Rack View reveals a
floating window at the bottom of the screen that indicates which parameters of the current
plug-in are currently accessible for MIDI remote control.

The upper row displays eight

continuous controls (usually
relating to knobs or faders); the
bottom row represents eight
discrete buttons or toggles.
Some plug-ins use more than
eight variable controls or
discrete switches. For these
plug-ins, additional Controller Strip pages are available. The Remote Controller Editor
allows you to assign a MIDI switch to navigate to Controller Strip pages where the desired
controls are displayed.
36
Group Properties Window: For Organization and Latency Alignment
This window allows you to group several Racks together. Racks often have something in
common, and it may make sense to assign all of these similar Racks to a group. Grouping
all of the channels of your brass section, or drums, or audience, then assigning these
groups a color, helps you to keep track of Racks in concert situations. Also, each rack will
display the name of the group, further aiding quick visual organization.

Plug-ins may impose a delay (known as “latency”) as signal passes through them. Often,
this is not a problem. However, there are times you will want to time-align all of the Racks in
a group, to compensate for different processor latencies that may cause phase-related
problems.

Use the Group Properties window to create groups of

Racks and align their latencies. Open this window from
the pull-down menu located at the top of a Rack or from
the Edit menu.

You can also open this window from the Edit menu (Ctrl/Cmd+G).

In the Group Properties window, you can create up to 16 processing groups, each of
which can contain any number of Racks.

Create a group by double clicking on a Group Name cell and typing the name you want to
assign the group. Now, decide how you want to align the processors within the group.

37
None A group is created, but there is no latency alignment.

Auto The group is delayed to match the latency of the Rack in the group
with the greatest total latency.

Manual Manually delay the group by a specific value by entering it in the

Latency field. The value is displayed in samples, milliseconds,
meters or feet, depending on your choice in the pull-down window.
The minimal value allowed for this setting matches the latency of the
Rack in the group with the greatest total latency.

Groups are color-coded to make for easier identification. Color selection is based on
placement in the list, and is not user-definable. At the bottom of the Group Properties page
is the Align All section.

Here you can align all of the groups of Racks in order to create a unified timing for all
channels. The Auto setting will offset all of the groups to match the timing of the group with
the greatest latency, while Manual will delay all groups by a specific value.

Below the Align All section is the “Speed of Sound” setting. This parameter control,
expressed in meters per second, allows you to calibrate MultiRack’s latency controls to
match measured speed of sound. The speed of sound at sea level, at a temperature of 20
degrees Celsius and dry air, is 343 meters per second.

38
Snapshot Pane: Automating Your Racks
One of the main benefits of a plug-in based processing host for live applications is the
ability to create detailed presets and recall them live, during concerts. The Snapshot Pane
is where you store, recall and manage the Snapshots that contain all of the parameters of
the plug-ins that make up your processing Racks. It’s here where your programming efforts
pay off.
Snapshots contain the following parameters:
• Rack input and output gain
• Rack in/out, mute and on/off states
• Current plug-in parameters

Snapshots are contained and saved as part of a Session file. A single Session file can
contain up to 1000 Snapshots, which are displayed as a vertical play list. Snapshots can
also be exported to or imported from files in order to integrate them into a Session.

Use Snapshots to change the state of Racks (Mute/In/Off),

levels, and, most importantly, the settings for the plug-ins.
Snapshots do not change the physical configuration of a
Session, so you cannot use a Snapshot to change the
audio I/O, the Rack order or the plug-ins embedded in a
Rack.

To open the Snapshot Pane, click the Snapshots button on

the Status Bar or select Open Snapshot Pane from the
Snapshots menu (F7). The Snapshot Pane can hold up to
1000 Snapshots (the maximum per Session).

To save a Snapshot of your existing Rack environment,

click Store or Store As. As with most programs, these two
commands do the same thing with empty Snapshot
registers, but if a Snapshot already exists, Store will
overwrite the current Snapshot, while Store As will allow
you to create a new name without overwriting the Snapshot
and store the Snapshot in an empty slot in the “playlist.”

39
If you’re saving a new Snapshot, the Store Snapshot As pane will open. Choose the list
position where you want to save the new or modified Snapshot and click Store. If you are
overwriting an existing Snapshot, you will see this warning:

Once you have named a few Snapshots, the Snapshot Pane may look like this:

Note that selected Snapshots are

highlighted, and the currenlty recalled
Snapshot’s name appears in boldface
and its number is highlighted in
green. At the bottom of the pane is an
area where you can write notes about
the selected Snapshot.

To recall a Snapshot, either double-click on its name, or select the Snapshot and then click
Recall.

It’s often useful to create a copy of a Snapshot to use as a starting point for creating similar
setups. Copy a Snapshot by selecting it, then clicking Duplicate. The copy will appear at
the end of the Snapshot list. The word “Copy” will be appended to the Snapshot name;
right-click and choose “Rename” to choose a new name for the new Snapshot.

Select a Snapshot and click the Delete button to permanently remove it from the Snapshot
List.

40
Global Paste enables you to copy a plug-in’s or a Rack’s parameters into one or more
other Snapshots. This is useful when you’ve set up several Racks filled with plug-ins and
you decide to change plug-ins settings across several Snapshots. Say, for example, that
after several rehearsals you arrived at the perfect plug-in settings for a particular
instrument, an instrument that is included in numerous Snapshots. Rather than opening
each of the Snapshots, making the desired adjustments and then overwriting the
Snapshots, use Global Paste to globally make the changes:

1. Begin by clicking Global Paste. The button will flash to indicate that the Snapshot Pane
is in the Global Paste mode.
2. Select the target Snapshot or Snapshots that you want to modify. To select multiple
Snapshots, Ctrl/Cmd+Click on the desired target Snapshots, or Shift+Click to select
several contiguous Snapshots.
3. In the Rack windows, select the plug-in or Rack whose state you want to copy to the
selected Snapshots. Right-click on the plug-in and choose Global Paste Plug-in/Rack
from the menu. Repeat this for each of the plug-ins or Racks whose settings you want
to Global Paste.

4. Press the Global Paste button in the Snapshot Pane once again to end the process.

41
 Import allows you to add Snapshots from another MultiRack
Session.
ƒ Click on the Import button. A browser window will appear.
ƒ Locate the MultiRack Session that contains the Snapshot
you want to import into the current Session. The Import
Snapshot window will appear.
ƒ Choose the Snapshot(s) you wish to add, and then click
Import.

Remember, Snapshots contain information about parameters, not configurations, so the

source and target Sessions must have the same plug-in content and order in each Rack.

Hot Snapshots
A Hot Snapshot is a Snapshot that can be recalled directly via a dedicated user-specified
MIDI control message or a keyboard key (see the MIDI remote control section for more
details). Unlike other Snapshots that are recalled via MIDI program/control change
messages or the Previous/Next buttons, Hot Snapshots can also be directly recalled
anytime. Therefore, a Hot Snapshot can be moved to another slot while maintaining its Hot
Snapshot designation and remote control association. (Note: Designating a Snapshot as
Hot does not void the option to recall it via its index number by MIDI program change or via
the Previous/Next buttons.)

To designate an active Snapshot as “Hot,” right click on the Snapshot name and choose an
available Hot Snapshot number. The Snapshot name will be highlighted in red and the
number of the Hot Snapshot will appear next to its name. Use the Remote Controller Editor
to assign Hot Snapshots to specific MIDI switches on your hardware controller.

42
Preferences Window: Global Controls
Enter the Preferences window from the Edit menu (PC) or MultiRack menu (OS X) ,or by
typing “Ctrl+P” (PC) or “Cmd+,” (Mac).
There are two tabs in the Preferences window:
• System Setup
• Control Setup

System Setup – Audio Section

On this simple page, you choose the device (sound card) you will use for MultiRack’s audio
input/output. If you have more than one available audio device, clicking on the window will
reveal a pull-down list of available options from which to choose your I/O. System sample
rate and buffer size are also set here.

System Setup – System Section

The System section allows you to set
certain application-wide preferences:

Activate auto-save in Show mode. You

may not want to use MultiRack’s auto-
save feature during a concert, so as to
avoid any processing interruptions, De-
select this box to turn off auto-save.
Show configuration change alert.
Selecting this option will result in a
warning each time you attempt to modify
any Rack configuration. This is helpful
when you are learning the application, but
may prove annoying for more seasoned
users.

43
Recall first Snapshot when Session loads. If you regularly start your shows with the first
Snapshot, this is a good choice.
Enable verbose log. This option places MultiRack in a “debug” mode that outputs what is
called a “verbose data file”. It’s used to collect data that technical support may require.
When selected, the message area of the Status Bar displays a flashing message: “Verbose
Output.” The output file is titled “DebugMultiRack_date<[Link]>.txt.
Load application in last View mode If you want MultiRack to remember the last mode
(Show/Setup) you were in, choose this option.
Load last session on application launch If you select this option, MultiRack will always
open with the last session you used when you exited the application.
Open in Full Screen mode Selecting this option will cause MultiRack to open in Full
Screen mode.

Control Setup Tab

• Use this page to control how MultiRack
interacts with outside MIDI controllers.
MIDI In and MIDI Thru display all MIDI
ports available to the application.
MultiRack receives MIDI on its selected
MIDI In ports and echoes incoming MIDI
to selected MIDI Thru ports.
• Set MIDI channel for snapshot recall
determines which MIDI channel (none;
1-16) will be used to initiate/recall stored
Snapshots. MultiRack will recall
Snapshots #1-128 on receiving MIDI
program change messages (#0-127) on
the set MIDI channel.

44
• Set MIDI Control Change messages for snapshots recall determines which control
messages — sent on the above-set MIDI channel — will be used to initiate/recall
Snapshots #129-1000. For example, if you select Control Change message #7 to recall
Snapshots 129-256, then sending CC#7 with value 0 will recall Snapshot #129. Value 2
will recall Snapshot #130, and so forth.
• Set MIDI Pickup Mode determines how MultiRack will respond to parameter changes.
When None is selected, all user changes are directly reflected in the interface.
Takeover move means that existing parameter values will not change until you have
“swept” over it in either direction.
• MIDI/Keyboard Setup File allows you to browse to the control file created in the
Remote Controller Editor. Choose the file that contains the MIDI mapping for your
hardware setup.

You can open the Remote Controller Editor from this page. If you opened the editor from
the Control Setup Tab and MultiRack is still open, settings will automatically update as the
file is modified.

45
Chapter 4

MultiRack Menus
MultiRack is controlled mostly from within its five windows, so there are very few application
menus. Most menu commands offer keystroke shortcuts, so it’s worthwhile studying the
menus in order to learn how to quickly navigate through MultiRack’s commands.

4.1 File Menu

Keyboard
Menu Item Definition Comments
shortcut
Opens a new
New
Session in default Ctrl/Cmd+N
Session
setting
Open
Opens a Session file Ctrl/Cmd+O
Session
Open
Lists recent Session
Recent
files
Session
Close
Closes the Session Ctrl/Cmd+W
Session
Save Saves the Session
Ctrl/Cmd+S
Session to the same file
Save Saves the Session
Session under a different
As… name
Windows
only.
On OS X this
Closes the
Exit Ctrl/Cmd+Q command is
application
in the
MultiRack
menu.

46
4.2 MultiRack Menu (OS X only)
Keyboard
Menu Item Definition Comments
shortcut
Reveals information
About about current
MultiRack version of
MultiRack.
Opens the
Preferences… application’s Cmd+,
Preferences window
Quit Closes the
Cmd+Q
MultiRack application.

4.3 Edit Menu

Keyboard
Menu Item Definition Comments
shortcut
Undoes the last
Undo Ctrl/Cmd+Z
action
Redoes the last
Redo Ctrl/Cmd+Y
Undo action
Applies to
selected plug-
Cuts selection to
Cut Ctrl/Cmd+X ins, Racks,
copy buffer
and
Snapshots
Applies to
selected plug-
Copies selection to
Copy Ctrl/Cmd+C ins, Racks,
copy buffer
and
Snapshots
Applies to
selected plug-
Pastes clipboard to
Paste Ctrl/Cmd+V ins, Racks,
selection
and
Snapshots
Duplicates selected
Duplicate Ctrl/Cmd+U
Rack or plug-in
Deletes the selected
Delete Delete
Rack or plug-in
Selects all Racks.
Select All Applicable only in Ctrl/Cmd+A
MultiRack window.
Deselects all Racks.
Deselect All Applicable only in Ctrl/Cmd+D
MultiRack window.

47
 Selects all
deselected Racks;
Invert deselects all
Ctrl/Cmd+I
Selection selected Racks.
Applicable only in
MultiRack window.
Opens the Add
Racks dialog
Add
window. Applicable Ctrl/Cmd+R
Rack(s)…
only in MultiRack
window.
Windows
only. On OSX
this command
Opens the
Preferences Ctrl/Cmd+P is in the
Preferences window
MultiRack
menu
(Cmd+,).
Hot Plug-in Enables Hot Plug-in
Alt+H
Mode mode
Group Opens the Group
Ctrl/Cmd+G
Properties … Properties window

4.4 Audio Menu

Keyboard
Menu Item Definition
shortcut
Turns MultiRack’s
Turn Audio
audio engine on and Ctrl/Cmd+Alt+J
On/Off
off
Rack(s)
Turns the selected
Active
Rack(s) on and off
Bypasses the
Bypassed
selected Rack(s)
Mutes the selected
Mute
Rack(s)

48
4.5 View Menu
Keyboard
Menu Item Definition
shortcut
Displays the
Mainview
Session in the Main F4
Mode
view
Displays the
Overview
Session in Overview F5
Mode
Mode
Displays the Rack
Rackview
view and its housed F6
Mode
plug-in’s interface
Switches MultiRack
Show Mode Ctrl/Cmd+Alt+S
to Show Mode
Switches MultiRack
Setup Mode Ctrl/Cmd+Alt+T
to Setup Mode
Show Opens the
Controller Controller Strip in Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+C
Strip the Rack view.
Displays the
Full Screen interface in full F8
screen.

49
4.6 Snapshots Menu
Keyboard
Menu Item Definition Comments
shortcut
Open Opens/closes the
Snapshot Snapshot Pane in F7
Pane MultiRack window.
Stores Snapshot
parameters. If a
Snapshot already
Store
exists in the Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+S
Snapshot
selected register,
“Store” will
overwrite.
Store
Snapshot Saves current
As…
Previous is
Recall Recalls the previous
relative to the
Previous Snapshot in the play Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+<
currently recalled
Snapshot list.
Snapshot

“Next” is relative
to the currently
recalled
Recalls the next
Recall Next Snapshot. If the
Snapshot in the play Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+>
Snapshot next Snapshot
list.
slot is empty, Next
jumps to the next
occupied slot.
Recall-Safe mode
allows the user to
Recall-Safe
set the plug-ins or Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+R
Mode
Racks that are
recall-safe.
Global Paste Turns Global Paste
Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+G
Mode Mode on and off
Opens a Session file
to allow you to
Import… Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+I
import snapshots
from
Moves the selected
Move Snapshot(s) to a
Snapshot(s) user-specified
To… location in the
Snapshot list.

50
4.7 Help
Menu Keyboard
Definition Comments
Item shortcut
If the help
Read
Opens MultiRack manual is
MultiRack Ctrl/Cmd+Alt+?
PDF manual unavailable, visit
manual
[Link].
Launches the
Go to
default browser
Waves web
with the URL
site
[Link]
Opens page
containing In OS-X, this
About
information about item is in the
MultiRack
current version of Apple menu
MultiRack

51
52