TL;dr Good way to add Waves plugs to your rig for an affordable price. Flexible enough to use with any Core Audio or ASIO interface. If you own SoundGrid SuperRack you get a license for Superrack Performer. Works with Dugan Speech (new name for Waves Dugan automixer).
I’ve been using a SoundGrid server for a while. It’s a good way to get your Waves plugins working in a live environment. Onboard processing in consoles has improved over the years but few have true emulations of classic analog hardware. One notable example are the Neve sanctioned plugs on Yamaha consoles. The other use cases are plugs that are unique or modern but aren’t available as well like post production tools. A Dugan Automixer (Yamaha has a great one) or any noise reduction or tools like like a loudness meter are examples. An S6L will run Waves plugs but needs an expensive software shell.
The latest addition to the SuperRack family is the SuperRack Performer. The Performer as an identical interface to SoundGrid SuperRack and and SuperRack Native. The difference is cost with the ability to use any Core Audio or ASIO interface. I used a Mac for this setup. I’m on a Digico SD10 most to the time these days. I didn’t do any gigs with the Performer set up but testing it under gig conditions with the Yamaha TF5 over Dante, the SD10 over Soundgrid and a few standalone Core Audio devices including my Apollo interface.
First test was on the TF. I used Dante Virtual Soundcard on the host and subscribed it to the TIO stage box transmitters. You need to use R-Remote to control the head amp in the TIO. The console then subscribes to the DVS transmitter on the host. At that point you’ve inserted the plugs between the TIO and the console. That way I can still multicast the TIO to other devices. On a more sophisticated console you could use soft patching insert points (which is what I would do). It’s not shown in the pic but I could do 16 inputs, the capacity of a single TIO. That included 32 instances, 16 of the 1073 clone and 16 of the LA2A clone and the host clocked in at 14% according to the Performer status monitor. I didn’t use the Dugan on the TF test.
You configure the audio device as you would in any other app. Pick the interface from the pull down menu and Robert’s Your Father’s Brother.
For the Digico I used the Soundgrid QRec driver. The QRec is what is used when you use for DAW I/O to track and play a virtual soundcheck. The QRec is a free download.
The Dugan Speech plug in works as well. At $100 for the plug engine and $600 for the Dugan plug it’s a good way to add a Dugan to your rig. Back in the olden days the analog box was 3-4 grand IIRC. SoundGrid server with a Dugan is a couple/few grand depending on which SoundGrid server you buy. Most corporates I see these days are QLs, CLs and an occasional Rivage. In Dugan will be built in. But you could still use whatever other plugs the console didn’t have or for those times where its a console with fewer features like a TF, M32 or similar.
A potential drawback on some consoles is being able to put the Dugan inline where it’s recommended. If your console has a post fader insert on the inputs you’re golden. On a Digico open up the Insert B tab on the input (in the Outputs pane), assign as normal then engage “post fader insert” at the bottom of the assign area. I’d reckon many if not most of the rock guys and gals have never used post fader inserts. I used pre or even post fader direct outs a fair amount but not post fader input inserts unless it was a corporate or broadcast gig. With a Dugan.
Post fader input inserts come with a caveat when it comes to monitoring. You’ll need to set your cue/solo bus to post fader listen or AFL or whichever your desk calls it. In an app where you’d need a Dugan it’s not likely you’d be using vintage gear plugs though something more surgical like an SSL eq can be used if you need precision. I can’t think of a top level corporate or broadcast modern desk off the top of my head that doesn’t have suitable input eq. You’re making the presenter sound like a presenter and not like Led Zeppelin IV.
In all it’s a good addition if you need to run Waves plugs with the flexibility to use it with most any console or interface. It should reduce some of the complexity and uncertainty when doing fly-in dates or for tours that don’t carry production. Those that already own SuperRack should have a SuperRack Performer license in their accounts.