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Install, Activate or Update SoundGrid Rack for VENUE

May 11, 2025

Learn how to install, activate, or update Waves SoundGrid Rack for VENUE on Avid VENUE S6L consoles. Choose the relevant VENUE / Waves software version below to download and find detailed instructions.

For more information, see SoundGrid Rack for VENUE Support Notes.

VENUE 8 or higher / V15 Waves SoundGrid Rack for VENUE with V15-V14 plugins - Fresh Install or Update

Important Notes:

  • System Requirements: VENUE 8 and above, 8GB RAM. If you have VENUE 7.1, follow the instructions in the appropriate section.
  • The console must be equipped with two AVB cards.
  • SoundGrid Rack for VENUE V15 is compatible with Waves V15 - V14 plugins only.

Step #1 – Update your SoundGrid Rack for VENUE to V15

Follow these steps on any online computer or mobile device, not on the console.

  1. If you have a SoundGrid Rack for VENUE subscription license, it is automatically updated to V15 in your account. Re-sync the licenses on your device as instructed in the second section below (Step #2 – Install and activate SoundGrid Rack for VENUE and V15-V14 plugins on the Avid VENUE S6L console).
  2. If you own a SoundGrid Rack for VENUE V10/V14 license, follow these steps to update it to V15:
    • To update the license, please make sure it is covered by the Waves Update Plan. If it is not covered, renew your Waves Update Plan here.
    • Once your Waves Update Plan for this product is renewed, visit this page to update your SoundGrid Rack for VENUE license to V15.

Step #2 – Install and activate SoundGrid Rack for VENUE and V15-V14 plugins on the Avid VENUE S6L console

  • Follow these steps on any online computer (not on the console).

    1. Download and install Waves Central for Mac | Windows.
      If you already have Waves Central installed, skip to step 2.
    2. Launch Waves Central. Windows: via the desktop shortcut or Start Menu > All Programs > Waves Central.
      Mac: Applications > Waves Central.
    3. Connect your USB flash drive.
      If it’s not formatted to ExFAT, refer to this article.
    4. Select the Licenses page.
    5. Select My License Cloud or Connected Devices, depending on where your licenses are located.
    6. Choose the SoundGrid Rack for VENUE V15 and any other plugin licenses you wish to use.
    7. On the right, under Target Device for Licenses, select the USB flash drive as the target drive.
    8. Click Activate. You will be prompted once the process is complete.

    The products you have selected are now activated on your USB flash drive.

  • Follow these steps on any online computer (not on the console);

    1. Plug in your USB flash drive.
    2. Download one of these offline installer/s:
    3. Extract the downloaded zipped folders on your Mac or PC.
    4. Copy the extracted ‘Waves’ folder to your USB flash drive.
      The Waves folder must be placed at the root level of the USB drive. Do not place it inside any other folder.
    5. Skip to ‘Install SoundGrid Rack for VENUE on the console’ below.

Or

    1. Back in Waves Central, go to the Offline Installer page, click Create.
    2. In the My Products tab, in the View menu, make sure that V15/V14 Plugins and SoundGrid Applications are selected.
    3. Select SoundGrid Rack for VENUE V15 and any V15/V14 plugins you wish to include in the offline installer package.
    4. De-select any SD or HD sample libraries that are installed with bundles you own by clicking them.
      A “No sample library will be installed” notice will appear on the right panel requiring your approval
      • Click ‘I understand’.
    5. Under Target OS, select Windows.
      The default location for creating an offline installer is:
      • Windows: desktop
      • Mac: System HD > Users > Current User > Public
    6. Check ‘I understand’ on the notice regarding licenses on the right panel.
    7. Click Create an installer.
    8. Plug in your USB flash drive.
    9. Copy the Waves folder to the USB flash drive.
      The Waves folder must be placed at the root level of the USB drive. Do not place it inside any other folder
    10. Continue to “Now Install SoundGrid Rack for VENUE on the console” below.
    1. Plug your USB flash drive into the S6L.
    2. In the Venue software, go to Option > System.
    3. Enter CONFIG mode and press Update.

    Important: Don’t skip the next step in order to ensure that the Waves Central installed on the console is compatible with the offline installer.

    1. Choose Install Waves Central.
      This action copies and installs the latest version of Waves Central from the offline installer. When installation is complete, you can proceed directly to Waves Central.
      If you cancelled Auto Launch, choose Launch Waves Central here: Option/Devices/Network Cards/Waves WSG-HD > Settings.
    2. In Waves Central, access the Offline Installer page. Under ‘Install from an Offline Installer’, click Browse.
    3. Browse to your USB flash drive, highlight the ‘Waves’ folder, and click Select Folder.
    4. From the product list, select SoundGrid Rack for VENUE, if plugins are included, select them as well.
    5. Click Install.
    6. Once installation is complete, restart the console.
    7. Make sure the USB drive with your licenses is connected to the S6L console.
    8. In VENUE, enter CONFIG mode and go to Options > Plugins, select WaveShellSoundGridRack-AAX xx.x.aaxplugin*.
    9. Choose Install.

    * VENUE does not display individual Waves plugins. Instead it indicates WaveShellSoundGridRack-AAX xx.x.aaxplugin.

    1. In the VENUE software, enter CONFIG mode, go to Options > Devices, click on the WSG HD IO card.
    2. In Settings tab and click Launch Waves Central.
    3. Waves Central will load and prompt that ‘an update is available’.
      Wait at least 3 minutes for the download to finish, restart the console and re-launch Waves Central (steps 1-2).

      At this point Waves Central should load in the latest available version. If Waves Central did not finish updating, repeat this step but at least 5 minutes this time, then restart the console and re-launch Waves Central (steps 1-2).
    4. Log in to your account, go to the Install Products page, select SoundGrid Rack for VENUE and your V15/V14 plugins and click Install & Activate.
    5. Restart the console.
    6. In VENUE, enter CONFIG mode and go to Options > Plugins, select WaveShellSoundGridRack-AAX xx.x.aaxplugin*
    7. Choose Install.

    * VENUE does not display individual Waves plugins. Instead it indicates WaveShellSoundGridRack-AAX xx.x.aaxplugin.

Step #3

Restart the surface and engine of your S6L.

Step #4 – Update the firmware of the WSG HD I/O and of the SoundGrid Server

  1. On the S6L console, go to Options > Devices.
  2. Enter CONFIG mode.
  3. Select the WSG HD I/O card.
  4. Go to Settings and click on SoundGrid Inventory.
  5. Under Device, assign the Avid WSG-HD I/O card. In VENUE 8, the WSG-HD I/O firmware is updated automatically.
  6. Under Servers, assign your server to slot 1.
  7. When prompted that a new firmware is available, click Update.
  8. The server will restart itself automatically when the update is complete.

Once done, both the I/O and SoundGrid Server should be assigned and ready for use.
You can now use the SoundGrid Rack for Venue on your channels.

Need more assistance? Contact Technical Support.

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