Waves APA44-M - Waves Audio Processing Accelerator.
Waves NETSHELL APA 44M
Features
Engineers, producers, and musicians have a habit of pushing any system to its edge. Often because they refuse to let technology limit their vision. So it is, that at some point in a project using a DAW, the user will experience the "not sufficient DSP to complete your request" message.
Instead of waiting for today's processors to catch up with the tools they build, Waves created the APA44-M Audio Processing Accelerator, an outboard unit with the power to extend the DSP functionality of many DAWs, whether the host software is being run native or on other proprietary hardware.
Enclosed in a half rack space enclosure, the APA44-M connects with the host computer using a standard Ethernet connection. Installation is simple and painless. The unit allows DSP intensive plug-ins, such as the IR Reverb and the Q-Clone amongst others, to be assigns to the APAs processing power, thus enhancing the host computers functionality.
Note! The APA44-M provides 30% more DSP horsepower over the APA32 and is housed in a hafl rack space enclosure that is quieter and more portable than the APA32
Connectivity
The APA is a hardware solution that allows one to easily run multiple instantiations of Waves' most CPU-intensive plug-ins. For example, at 44.1kHz, the unit will run six IR-1 Reverbs, or nine Linear Phase Equalizers, or twenty C4 Multiband Parametric processors. This additional DSP doesn't require a PCI card, or a FireWire or USB connection. Instead it is a simple matter of connecting to a standard Ethernet port using the supplied cable. The only other thing required is installation of the NetShell software and the unit is ready for use.
Multiple Units
Up to eight APA units can be connected to a single host computer using a standard Ethernet switch. The APA44-M and the APA32 can be mixed and matched and since APA units use standard Ethernet hardware, DSP power is easily expandable without the need for proprietary solutions.
Multiple Workstations
Facilities with more than one workstation are also supported. With each machine authorized and using NetShell, all that is needed is a V-LAN switching system to assign any combination of APA units to whichever seat needs the most power, up to eight APA units per workstation. For example, with sixteen APA units and four workstations, one could allot four APAs to each computer. But if the next job requires two machines each running eight APAs, the change can be made in minutes without even unplugging a single cable.
Portability
An APA unit can be easily transported to another computer. With an authorized iLok and installation of the NetShell software, the APA is again connected to the computer's Ethernet port, and with that, the user is ready to use any set of authorized Waves plug-ins on that computer.
Waves NETSHELL APA 44M
Model Number
B&H # WANSAPA44M
Manufacturer # NETSHELL APA 44M
Form Half rack desktop external enclosure
DSP Not specified by manufacturer
Expansion Chassis Support Not applicable
Plug-In Support Waves APA compatible plug-ins in TDM, RTAS, VST and Audio Units formats
Included Plug-Ins Waves IR-L Convolution Reverb
Waves Q-Clone
System Requirements Mac:
G4 1GHz
OS X 10.3.8 or 10.4
512MB RAM
Minimal Screen resolution 800x600
PC:
P4 or AMD Athlon 2Ghz
Windows XP and SP1
512MB RAM
Minimal Screen resolution 800x600
Specialties Auto sensing universal power supply
Compatibility
On the Mac, NetShell currently supports Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro and Digital Performer. On the PC, NetShell supports Pro Tools, Cubase and Nuendo. Whether using a Native or TDM system, the included NetShell software handles shipping audio from the host computer to the APA unit(s) and back. The insert drop-down menu in the DAW provides the choice of opening a plug-in on the attached APA, or on the main system.
