System Connections
Interconnect the UAD‐2 Live Rack hardware unit, the Live Rack software host computer, and the MADI device following the illustrations in this article.
About UAD-2 Live Rack system connections
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Do not connect any devices, including a computer, to the UAD‐2 Live Rack 1394b ports. These ports are for manufacturing purposes only.
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The MADI channels to be processed by UAD‐2 Live Rack are specified in the Hardware panel of the Settings page within the Live Rack software application.
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When synchronizing to external Word Clock, the first UAD‐2 Live Rack unit (MADI channels 1 – 16) must receive the Word Clock, then pass the clock to the second unit and so on (via daisy‐chaining), for up to four units.
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Duplex MADI cables cannot be used with multi‐unit configurations.
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All Live Rack MIDI control commands are received via the Audio MIDI Setup application in macOS. Refer to the MIDI control device documentation for setup.
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When operating the UAD‐2 Live Rack hardware, the unit must be placed or mounted with the vent holes facing up.
Wiring Diagrams
- Single Unit Wiring
- Multi-Unit Wiring
- Thunderbolt 1 & 2 Mac Wiring
- SoundCraft Vi-Series Console Connections
- Single Unit Wiring with Soundcraft Vi Consoles
- Multi-Unit Wiring with Soundcraft Vi Consoles
Single Unit Wiring
The diagram below illustrates connections for one UAD‐2 Live Rack unit for up to 16 MADI channels of UAD plug‐in processing.
Cables Required (not included):
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One Thunderbolt 3 cable between UAD‐2 Live Rack and the host computer for software control
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Two MADI optical cables (or a single duplex cable) between UAD‐2 Live Rack and the MADI device for digital audio send/return
System connections for single unit setup
Multi-Unit Wiring
The diagram below illustrates connections for 2, 3, or 4 UAD‐2 Live Rack units for up to 64 MADI channels of UAD plug‐in processing (16 MADI channels for each UAD‐2 Live Rack unit).
Cables Required (not included):
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One Thunderbolt 3 cable between UAD‐2 Live Rack and the computer for software control
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One Thunderbolt 3 cable for each additional UAD‐2 Live Rack for unit interlink
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One MADI optical cable between the MADI device and the first UAD‐2 Live Rack for digital audio send
- One MADI optical cable between the last UAD-2 Live Rack and MADI device for digital audio return
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One MADI optical cable for each additional UAD‐2 Live Rack for unit interlink
System connections for multi-unit setup
Thunderbolt 1 & 2 Mac Wiring
UAD‐2 Live Rack is designed for a direct connection to a Thunderbolt 3 Mac. However, older Macs with Thunderbolt 1 or Thunderbolt 2 ports can be used via a Thunderbolt 2 cable and the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter.
Additional Items Needed With Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 Macs
- (1) Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter (Apple part number MMEL2AM/A) at the UAD‐2 Live Rack port for the Thunderbolt 2 cable connection.
- (1) Thunderbolt 2 cable for the Mac computer connection. Note that this cable replaces the Thunderbolt 3 cable that would be used for a Thunderbolt 3 port at the computer.
Thunderbolt 1 and 2 Mac Connection Notes
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The wiring for Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 Macs is identical.
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A multi‐unit system with a Thunderbolt 1 or 2 Mac is similar to Thunderbolt 3 wiring. The only difference is with the host computer connection. The Thunderbolt 2 host computer connection in the diagram below is the same for single and multi‐unit setups.
System connections for Thunderbolt 1 and Thunderbolt 2 Macs
SoundCraft Vi-Series Console Connections
Connections to SoundCraft Vi‐series consoles are the same as other MADI devices, as shown on previous pages, with the addition of HiQnet™ (Ethernet) wiring for integrated Snapshot control.
Vi-Series Console Connection Notes
- The HiQnet port on early Vi1 consoles (serial numbers lower than 30210956) is only able to drive short cable lengths, with a maximum length of 1 meter (3 feet). Therefore, use a network switch positioned close to the rear of the console to extend the cable length if required with these early Vi1 consoles.
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The HiQnet port on other Vi consoles is capable of driving standard Ethernet distances of up to 100 meters.
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The HiQnet port uses the same 8P8C modular connector as the DanteTM ports available on Vi consoles. Connect to the HiQnet port only.
Connect UAD-2 Live Rack to the HiQnet port -
Macs with Thunderbolt 1 or Thunderbolt 2 ports can be used with additional adapters. For details, see the "Thunderbolt 1 and 2 Mac Wiring" section above.
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Interconnect the UAD‐2 Live Rack hardware unit, the Live Rack software host computer, and the SoundCraft Vi‐series console following the illustrations below.
Single Unit Wiring with SoundCraft Vi Consoles
The diagram below illustrates connections for one UAD‐2 Live Rack unit for up to 16 MADI channels of UAD plug‐in processing.
Cables Required (not included):
- One Thunderbolt 3 cable between UAD-2 Live Rack and the computer for software control
- Two MADI optical cables (or a single duplex cable) between UAD-2 Live Rack and the Vi console for digital audio send/return
- One Cat 5 Ethernet cable between host Mac and Vi console for snapshot control
- One Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for Vi console Ethernet
- Apple store part number HJKF2ZM/A or MD463LL/A
- Belkin store part number F2CU040dsWHTAPL
System connections for single unit setup with SoundCraft Vi console
Multi-Unit Wiring with SoundCraft Vi Consoles
The diagram below illustrates connections for 2, 3, or 4 UAD‐2 Live Rack units for up to 64 MADI channels of UAD plug‐in processing (16 MADI channels for each UAD‐2 Live Rack unit).
Cables Required (not included):
- One Thunderbolt 3 cable between UAD‐2 Live Rack and the computer for software control
- One Thunderbolt 3 cable for each additional UAD‐2 Live Rack for unit interlink
- One MADI optical cable between the Vi console and the first UAD‐2 Live Rack for digital audio send
- One MADI optical cable between the last UAD-2 Live Rack and Vi console for digital audio return
- One MADI optical cable for each additional UAD-2 Live Rack for unit interlink
Note: Duplex cables cannot be used with multi-unit configurations. - One Cat 5 Ethernet cable between host Mac and Vi console for snapshot control
- One Belkin USB-C to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for Vi console Ethernet
- Apple store part number HJKF2ZM/A or MD463LL/A
- Belkin store part number F2CU040dsWHTAPL
System connections for multi-unit setup with Soundcraft Vi console