Noted producer/engineer Billy Bush (Garbage, Jake Bugg, The Naked and Famous, Neon Trees) utilizes the DiGiGrid DLS audio interface to enhance networking capabilities and significantly increase processing power.
DiGiGrid DLS (a collaboration between Waves Audio and DiGiCo) is an all-in-one processing and networking hub that bridges Pro Tools and the SoundGrid system.
With its built-in SoundGrid DSP server, network switch, and two DigiLink ports providing as many as 64 digital inputs and outputs, DiGiGrid DLS provides users with increased processing power and lets them take full advantage of their existing Pro Tools systems
By providing full plug-in integration inside users’ DAWs, DiGiGrid DLS lets users track, monitor and mix while running hundreds of SoundGrid-compatible Waves and third-party plug-ins in real time—all with low latency of 0.8 milliseconds.
“Since I moved to the HDX system I’ve been missing the ability to record while monitoring with some of my favorite effect plug-ins,” Bush says. “I’ve always believed that a DSP server-based architecture is the way to go when you are recording into a plug-in-heavy session. DiGiGrid DLS helps me create an interesting sound that people can react and play to.
“Even though I’m using the latest Mac Pro and an HDX-2 system, I’m always looking for more processing power,” he continues. “Being able to put AUX plugins on the DLS, particularly the stereo buss plugin processing, helps me control the overall latency. I also really love the StudioRack plug-in—it’s great to be able to have my channel strips dialed in and ready to go with one click.”
On the advantages of using the DLS for networking, Bush adds, “As much as I love the DSP power of the DLS, the one thing I was truly surprised about was the system’s networking ability. Since we have multiple computers running a number of different DAWs at any given time, being able to route them via Ethernet through the DLS to the main Pro Tools session is such a timesaver.
“No more USB keys or emailing a WAV—I can instantly open up eight channels from one system, and we can audition what is happening on another rig right in the session.”
Bush also notes that he’s also looking to try it out in a live setting. “Being able to use live the same plug-in presets and chains that we have in the studio will be such a time-saver. It’s great when there is something from the studio we can incorporate into the live show: this way we can make the show better and bring it closer to what we experience sonically in the studio.”