Nucleus
2
User Guide
Nucleus
2
. This is SSL.
www.solidstatelogic.com
Document History
82BN0M01H October 2017
Nucleus
2
User Guide Page III
Table of Contents
I
ntroduction 1
How to use this Manual 2
Conventions 2
Glossary 2
Software Versions 2
Help! 2
1. Nucleus
2
Overview 3
C
hannel Strip and Mode Switches 3
Centre Section and Analogue Control 4
Nucleus
2
Remote 4
2. Nucleus
2
Configurations 5
DAWs With a Dante Network Connection 5
Multiple DAWs 8
3. Software Installation 9
Software Installation – Mac 9
Software Installation – Windows 11
Using the Dante interface on Nucleus
2
with an existing I/O setup 13
Dante Via Install and Setup 13
Configuration 13
4. Connection and Software Configuration 15
Physical Connections 15
Audio Connections 15
Data Connections 15
Configuring Network Connections 16
Network Wiring 16
Assigning the Nucleus
2
IP Address 16
Direct Network Connection Configuration (Mac) 17
Wider Network with a DHCP Server Configuration (Mac) 17
Direct Network Connection Configuration (Windows) 17
Wider Network with a DHCP Server Configuration (Windows) 17
Connecting Nucleus
2
to Multiple Computers 18
Nucleus
2
Internal Network Architecture 19
IP Address configuration 19
ipMIDI Configuration 20
MIDI Port Mapping 20
Pro Tools 20
Logic Pro 21
Dante Soundcard Configuration 22
Setup 22
Sample rate 23
Stand-alone System vs Wider Dante Network 23
SPDIF I/O & External Soundcard 23
5. Nucleus
2
Remote 25
Establishing the Remote Connection 25
Remote Tabs 26
The DAW Tab 26
The Network Setup Tab 26
The About Tab 26
Remote Layer Selection 27
Page IV Nucleus
2
User Guide
Layer Profile Configuration 27
Protocols 27
Creating Profiles – Method 1 27
Creating Profiles – Method 2 28
Selecting a Profile 28
Managing Profiles 29
T
imeline Functions 30
T
ransport Master 30
J
og Wheel Function 30
A
utomation Display (HUI Only) 30
Soft Key Configuration 31
Default Soft Keys 31
User 1, User 2 Soft Keys 31
Transport / Utility Soft Keys 32
Assigning Soft Key Functions 32
DAW Protocol Commands 33
DAW Keyboard Shortcuts 34
Soft Key Menus 35
Renaming Softkey Assignments 36
Assigning Modified Functions to Soft Keys 36
Removing and Replacing Soft Key Assignments 36
Configuring Continuous Controller Layers 37
6. DAW Operations 39
Layer Select 39
Soft Keys 39
Channel Control 40
Channel Scrolling 40
Basic Channel Parameters 40
Channel Metering 40
Track Arming 40
Automation Control 40
V-Pot and V-Sel Control 41
Plug-in Control (Pro Tools Only) 42
Master Control 43
Basic Transport 43
Navigation Controls 43
Additional Master Controls 43
MODE Display (MCU Only) 43
User Keys 44
7. Analogue Operations 45
Recording Sources 45
Monitoring 45
Talkback 46
Metering 46
Appendix 47
Transport/Utility Function Map 47
DAW Protocol Command Soft Key Labelling 48
Pro Tools 48
Logic 49
Nuendo 50
Index 51
Nucleus
2
User Guide Page 1
Introduction
Nucleus
2
Welcome to Nucleus
2
, SSL’s integrated DAW controller and soundcard for the Dante audio-over-IP network. Nucleus
2
allows you to record audio and monitor your studio software through SSL’s legendary analogue circuitry and converters,
while placing full control of your session underneath your fingertips. While the basic configurations created by SSL’s studio
engineers allow you to get working with Nucleus
2
straight out of the box, the functions assigned to much of the control
surface can be adapted to suit the specifics of your working environment, as configured within the Nucleus
2
Logictivity
Remote software.
DAW Control Principles
A DAW controller is part mixing console and part computer keyboard. It is a mixing console insofar as it uses channel
strips and faders etc. to mix and manipulate audio. It is a computer keyboard insofar as, rather than affecting any audio
electronics within it, it simply sends (and receives) commands to a computer program.
Of course, Nucleus
2
’s two analogue channels makes it more than a DAW controller.
Nucleus
2
can be used to control DAW software using either HUI or MCU protocols. These are the standardised control
‘languages’ used by the majority of DAW software on the market today: HUI is used by ProTools, MCU by Logic and Nuendo.
Please refer to your DAW software’s user guide if you are unclear which protocol you use.
The Nucleus
2
control surface also replicates a number of computer keyboard keys, such as modifiers (
<Shift>
, ⌘ or
‘command’,
<Ctrl>
,
<Alt>
),
<Enter>
and
<Esc>
keys, and shortcuts such as ‘Save’ and ‘Undo’. Nucleus
2
uses two
connections to control DAW sessions: ipMIDI (a conventional MIDI signal, sent over Ethernet) for HUI or MCU control, and
USB for standard keyboard commands.
Using Nucleus
2
’s Layer structure, different DAW programs can be connected simultaneously, although only one can be
controlled at one time.
Because each DAW is different and the precise application of HUI and MCU protocols is specific to the DAW software being
used, this manual does not provide detailed descriptions of specific DAW operations. Please refer to your DAW User Guide
for information about how to apply the control offered by Nucleus
2
.
Page 2 Nucleus
2
User Guide
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
A
fter this introduction, you will find a quick overview of Nucleus
2
,
followed by more detailed sections covering installation,
u
se of the Nucleus
2
L
ogictivity Remote, and general Nucleus
2
o
peration.
C
onventions
Throughout this manual, the following conventions will be used:
• Labels found on the Nucleus
2
control surface are indicated in capitals LIKE THIS.
• Labels and text shown in the Nucleus
2
Remote or other computer dialogues are indicated in bold Like This.
•
The few instances where we refer directly to computer filenames etc. will be shown
L
ike This
.
•
Where necessary, DAW computer keyboard key strokes will be shown
l
ike this
w
hilst function keys (as opposed to
normal numbers, symbols and characters) such as the ‘Control’ key will be shown with ‘angle’ brackets such as
<Ctrl>
.
• Where DAW protocol commands appear, the command or function will be shown with ‘curly’ brackets {
like_this}
.
Notes and additional information appear like this.
• The Nucleus
2
Logictivity Remote app will in some cases be abbreviated to just ‘Remote’.
• The Nucleus
2
itself may be refered to either by name, as the ‘DAW controller’ or as the ‘control surface’.
Please be aware that screenshots shown may differ slightly in appearance from their on-screen equivalents.
Glossary
The following terms are either concerned with general DAW control, or specific Nucleus
2
operations:
CC Layer A Continuous Controller (‘CC’) Profile for use with MIDI devices.
Dante Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet. A combination of software, hardware, and network protocols that
deliver uncompressed, multi-channel, low-latency digital audio over a standard Ethernet network.
DAW Digital Audio Workstation. Software which emulates a recording studio, such as ProTools, Logic and Nuendo.
ipMIDI MIDI control data sent over Ethernet.
HUI Human User Interface. The DAW control protocol used by ProTools and others.
Layers Different DAW programmes, one of which can be controlled by Nucleus
2
at a time, though all transports can
be activated simultaneously from one transport master.
MCU Mackie Control Unit. The DAW control protocol used by Logic, Nuendo and others.
SD Card An SD memory card fitted to the rear of Nucleus
2
for Profile storage.
Soft Keys Many switches on Nucleus
2
can be programmed through the Nucleus
2
Remote to perform DAW specific
functions. These switches are grouped together as ‘soft key sets’.
USER The USER and USER switches located in the centre section area of Nucleus
2
are used to apply soft key
sets to the switches above and below the scribble strip displays.
V-Pot In-channel rotary encoder used to control a variety of parameters. The V-Pot is located below the digital display.
V-Sel In-channel encoder switch, used to control a variety of parameters, often associated with the V-Pot. The switch
is activated by pressing the V-Pot. Note that the VSEL switch is different from the channel select (SEL) switch.
Software Versions
The information in this manual is correct for Nucleus
2
software V2.0/1 or greater, Nucleus
2
firmware V2.0/0 or greater
and Nucleus
2
Browser V2.0/0 or greater.
Help!
Should you require assistance with Nucleus
2
that is not addressed by this manual, please refer to the Support pages of
the SSL Website at www.solidstatelogic.com/support/Nucleus2 and click on ‘Ask a Question’ to get in contact with us.
Nucleus
2
User Guide Page 3
Channel meter
and record status
indicator
Mode Switches
The Mode switches are not part of the channel in which they are
located. In normal operation, they select V-Pot modes. By default only
Mode switches 1-8 are assigned. Note that the V-Pot modes are printed
beneath the switches, and not shown in the digital display.
When the USER switches in the centre section are pressed, the Mode
and V-Sel switches in channels 9-16 become soft switches (Soft Keys)
which can be configured using the Nucleus
2
Remote.
2-Row ‘Scribble Strip’ Display
In normal operation, the top row
displays the channel name and the
bottom row the V-Pot function.
When the centre section USER
switches are selected, the digital
display on channels 9-16 shows the
soft key assignments for each
corresponding Mode and V-Sel
switch.
V-Pots and V-Sel Switches
- Turn for the V-Pot
- Press for the V-Sel switch
Functions are defined by the
host application, or by pressing
a Mode switch.
When the centre section USER
switches are selected, Mode
and V-Sel switches in channels
9-16 become additional soft
switches.
Channel Cut and
Solo switches
Channel Select
switch.
Also used for
track arming,
automation and
plug-in control.
Channel Fader
1. Nucleus
2
Overview
The diagrams below and overleaf provide an overview of the Nucleus
2
control surface along with the main DAW screen of
the Nucleus
2
Remote.
CHANNEL STRIP AND MODE SWITCHES
Page 4 Nucleus
2
User Guide
CENTRE SECTION AND ANALOGUE CONTROL
Nucleus
2
REMOTE
Analogue Control:
Monitoring and
Mic inputs
Channel/Bank
scrollers
* Transport
Control
USER Soft Key
Set selectors
Additional DAW
Layer Selectors
DAW Channel
Control modifiers
DAW Computer
modifier keys *
* Global DAW
Control keys
Note
The function of switches in
areas with asterisks are
defined in the Nucleus
2
Remote.
(Default functions are shown.)
Defines which layer
is being edited
in the Remote
Defines the DAW
being controlled
Selects soft key
sets for the Soft Key
Setup display
Soft Key Setup
Enables single-letter
automation display
Defines which DAW
is transport master
Select DAW to view or
edit Nucleus
2
setup
Defines default
function of Jog Wheel
Nucleus
2
User Guide Page 5
2. Nucleus
2
Configurations
Connection of Nucleus
2
to a Dante network requires the following:
• An Ethernet connection between either of Nucleus
2
’s Ethernet ports and the DAW computer(s) – for DAW control, the
Nucleus
2
Remote and Dante Standard Audio, if applicable
•
A USB connection between Nucleus
2
a
nd the host DAW computer(s) – for DAW keyboard commands
• Audio connections – for recording sources plus monitoring
The way in which audio is sent between Nucleus
2
and the host DAW computer is dependant on the connectivity options
associated with the DAW(s) being used. The rest of this section describes the installation and connections involved in
each option.
DAWs With a Dante Network Connection
For software which can send and receive audio via any soundcard connected to the computer, Nucleus
2
can be connected
directly to the DAW using the Ethernet connection.
Page 6 Nucleus
2
User Guide
DAWs With Proprietary Soundcards
S
ome DAWs can only receive audio via their own proprietary soundcard hardware. Many of these soundcards provide
d
igital (S/PDIF) connections, allowing you to take full advantage of the SSL quality pre-amps and converters. The two
N
ucleus
2
i
nput channels are sent using the left and right channels of the S/PDIF Out, and the S/PDIF In feeds the monitor
i
nputs.
I
f your S/PDIF connections are coaxial (usually using phono sockets), simple coaxial to optical S/PDIF converters will
b
e required to connect the soundcard digitally to the Nucleus
2
P
RE (pre-amp) outputs.
Using Nucleus
2
’s Digital IO
Nucleus
2
User Guide Page 7
Using Nucleus
2
’s Analogue IO
F
or soundcards which don’t have digital IO, line-level analogue connections allow you still to make use of Nucleus
2
’
s SSL
p
re-amps. Nucleus
2
P
RE (Pre-Amp) outputs and EXTERNAL monitor inputs can be used to connect Nucleus
2
t
o the
s
oundcard inputs and outputs. (Note that the PRE amp outputs are sourced from the pre amp’s Insert Send, so are always
a
ctive.)
Monitoring
E
thernet
(DAW control
and Remote)
USB
(DAW
keyboard
c
ommands)
E
xternal
Sound Card
DAW Computer
Recording Sources
Mains Power
Headphones
Mp3
Player
SEND Out
and
EXTERNAL
I
n
oringMonit
E
xt
Sou
a
lernExt
dar Cnd
secrecR
honeadpHe
o
ing Sou
shone
t
hernetE
noDAW c(
emot Rand
t
hernet
l otr
e)emot
B US
DAW(
dareybok
s
)andommc
END OutS
EXTERNAL
END Out
and
EXTERNAL
I
n
honeadpHe
Mp3
P
shone
Mp3
laP
PainsM
P
erwo P
ryelaP
Page 8 Nucleus
2
User Guide
Multiple DAWs
Up to three DAW applications on up to three computers can be connected to Nucleus
2
simultaneously, as described on
Page 14. This configuration requires both a Network Router and USB switcher.
Nucleus
2
User Guide Page 9
3. Software Installation
In order for Nucleus
2
to integrate into your working environment, it will be necessary to install drivers and supporting
software on your DAW computer(s) and/or studio computer(s). The following computers and operating systems are
supported:
Mac
• Intel Core2 Duo, 1.2GHz or faster
• OS X Version 10.8.5 ‘Mountain Lion’ or greater
Windows
• 1.2GHz or faster
• Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 (32 or 64bit)
For all computers, the following resources are required:
• 4GB RAM
• 15MB Hard Disk space
• Internet connection (for product registration and software download)
The ipMIDI and Dante Virtual Soundcard software will be required for one or more DAW computers, Nucleus
2
Remote
can either be installed onto one of the DAW computers or onto an entirely different computer if required.
Software Installation – Mac
1. Go to www.solidstatelogic.com, click ‘Register’ in the top right-hand corner, and create an SSL account. If you already
have an SSL account, please login.
2. Click on your Username in the top right-hand corner of the website, then go to ‘My Products’, and click ‘Register a
product’. Select ‘Nucleus’, enter your console serial number, and click ‘Add’.
3. Click on the ‘Downloads’ link that will appear next to your registered Nucleus
2
console, and download the latest
support file for your OS.
Dante Virtual Soundcard
To install the Dante Virtual Soundcard application:
• To obtain a Dante Virtual Soundcard license, go to
www.audinate.com. Click ‘Register’ in the top right hand corner
and create an Audinate account. If you already have an Audinate account, please login.
• Click on your ‘My Account’ in the top right-hand corner and go to ‘My Products’. Beneath ‘Redeem a Software token’,
enter the Dante Virtual Soundcard token included in the Nucleus
2
packaging, and submit.
• A DVS license code will now appear in your account – make note of this license code.
• Run the
DVS-3.10.1.1_macos.dmg
installer to install Dante Virtual Soundcard in the Applications Folder.
• Open the Applications folder, and double-click the Dante Virtual Soundcard icon. Click on Licensing, and enter the
license that was generated in your Audinate account. To find this again, go to
www.audinate.com, login, and go to
My Products.
• To uninstall Dante Virtual Soundcard simply drag the application to the Trash.
Page 10 Nucleus
2
User Guide
Dante Controller
• To install Dante Controller, run the
DanteController-3.10.2.3_osx.dmg
installer. The installer will place the Dante
Controller app in the Applications folder.
– If it becomes necessary to uninstall Dante Controller, simply drag the application folder to the Trash.
Nucleus
2
Remote
• To install Nucleus
2
Remote, simply drag the Nucleus
2
Remote icon to the Applications folder alias. This will copy the
application onto the computer.
• To run Nucleus
2
R
emote, locate and double-click the Nucleus
2
R
emote icon in the Applications folder. If required,
d
rag this icon to the Dock on the Desktop to provide quick and easy access.
– If it is necessary to uninstall Nucleus
2
Remote, simply locate the Nucleus
2
Remote icon in the Applications folder and
drag it to the Trash.
ipMIDI Driver
If an older version of the ipMIDI driver is already present on the computer, it must be removed prior to running the
installer; simply delete the
ipMIDIDriver.bundle
file from the
/Library/Audio/MIDI Drivers
folder.
• To install the ipMIDI driver, locate the ipMIDI package in the Finder window. Double-click this icon to launch the ipMIDI
installer. Follow the instructions in the installer (it should be safe to accept the defaults).
It will be necessary to log out and back in again after the driver has been installed.
– To uninstall the ipMIDI driver, simply delete the
ipMIDIDriver.plugin
file from the
/Library/Audio/MIDI Drivers
folder.
Nucleus
2
User Guide Page 11
Software Installation – Windows
1. Go to
www.solidstatelogic.com click ‘Register’ in the top right-hand corner, and create an SSL account. If you already
have an SSL account, please login.
2. Click on your Username in the top right-hand corner of the website, then go to ‘My Products’, and click ‘Register a
product’. Select ‘Nucleus’, enter your console serial number, and click ‘Add’.
3. Click on the ‘Downloads’ link that will appear next to your registered Nucleus
2
console, and download the latest
support file for your OS.
Dante Virtual Soundcard
To install the Dante Virtual Soundcard application:
• To get a Dante Virtual Soundcard license, go to www.audinate.com. Click ‘Register’ in the top right hand corner, and
create an Audinate account. If you already have an Audinate account, please login.
• Click on your ‘My Account’ in the top right-hand corner, and go to ‘My Products’. Beneath ‘Redeem a Software token’
enter the Dante Virtual Soundcard token included in the Nucleus
2
packaging, and submit.
• A DVS license code will now appear in your account – make note of this license code.
• Run the
DVS-3.10.1.1_windows.exe
installer to install Dante Virtual Soundcard.
• Open Dante Virtual Soundcard from the Desktop icon. Click on Licensing, and enter the license that was generated in
your Audinate account. To find this again, go to www.audinate.com, login, and go to My Products.
– To uninstall Dante Virtual Soundcard run the Uninstall application located in the Dante Virtual Soundcard folder.
Dante Controller
• To install Dante Controller, run the
DanteController-3.10.2.4_windows.exe
installer.
– If it becomes necessary to uninstall Dante Controller, run the Uninstall application located in the Dante Controller
folder.
Nucleus
2
Remote
• To install Nucleus
2
Remote, locate the Nucleus
2
Setup application and double-click this file to run the Nucleus
2
Remote installer. Follow the instructions in the installer (it should be safe to accept the defaults).
• On completion of the installation process, the installer will place a shortcut on the Desktop; double-click this icon to
run Nucleus
2
Remote.
– The Nucleus
2
Remote can be un-installed by running the Uninstall application located in the Nucleus
2
Remote folder.
Page 12 Nucleus
2
User Guide
ipMIDI Driver
I
f an older version of the ipMIDI driver is already present on the computer, it should be uninstalled (using Add/Remove
P
rograms) before running the installer.
• To install the ipMIDI driver, locate the ipMIDI Setup application and double-click this file to launch the ipMIDI installer.
F
ollow the instructions in the installer (it should be safe to accept the defaults).
I
t will be necessary to restart the computer after the driver has been installed.
• To remove the ipMIDI driver, simply run the Uninstall application located in the ipMIDI folder.
US
ING THE
DA
NTE INTERFACE ON
NU
CLEUS
2
W
ITH AN EXISTING
I/O S
ETUP
There are several ways to integrate the Nucleus
2
mic pre’s & monitor section with an existing sound card setup.
O
n pages 6&7 there are example setups that use the Nucleus
2
o
ptical SPDIF and analogue I/O for connecting an external
s
ound card; an alternative is to use Dante Via.
D
ante Via is a soware that allows you to route audio sources on your computer to the Dante network (and therefore to
t
he Nucleus
2
D
ante soundcard). The example below shows how Pro Tools I/O can be used alongside Nucleus
2
;
outputs
1
and 2 of Pro Tools are going to Dante Via, and routed using Dante Controller to the Nucleus
2
m
onitoring section. The
N
ucleus
2
o
utputs 1 and 2 (from the SuperAnalogue mic pre’s) are routed over Dante to Dante Via, which routes them to
i
nputs 1 & 2 of Pro Tools.
Dante Via Install and Setup
1. Go to
www.audinate.com
2. Go to Products > Dante Via
3. Click on Buy Dante Via, select your OS from the dropdown menu, then click and download the installer. At this point
you can purchase a Dante Via license, or use the free trial.
4. Run the Dante Via installer and open the soware – please note that you will need to ‘stop’ Dante Virtual Soundcard, if it is
already running.
You will also need to install Dante Controller – instructions on how to do this can be found on pages 10&11.
Configuration
On the le side of the Dante Via window is a list of Audio Sources, and on the right Audio Destinations.
1. Under the Audio Sources list, click Enable Dante for the soundcard you wish to connect to the Dante network.
2. Under the Audio Destinations list, click Enable Dante for the soundcard you wish to connect to the Dante network.
The soundcard will now be available on the Dante network, and visible in Dante Controller.
Nucleus
2
User Guide Page 13
Pro Tools
In/Out 1-2
Nucleus
2
In/Out 1-2
Computer running
Dante Via
Live Room
Sources
Control Room
Sources
3. Go to Dante Controller and make the audio routes between your soundcard and Nucleus
2
. To do this, expand the
transmitter/receiver I/O by clicking on the ‘+’ signs, then click on the channel cross-points to route your soundcard
channels to Nucleus2 and vice-versa (as shown below).
Page 14 Nucleus
2
User Guide
Nucleus
2
User Guide Page 15
4. Connection and Software Configuration
PHYSICAL CONNECTIONS
T
he Installation Guide that came with Nucleus
2
c
ontains important safety information. Please be sure to read that
g
uide before attempting to connect Nucleus
2
.
The mains power connection for Nucleus
2
is via a standard 3-pin IEC320 power cable into its external power supply. The
following audio and data connections can be found on the Nucleus
2
back panel:
Audio Connections
PRE IN, PRE IN Combi inputs for Nucleus
2
pre-amps 1 and 2, XLR connections are routed via the pre-amps;
plugging in a 1/4" jack will automatically select the high input impedance on the channel strip.
SEND/RETURN and Balanced 1/4" jack Insert Send and Return connections for pre-amps 1 and 2. (The Sends also
function as balanced Mic-pre outputs)
Inserts can also be used on the monitor circuits – see Page 42 for details.
EXTERNAL L and R Balanced XLR input for connecting an additional stereo signal to the Nucleus
2
monitoring
MONITOR L and R Balanced XLR outputs for connecting the Nucleus
2
monitoring to a pair of loudspeakers
MINI L and R Balanced XLR outputs for connecting Nucleus
2
to an auxiliary pair of loudspeakers
HEADPHONES 1/4" stereo headphone connections. Both sockets send identical signals
TALKBACK IN Balanced XLR input for talkback; with adjustable gain
IJACK 3.5mm stereo jack input provides an additional source into the monitoring and headphone sends
SPDIF Optical S/PDIF stereo IO. The outputs of the Nucleus
2
pre-amps feed the S/PDIF output (channel
1 is left, channel 2 is right) and the S/PDIF inputs feed the External monitor connection
Data Connections
Both Network and USB connections must be made between Nucleus
2
and the DAW computer(s) – for systems using
multiple computers, see Page 16.
NETWORK Standard RJ45 Ethernet connector for DAW data and Dante audio. The two ports function as a
network switch so either can be used for Dante and DAW control. The unused port may be used
for additional Dante Network devices.
USB Use a standard USB A-B cable to connect Nucleus
2
to a USB port on your DAW computer. This
connection is used for keyboard commands to the DAW.
Defining Keyboard Nationality (Mac)
Nucleus
2
emulates a UK keyboard. When Nucleus
2
is first connected to a Mac, a dialogue will be displayed which asks
you to identify the new keyboard. In order to identify the keyboard type, the Mac then requires the key to right of the left
Shift key to be pressed. Mode switch 16 on Nucleus
2
(see Page 27), is assigned a ‘Keyboard ID’ command by default;
pressing this switch will send the required keystroke to the Mac to correctly identify Nucleus
2
as a UK keyboard.
FOOTSWITCH Two footswitches can be connected to Nucleus
2
using the single 1/4" stereo (X-Y) jack
FOOTSWITCH connector – use a mono-to-stereo splitter cable to separate the two footswitch
connections.
TERMINAL The TERMINAL D-connector is used for advanced system configuration and diagnostics. We
strongly suggest not using this unless you are confident with terminal procedures and have an
in-depth understanding of quantum theory.
Page 16 Nucleus
2
User Guide
CONFIGURING NETWORK CONNECTIONS
Network Wiring
To ensure the fastest possible communication between your DAW computer and Nucleus
2
– and to simplify the installation
wiring – Nucleus
2
communicates with your workstation over Ethernet using the ipMIDI driver to emulate a multiport MIDI
interface. To ensure minimum latency ipMIDI uses multicast UDP rather than TCP/IP. This means that:
• The network connection should be short and direct.
Where possible all cables should be as short as possible and only routers that can support high data transfer rates
should be used. Problems have been experienced with some domestic routers, particularly when used with Pro Tools.
Typical symptoms of a slow network connection are:
- The Nucleus
2
fails to synchronise all controls when first connecting with the DAW.
- Channel controls and scribble strips on channels 9-16 fail to update reliably when using the CHANNEL scroller
switches.
• All computers on the network will receive ipMIDI packets.
Notes for network wizards
Because ipMIDI uses multicast UDP packets, messages between one computer and Nucleus
2
will be received by all
other computers on the network, potentially causing problems in installations with more than one Nucleus
2
. The UDP
packets can be blocked by using a firewall router and connecting the main network to the WAN connector. The firewall
can then be configured to allow all traffic apart from UDP ports 21928 through 21947 which are used by ipMIDI and
port 50081 which is used by the Nucleus
2
Remote application. Note that it may be necessary to use a separate Ethernet
switch in place of the integrated firewall router switch, as some of these can not support the high data transfer rate
required. The NetGear GS108 (an eight port switch) has been used successfully at SSL Begbroke.
A pre-configured LAN Integration Network Switch can be purchased from the SSL web store.
Also see setup example on page 16
To avoid the latency and communication issues illustrated above, we recommend that Nucleus
2
and the DAW computers
be connected directly on a dedicated network. In practice, most systems can be configured with a direct connection.
Assigning the Nucleus
2
IP Address
The Nucleus
2
IP address is configured via the Network Setup tab
in the Nucleus
2
Remote.
By default, Nucleus
2
uses a fixed IP address of 169.254.1.2 – the
IP Address, Subnet and Gateway shown in the picture should work
for a direct connection to a single DAW computer.
We suggest you do not attempt to change these unless you are
familiar with Ethernet configuration as doing so may break
communication between Nucleus
2
and the Remote.
If Nucleus
2
must be connected via a wider network – ideally, in
that case, through a network switch or router – Nucleus
2
should
probably be set to use a DHCP server (check the Use DHCP option)
to automatically set an IP Address, Subnet and Gateway suitable
for your wider network. If there is any possibility that a DHCP server
is not available the Fixed option should be used.
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