Q3 Waves Fitting (TN481)

24 March 2026 14:30 Updated

The following notes are instructions for fitting the Waves option to the Q3 console

FITTING WAVES ® OPTION

Important Note: These instructions are a guide to fitting the Waves option to this mixer. This
option is normally supplied factory fitted and is not considered a user installed option. This note is
for the use of factory approved technicians only. The USB key included in the kit includes these
install instructions and the operation manual.

Preparations

Read the instructions carefully before starting, and leave yourself time to perform the work.

You will need to have the following tools to hand:

2mm Hexagonal driver (Allen Key) stubby (less than 40mm) – normally supplied with the Q3
Pozi or Philips screwdriver no 0
Pozi-screwdriver 1 pt
2.0 Hexagonal driver (Allen Key)
Soft material (e.g. bubble wrap) for resting panels flat on

You should also have:
1) Authorisations for Waves Multirack, Superack, Waves Studio or a PC driver for recording
at least, as obtained from Waves (http://www.waveslive.com/html/soundgrid-fordigico.aspx) This will be required to use the installation.

2) To fully test Waves functionality, you will also require a compatible PC to run the Waves
software required, also usually a Soundgrid Server, a Waves approved 1GB Network
switch and 3 CAT5e/CAT6 network cables. Details of approved switches and appropriate
Cables can be found at http://www.waveslive.com/html/soundgrid-switches.aspx

Ensure you have taken appropriate anti-static precautions

Avoid working in areas with synthetic floor coverings or carpet, especially polypropylene material, as opposed to natural materials such as solid wood or wool. Ideally work at a proper workbench with ESD safe features, such as a metal frame. Before work, try to discharge yourself into a mains earth fitment, water pipe etc.

This is important as parts of the equipment are static sensitive and even if any damage is not immediately obvious, so called “latent damage” can occur, where a device may be partially degraded yet continue to perform its intended function. However, the operating life of the device may be reduced dramatically, leading to premature failure.

If you are unsure about any part of the procedure, seek advice before proceeding.

Before you start, shut down the console, switch it off and remove the power leads.

Locate and remove the stubby driver and bits supplied with the mixer in the keyboard drawer.

Procedure

Accessing the Console Interior

Remove screws from left and middle display panels, take out screws from master and the right sections only if required.

Remove the top screws from the upper panels using the stubby 2mm hex driver located in the keyboard drawer. For the bottom screws, use a regular 2mm hex driver.

Lift the upper panels out from the lower edge and tip forward, resting the upper panel on the chassis or soft material covering the fader panel

Q3 Upper Surface Removal.png

Lay the panel flat across the fader panel on soft material. If required, unplug the display drive cable from the rear of the screen by squeezing the two ends of the connector to release it. Note that the plugs are labeled L, M, and R for the respective screens.

Q3 Upper Surface Graphic Connection.png Q3 Upper Surface Cable Connection.png

Lay the upper panels flat on the fader panels but do not remove the master control section panel. The right hand panel is also not removed to fit the Waves option.

Q3 Surfaces Lay Down.png

See the engine and computer cover. This is held with 6 captive 0pt Pozi screws (or use a small flat blade). Release all 6 screws, remove the cover from within the mixer and see the engine exposed below.

Q3 Engine Cover Plate Removal.png Q3 Engine Fitted.png

The interior is now accessible for required work.

Waves Option PCB Module

Remove the blanking plate fitted above the console power supplies on the rear of the console
Note the screws go into nuts on the inside of the console.
Within the mixer fit the Waves module to the rear panel, re-using the bolts from the blank.

See picture below showing the interior view of the installed Module PCB
Take a note of the 12 character module Waves serial number PCB whilst this is being installed. This will be required for activating your Waves license

Waves Option Cables

Locate the ribbon cable connection to Engine connector CN8 labelled Waves.

Waves 6.png

If the Waves option was not installed before but this cable was fitted and tied off, it should be removed and replaced with the new cable included with the kit.
Cut the Ty-Wrap at the engine PCB end to release the cables leading to the PCB, if required.
Fit the "twist/flat" ribbon. Not the pre-fitted ferrite goes at the engine end.
Replace the cable tie at the engine end.
Locate the power cable in the chassis which is pre-fitted and tied off adjacent to the Waves module. Cut the Ty-Wrap and release the cable
Connect both the other ends of the 2 cables to their mating connectors on the Waves PCB.

The Waves hardware installation is now complete

Test the mixer functions

On completion of work connect the mixer to power and perform a functional test to confirm all
screens and controls function correctly, prior to fixing covers and panels.
On completion of test, shut down and the switch off power

Reassemble the mixer

Lift the upper left and middle panels and lay flat across the faders again.
Replace the engine cover plate - This is critical for the correct operation and cooling of the unit and must not be omitted.
Ensure no cables are trapped by this and all 6 screws are correctly done up.
Refit and screw down all control and fader panels.

Note how the upper panels have a flexible RF gasket on the right edge. Ensure this is in place and not removed. Assembling panels from right to left is the correct methos to get these in, finally sliding the leftmost panel edge without a gasket into the chassis.

Software Setup Notes

The Waves I/O port will appear as an option and can be added in the Audio I/O page.

The option will also activate external Waves control integration features allowing the Waves system to synchronise features such as snapshot firing and the session load and save, via Ethernet

Q3 supports Waves only on a separate external control computer. Legacy internal Waves operation is not supported in any form.

Connect both the Waves port and one of the console network ports to the Waves compatible network switch.

Ensure the Waves computer is on the current version compatible with the mixer version installed on the mixer. Refer to your Waves Central account to download and install this, following instructions from Waves.

The Waves port will appear as "Digico I/O" in the Waves inventory. Refer to Waves instructions for the relevant Waves software for operation of the integration features.

If required the PC waves audio driver can be downloaded from Wave Central once an account has been created. This can be created at no initial cost by using the serial number from the Wave module PCB above.

Associated Documentation Downloads

TN481 Q3 Waves fitting.pdf

1000 KB

Was this article helpful?

0 out of 0 found this helpful

GENERAL EULA 25th February 2021
Please read and make sure you understand this End User License Agreement before you download and install any software from this website or use any goods sold to you by us which contain software. Scroll to the bottom of this page to continue.

DIGICO END USER LICENCE AGREEMENT

IMPORTANT- PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:THIS END-USER LICENCE AGREEMENT (“EULA”) IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU (“YOU”) AND DIGICO UK LIMITED OF NO.5 THE DISTILLERY, SILVERGLADE BUSINESS PARK, LEATHERHEAD ROAD, CHESSINGTON, SURRY, KT9 2QL (“DIGICO”) FOR THE DIGICO SOFTWARE THAT ACCOMPANIES THIS EULA, WHICH INCLUDES COMPUTER SOFTWARE/ FIRMWARE WHICH MAY ALSO INCLUDE ASSOCIATED MEDIA, PRINTED MATERIALS, “ONLINE” OR ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTATION, AND INTERNET-BASED SERVICES AND DOWNLOADED SOFTWARE AND ANY UPDATES (“SOFTWARE”). AN AMENDMENT OR ADDENDUM TO THIS EULA MAY ACCOMPANY THE SOFTWARE.

YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS EULA BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR OTHERWISE USING THE SOFTWARE.

If You do not agree to the following terms, or do not fulfil the requirements set out in this EULA, no licence is granted to You by this EULA and You may not use, install or download the Software (and any copies of the Software that You do hold must be deleted or destroyed).

GRANT OF LICENCE.

1.1 In consideration of your paying any price charged for the Software or product sold by DiGiCo to You which contained the Software at point of sale (“Product”) and/or your use of any free Software and your compliance with these terms, DiGiCo grants to You the non-exclusive right to install and/or use the Software as specified in this EULA and in accordance with any documentation that accompanies the Software or Product online or in paper format (and which includes, without limitation, the terms and conditions upon which DiGiCo sold the Product to You) (“ Documentation ”).

THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE.

2.1 Some or all of the Software may consist of third party applications and packages which may be proprietary and / or open source software. You are obliged to comply with any additional licensing terms related to such third party applications. To the extent that this EULA contains any provision(s) which are contradictory to the terms of those third party applications and packages, the terms of those third party licences shall apply to that Software as opposed to the terms of this EULA and the terms of this EULA shall not apply to them. Unless stated otherwise in the documentation that accompanies the Software or Product, DiGiCo does not provide any warranty, maintenance, technical or other support for third party applications and all warranties in the Software are disclaimed as set out in clause 10 below.
2.2 A list of the third party software, acknowledgement and licences for each Product can be found at https://digico.biz/legal/open-source-software/
2.3 Certain software libraries and other third party software included with the Software are free software and licenced under the terms of open source licences. You may obtain a complete source code copy of such free software under the terms of the licence if applicable, without charge at https://digico.biz/legal/open-source-software/.
2.4 To the extent that the Software links to any open source software libraries (“OSS Libraries”) that are provided to You with the Software, nothing in this EULA shall affect Your rights under the licenses on which the owner of intellectual property rights in the relevant OSS Libraries (“Third Party Licensor”) has licensed the OSS Libraries, details of which can be found at https://digico.biz/legal/open-source-software/ To the extent that Third Party Licensors have licensed OSS Libraries on the terms of v2.1 or v3 of the Lesser General Public License issued by the Free Software Foundation (the “LGPL”), those OSS Libraries are licensed to You on the terms of the relevant LGPL and are referred to, in this clause 2.4 and in clause 6.1.4, as the LGPL Libraries. You may obtain a complete copy of the source code of the LPGL Libraries without charge at https://digico.biz/legal/open-source-software/ in order that You may modify the LGPL Libraries in accordance with the relevant LGPL, together with certain object code of the Software necessary to enable You to re-link any modified LGPL Library to the Software.

EXPORT/IMPORT RESTRICTIONS.

3.1 The Software, including technical data, may be subject to U. S. export control laws, and may be subject to export or import regulations in other countries. You agree to comply with all such regulations, and acknowledge that it is your responsibility to obtain all licences to export, re-export, or import the Software. In particular, Software may not be downloaded, or otherwise exported or re-exported (i) into, or to a national or resident of, Cuba, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Libya, Sudan, Syria (as such listing may be revised from time to time) or any country to which the U.S. has embargoed goods; or (ii) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nations or the U.S. Commerce Department’s Table of Denial Orders.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.

4.1 DiGiCo reserves all rights not expressly granted to You in this EULA or third party licences associated with it. The Software is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws and treaties. DiGiCo or its suppliers own or have the right to license the title, copyright, and all other intellectual property rights in the Software. The Software is licensed, not sold, to You by DiGiCo, and You shall have no rights in or to the Software other than the right to use it in accordance with the terms of this EULA.

ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE/SERVICES.

5.1 This EULA and any amendment or addendum to this EULA applies to updates, supplements, or add-on components of the Software that DiGiCo may provide to You, including in accordance with clauses 2.2 and 2.3, or make available to You after the date You obtain your initial copy of the Software unless a further EULA is provided with these.

LICENSEE’S UNDERTAKINGS

6.1 Except as expressly set out in this Licence or as permitted by any local law, you undertake:
- 6.1.1 not to copy the Software or Documentation except where such copying is incidental to normal use of the Software or where it is necessary for the purpose of back-up or operational security;
- 6.1.2 not to translate, merge, adapt, vary or modify the Software or Documentation, assign the benefit or burden of this Licence in whole or in part, or to allow the Software to become the subject of a charge, lien or encumbrance;
- 6.1.3 not to make alterations to, or modifications of, the whole or any part of the Software nor permit the Software or any part of it to be combined with, or become incorporated in, any other programs, unless authorised by us in writing;
- 6.1.4 not to disassemble, decompile, reverse engineer or create derivative works based on the whole, or any part, of the Software nor attempt to do any such things except to the extent that:
  - (i) by virtue of section 296A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, such actions cannot be prohibited because they are essential for the purpose of achieving interoperability of the Software with another software program, and provided that the information obtained by you during such activities:
    - (a) is used only for the purpose of achieving interoperability of the Software with another software program; and
    - (b) is not unnecessarily disclosed or communicated to any third party without our prior written consent; and
    - (c) is not used to create any software which is substantially similar to the Software; and
  - (ii) the Software links to LGPL Libraries and reverse engineering of the Software is essential for debugging any modifications You have made to the LGPL Libraries.
- 6.1.5 where You are acting in the course of Your trade, business, craft or profession (“ Business Customer ”), not to permit the Software to be accessed through an electronic network beyond your normal place of business;
- 6.1.6 to keep all copies of the Software secure and to maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the number and locations of all copies of the Software;
- 6.1.7 to supervise and control use of the Software and (where you are a Business Customer) ensure that your employees, representatives and customers use the Software in accordance with the terms of this Licence; and
- 6.1.8 to include our and our licensors’ copyright notices on all entire and partial copies you make of the Software or any third party software we supply on any medium.
6.2 You must permit us and our representatives, at all reasonable times and on reasonable advance notice, to inspect and have access to any premises at which the Software or the Documentation is being kept or used, to the Products and other relevant computer equipment located there, and to any records kept pursuant to this Licence, for the purpose of ensuring that you are complying with the terms of this Licence.

RESALE AND SOFTWARE TRANSFER.

7.1 Software identified as “Not for Resale” or “NFR,” may not be sold or otherwise transferred for value, or used for any purpose other than demonstration, test or evaluation.
7.2 Internal: You may transfer the Software to an alternative system. After the transfer, You must completely remove the Software from the former system.
7.3 Transfer to a third party: You may make a one-time permanent transfer of this EULA and the Software to another end user. If you do so (i) You may not retain any copy of the Software, (ii) the transfer must include all of the Software (including all component parts, the media and printed materials, any updates and, if applicable, a Certificate of Authenticity) and be subject to this EULA. The transfer may not be an indirect transfer, such as a consignment. Prior to the transfer, the end user receiving the Software must agree to be bound by this EULA and any amendment or addendum to this EULA.

TERMINATION.

8.1 Without prejudice to any other rights, DiGiCo may terminate this EULA if You fail to comply with any of the terms of this EULA. In such an event, all rights granted to You under this EULA shall cease, You must cease all activities authorised by this EULA and You must destroy all copies of the Software and all of its component parts within your control.

LIMITED WARRANTY & YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY.

9.1 Subject to clauses 10.3 and 10.4, DiGiCo warrants that the Software will perform substantially in accordance with the DiGiCo materials that accompany the Software for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of receipt. If an implied warranty or condition is created by the laws of your territory that cannot be excluded, You are entitled to rely upon it, but only as to defects discovered during the period of this limited warranty (ninety days).
9.2 DiGiCo’s ENTIRE LIABILITY, AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, UNDER THE LIMITED WARRANTY PROVIDED IN THIS CLAUSE, OR FOR ANY OTHER BREACH OF THIS EULA, OR FOR ANY OTHER LIABILITY RELATING TO THE SOFTWARE, SHALL BE (AT DiGiCo OPTION), (I) RETURN OF THE AMOUNT PAID (IF ANY) FOR THE SOFTWARE, OR (II) REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE SOFTWARE, TO THE EXTENT THAT IT DOES NOT MEET THE LIMITED WARRANTY.
9.3 You will receive the remedy elected by DiGiCo. You are responsible for any expenses You may incur. The Limited Warranty provided in this clause is void if failure of the Software has resulted from accident, abuse, misapplication, abnormal use, a virus, or combination of the Product or Software with any other product or software. Any replacement Software will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer, and DiGiCo will use reasonable efforts to provide your remedy within a reasonable time of your compliance with DiGiCo’s warranty remedy procedures.
9.4 Where You: (i) are acting outside the course of Your trade, business, craft or profession, and are using Products for Your domestic, private, and non-commercial use; and (ii) you have either paid DiGiCo for the Software or a Product for which you were obliged to download and/or install Software on the Product for its proper functioning (“ Consumer ”) the warranties and remedies in relation to the Software shall be those contained in the terms and conditions upon which DiGiCo sold the Products to You as a Consumer (“ Consumer Terms of Sale ”).

DISCLAIMERS.

10.1 The Limited Warranty that appears above is the only warranty made to You and is provided in lieu of any other express warranties or similar obligations (if any) created by any advertising, documentation, packaging, or other communications.
10.2 Except for the Limited Warranty and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, DiGiCo and its suppliers provide the Software and support services (if any) “AS IS” and “WITH ALL FAULTS”, and hereby disclaim all other warranties and conditions, whether express, implied or statutory, including, but not limited to, any (if any) implied warranties, duties or conditions of merchantability, of fitness for a particular purpose, of reliability or availability, of accuracy or completeness of responses, of results, of workmanlike effort, of lack of viruses, and of lack of negligence, all with regard to the Software, and the provision of or failure to provide support or other services, information, software, and related content through the Software or otherwise arising out of the use of the Software.
10.3 DiGiCo DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE IS FREE OF BUGS OR ERRORS, AND THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH WILL NOT RESULT IN DiGiCo (i) BEING IN BREACH OF THIS EULA OR (ii) INCURRING ANY LIABILITY.
10.4 SO FAR AS IS PERMITTED BY LAW, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, QUIET POSSESSION, CORRESPONDENCE TO DESCRIPTION OR NON-INFRINGEMENT WITH REGARD TO THE SOFTWARE.

Where you are a Consumer and there is any conflict between the terms of this clause 10 and the Consumer Terms of Sale, the Consumer Terms of Sale shall apply.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

11.1 To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, and except as provided in any DiGiCo guarantee provided with the Software or Product and the Limited Warranty (above), DiGiCo and its suppliers shall not be liable for any damages whatsoever (including without limitation, damages for loss of data, loss of business profits or business opportunity, business interruption, loss of business information or other direct, indirect, consequential or pecuniary loss) arising out of the use or inability to use the Software, even if DiGiCo has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
11.2 (WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO CLAUSE 9.2) IN ANY CASE DiGiCo’s ENTIRE LIABILITY UNDER ANY PROVISION OF THIS EULA SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT ACTUALLY PAID BY YOU FOR THE SOFTWARE. THESE LIMITATIONS DO NOT APPLY TO ANY LIABILITIES THAT CANNOT BE EXCLUDED OR LIMITED BY APPLICABLE LAWS. SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, DiGiCo’s LIABILITY FOR INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS SHALL BE LIMITED TO BREACHES OF RIGHTS SUBSISTING IN THE UK.
11.3 Where you are a Consumer and there is any conflict between the terms of this clause 11 and the Consumer Terms of Sale, the terms of the Consumer Terms of Sale shall apply.

GENERAL.

12.1 Save where the Software forms part of a Product, this EULA (including any DiGiCo addendum or amendment to this EULA which is included with the Software and the licences referenced in clause 2) constitutes the entire agreement between You and DiGiCo relating to the Software and the support services (if any), and they supersede all prior or contemporaneous oral or written communications, proposals and representations with respect to the Software or any other subject matter covered by this EULA. To the extent the terms of any DiGiCo policies or programs for support services conflict with the terms of this EULA, the terms of this EULA shall prevail over such conflicting provisions.
12.2 This EULA is binding on You and DiGiCo and on any respective successors and assigns.
12.3 DiGiCo may transfer, assign, charge, sub-contract or otherwise dispose of this EULA, or any of its rights or obligations arising under it, at any time.
12.4 If any provision of this EULA is held by a competent authority to be illegal, invalid, void or unenforceable under the laws of any jurisdiction, such term, condition or provision will to that extent be severed from the remaining terms, conditions and provisions which will continue to be valid to the fullest extent permitted by law.
12.5 If DiGiCo fails, at any time during the term of this EULA to insist upon strict performance of any of your obligations under this EULA, or if it fails to exercise any of the rights or remedies to which it is entitled under this EULA, this shall not constitute a waiver of such rights or remedies and shall not relieve You from compliance with such obligations. A waiver by DiGiCo of any default shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent default. No waiver by DiGiCo of any of these terms and conditions shall be effective unless it is expressly stated to be a waiver and is communicated to you in writing.
12.6 DiGiCo will not be liable or responsible for any failure to perform, or delay in performance of, any of its obligations under this Licence that are caused by an event outside of its reasonable control
12.7 All notices given by You to DiGiCo must be given to DiGiCo UK Limited at No.5 The Distillery, Silverglade Business Park, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2QL. DiGiCo may give notice to You at your most recent address (be it physical or e-mail) known to DiGiCo, and/or through a notice posted on DiGiCo’s then website. Notice will be deemed received and properly served 24 hours after an e-mail is sent, 24 hours after posting on DiGiCo’s website, or three days after the date of posting of any letter.
12.8 This licence shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Subject to DiGiCo being entitled to enforce the terms of this EULA in any court or jurisdiction that it sees fit, any dispute arising from or related to this EULA shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. Where You use the Software outside of England and Wales, the local law may impose greater restrictions on You that You must comply with.

YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

13.1 YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS EULA, UNDERSTAND IT, AND AGREE BY USING THE SOFTWARE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS.

Should you have any questions concerning this EULA, please contact:

marketing@digiconsoles.com

or

Marketing Dept,
DiGiCo UK Limited
No.5 The Distillery
Silverglade Business Park
Leatherhead Road
Chessington
Surrey
KT9 2QL
t: +44 01372 845600