Usually, Audinate prefers to license its own Dante development platforms for manufacturers to create their own audio networking solutions. This includes very large implementations for the broadcast market, all the way to simple one-channel adaptors for live sound applications. Apparently, this time Audinate decided to speed up the process and take maters into their own hands, by releasing the Dante AVIO family of adapters to bring any possible legacy analog and digital audio equipment to Dante networks.
It’s not only a question of providing a reference design for audio networking, but more a case of creating awareness for the benefits of implementing the complete Dante protocol, instead of just providing an AES67 audio I/O from the network - which obviously is now the most simple and economic approach. As Audinate explains, each Dante AVIO adapter acts as a completely independent Dante network device, allowing legacy gear to enjoy the benefits of networked audio. These devices can now seamlessly transmit high quality, uncompressed audio streams over long distances without the noise and ground issues common to analog connections. Being part of a Dante system also allows for nearly unlimited scalability while providing incredibly low latency and easy configuration. Dante AVIO adapters enable audio professionals to extend the value of their non-networked equipment, making it interoperable with any of the more than 1250 Dante-enabled products on the market.
“Audio networking has been growing rapidly, but we recognize there are still millions of legacy endpoint devices that could benefit from the flexibility and scalability Dante delivers,” states Lee Ellison, CEO of Audinate. “Our new line of Dante AVIO adapters enable live sound engineers, systems integrators and even home recording enthusiasts to easily integrate their audio equipment into a Dante network.”
The Dante AVIO Analog adapters are available as dedicated inputs or outputs with one or two channels of audio. Analog input adapters allow mixers, mic preamps, stage DIs and more to connect to a Dante audio network, while analog output adapters are perfect for driving amplifiers, powered speakers or recorders. Long runs of noisy analog cable can be eliminated and all signal routes are managed via Dante Controller software.
The Dante AVIO USB adapter connects any computer to a Dante audio network without additional software, providing class-complaint stereo input and output that can be used by any audio application. Ideal for presentations and conference rooms, the Dante AVIO USB adapter may be passed between computers without altering networked audio connections.
The Dante AVIO AES3 adapter provides stereo input and output, preserving investments in AES3-connected DSPs, mixers, compressors, preamps and more. Any AES3 device may be fully connected to any Dante network with no degradation of signal due to extraneous D/A and A/D conversion.
Dante AVIO adapters will be available through retailers and system integrators in Q2 2018.
audinate.com/avio
