New Dante options from Studio Technologies

With Dante increasingly being adopted as the go-to method for interconnecting devices via Ethernet networks, Studio Technologies has released the Model 5482 Dante Bridge and also provided an update for its Model 5422 Dante Intercom Audio Engine. The Model 5482 provides a means of bridging up to 64 audio-over-Ethernet channels between LANs or Dante domains.

Each of the Model 5482’s independent interfaces offers three Gigabit Ethernet network ports, providing support for both switched and redundant Dante operation along with a separate management network connection. Each “side” of a Model 5482 can be independently configured to match the unique demands of an application. The unit allows up to 64 audio channels to pass in each direction with support for up to 24-bits at 44.1kHz, 48kHz and 96kHz sampling rates. Sample-rate-conversion (SRC) capability ensures that audio signals with different sampling rates and timing references can be directly interconnected.

Model 5422

The device is compliant with the AES67 standard and supports Audinate’s Dante Domain Manager (DDM) software application. Each of the unit’s Dante interfaces can function independently – for example, one of the network interfaces can be operated through DDM while the other remains open. Each interface can be configured to support AES67 digital audio signals, allowing the Model 5482 to serve as a unique Dante-to-AES67 bridge. The unit is housed in a rugged yet lightweight 1U enclosure with a front panel featuring LED indicator lights, a graphics display and push-button switches to observe and configure key operating parameters.

The latest update for the Model 5422 Dante Intercom Audio Engine offers several improvements, including Auto Mix functionality and three additional operating modes. Two of the modes add Auto Mix capability for party-line intercom and summing bus (unity gain mixer) applications, while the third mode, Audio Switching, allows control of multiple Dante audio channels using high-frequency audio tones generated by a range of other Studio Technologies products. Also improved is the ability to name Dante channels within the Model 5422, offering a superior experience when configurating the unit and establishing group, mode and channel names. Users can also more easily manage the Model 5422’s capabilities with an updated web page design and, finally, the level trim range for all Dante transmitter (output) channels has been increased to ±20dB, matching the capability of the Model 5422’s Dante receiver (input) channels.