ASE’s Sound Engine networked with Dante
Published: MEA

SOUTH AFRICA: Johannesburg-based teaching facility, the Academy of Sound Engineering (ASE), has opted for a Dante network for its soon-to-open two-storey building, the Sound Engine. The decision to go with Dante followed a thorough research process exploring a variety of audio networking options.
ASE technical manager, lecturer and Pro Tools expert, Gray Burnett, was responsible for the installation of the equipment and the implementation of protocols at the Sound Engine. Dante’s compatibility with the facitlity’s existing equipment, such as Focusrite RedNet devices, Studer Vista and OnAir consoles, Soundcraft Vi1 and various Yamaha consoles played a part in the decision. However, Mr Burnett looked at other audio-over-Ethernet protocols before making the final decision.
‘As with Dante, audio-over-Ethernet alternatives such as Ravenna, AVB and LiveWire, encapsulate data onto OSI layer three. This makes most standard networking gear compatible with these protocols,’ stated Mr Burnett. ‘The limitation of these alternatives, however, is the support from the industry. Ravenna and AVB have a number of manufacturers using these protocols with their gear, but Audinate currently has 275 equipment manufacturers incorporating Dante into over 675 products.’