Studio Technologies takes analogue to Dante
Published: PRODUCTS
Studio Technologies’ Model 44D is an audio interface that helps to expand Dante's capabilities to facilities and equipment that primarily support signals in the analogue domain. The general-purpose tool can interface 2-channels of analogue line-level audio to and from applications that utilise Dante audio-over-Ethernet media networking technology. Two Model 44D units can also provide one-to-one signal paths, two in each direction, over a standard local area network. It also supports transport of contact closures or status signals between Model 44Ds and other compatible products. Each unit provides two GPIs and two GPOs. In-band audio signals (20kHz tones) are used to transport the signals through the Dante paths.
Two line-level audio inputs use standard 3-pin female XLR connectors for interfacing with balanced and unbalanced sources. The input audio signals are converted to 24-bit digital and then transported via the Dante interface. Two digital audio signals arrive via the Model 44D’s Dante interface and are then converted to analogue. Two 3-pin male XLR connectors on the unit’s back panel provide balanced line-level outputs. A 9-pin D-subminiature connector, also located on the back panel, is used to interface with the GPI and GPO signals. The front panel features four 5-segment LED meters to display the level of the audio signals associated with the two line inputs and two line outputs.
For compatibility with SMPTE and EBU applications, a configuration choice allows the nominal level of the input signals to be +4 or 0dBu. The two analogue line-level output channels can also be set to +4 or 0dBu. Both inputs and outputs are electronically balanced, capacitor coupled and ESD (static) protected. The unit can be powered using Power-over-Ethernet or an external source of 12V DC. It connects to a data network using a 100 Mb/s twisted-pair Ethernet interface using a Neutrik EtherCon RJ-45 connector.
Joining the Model 44D in offering an analogue to Dante interface is the Model 5414 mic/line input and line output interface. The Model 5414 allows four microphone or line-level sources to be connected to the unit for conversion to digital and then output via Dante. Gain, high-pass filtering and P48 phantom power can be selected. Four signals arriving by way of Dante can be converted to analogue and then output as balanced line-level signals. A monitor section allows the input and output signals to be selectively observed using meters and a headphone output.
The Model 5414 can serve as an edge device for a Dante network implementation or as a general-purpose tool to help expand Dante capabilities to facilities and applications that were initially implemented to support signals in the analogue domain. The rack-mounted unit features standard connectors for all inputs and outputs, along with direct AC mains power.