JBA TECH CORNER #2 - Allen & Heath's guide to dante networks

Dante is an Audio over IP (AoIP) protocol built on IT standards, enabling high-performance digital audio networking for live sound, AV installations, broadcasting, and recording. It delivers multi-channel audio with sub-millisecond latency, sample-accurate sync, high reliability, and scalability. This guide explores Dante integration with Allen & Heath products, covering standards, system requirements, connectivity, and best practices.

Key Standards and Protocols

1. Transport: Uses UDP for low-latency "best effort" delivery

2. IP Addressing: Prefer DHCP for dynamic assignment to avoid conflicts

3. Unicast vs. Multicast: Unicast (default) for point-to-point; multicast for 3+ receivers to reduce transmitter load, but increases switch burden

4. QoS (Quality of Service): Prioritizes time-critical traffic (e.g., PTP at DSCP 56, Audio at 46) in converged networks

5. Networks: LAN for local; VLAN for logical segmentation (e.g., audio vs. lighting); WAN for wide-area 

6. Discovery & Sync: Zeroconf (mDNS, DNS-SD) for plug-and-play; PTP for clock sync (±1µs tolerance) via master/slave election based on external sync, preferred master, clock quality, and MAC address.

Performance Highlights

1. Latency: Deterministic (0.15–5ms options); default 1ms. Set based on network size/speed—too low causes silence. Mixed latencies possible (e.g., 0.25ms for FOH, 1ms for breakouts).

2. Redundancy: Use primary/secondary ports with separate switches/cables for seamless failover. Avoid shared infrastructure. "Switch-mode" for daisy-chaining (no redundancy, added latency).

3. Clock Setup Example (FOH/MON): Set one Dante card as preferred master/external sync; mixer to internal; expanders follow.

Hardware Recommendations

1. Switches: Gigabit (1Gb) minimum; avoid EEE (disable if possible). Unmanaged for simple setups; smart/managed for VLAN, QoS, IGMP, RSTP (prevents loops, 2–3s convergence), and LAG (bandwidth/redundancy with ~0.5s outage).

2. Cabling: CAT5e/CAT6 for copper (up to 100m); shielded for EMI. Fibre for longer runs—OM3 multimode recommended for balance of cost/distance (e.g., 300m at 10Gb).

3. Avoid Broadcast Storms: Use RSTP on managed switches; disable per VLAN if needed.

Allen & Heath Dante Products

Add Dante to dLive, Avantis, SQ, AHM, or ME systems via cards/expanders:

• Dante 128x128: 128 channels @ 96/48kHz for dLive/Avantis.

• Dante 64x64: 64 channels @ 96/48kHz for dLive/Avantis.

• SQ Dante V2: 64 channels @ 96/48kHz for SQ/AHM.

• M-DANTE: 64 channels @ 48kHz for ME-U.

• DT168: Stagebox with 16 mic preamps/8 outputs (up to 16 units).

• DT164-W: Wall-mount with 16 mic preamps/4 outputs (up to 16 units).

 This guide empowers audio pros to master Dante integration with Allen & Heath mixers for reliable, ultra-low-latency, scalable audio in live, install, broadcast, and recording applications.

Need personalized advice? Contact our team, today!