Manual

Issue 2, July 2018 Model 48D User Guide
Page 6 Studio Technologies, Inc.
Dante Audio-over-Ethernet
Audio data is sent to and received from
the Model 48D using the Dante audio-over-
Ethernet media networking technology. Two
separate network interfaces allow com-
pletely independent configurations. Audio
signals with a sample rate of 44.1, 48, 88.2,
and 96 kHz and a bit depth of up to 24
are supported. Up to four audio channels
in each direction can pass (be “bridged”)
between the Model 48D’s two network in-
terfaces. (Four channels at 48 kHz sample
rate and two channels at a sample rate of
96 kHz.)
Sample rate converter (SRC) integrated
circuits ensure that audio that enters on
one network interface exits the correspond-
ing network interface with correctly-aligned
digital audio information. Each interface
has four Dante input (receiver) and output
(transmitter) channels. They are associ-
ated on a one-to-one basis with the chan-
nels both interfaces. For example, input 1
on Network A is associated with output 1
on Network B. Routing (subscribing) of the
Dante input and output channels to other
devices can be performed using the Dante
Controller software applications.
Applications
The Model 48D’s primary application is to
interconnect audio channels associated
with two independent networks that are
supporting Dante-compliant equipment. Up
to four channels of audio in each direction
can be “bridged” between each network.
Each Dante network can have its own
master clock, bit depth, and sample rate.
Circuitry within the Model 48D ensures
that the audio signals can pass between
the networks with minimal degradation to
performance. The Model 48D’s two network
ports are fully metallically isolated and
share very little network data. This helps
to ensure that the risk of security issues is
minimized. Only uncompressed PCM digi-
tal audio signals pass, by way of sample-
rate-converter (SRC) integrated circuits,
between the two network interfaces.
The most basic application for the Model
48D is to allow up to four audio channels
on two independent Dante networks to be
interconnected — there’s really no simpler
means of interconnecting Dante audio
channels from between two separate net-
works. With standard connectors and PoE
power, setup can be completed in just a
few minutes. This makes Model 48D units
effective in both fixed and portable applica-
tions. Ideal uses would include stadiums,
concert venues, media production studios,
and education facilities where “guests”
frequently need to interconnect their Dante
equipment with “house” resources. One of
the Model 48D’s network connections can
be secured while the other remains “open”
for guest use.
As the number of mobile broadcast facili-
ties that utilize Dante-compliant equipment
increases so does the need to intercon-
nect them with a venue’s resources. But
maintaining isolation between the two
networks can be important for reasons of
both signal-integrity and security. In just
minutes the Model 48D can allow audio
signals in both directions to be traversing
the two networks.
The Model 48D can also find use within
a single Dante network. The unit’s abil-
ity to link Dante audio channels that have
different clocking, bit depth, and sample
rate characteristics can be valuable. For
example, one piece of equipment may only