Dante, the digital media networking solution created by Audinate, is one of the fastest growing protocols in the rapidly emerging realm of Ethernet-based, high-quality audio transport. Dante is an uncompressed, multi-channel technology that provides near-zero latency and synchronization for digital media networks ranging from live sound and recording studios to public address and broadcast.
Additionally, the technology enables the replacement of traditional analogue or multicore cabling with low-cost, lightweight Cat5e, Cat6 or fibre-optic cables. Dante-enabled devices present some unique testing challenges. Many of these products also contain traditional analogue and/or digital audio interfaces, as well as ADCs, DACs, or powered loudspeakers which need to be tested through their Dante interface.
With either Dante Virtual Soundcard or Focusrite’s RedNet PCIe Dante soundcard installed in the APx host PC, engineers can use APx’s ASIO client interface and analogue or digital I/O to stream test signals to the DUT (device under test) and measure its response.
The converse is equally applicable, with the stimulus applied to the DUT’s audio inputs and the analyser measuring the response contained within a stream supplied by the Dante interface. Additionally, the APx500 series analysers support multichannel testing of Dante-enabled products, with the ability to measure as many as 16 analogue channels simultaneously in the APx586. With AP’s latest software release, v4.1, digital error rate test capability is also available.
“The rapid growth of audio networking is a direct reflection of the great value it provides to a variety of professional audio applications,” said Dave Schmoldt, Audio Precision CEO. “We’re excited to help design engineers as they strive to develop and introduce Dante-enabled, high-quality audio products.” Audio Precision’s first public demonstration of Dante-focused audio performance testing will be at Prolight+Sound 2015 in Frankfurt (April 15-18)..