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Dante Certification
So, Audinate changed their training program with new videos and content. Covers all their new stuff. In addition, though not as in depth as some of the training can be, and may be covered under Level 3, it is a good improvement. So I spent some free time over the last week to peruse the training videos, and today I took the test(s). I am now Dante Certified Level 2 2nd Edition!
Test(s) you ask? Yes, three of them. No, not long, but broken out into 2 mini tests and a simulation portion. The first two are multiple choice and the simulation you are given instructions to follow, and you do it. I see a future test which will be less step by step and more here is what you have, this is your goal type format.
Level 3 is geared toward enterprise and large systems, so it will be a bit more challenging, I think. I will do some homework and start the Level 3 process. In the meantime, if you need any Dante help, I am, well, Level 2 certified.
Cheers!
PS: When I receive my “label” I will post it.
Dante Certified! Level 3
Just wanted to give a quick update. I just completed and passed the level 3 test online for Dante Level 3! Yeah!
I will admit it was not as “easy” as I would have thought with the amount of work done in our facility. I am happy that I did it! Confirms that I maybe possibly really know something, though may not be an expert yet!
If you are out there working your way through any cert or achievement, keep at it. It is well worth it and quite satisfying.
Cheers!
Audio Over IP (AoIP)-Dante
To Audio Over IP or not to Audio Over IP. That should not be the question. The answer is a definitive yes. This should be a decision of adding another layer to the arsenal of audio options toolkit. We all still need analog and digital audio. Just add IP to that kit. Of the options available, from proprietary LiveWire and Wheatnet, to what may be considered standard, the choice is yours. Do not be fooled by AES67 claims. Think about what you want to do and why. I chose Audinate Dante. It compliments what I have and moves us into the future. And for my system it is integrated with Sierra Automated Systems (SAS) 32KD and Bravo. (It even supports AES67.) Choose wisely.
I know you have read about AoIP. I know you know about AoIP. I know you use AoIP. Any modern codec is using AoIP as we all use the Internet to feed audio remotely. The basics of creating an AoIP network is simple. You need a network. The main part of this network is your switch. Do not use a hub. Make it a good switch. Design your network for at least 1 GB. Depending what you decide on a platform, you may need a DHCP server, and possibly some high-end switches. Some will want to Subnet and use VLANs on existing networks. I am of the belief of making things simple, so I chose to create a completely independent and isolated network. I chose Dante.
What makes Dante “simple?” Many things, but the main is the fact it does not require any special hardware. No special switches. No special configurations. In addition to that it does not require DHCP. The IP addresses are automatically assigned by Dante just like the automatic addressing Windows does when a DHCP server is not available. I chose to manually, or statically, assign the IP addresses. To manage Dante, the machine that has the Dante Controller has two NICs (Network Interface Card), so one is assigned an IP address for the Dante network. As the audio in the broadcast facility is contained here alone, there is not need for a gateway. I have 59 devices, so the assignment and manually configuring of the Dante portion may take time, but once it is done, it is done.
You ask about automation and playback computers. Two NICs. Ask me how many times I have been off air with this configuration. I dare you. Zero. Keep that in mind. Each machine has 1GB NICs. All studios have CAT6 cable home runs to the switch. Avoid multiple switches if you can. This is in line with keeping things simple.
And that is the basic framework that I use. Keep it simple. Don’t try and do too much at once. Get used to what you are doing.
Next post will be the basics of Dante. I will cover the Dante Controller basics.
In the meantime, check some Audinate links while you plan your system:
So You’re Adding Dante to Your Network?
Broadcast: Radio
Cheers!
Why Dante by Audinate?
I have mentioned Audio over IP (AoIP) in posts and on my site. I have been using AoIP for years to do remote broadcasts, normally using Tieline codecs, but have used others. I was one of the early adopters. I also decided years ago to run our studio to transmitter audio over IP. Due to space constraints and other factors I decided on the Worldcast/APT codecs. All have worked very well. When the stations had to move I wanted my AoIP platform to be Dante. I am glad I did.
There are three notable choices for AoIP on the broadcast industry: Dante, LiveWire, and WheatNet. Two of these are proprietary and do not have to pointed out. Only one, Dante, is an industry standard most notably in the audio/video industry and live sound. It is used worldwide in major venues. The list goes on and on. Just visit the Audinate Project Gallery. If you need devices and interfaces, why there are a whole slew of choices. Any time you need to interface, just check out their Product Catalog where you can research what you want, but do not pass over Audinate’s own devices, the AVIO adapters. Though I have not needed one, I think next year I will pick up a couple to have for the rainy day emergency! How could I pass on choosing Dante for my platform of choice?
Overall, the installation was a breeze. In my next post I will detail our basic installation, but for now just an overview. Though Audinate is designed to run on your existing Ethernet network, I am a strong believer in keeping mission critical separate, so I installed a completely separate network just for Dante. This makes life super easy as all you need to install is a good core switch and home run all your connections. At this point, as Dante will automatically configure its own IP addresses you can just let it happen. I actually manually assigned all IP addresses. Once you have a couple devices installed, you will see them populate in the Device Manager software. Using the Device Manager, make your audio connections and you are off to the races.
I am a Sierra Automated Systems (SAS) plant. With the new KDL modules and Rio Bravos, interfacing Dante to the routing system is quite easy. Again, you need to make your routes in the Dante Controller first, but once you have them available, that audio is not available in the SAS routers just like any other audio. SAS is working with Audinate such that they can control Dante routing through their system from my understanding. Seems like a complex challenge, but if anyone can do it, SAS can.
Stay tuned from my next post about the details of installing Dante, the devices, and configuration. Being an industry standard makes for easy integration with many devices. Mackie comes to mind. As for up-time, I have not had any issues with our AoIP setup. It works, and that is what counts.
AoIP: Dante by Audinate
Love it. Simple. Just build your network properly.
We are what I would say is 3/4 the way through getting these facilities in a psuedo-complete state. The one thing that I think has been the most reliable is our audio network, Dante AoIP. Simple, efficient, and easy to maintain. I need to do a count, but I am sure I have over 50 devices on this network/system. I know I am not done.
The devices range for KDL modules in my SAS 32KD frame, to SAS Rio Bravos, and a multitude of Dante Virtual Sound Cards (DVS). Using the Dante Controller application makes it very easy to setup, configure, and maintain. After putting all this fun stuff together I decided to visit the Audinate site and check with their online information. I decided to go through the steps and check out the training. I did all this just this past weekend. The end result: I have a Dante Level 2 certification.
I hope to catch up and spend time on some details on why I chose Dante, and how I implemented it. For now, know that I am a pleased Audinate Dante customer.
Tech Notes from the Field 