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Configuring The Dante Card
In a manner similar to CobraNet™, patching on the console makes a connection between console I/O
slot channels and up to 64 channels on the Dante card. Connections between the Dante cards are set
using a tool, in this case the Dante Controller software from Audinate®. As communication across the
Dante network is essentially between named cards and channels the configuration must be correct
to ensure cards talk and listen to the correct/desired channels on the Dante network.
This user guide summarises the process and provides a simple worked example; full setup details and
configuration tools are downloadable from the Audinate web site www.audinate.com.
In addition it is necessary to set the clock status of the Dante card both within the network and in
relation to the console hardware. This is described below.
Channel Count Setup
The Dante card uses 64 in and 64 out channels by default, but can be restricted to use less input or
output channels if required. This may be necessary on Vi consoles in order to avoid exceeding the
192in/192out channel limit of the local rack (or the 64in/64out channel limit if fitted in a Vi or
Compact Stagebox). For example, if only output channels are required on the Dante card, the input
channels can be set to 0, to maximise the number of input channels available for other cards.
The DIP switch S1 on the Dante card main PCB is used to set the input and output channel count, in
steps of 8chs from 0‐32 channels. Refer to the diagram on the next page which shows the location of
the channel count DIP switch S1 and the factory default setup of 64 in/64 out. To create other
channel count settings that are not marked on the switch, add any two or 3 switch settings together,
ie to select 48chs, the 32 and 16 switches should be moved down to the selected position. Note the
maximum channel count (input or output) is 64 and minimum is zero.
Sync Setup
The Dante card can act as either a Master clock source for the Dante network, or as a clock slave. If
there is only one console on the network, this will generally be set as the clock master for the
network, but in cases with more than one console, or where another device acts as the clock master,
it will be necessary to set the console's Dante card to be a clock slave. The Dante clock master/slave
status is set up using Dante Controller software (see later in this guide), but in addition to the Dante
clock setup, the card's clock status within the console has to be set. This is done using a DIP switch S2
on the Dante card main PCB. Refer to the diagram on the next page for the location and setting of
this switch.
MIX: Select this position to make the Dante module lock to the console's internal Wordclock, only
to be used when the Dante card is set as the Preferred Master for the Dante network.
This setting is the factory default.
CARD: Select this position to make the console lock to the Dante network clock, to be used when
the Dante card is set up as a slave on the network. Note: In this case, a BNC wordclock cable must be
connected from the Wordclock Out BNC connector on the Dante card, to the console's Wordclock IN.
Note that it is also necessary to set up the clocking scheme of the Dante network correctly, to avoid
audio clicks and dropouts, please refer to the section titled Device Status and Clock Status in the
following pages.
Vi Dante Card User & Setup Guide V1.1
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