ALLEN & HEATH M-DANTE-A - Option Card Manual

Fitting and Setup Guide

This guide applies to Dante Release 2 (firmware 3.6.4) or later.
This release adds dual redundancy and supports bridging of other control networks over Dante. Please refer to the notes regarding differences with previous firmware 3.4.15.
M-DANTE is one of several plug-in card options available from Allen & Heath that may be fitted to iLive, GLD and ME Series products.
Dante^TM is a high performance, multi-channel, AVB ready industry standard digital media transport system developed by Australian company Audinate that runs over standard IP networks and can distribute signals between iLive, computers and 3^rd party Dante^TM enabled equipment. Its main benefits are:

• 64 channel bi-directional audio plus control over CAT5
• Uses standard off-the-shelf computer networking equipment
• Easy to add, name, remove and rearrange devices
• Secondary port for redundant connection option
• Control port can bridge other control network over Dante
• Very low latency
• Direct connection to computer for multitrack recording
• Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS) software
• Dante Controller software for setting up the network

Note
The Allen & Heath M-DANTE card provides an interface to the Dante network. The Dante 'Brooklyn II' hardware used and the software required to set it up and record to computer is provided and supported by Audinate. For further information or help on using Dante please refer to the documentation and support at Audinate: www.audinate.com
M-DANTE is supplied with one Dante Virtual Soundcard licence to enable a single computer. More can be purchased from Audinate if required. The token below is needed to obtain your licence Id. Please read the instructions provided within this guide.

Fitting the M-Dante card

First switch the system off. Remove the 2 screws securing the blank panel over the port slot. Slide the card into the slot and press it firmly into the mating connector. Secure the card using the 2 screws.

iLive Fixed format

iDR-16, iDR-32, iDR-48 or iDR-64 MixRack xDR-16 Expander
Dante in Port B - System linking, expansion, recording and audio networking.

iLive Modular

iDR10 or iDR0 MixRack
Dante in Port A – Surface to MixRack link.
Dante in Port B – System linking, expansion, recording and audio networking.
The option card fits into a slot on the Remote Audio 2 (RAB2) module. Systems fitted with the older Remote Audio module can be upgraded by replacing it with the new RAB2 module available from Allen & Heath.
Note
The M-DANTE card cannot be used in Surface Port B. The only option currently supported in Surface Port B is the M-MMO (Mini Multi Out) card.

Note
Requires iLive firmware V1.71 or higher.

GLD console

Rear panel I/O Port - System linking, expansion, recording and audio networking.

MEU personal mixing hub

Interface the ME system with a Dante network to receive its 40 input sources.

Dante Virtual Soundcard

Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS) is a software application that turns your PC or Mac into a Dante enabled device allowing up to 64 channels of bi-directional audio for recording, processing and playback when connected to a standard computer Gigabit Ethernet port, either direct from the M-DANTE card or via an Ethernet switch. No additional hardware is required.
Note
For minimum system requirements and support information please visit the Support section at Audinate: www.audinate.com
Note
Install Dante Virtual Soundcard on the computer you intend to use for recording. Once registered the licence cannot be transferred to another computer.
Note
Computer based recording applications use a lot of processing power and memory. For best results we recommend that you do not run other applications on the computer while recording. Refer to Audinate for more information.
Windows
The DVS uses Steinberg's ASIO audio interface and can be used with any audio application that supports ASIO.
Mac OSX
The DVS uses the standard Core Audio interface.
Please read the Dante Virtual Soundcard User Guide available from Audinate for information on how to install, configure and use the DVS software.

To obtain your DVS Licence ID

• Locate your DVS token on the label on the front of this guide. This is of the format: XXXXX – XXXXX – XXXXX – XXXXX – XXXXX
• Visit www.audinate.com and go to Support / Register Your Product / Redeem DVS Token. You will be asked to log in or register before continuing.
• Enter your token string in the field provided. Once validated a page will be displayed with your Dante Virtual Soundcard Licence ID.
• Follow the links to download the Dante Virtual Soundcard software and User Guide. Choose the version you require – Mac OSX or Windows.
• Download the Dante Controller software and User Guide. Choose the version you require – Mac OSX or Windows.
• Install both applications and activate Dante Virtual Soundcard.

Note
The DVS Licence ID is not the same as your token. Your token cannot be used to activate the software.

Dante Controller

Dante Controller is a software application provided by Audinate which allows users to configure and route audio across Dante networks. It is available as a free download to registered users, and can be installed on the same computer that is running the Dante Virtual Soundcard.
Using Dante Controller you can view and configure all Dante enabled audio devices and their Dante audio channels.
Note
To install Dante Controller on a PC you will need to download 'Bonjour' for Windows. A link is provided in the installer package.
Note
You must have Dante Controller installed on a PC or Mac on your Dante network to control and route audio. Once your network is configured and audio set up you can remove the PC or Mac if required.
Please read Audinate's Dante Controller User Guide for system requirements and information on how to install, configure and use the Dante Controller software. Refer to Audinate for further information.

Check the Dante card firmware version

This guide refers to Dante second release firmware (from version 3.6.4). This is loaded into Allen & Heath Dante cards manufactured from April 2013 onwards.
Note
We recommend that older cards are updated to take advantage of the new features and improvements.
To check the firmware version:

• Power up the console with Dante card fitted.
• Plug a CAT5 cable from the Dante card Primary port to the Network port of your computer. Make sure its Lan port is enabled.
• Start Dante Controller and open the Device Status tab. Your Allen & Heath Dante card should be listed as a device. Check that the Product Version indicates '3.6.4' or higher.
• Visit the Allen & Heath web site Dante product page and open the Firmware tab to check the latest version of Dante firmware available.

To update the Dante card firmware

• Download the firmware file from the Allen & Heath web site Dante product page Firmware tab.
• Follow the link on the page to the Audinate web site to download the Dante Firmware Update Manager application for Windows^® or Mac.

Release 1 – Firmware version 3.4.15

Control Network
Did not support bridging of the console network over Dante, for example to run iLive Editor and Dante Controller on the same computer. Although intended for control only, audio was available at this port.

Secondary Port
Did not support dual redundant link connection. The Primary and Secondary ports together with the Control port could provide a three port Dante switch for connecting up to three devices.

Release 2 – Firmware version 3.6.4

Control Network Port
Now supports bridging of the console network over Dante, for example to run iLive Editor and Dante Controller on the same computer. Audio is not available at this port.

Secondary Port
Now supports dual redundant link connection.
The card provides a choice of two modes:

• Redundant Mode (default)
• Switched Mode (Two port switch)

Note
If you are upgrading from version 3.4.15 your module will change into Redundant Mode. This can be changed back to Switched mode using Dante Controller if you wish.
Note
The Control Port does not output audio as it did in Release 1.
Note
There is a known issue in version 3.6.4 that the Control Network port will not work unless a Dante device is plugged into the Primary port. If you wish to configure your Dante card without connecting it to another Dante device plug your computer into the Primary port instead.

Connections and indicators

Firmware version 3.6.4

Link status
One LED indicates network activity. The other indicates that a Gigabit Ethernet link has been established.
Primary Port
Gigabit Ethernet, locking EtherCon RJ45 connector. The main port. Connect to the Primary port on another Dante equipped device to link the devices directly. Connect to a Gigabit switch to connect multiple Dante enabled devices. Connect to the Ethernet port on a PC or Mac to allow audio recording or playback via the Dante Virtual Soundcard.
Link status
Flashes to indicate network activity.
Secondary Port
Gigabit Ethernet, locking Ethercon RJ45 connector. Can be used for redundancy to allow a backup cable connection when the card is in Redundant Mode. The Primary and Secondary ports become a two port switch for connecting up to 2 devices when the card is in Switched Mode.

Control Network
Gigabit Ethernet, RJ45 connector. Can be used to connect a computer running Dante Controller for setting up the network (as long as a Dante device is already connected to the Primary Port). Can also be used to bridge another network over Dante. For example, plug into an iLive Network socket to bridge its network over Dante and allow Editor control from the same laptop running Dante Controller.

Linking consoles

Single CAT5 cable

Consoles can be linked for FOH/Monitor operation to share one set of mic preamps and to transport signals between them. Dante allows up to 64 channels of audio in each direction connected using a CAT5 cable up to 100m (330') long. This example shows two iLive systems linked.

Two CAT5 cables

This example shows two iLive systems linked using two CAT5 cables, one as a redundant backup. If one cable becomes damaged or unplugged the other automatically takes over without any interruption to the audio.

Connecting to a single device

This example shows connection to a PC or Mac for multitrack recording. Use the M-Dante Primary port. Route signals to the device using the iLive OUTPUTS screen Port B tab. Route signals from the Dante channels to the device using Dante Controller.

Using a switch to connect multiple devices

This example shows connection to a PC or Mac for multitrack recording as well as two other Dante equipped devices such as signal processors or amplifiers. Route signals to Port B using the iLive OUTPUTS screen Port B tab. Route signals around the Dante network using Dante Controller.

FOH/Monitor linking through a switch

This example shows two iLive systems using Dante as a digital mic splitter to share the Mic Preamps for FOH and Monitor mixing. The Gigabit switch is needed if you want to add recording and other Dante equipped audio devices.

Bridging the console network over Dante

This example shows an iLive MixRack with one of its Network ports connected to the Dante Control Network port so that the console Editor software can be run on the same computer as Dante Controller.

The computer can be connected:

• Directly to the Dante Primary port,
• Via a Gigabit switch to allow connection of several other Dante enabled devices, or
• Via a wireless router plugged into the network.

Note
If you using the same computer to run Dante Controller and Editor, or connecting a wireless router then we recommend you set compatible static IP addresses for all devices.

Setting up the network

Your iLive M-DANTE cards, PC or Mac running Dante Controller and Dante Virtual Soundcard software, and any other Dante enabled audio devices you want to access need to be connected over an Ethernet network using CAT5 cables.

Choosing network components and recording computer
The iLive M-DANTE card handles 64x64 channels of high quality 24bit/48kHz audio together with control traffic over a single link. For full routing capability and glitch-free, reliable operation it is important to use network switches, components and recording computers that support Gigabit Ethernet and are of a high specification. Refer to the Audinate web site for more information on system requirements.
Network switch
Dante can connect to multiple devices via a star topology using a switch. Use a good quality multicast capable Gigabit switch which supports Diffserv (DSCP) Quality of Service (QoS) with strict priority and 4 queues. Refer to Audinate for more information on this.
Cables
Use CAT5e or CAT6 cable up to 100m (330'). For longer distances use an optical fibre interface. Allen & Heath can supply an 80m drum of touring grade Neutrik Etherflex cable (AH7000).
Dante card operating mode
With the system connected and powered up, open the 'Device View' in Dante Controller and select your Dante card. Open the 'Network Config' tab and choose the Dante Redundancy mode:

Note
Check that you are running the latest version of Audinate's Dante Controller software. Early versions did not include the mode function.
Redundant (default) - Use the Secondary Port to connect a second cable between devices as a backup should one become damaged or fail.
Switched - Use the Secondary Port as a network switch to connect a second Dante Device.
Note
Previous Dante card firmware version 3.4.15 operated in Switched mode as Redundant mode was not available. If you were using the Secondary Port to connect to another Dante device then remember to change the card mode to 'Switched' after updating the firmware.

IP addressing
As with any TCP/IP Ethernet network, each Dante devices including the iLive M-DANTE cards needs a unique IP address either allocated automatically or set up manually. For most applications the Dante cards and devices can be left set as default (obtain address automatically). Dante makes this easy by using Audinate's Zero Configuration Networking auto addressing protocol.
When bridging another network over Dante, for example to run iLive Editor on the same computer as Dante Controller, you need to ensure that all devices including Dante, iLive and the computer have unique but compatible IP addresses.
You could manually set static IP addresses in the '192.168.1.nnn' range with Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0. If you have a wireless router (access point) on your iLive network, we would recommend giving the primary Dante port a static IP address outside of your routers DHCP range. For example Primary Port address 192.168.1.30 with the router DHCP range set to 192.168.1.100 to 200. This prevents your Dante card changing address by picking up the routers DHCP.
Set the Dante card IP address in the 'Device View' in Dante Controller:

Routing and clocking signals

iLive
Route signals to the 64 Dante channels on Port B using the iLive OUTPUTS screen Port B tab. Route signals around the Dante network using Dante Controller. Return signals from the Dante network to the iLive channels using the PREAMP screen Source menu. To route a range of channels use the Remote (Port B) option in the MIXRACK / Mixer Pref / Quick Input Source Setup screen. Remember to set the Audio Clock Source to Internal on the first MixRack, and to Remote Port B on all other MixRacks on the network.
GLD
Route signals to the 64 Dante channels on the I/O Port using the GLD I/O screen I/O Port Out tab. Route signals around the Dante network using Dante Controller. Return signals from the Dante network to the GLD channels using the PREAMP screen Source menu. To route a range of channels use the I/O Port In tab. Remember to set the Audio Clock Source to Internal on the first GLD, and to Slave Option Card on other GLD consoles on the network.
Dante cards
Use Dante Controller to tick 'Preferred master' and 'Slave to external wordclock' for the Master MixRack/console card only.
For further information on Dante software, application and recommended networking components refer to Audinate: www.audinate.com