Networking / AV-IT
Dante
01 — Definition
Audinate's audio-over-IP protocol: uncompressed multi-channel digital audio travelling over standard Ethernet at very low latency. The hardware latency presets run 0.25 / 0.5 / 1 / 2 / 5 ms — the lowest ones need gigabit and few switch hops, the highest ones cover more hops and longer runs. Dante Virtual Soundcard on a computer works at higher settings (4 / 6 / 8 / 10 ms). Clocking is synchronised over IEEE 1588 PTP, and every endpoint carries a Dante licence chip or software licence.
02 — In the field
The 1 ms mode demands near-zero network jitter: on a cheap unmanaged switch carrying mixed traffic, jitter spikes will give you audible clicks. Stay on managed switches with QoS enabled, and mark Dante traffic as highest priority.