Soundcraft Vi DANTE Professional Audio Mixers User Guide
- June 13, 2024
- Soundcraft
Table of Contents
- Vi DANTE Professional Audio Mixers
- Channel Count Setup
- Sync Setup
- DIP switches S1 & S2 Location Diagram
- Setting up the Dante card for operation on the network
- Device View
- Dante Presets
- Connecting Dante Devices
- Alternative Options
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
Vi DANTE™ Card User & Setup Guide
Vi DANTE Professional Audio Mixers
The Soundcraft® Vi DANTE™ card is a 64 x 64 interface between a Vi series
console and any Dante compatible device from Harman or other 3rd
party manufacturer. The card is available in two versions: Local Rack/CSB
(D21m 3U format) and Vi Stagebox (6U format). Note that the Stagebox version
is an IO card only and does not allow you to connect a Stagebox to the
console using Dante instead of MADI.
Dante provides a digital audio network that uses standard Internet
Protocols over both 100Mbps and 1 Gigabit Ethernet. Dante uses audio
independent, high accuracy network synchronization standards to ensure all
Dante devices are synchronized at all times. Dante runs on standard computer
networking hardware, and does not require dedicated network
infrastructure.
The Audinate Dante Virtual Soundcard software allows connection of a PC/Mac
to a Dante audio network. This system allows the computer to record from
and playback to the Dante network using most common DAW packages. Dante
Virtual Soundcard uses the Ethernet port on the computer to communicate with
the Dante network; no special hardware is required other than installing
Dante Virtual Soundcard software. One DVS license token is provided FOC with
the card,this license can only be installed on one specific computer.
Additional information about the DANTE system including the latest software
set‐up and tools may be found on the Audinate® website
http://www.audinate.com/
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 4in/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 0‐64 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 main clock source for the Dante
network, or as a synchronised clock. If there is only one console on the
network, this will generally be set as the main clock source for the etwork,
but in cases with more than one console, or where another device acts as the
main source clock, it will be necessary to set the console’s Dante card to be
a synchronised clock.
The Dante clock sync 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 synchronised to the network. Note:
In this case, a BNC wordclock cable must also be connected from the Wordclock
Out BNC onnector 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.
DIP switches S1 & S2 Location Diagram
Note! Switches point down to select
channel count –ignore the ‘ON’ legend on switch body!
Diagram shows the default setting of 64 in / 64 out
Refer to the previous page for information on the function of these switches.
Setting up the Dante card for operation on the network
As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to use a software tool connected externally to the card, in order to route audio from the card to/from another Dante‐enabled device.
-
Download & install the latest software for the Vi consoles from www.soundcraft.com.
(Software Version must be 4.7.5.205 or later). With earlier versions of the console software, the Dante card will not be recognised by the console and will not appear in the patch. -
Download and install latest Dante Controller software from www.audinate.com.
-
Connect a Mac/PC to the Dante card, this may be via a switch/router or direct to either the PRIMARY or SECONDARY ports. The LINK indicator on the card will begin to flash indicating an active connection.
NOTE: A crossover cable is not required as the network ports on the Dante card will automatically sort out the transmit and receive connections to the other device.
NOTE: Ensure any firewall operating on the network port of the computer is switched off. -
Start the Dante Controller application, after a few moments a screen similar to the one below will appear:
Using Dante
The following sections coverbasic setup and use of the Vi Dante cards.
For detailed information regarding Dante please refer to information on
Audinate’s web site www.audinate.com.
Network View
Routing – Matrix view of routing (click on a‘+’ symbol to expand the matrix
view).
Device Status – Displays information about discovered Dante devices; double click a device name to enable its configuration.
Clock Status – View and edit Dante Network clock configuration.
Clock Role column:
Setting a single ‘Preferred Master’ will ensure that device is selected as the
main clock source, if two or more devices are set for ‘Preferred Master’ the
main clock source will be elected by the Dante system.
NOTE: Clock Status settings apply to the clocking of the Dante
network, therefore attached devices such as consoles must be clocked
to/from the Dante network as appropriate or required in any given
system.
It is suggested that in most simple cases with one console connecting to
peripheral equipment (eg a computer recording device) via Dante that the
console is set as preferred master, which means that the item ‘Sync to
External Word Clock’ must also be checked’. If there are two or more
consoles connected together then obviously only one should be set as preferred
master.
‘Sync to External Word Clock’:
When checked the Dante card will clock from the console internal
word clock, if not checked the console must be clocked to the Dante card
or system word clock as appropriate or required in the given system. Normally
this is achieved by connecting a short BNC jumper cable from the wordclock
OUT of the Dante card, to the wordclock IN of the console.
Note on Clock status when connecting the Dante card to a Vi3000 console’s
Dante interface
The Vi3000 console includes a built‐in Dante interface, and as such has the
capability for the console to automatically sync to the internal Dante card’s
clock, when the Vi3000’s Dante interface is set to ‘sync’ clock status (ie
another device is set as Preferred Master), and the setting ‘Sync
to External wordclock’ is NOT checked (ie console synchroni sed to
Dante network clock). Therefore with the Vi3000, an external BNC jumper
cable is not required and the console will automatically
switch to indicate ‘Dante’ as the clock source (viewable in the Menu‐Sync
page of the Vi3000).
Failure to set up the clocking scheme of the network correctly is likely to result in audio clicks during operation.
Device View
The Device View allows viewing and editing of a selected Dante device.
Receive – This tab presents information about all channels being
received, and channels available to the current device. The tab is
arranged into two areas:
Receive Channels: Lists the Rx channels in the left pane of the
window. It shows whether or not they are connected and, if connected, the
channel they are connected to and the status of that connection.
Available Channels : On the right pane of the window, lists the Tx channels from other devices that are available for subscription by the current device. You may drag and drop Available Channels to Receive Channels.
Transmit: This tab is used to view and edit the transmit configuration of a device.
Transmit Channels : The area on the left pane of the tab shows the Tx channels for the device, and any user‐defined channel label. It allows the user to create labels for transmit channels. Input to the table is filtered to prevent illegal characters from being used in channel labels. To change a Tx channel label double click on the label and type in a new one. Tx channel labels must be unique on a single device.
Status: The Status tab is used to view information about a Dante device, this information may be required for trouble shooting and checking software / firmware is up‐to‐date.
Device Config : This tab on the device view allows viewing and
editing of the following device specific parameters.
Rename Device: Allows renaming of the Dante device.
Sample Rate: 48K – this is fixed and cannot be edited.
Latency: Allows selection of an appropriate latency.
NOTE: The 0.15 msec setting is unavailable on Vi Dante cards as
these include an internal switch.
Factory Reset : Allows remote reboot of the Dante interface and to reapply factory settings. Following a reboot it is recommended to power‐cycle the console including disconnection of the AC power cord. Factory Reset wipes the following device configuration settings:
- User‐defined device name
- User‐defined channel labels
- Clock configuration (clock master / external clock master setting)
- Static IP addresses
- Redundancy configuration
- Sample rate setting (including pull‐up/down)
- Latency setting
- Any existing audio routes
Network Config : This tab enables viewing and editing of Dante Redundancy
mode.
Switched Mode ‐ When set to Switched, the secondary Ethernet port will
behave as a standard switch port, allowing daisy‐chaining through the
device.
Redundant Mode ‐ When set to Redundant, the device will duplicate
Dante audio traffic to both Ethernet ports, allowing the implementation
of a redundant network via the secondary port. In this case care must be
taken to avoid accidently making any connection between the two
parallel networks.
Note: All devices on a Dante network MUST be set to the same Mode (Switched or Redundant), otherwise the network will not function reliably.
Dante Presets
Although patching to and from the Dante card in the console is stored as part of a show or part of a cue the configuration and routing of the Dante cards and Dante audio streams is not.
In the event a Dante card is replaced or similar, the ‘new’ card will require configuring, this may be done manually or by loading a previously stored preset from the ‘File’ menu of the Dante Controller software
Connecting Dante Devices
The following example illustrates two Vi1 consoles ‘House’ and ‘Monitor’.
Audio inputs are sent to the monitor console, these can be connected directly
to the console or via a stagebox attached via a MADI card to the monitor
console.
A direct output from each input of the monitor console feeds the FOH console
which is patched to receive audio from the Dante option card.
The FOH console mix is returned to two spare channels of the
monitor console and the direct outputs of those inputs are in turn patched
to the system outputs; once again these can be directly on the console or
attached via a MADI card to the monitor console.
The link between the Dante cards may be via a switch as shown with a solid
green line or direct from card to card as shown by the dotted green line.
NOTE: Once configured the PC is not required.
NOTE: Dante may operate in redundant mode, this is not shown for
simplicity.
Alternative Options
Once audio is in the Dante domain the possibilities become near endless, in this alternative system:
- All system outputs leave via a Dante enabled processor such as the BSS BLU 806
- An additional console does a live stereo mix‐down for web streaming or similar
- A laptop running the Audinate Virtual Soundcard makes a multi‐track recording
Vi Dante Card User & Setup Guide V1.3
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>