Dante Connect SDK, facilitating expansion of broadcast audio production for cloud-based software vendors, is now supported by Calrec, LAMA, Lawo, Gallery Sienna and Telos Alliance.
The array of applications that support native Dante audio in cloud-based production workflows is growing. Software developers can use the recent SDK for Dante Connect to build Dante audio transmission and reception natively into their cloud-based applications – cloud-based mixers, DSPs and orchestration software – for more flexible configurations.
The software applications that comprise Dante Connect facilitate cloud-based broadcast production and synchronisation of Dante audio with direct connectivity to centralised production tools running on cloud instances. By moving Dante audio into the cloud, mixing engineers, operators and broadcast audio engineers can use it on production and editing suites accessed from anywhere.
It transports audio to and from production software running in cloud-based virtual machines (VMs) that can be accessed via an internet connection. Not only do local Dante devices connect directly to cloud services, but Dante audio between cloud VMs allows continuous expansion of capabilities, supporting 256 channels of audio per VM.
Extending Dante Connect across multiple instances and regions can achieve worldwide coverage. Meanwhile, producers can check on audio via remote monitoring over a lightweight webRTC connection without interrupting source channels.
Partners and Potential
Calrec, Gallery Sienna, LAMA, Lawo and Telos Alliance have recently joined the expanding group of cloud-based software application developers to integrate Dante directly into their applications. Taking this step means that end customers are able to connect any existing Dante hardware or software to cloud-based software applications using Dante Connect.
The latest group of Dante integrations give broadcasters and audio engineers a wider choice of new products when building Dante workflows in the cloud. They join existing Dante-native cloud-based tools from Solid State Logic and Waves, as well as others connected by Dante Virtual Soundcard from Grass Valley, Harrison, Riedel and Vizrt.
The Soundcard application makes it possible to use a Windows or Mac OS X computer as a Dante-enabled device, and instantly connect to any Dante network without extra hardware or modifications. It uses the computer’s Ethernet port to communicate with other Dante-enabled devices on the network.
Audio Mixing and Signal Processing – Calrec, Gallery Sienna, LAMA
Following its development preview at NAB 2024, Calrec joins Solid State Logic, both of which are Audiotonix companies, with the integration of a cloud-based DSP (digital signal processing) mixing engine and software on demand, that launched at IBC 2024. Calrec’s ImPulseV, hosted entirely in a public cloud environment like AWS, can be accessed from anywhere in the world and is suitable for broadcast audio production workflows. It delivers the same audio quality and features as Calrec’s hardware-based ImPulse processing cores.
Gallery Sienna has integrated Dante into the Sienna ND Processing Engine. Dante support enables broadcasters using a variety of video protocols, including NDI and SRT to bridge embedded audio streams to Dante Native systems in their workflow.
"As we see the growth of cloud-based workflows, dedicated audio mixing platforms are needed more often, and many of these are native Dante," said Mark Gilbert, CTO of Gallery Sienna. "Adding Dante support to the industry standard infrastructure platform, Sienna ND Processing Engine connects the embedded audio in video streams with Dante-based mixing platforms and also adds new mechanisms for remote contribution of Dante audio from the ground to the cloud, along with remote monitoring of cloud-based Dante streams."
LAMA (Lean and Mean Audio BV) brings Dante integration to their software-based audio systems to open new options for audio mixing in broadcast productions. “Audio production and orchestration is critical to broadcast productions – cloud-based software applications give engineers and audio engineers new options that increase flexibility,” Ewan Cameron said, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of LAMA.
Lawo HOME and Telos Intercom
Lawo brings Dante integration to their HOME Apps platform to support productions, including television broadcast and on-air radio, performing arts, houses of worship and professional AV.
“The integration of Dante into HOME Apps is an important milestone for Lawo’s open, unified HOME platform,” said Jamie Dunn, Lawo’s Deputy CEO. “Dante integration on a server-based microservice level results in a variety of creative benefits for operators, as it helps them navigate the transition to future-proof hardware-abstracted processing.”
Telos Alliance adds Dante into the cloud-based Telos Infinity VIP intercom system, the first professional intercom system to support cloud-based Dante workflows. “Users will be able to expand the integration of additional audio signals from any Dante device into the Telos Infinity intercom network,” said John Schur, President of Media Solutions. “This brings the flexibility and scalability of intercom systems without requirement of additional hardware costs.”
Licensing for Dante audio support is managed by Dante Connect itself so that developers can add functionality without additional costs. End customers license Dante Connect, enabling native Dante connections and cloud-based Dante Virtual Soundcard integrations. www.audinate.com
