Merging Dante FAQ

What is Dante? 

Dante is a widely used audio/video network protocol with over 4,000 compatible devices from more than 600 manufacturers. Dante is especially popular in the live and installation sector. 

What is Dante Ready™ and Dante Activator? 

A Dante Ready™ device allows you to purchase and add Dante I/O channels to a device after initial purchase using the Dante Activator feature in the Dante Controller software. 

Dante Controller routes AV signals between all Dante-enabled audio and video devices on your network. Configurations are saved directly to the devices themselves, ensuring the stability of your network through power cycles, device disconnection and system reconfiguration. 

Dante Activator FAQ and Troubleshooting.
 

What is the difference between Dante and RAVENNA/AES67? 

Both Dante and RAVENNA are Audio-over-IP network protocols. While RAVENNA (which incorporates AES67) is an open standard, Dante is a proprietary standard with its owner Audinate ensuring interoperability. On the user side, Dante networks are easier to implement, but incur additional costs for licensing. RAVENNA is open source and requires no licensing fee, making it more cost effective. 

AES67, developed by the Audio Engineering Society, is another open standard for Audio-over-IP interoperability. AES67 is basically the lowest common denominator of various Audio-over-IP protocols. While Dante can be run in AES67 mode, RAVENNA fully incorporates AES67. In other words, RAVENNA is AES67 with some added features. 

In terms of audio quality, both Dante and RAVENNA transmit uncompressed audio. Dante supports sample rates up to 192kHz. However, if Dante is running in AES67 mode, only a fixed sampling rate of 48 kHz can be used. RAVENNA supports high-resolution audio with sample rates up to 192 kHz and even ultra-high resolution DXD (384 kHz) and DSD formats. 

How can I use Dante with my Hapi Mk III or Dante Ready Anubis? 

To use Dante on a Hapi Mk III or Anubis with at Dante Ready sticker, you need to install the appropriate Dante firmware. Starting from firmware 1.7, the Anubis firmware comes in two variants, one for RAVENNA /AES67 and another for Dante.  

Additionally, a Dante license must be purchased from Audinate. Two license models are available: 

• 16/16-channel or 64/64-channel Dante I/O for Hapi Mk III 

• 8/8-channel or 64/64-channel Dante I/O for Anubis SPS Dante Ready™: 

For interfacing with your computer, you may also need appropriate Dante driver software such as Dante Virtual Soundcard from Audinate. 

 Note: The Dante firmware is not yet available and will be communicated later.

Is there a Dante Ready™ option for the original Hapi, Hapi Mk II or Horus? 

No, we’re sorry to say that a Dante Ready™ retrofit is not possible for those legacy products. 

 

Are the Hapi, Hapi Mk II or Horus extension cards generation supported with Hapi MkIII? 

No, we’re sorry Hapi MkIII only support the new Generation of V3 Extensions Cards
 

Can I run Dante and RAVENNA/AES67 on the same unit? 

On a Hapi Mk III or Anubis with Dante Ready™ sticker, you can run either the stock RAVENNA/AES67 firmware or install the Dante firmware. You cannot run both firmware versions at the same time or switch between both instantly. You simply need to update the AoIP Firmware that suits your needs so RAVENNA/AES67 or Dante.

Note: Each those AoIP protocols have differences in their specifications, make sure you consult the respective User Manual.

Can I use Peering in Dante mode? 

Peering is not supported in Dante mode, connections to expand your Dante IO network will have to be established from the Dante Controller software. 

For adding and remote controlling other Merging devices or a Neumann MT 48, RAVENNA/AES67 is the best solution as Peering provides an easy way for I/O expansion and remote control. 

What sample rates are supported in Dante mode, and how many Dante I/O channels are available? 
 

 Note: The Dante Virtual Soundcard (DVS - ASIO/CoreAudio driver) channel count may differ.

What is the lowest supported Dante AES67 latency in AES67 mode and the highest sample rate? 

1 ms is the lowest supported latency in AES67 mode. 

48kHz is the only  sampling rate supported in AES67 mode. 

To run lower latencies and higher sample rates we recommend running the RAVENNA/AES67 firmware. 

Note: Running in Dante mode can provide a latency as low as 0.25ms

Can I use Merging’s network audio software MAD, VAD and ANEMAN in Dante mode? 

No, these software tools from Merging Technologies are the RAVENNA/AES support and do not apply to Dante 

If you wish to connect your Dante-enabled Hapi Mk III or Anubis SPS to your computer via network, please use Dante driver software, e.g. Audinate’s Dante Virtual Soundcard (sold separately). 

When running my interface in Dante mode will it unlock my VAD license? 

VAD only supports RAVENNA/AES67 running units, please make sure you run the RAVENNA/AES67 firmware to unlock VAD. 

In Dante mode, some settings like latency, are not available on my device

Those settings (Master-Leader, Slave-Follower, External Sync, latency, …) can be accessed using the Dante Controller software. Some other settings, like Peering, NMOS, etc. do not apply to Dante Networks, and are therefore not available. 

What are the requirements to run Dante on my interface?

It requires before all that you have a Neumann MT 48 or Merging Anubis latest produced units that supports Dante. Those will roll out in Q4 2024 and are Made in Hungary units serials 10000 and above.
The firmware/Toolkit will then be announced.

I would like to use Dante, but my Anubis is not yet Dante Ready™. What can I do?

Anubis “Made in Hungary” serials numbers 10000 and above are Dante Ready™

• Anubis SPS (Pro or Premium) “Made in Hungary”
  For Serials numbers below 10000 a hardware modification is required, which can be installed by our Servicing for a fee. 

  • On the Anubis made in Hungary the Serial Number is under the unit and located in the last 6 digits

  • In this example, Anubis serial number is 001580, so below 10000 and not Dante Ready, but eligible to a future Upgrade plan that we will communicate shortly.

• Anubis SPS (Pro or Premium) “Made in Switzerland”
  Serial numbers A61XXXX or A66XXXX a hardware modification is required, which can be installed by our Servicing for a fee. 
  

More details on the Dante Ready hardware update for Anubis SPS will be announced shortly in an official statement as well as the official Dante Firmware deployment. 

Note: Anubis first generation of Ethercon models cannot be serviced for Dante support

Why can’t I update the Dante firmware on my unit?

The Dante support requires that you have a certified hardware revision approved to be running Dante.
You will not be able to update the Dante firmware otherwise.
The Dante Firmware will be available in Q4, 2024

How do I run and purchase a Dante IO plan?

First make sure you update your Hapi MkIII or Anubis interfaces so that they are running the Dante firmware. Only certified revisions of Anubis are authorized to install the Dante Firmware.
Once the firmware is installed connect your device to a system that runs Dante Controller. Form there open the Dante Activator that should discover your unit and propose two IO plans.
More details shortly.

Is the Dante Redundancy supported ?

Yes Merging Anubis SPS and Hapi MkIII do support the Dante Redundancy or can be used in Switch mode. Please refer to the Dante Appendix for all details on the Dante Redundancy activation.

In Dante mode, some settings, like latency, are not available on my device ?

Those settings (Master-Leader, Slave-Follower, External Sync, latency, …) can be accessed with the Dante Controller. Some other settings, like Peering, NMOS,…do not apply to Dante Networks, and are therefore removed.