Audio Measurement Over Dante Networks

Traditional audio measurement uses analog cables to carry the reference signal and measurement microphone signal to the measurement tool. These cables are susceptible to ground loops, electromagnetic interference, signal loss over long runs, and connector failures. Dante eliminates all of these by transporting audio digitally over standard Ethernet.

In a Dante-equipped venue, the measurement microphone connects to a Dante-enabled preamp on stage, and the signal appears at the measurement computer at FOH without any analog cable run. The reference signal from the console output is also available on the Dante network. Both signals arrive at the measurement tool with perfect fidelity.

Install Dante Virtual Soundcard or Dante Via on your measurement computer. Configure the Dante Controller to route the measurement mic and reference signal to the virtual soundcard inputs. Set the virtual soundcard as the system audio input device. Open SonaVyx and select Transfer Function mode. The measurement now uses Dante audio with zero analog signal path.

Dante adds consistent latency based on the configured setting: 0.25ms, 0.5ms, 1ms, 2ms, or 5ms per hop. This latency appears in your delay measurement as a fixed offset. Since both the reference and measurement signals pass through the same Dante clock domain, the relative timing (which is what matters for transfer function) is preserved exactly. Only account for Dante latency when calculating absolute acoustic propagation delay.

Multi-point measurement: place Dante preamps at multiple audience positions and capture all measurements simultaneously. This enables spatial averaging without walking the room. Continuous monitoring: leave Dante microphones in fixed positions for ongoing SPL and frequency response monitoring through the event. Remote measurement: the measurement computer can be anywhere on the Dante network, not physically at the measurement position.