Dante is a networking technology from Audinate that sends multiple channels of uncompressed, low-latency digital audio over a standard Ethernet network instead of analog cables. In meeting rooms, it connects ceiling microphones, DSPs, amplifiers and speakers with network cable, which simplifies wiring in large rooms and lets audio be routed in software.
How Dante works
| Concept | What it means |
|---|---|
| Audio over IP | Audio travels as network packets on a normal Ethernet switch |
| Channels | One cable can carry many audio channels in both directions |
| Low latency | Latency is set in milliseconds or less, low enough for live sound |
| Clocking | Devices synchronize to a leader clock on the network (PTP) |
| Discovery | Devices find each other automatically on the network |
| Routing | Dante Controller software patches outputs to inputs, like a virtual patch bay |
| Licensing | Manufacturers license Dante from Audinate and build it into their products |
Dante devices also support AES67, an open standard for audio over IP, in an interoperability mode. Some meeting-room products use AES67 rather than Dante. The two can work together with configuration. See AV over IP.
Why it matters in meeting rooms
- Large rooms with many mics. Boardrooms, training rooms and auditoriums with multiple ceiling mics and zones are much easier to wire with network cable.
- Mixing brands. A Dante ceiling mic from one brand can feed a DSP from another.
- Long cable runs. Ethernet runs up to 100 m (328 ft) per segment.
- Flexible changes. Re-route audio or add a zone without re-wiring.
For huddle and small rooms with a video bar, you don't need Dante. The bar's built-in mics or a brand's own expansion mics are simpler.
Network requirements
- Gigabit switches are recommended.
- QoS with DSCP prioritization for clock and audio traffic on shared networks.
- Disable Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) on ports carrying Dante, which can cause audio dropouts.
- Many installs put Dante on a dedicated VLAN or a separate switch. See VLANs for AV devices and QoS for video conferencing.
Dante vs other connections
| Connection | Typical use | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analog XLR | Simple mic to mixer | Universal | One channel per cable, noise over long runs |
| USB | Video bar or speakerphone to PC | Plug and play | Short runs, one device |
| Brand-specific (Rally, Yealink, Poly) | Expansion mics for a brand's bar | Simple, matched | Locked to one ecosystem |
| Dante / AES67 | Large rooms, multi-zone, integrated AV | Many channels, flexible routing | Needs network planning and setup |
Dante and AES67 in our catalog
Check manufacturer specs for exact protocol support, which can change with firmware:
- Yealink CM20 Ceiling Microphone: 16-mic beamforming ceiling array with PoE and AES67.
- Yealink SmartVision 80: Yealink lists Dante support as planned for a future firmware version.
- Poly IP Ceiling Microphone: connects to the Poly G7500 over the network using Poly's own protocol, not Dante.
Many pro-AV ceiling microphones, DSPs and amplifiers from brands we don't sell (such as Shure, Biamp and QSC) use Dante. They can connect to a Teams or Zoom room through a USB-capable DSP.
What to look for
- Do you need it? Rooms with more than a few mics, multiple zones, or integration with house AV.
- Native Dante or AES67? Confirm the devices can talk to each other.
- USB bridge to the room system. The meeting PC or bar needs a USB or certified audio connection to the Dante DSP.
- An integrator or IT plan for switch configuration.
See also ceiling microphone arrays and best ceiling microphones.
Designing audio for a large room? Send us the plan and we'll suggest a mic and DSP layout.
Related guides
- What Is AV over IP? Networked Audio and Video Explained
- Meeting Room Audio Recording: Mics and Recorders
- Poly IP Ceiling Microphone alternatives compared
- Poly IP Ceiling Microphone vs Yealink CM20: which to buy?
- Poly IP Table Microphone alternatives compared
- What Is a VLAN for AV and Meeting Room Devices?
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