The University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, recently turned to Focusrite’s RedNet range of Dante-networked audio converters and interfaces when a unit in the studio went down. Discovering that the original converter had been discontinued by its manufacturer, Chris Morris, Technical Specialist and coordinator for technical services for the school’s Faculty of Fine Arts, found himself renovating the entire I/O infrastructure.

‘The failure of that I/O converter in Studio One is what prompted what became a total infrastructure overhaul,’ he says. ‘And we’re very glad that it did.’

The school’s Bachelor of Music programme has between 200 and 250 students participating at any time, with more than 65-90 of them taking the four-year Digital Audio Arts major. They learn in two well-equipped production studios, which are also linked to the 240-seat Recital Hall.

Morris took the opportunity to research the market for AoIP-based interface options. He first decided to go with Dante AoIP. Although plans were already being made for an update, the early opportunity to upgrade the converters and bridge the primary studios, editing suites and recital hall together was welcome in order to implement AoIP on the existing network infrastructure, bridging digital gaps in a simple and affordable manner.

‘Dante is a clear frontrunner in the world of AoIP protocols,’ Morris explains. ‘It’s easy to use, scalable and economical, and it has become the de facto standard by top audio manufacturers. These metrics are important when planning for equipment, infrastructure and operations to last ten-plus years.’

Many options were considered for Studio One, but in an educational setting, Morris had some very specific criteria he had to assess. ‘I had the opportunity to test a lot of different converters from some great manufacturers, and they are all amazing in their own way,’ he says. ‘But in a post-secondary environment, whatever we chose had to be rugged, scalable and budget-conscious. Focusrite RedNet products fit these requirements nicely.’

The BMus-Digital Audio Arts programme’s studios now have three RedNet A16R 16-channel analogue interfaces, three RedNet HD32R 32-channel Pro Tools HD Dante network bridges, a RedNet 1 eight-channel AD/DA interface and a RedNet X2P 2x2 Dante audio interface, and the computer lab was further fitted with 35 Scarlett Solo interfaces, providing higher audio quality via a higher sampling rate. The gear was sourced through Erikson Audio, the exclusive distributor of Focusrite Pro in Canada.

‘We’re using three RedNet A16Rs and two HD32Rs to get our SSL Duality Console into the box and onto the Dante network,’ Morris says. ‘The A16Rs allow for 48 analogue I/O to be normalled to the channel outputs and monitor inputs of the 48-channel SSL Duality console. This leaves 16 extra Pro Tools I/O open for other Dante-enabled devices, such as guest artist laptops or other DAWs, to be routed as needed.

‘We also use an HD32R to provide access to a wide range of outboard gear in Studio Two, from anywhere in the facility. The two HD32Rs provide a 64-I/O Dante bridge into our Avid Pro Tools HDX system.

‘In its default set-up, the 48 I/O from the console are routed to the first 48 I/O of the Pro Tools I/O. Studio Two also had a simple addition to its primarily analogue set-up – a single HD32R was added and clocked via loop sync from the two existing Avid HD 16×16 IOs. In this configuration, 16 I/O can be routed to/from the HD32R. This can be particularly useful when routing tracks from Studio One through outboard gear located in Studio Two or recording from other locations.’

In addition, the facility’s Pyramix Suite, which is attached to the Recital Hall, has an X2P interface for monitoring and talkback. A stagebox in the Recital Hall is equipped with Grace Designs M108 remote preamplifiers and a RedNet 1 for line I/O, all routed via the new distributed Dante network.

‘The central control of the RedNet devices across our studios and halls via RedNet Control v2 and Dante Controller was simply icing on the cake,’ Morris says. ‘With a small amount of hardware and a robust integrated AoIP network, we were able to connect all of our existing recording studios, editing suites, and the performance hall. The flexibility afforded to us in this configuration is unparalleled for teaching and production. Now with near unlimited interface opportunities, the creative minds will find interesting ways to use it. This is truly the exciting part of a complex system integration.’

More: www.focusrite.com