RME have teamed up with connectivity and networking experts DirectOut Technologies to produce the Digiface Ravenna, a new audio interface based on RME’s existing Digiface Dante unit, but equipped with a RAVENNA module developed by DirectOut. The new interface is capable of transmitting 128 RAVENNA channels as well as 64 MADI channels via a single USB 3.0 connection.
Benefiting from the combination of RME’s renowned drivers and DirectOut’s AoIP experience, the Digiface RAVENNA promises to provide a reliable and flexible networked audio interface, and is also capable of being used as a standalone mobile 64-channel RAVENNA/MADI converter without a USB connection to a computer.
The unit is equipped with four RJ45 sockets which can be used multifunctionally as inputs and outputs, as a network switch, or to provide redundancy operation. Additionally, a pair of coaxial connectors are present, capable of being configured as either MADI or Word Clock I/O. A single quarter-inch TRS socket provides a high-quality headphone monitoring output, and can also be used as an unbalanced stereo line output if required.
All of the device's Ravenna and MADI channels can be controlled via the included RAVENNA web server, as well as a range of comprehensive routing and monitoring options being provided by RME's DSP-based TotalMix FX software.
"We have known and admired RME for many years as a provider of professional computer interface technology and are very happy about this cooperation. The combination of RME’s experience in programming computer interfaces with DirectOut’s RAVENNA expertise will create a great new asset for the Audio-over-IP market. Both companies are committed to leading edge development and maintaining their products whenever standards or operating systems change. This is crucial, particularly for computer interfaces and makes Digiface Ravenna a future proof and highly reliable product for our customers.” - Claudio Becker-Foss, CEO/CTO of DirectOut
RAVENNA
Originally developed for professional broadcast applications, RAVENNA is a solution for real-time distribution of audio and other media content in IP-based network environments. The protocol is able to operate over standard network infrastructures, and is inherently fully AES67 and SMPTE ST 2110-compliant. The developers say that it offers the best performance characteristics of any Audio-over-IP transport solution on the market, exhibiting very low latency, full signal transparency and high reliability.
Pricing & Availability
The Digiface Ravenna is priced at $2099£1949 including VAT, with information on the release date yet to be announced. The Digiface Ravenna will be on show at the DirectOut stand at IBC 2022, as well as ALC NetworX’s RAVENNA info booth.
