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Dante® Network Audio | Converters, Amps, Bridges, Adapters & Decoders
Audio Bridges with Dante®
About Dante® Network Audio Solutions
VigilLink's Dante® Network Audio range covers every integration point the modern professional AV infrastructure requires. XLR audio bridges scale from 2x2 to 16x16 channels, connecting analog microphones, mixers, and legacy equipment directly to a Dante® IP network. Class D Dante® amplifiers from 30W to 150W handle network-to-speaker distribution without a separate amplifier in the signal chain. Compact signal adapters cover line-level, XLR, Bluetooth, and USB-C sources. Wall plate converters bring Dante® to rack-free spaces at the room endpoint. Standalone Dante® encoders and decoders handle analog audio-over-IP workflows at individual endpoints.
Every VigilLink's Dante® device is built on Audinate's Dante Embedded Platform (DEP), ensuring compatibility with over 600 Dante®-certified manufacturers worldwide. All models draw power from the network switch via PoE or PoE+, eliminating local power supplies across large installations. Bridge and amplifier models include dual network ports with automatic failover for mission-critical environments. Every device is backed by VigilLink's 6-year warranty and full professional AV integration support.
Why Choose VigilLink Dante® Products
Full Dante® Embedded Platform (DEP) architecture — every VigilLink VLDT-series device is built on Audinate's Dante Embedded Platform, ensuring interoperability with over 600 Dante®-certified manufacturers including Yamaha, Shure, QSC, Crown, Biamp, and BSS
AES67 interoperability on every bridge and adapter — all VLDT-series audio bridges and adapters support AES67, enabling integration into Ravenna, Livewire, Q-LAN, and other AES67-compatible networked audio ecosystems
PoE and PoE+ power on every device — every VLDT-series product draws power from the network switch via PoE or PoE+, eliminating local power supplies and simplifying rack and wall-plate installations across large campuses
Dual network redundancy on bridge and amplifier models — primary and secondary Dante® network ports with automatic failover ensure uninterrupted audio in mission-critical live performance, broadcast, and corporate AV environments
DSP built into bridges and amplifiers — gain control, 8-band parametric EQ (±15dB), and delay adjustment up to 50ms are configurable via web GUI or Dante® Controller without a separate DSP processor in the signal chain
6-year warranty across the full VLDT product line — VigilLink's industry-leading 6-year warranty covers every Dante® network audio device
Choosing the Right Dante® Audio Device
Wall Plate Converters (VLDT-WP22B2AUS / VLDT-XL22WPUS / VLDT-BT2WPUS): US 2-gang wall plate form factor Dante® converters for huddle rooms, conference rooms, and presentation spaces where rack equipment is impractical. Models cover XLR analog I/O, Bluetooth input, and combined Bluetooth/analog RCA or 3.5mm input. Choose wall plate converters when Dante® integration is needed at the room endpoint rather than in a central rack.
Dante® Audio Amplifiers (VLDT-A2AM30 / VLDT-A2AM70 / VLDT-A2AM150): Class D amplifiers available at 30W, 70W, and 150W that receive audio directly from a Dante® network and drive speakers without a separate amplifier in the signal chain. All models include line/mic analog inputs as a secondary source. The 150W model adds onboard DSP. Choose Dante® amplifiers for distributed speaker systems, paging zones, and any installation where Dante® audio must drive passive loudspeakers directly from network infrastructure.
Audio Bridges — XLR (VLDT-XL22DB / VLDT-XL44DB / VLDT-XL88DB / VLDT-XL16DB): Rack-mount units that bridge balanced XLR microphone and line-level sources directly to a Dante® IP network. Available in 2x2, 4x4, 8x8, and 16x16 configurations. All models include +48V phantom power per input, 8-band PEQ DSP, and dual PoE+ network redundancy. Choose XLR bridges for live performance, houses of worship, broadcast facilities, and any installation where microphone or balanced analog sources must integrate with a Dante® network.
Audio Bridges — Line Level (VLDT-LN44DB / VLDT-LN88DB): Rack-mount Dante® bridges for balanced and unbalanced line-level sources in 4x4 and 8x8 configurations. Choose line bridges when sources are mixers, consumer audio gear, or unbalanced line outputs that do not require XLR mic-level preamps or phantom power.
Signal Adapters (VLDT-LA2DT / VLDT-BT2DT / VLDT-DT2LA / VLDT-XL2DT / VLDT-UC22DT / VLDT-DT2XL): Compact single-function Dante® converters for 2-channel I/O tasks. Models cover: analog line input to Dante® (VLDT-LA2DT), Bluetooth input to Dante® (VLDT-BT2DT), Dante® to line output (VLDT-DT2LA), XLR input to Dante® (VLDT-XL2DT), USB-C bidirectional I/O (VLDT-UC22DT), and Dante® to XLR output (VLDT-DT2XL). Choose signal adapters for lightweight point integration tasks where a full bridge's channel count is unnecessary.
Encoders & Decoders (VLDT-AA2D / VLDT-AA2E / VLDT-UA2-TR): Standalone 2-channel Dante® encode and decode units with PoE. The VLDT-AA2E encodes analog audio to Dante®; the VLDT-AA2D decodes Dante® to analog output; the VLDT-UA2-TR handles bidirectional USB audio over Dante®. Choose encoders/decoders for simple analog-to-network and network-to-analog conversion at individual endpoints without a full bridge.
Ideal Applications
Live Performance & Concert Venues
XLR audio bridges (VLDT-XL88DB, VLDT-XL16DB) connect front-of-house mic splits, stage boxes, and monitor world inputs directly to a Dante® network, replacing multicore snake cables with a single Cat6 run to each stage position. Dual PoE+ redundancy on both network ports ensures automatic failover without audio interruption during live performance. Dante® Controller manages all routing changes in software between soundchecks without touching physical connections.
Corporate AV & Conference Centers
Wall plate converters (VLDT-XL22WPUS, VLDT-WP22B2AUS) bring Dante® connectivity to individual conference rooms through standard 2-gang wall plates — no rack required at each room. Dante® amplifiers (VLDT-A2AM30, VLDT-A2AM70) power ceiling speakers directly from the network switch. Signal adapters (VLDT-UC22DT) connect laptop USB-C audio to the Dante® infrastructure for hybrid meeting integration.
House of Worship
The VLDT-XL44DB and VLDT-XL88DB bridge pulpit microphones, choir mics, instrument DIs, and hearing-loop inputs to the central Dante® network for simultaneous feed to FOH mixing, recording systems, overflow rooms, and broadcast encoders. Dante® amplifiers distribute audio to lobby, narthex, and cry room speaker zones over existing Cat6 building cabling, controlled remotely via web GUI without dispatching technicians.
Broadcast & Media Production
Dual-redundant XLR bridges (VLDT-XL44DB, VLDT-XL16DB) integrate analog talkback, legacy broadcast equipment, and outboard processors into Dante®-based studio infrastructure. The VLDT-UA2-TR handles bidirectional USB audio between production workstations and the Dante® network. AES67 support on all bridges ensures compatibility with Ravenna- and Livewire-based broadcast systems alongside native Dante® devices.
Higher Education & Campus AV
Dante® amplifiers and wall plate converters distributed across lecture halls, seminar rooms, and auditoriums share a single network infrastructure managed centrally from the AV operations center. The VLDT-XL22WPUS provides XLR podium mic input and XLR line output at each room endpoint without a local equipment rack. Campus-wide audio routing changes are handled in Dante® Controller without physical rewiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dante® and how does it work?
Dante® is a media networking technology developed by Audinate that transports broadcast-quality, low-latency audio over standard Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure using standard Cat5e/6 cabling and off-the-shelf managed switches. Unlike point-to-point analog or AES3 digital audio, Dante® places all audio channels on the network so any Dante® device can send or receive audio from any other device — routing configured entirely in software via the free Dante® Controller application. The VLDT-series uses Audinate's Dante Embedded Platform (DEP) for full ecosystem compatibility.
What is the difference between Dante® audio bridges, signal adapters, and encoders/decoders?
Audio bridges (VLDT-XL and VLDT-LN series) are multichannel rack-mount units — 2x2 to 16x16 — with preamps, phantom power, and DSP for integrating analog sources at scale. Signal adapters are compact single-function 2-channel converters for individual input or output tasks. Encoders and decoders are standalone 2-channel units dedicated to analog-to-Dante® (encode) or Dante®-to-analog (decode) conversion at endpoints. Choose based on channel count, form factor, and whether DSP processing is required.
Do VigilLink Dante® devices work with equipment from other manufacturers?
Yes. All VLDT-series devices are built on the Dante Embedded Platform (DEP), ensuring interoperability with Dante®-certified products from over 600 manufacturers including Yamaha, Shure, QSC, Crown, Biamp, BSS, and Bose. AES67 support on bridges and adapters extends compatibility to Ravenna, Livewire, and Q-LAN systems. Routing between VigilLink and third-party Dante® devices is managed in Dante® Controller with no proprietary software required.
What network infrastructure is required for Dante®?
Dante® runs on standard Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseT) using Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6A cabling. A managed switch with IGMP snooping enabled is required for installations with multiple Dante® devices; a basic unmanaged switch is sufficient for small point-to-point setups of two or three devices. Quality of Service (QoS) configuration on the switch is recommended for large installations to prioritize Dante® traffic. No specialized audio networking hardware is required.
Can I power VigilLink Dante® devices from a standard PoE switch?
All VLDT-series devices support PoE or PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at, Class 4). Bridge models with dual network ports support PoE+ on both ports simultaneously, allowing redundant power from two separate switch uplinks. A PoE+ switch port providing at least 25.5W per port is required for bridge models. Wall plate converters and signal adapters draw from a standard PoE port. An external 12V DC power supply is also included with bridge models as an alternative power source.
What latency can I expect from VigilLink Dante® devices?
VLDT-series bridges and adapters offer configurable Dante® device latency of 2ms, 3ms, 4ms, 5ms, or 10ms, set via Dante® Controller. Lower settings (2–3ms) are appropriate for live monitoring and stage applications where real-time response is critical. Higher settings (5–10ms) provide greater network stability in large installations. Additional analog delay of up to 50ms is configurable per channel via the web GUI for time-alignment with video systems.
Is Dante® Controller software required to configure VigilLink Dante® devices?
Dante® Controller (the free application from Audinate) is used to set audio routing between Dante® devices on the network and to configure device-level latency settings. DSP functions — gain, 8-band parametric EQ, delay, and phantom power — are configured through the built-in web GUI accessible from any web browser, without requiring Dante® Controller. Initial IP address assignment and network routing require Dante® Controller, but day-to-day DSP adjustments can be made entirely through the web interface.
What is AES67 and why does it matter for Dante® installations?
AES67 is an IEEE/SMPTE interoperability standard that defines a common audio-over-IP transport format supported by multiple networked audio protocols including Dante®, Ravenna, Livewire, and Q-LAN. AES67 support means a Dante® device can exchange audio with products from manufacturers whose systems are not natively Dante® but are AES67-compliant. All VigilLink VLDT-series bridges and adapters support AES67 mode, making them suitable for installations that combine Dante® infrastructure with broadcast-oriented Ravenna or Livewire systems.