MuxLab 500550 - 2-Channel Dante USB Audio Encoder and Decoder
The MuxLab 500550 is a professional interface solution designed to bridge the gap between computer systems and high-performance audio-over-IP networks. This device acts as a compact and robust bidirectional bridge, allowing you to connect any computer or USB device to a Dante™ network, facilitating both the transmission and reception of digital audio with pristine studio quality.
Designed for environments that demand flexibility and speed, this adapter operates under the USB Audio Device Class (Plug and Play) standard, meaning it is automatically recognized by the operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) as a standard sound card without the need to install complex drivers. This makes it the ultimate tool for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) applications in conference rooms, auditoriums, and recording studios.
Its architecture allows USB audio signals to be encoded into Dante digital packets for distribution over the network, and simultaneously decoded by Dante signals from the network to convert them into USB audio. Thanks to its support for sampling rates up to 96 kHz at 24 bits , it guarantees superior audio fidelity, critical for professional recording and broadcast applications. Furthermore, its compatibility with AES67 via RTP transmission ensures interoperability with other audio-over-IP standards, protecting your investment in the long term.
Main features
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2x2 Bidirectional Conversion: Simultaneous ability to encode USB audio to Dante and decode Dante to USB, managing 2 input channels and 2 output channels.
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High Fidelity Audio: Supports sampling frequencies of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz and 96 kHz with a depth of 24 bits, ensuring crystal clear and artifact-free transmission.
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Power Flexibility: It can be powered directly through the USB port (5V) or via the Ethernet network using PoE (Power over Ethernet, IEEE 802.3af Class 0) , simplifying wiring in complex installations.
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Universal Compatibility: Compliant with USB 2.0 Full Speed and USB Audio Device Class V1.0 specifications, eliminating the need for proprietary drivers on most systems.
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AES67 Interoperability: Native support for the RTP audio transport standard, allowing integration with equipment using AES67 outside of the pure Dante ecosystem.
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Robust and Compact Design: Housed in a sturdy metal casing, ideal for withstanding heavy use at live events or fixed installations.
Product benefits
The MuxLab 500550 eliminates traditional connectivity barriers in professional audio. For system integrators, PoE power capability means the device can be placed in locations without accessible power outlets, receiving power and data through a single CAT5e/6 cable. For the end user, the experience is seamless: by connecting their laptop via USB, they gain immediate access to the room's speakers, microphones, and processors connected to the Dante network.
Its low latency and high conversion quality make it superior to traditional analog audio solutions, eliminating ground noise and electromagnetic interference typical of long audio cables. Furthermore, since it is manageable via Dante Controller , signal routing is completely digital and flexible.
Use cases
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Conference and Meeting Rooms (Soft-Codecs): Ideal for connecting a laptop with Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Skype to a professional Dante-based room audio system.
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Recording and Post-Production Studios: Allows you to quickly integrate an additional computer or guest workstation into the studio's audio network without complex hardware.
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Live Events and Auditoriums: Facilitates the playback of background music or backing tracks from a computer directly to the main mixing console over the network.
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Education and Hybrid Classrooms: Simple connection for the teacher's computer to the classroom public address system or to capture audio from the class to the computer for streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to install drivers to use this device?
No, the device complies with the USB Audio Class (UAC), so it is automatically detected by modern operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux without the need for additional drivers.
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Will it work if I don't have a PoE switch?
Yes, the device can be perfectly powered via the 5V USB connection connected to the computer, so PoE is optional (although recommended for fixed installations).
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Can I use it to send audio from my PC to Dante speakers?
Exactly. The device appears as an output sound card on your PC, and the audio you play will be converted into a Dante signal that you can route to any Dante-compatible speaker or amplifier.
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Is it compatible with networks that are not Dante but use AES67?
Yes, this model supports AES67-compatible RTP audio transport, which expands its use to audio-over-IP systems that follow this open standard.
Project description
A network audio interface in a "dongle" or compact box format for bidirectional USB-to-Dante signal conversion. The device must provide two simultaneous input channels and two simultaneous output channels. It must comply with the USB Audio Device Class V1.0 specification for driverless (plug and play) operation and support USB 2.0 Full Speed. Audio capabilities will include support for PCM 2.0 with selectable sample rates of 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, and 96 kHz at 24-bit depth. Network connectivity will be provided via a 100 Mbps RJ45 port. The device must support dual power, accepting 5V via a USB Type-B port or Power over Ethernet (PoE) compliant with IEEE 802.3af Class 0. Additionally, it must support the AES67 interoperability standard via RTP transport. The chassis must be metal and designed for mounting or portable use. Configuration and routing will be managed using Dante Controller software.
