As its name implies, audio networking allows you to transport large amounts of data over a single cable. The bandwidth for modern networking transport protocols is enough to carry hundreds of audio channels without the compression once necessary to do so.

This means that audio can be moved quickly over long distances without signal degradation or the expense of conventional analog cabling.

The flexibility demanded by data network protocols also opens up possibilities for audio system configuration that were once impossible. Many nodes of I/O can be placed throughout a facility or venue without the limitations imposed by analog cabling. Because networked audio is digital, electromagnetic interference and cable capacitance that can degrade audio signal quality in the analog domain are no longer problematic.

Because many modern digital audio devices also offer remote control over LAN networks, this also reduces the amount of cabling. In an audio network, control data and audio can travel over the same connection, facilitating flexible routing, preamp control, and more using a single cable.

Distributed Audio

In a traditional analog system, remote analog I/O must be located within a relatively short distance between the source and the destination. Let’s take a common example: the multichannel snake.

In a live setting, the stage box to which the musicians are connecting their gear is located with them on stage. This shortens the cable runs coming from multiple locations (e.g., the lead singer’s mic, the guitarist’s amp, etc.). These cables are connected to a stage box which is attached to a shielded multichannel snake that makes the long run to the mixer at front of house.

In a distributed audio network, each musician could have their own node on the network, potentially. Multiple networked stage boxes can be spread around the stage, making the analog cable runs as short as possible to minimize signal degradation. Take this concept a step further, and multiple sources can be spread throughout a large facility, each sitting on the network to be sent to many mixers on the network, not just the one at front of house.

This flexibility makes distributed audio networking an appealing concept for both mobile and installed applications, not only because of the affordability of Ethernet cabling, but because of the ability to customize each system for the people using it.

On the surface, this level of flexibility lends itself to a deeper complexity than a standard analog system. However, when one considers the function of an analog patch bay within a studio setting, audio networking can seem a bit less daunting.

An analog patchbay’s purpose is to facilitate the routing of audio. In this way, you can insert your favorite boutique compressor into any channel on your console without rewiring your entire rack. This also lets you route audio from the wall panel in your live room to any preamp you wish to use, audition multiple effects chains, and much more.

The only difference between an analog patchbay and the digital patching available in a distributed audio network is that you must physically trace a cable connection if you are unsure of a particularly complex routing in an analog system. In a distributed audio network, the control panel for all your digital routing allows you to do the same thing from a single screen.

Network Foundations

No matter what protocol is used, an Ethernet-based audio network will consist of the following:

Network Interface Controller (NIC). These are built into a computer, digital mixer, networked stage box, etc. and, as their name implies, allows these devices to communicate with other devices on a digital network.

Ethernet Cables. Both data and audio networks rely on a set of standards for cabling infrastructure to ensure that network performance is both reliable and consistent. These standards include specifications for the cable construction itself, as well as specifications for the termination of cabling and physical connections to devices. More information on cabling can be found in here.

Switches. These devices bring all the cables together into a central hub and enable the correct routing of information throughout the network.