RME and DirectOut have announced the new Digiface Ravenna, a mobile audio interface based on the design of RME’s popular Digiface Dante, and featuring a RAVENNA module developed by DirectOut.
The device allows the transmission of up to 128 RAVENNA channels as well as 64 MADI channels via a single USB 3.0 connection, expanding RME’s audio networking solutions with a powerful RAVENNA model for both USB and standalone operation.
The RAVENNA Audio-over-IP protocol can be used in existing networks without the need for specialised routers or network switches. Compatible with AES67, RAVENNA enables uncompressed transmission of digital audio signals with low latency over long distances.
Designed to support the growing popularity and presence of RAVENNA solutions in the professional audio sector, RME’s compact Digiface Ravenna USB 3.0 interface adds an external option for fully mobile operation to the stationary RAVENNA solutions currently available.
The Digiface Ravenna can be powered via an external power supply (for standalone operation), or via USB bus power.
Thanks to the integration of RME’s renowned MADI drivers (Mac/Windows), the Digiface Ravenna offers, in addition to the 128 RAVENNA channels, the transmission of up to 64 MADI channels via USB 3.0. For this feature, both of the Word Clock I/O BNC connectors can be switched to MADI I/O.
The sum of 128 Ravenna and MADI channels can be easily controlled via the included RAVENNA web server, as well as the DSP-based RME TotalMix FX mixer, with its comprehensive routing and monitoring options.
Among other features, TotalMix FX allows creating independent sub mixes according to the number of available outputs.
On the network side, the Digiface Ravenna has four freely configurable network ports that can be used multifunctionally as inputs and outputs, as a network switch, or for safe redundancy operation.
In addition, the interface can also be used as a mobile 64-channel RAVENNA/MADI converter, without a USB connection to a computer.
DirectOut’s RAVENNA module features a full-fledged RAVENNA stack, with support for AES67, ST 2110-30 / ST 2110-31, redundant audio-over-IP streaming as per ST2022-7, NMOS IS-04 / IS-05, as well as browser GUI and globcon control.
In addition to its USB 3.0 port, RAVENNA network ports, word clock I/O and power supply connector, the Digiface Ravenna also features a high-quality headphone monitoring output, which can also be used as an unbalanced stereo line output if needed.
“We have known and admired RME for many years, as a provider of professional computer interface technology, and are very happy about this co-operation,” says Claudio Becker-Foss, CEO/CTO of DirectOut.
“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.”