Studio Technologies has announced two new party-line (PL) intercom kits that utilize Dante Audio-over-IP networking. These new kits allow customers to purchase a bundle of Studio Technologies intercom products at a reduced price point. The Party-Line Intercom Kit 1 (DPL-KIT-01) includes a Model 5421 Dante Intercom Audio Engine and four Model 372A Intercom Beltpacks. Party-Line Intercom Kit 2 (DPL-KIT-02) again includes a Model 5421 Dante Intercom Audio Engine but with four Model 373A Intercom Beltpacks. These new offerings enable an easily implementable high-performance, Dante-enabled PL intercom system in fixed and mobile broadcast facilities, post-production studios, commercial and educational theater environments, industrial and general entertainment applications.

The Model 5421 Dante Intercom Audio Engine is a compact 1/2-rack unit that supports 16 Dante receiver (input) and transmitter (output) channels. Only a Gigabit Ethernet network connection with PoE capability is required for Model 5421 operation. Users can configure the 16-channel audio engine to provide from one to four “virtual” intercom circuits. Unlike general-purpose Dante digital matrix devices, the Model 5421 is optimized for intercom applications, providing multiple mix-minus buses for optimal coms audio performance.

The unit’s integral auto mix capability helps to ensure that excellent audio quality is maintained, something not typically provided by conventional analog PL. The Model 5421 is directly compatible with Studio Technologies’ wide range of Dante-enabled beltpacks, intercom and interface-related products. As part of the new intercom kits, the Model 5421 can serve as a starting point for achieving the goals required by many applications.