AVIO Adapter First-Install Setup Guide

Dante AVIO adapters are the quickest way to bring analogue, USB, or Bluetooth audio sources and destinations onto a Dante network without replacing existing equipment. This guide covers the steps to get an AVIO adapter online and routing audio from first power-up.

What AVIO Adapters Do

AVIO adapters sit at the edge of a Dante network and bridge non-Dante audio signals into the IP domain. Models are available for:

• Analogue XLR inputs/outputs (2x2, 4x4 configurations)
• USB audio (connects computers and USB audio devices as Dante endpoints)
• Bluetooth (wirelessly streams audio from phones, tablets, or laptops to and from the Dante network)
• AVIO Install variants — rack-mountable, with euroblock connectors for permanent installations

All AVIO adapters are powered via PoE (Power over Ethernet). No external PSU is required if your switch provides PoE. If not, use a PoE injector between the switch and the adapter.

Step 1: Connect to the Switch

Use a Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cable to connect the AVIO adapter's RJ45 port to a PoE-capable port on your Dante switch. The adapter powers up automatically.

Status indicators:

• Standard AVIO adapters: both Ethernet LEDs on the RJ45 should be green (solid or flashing)
• AVIO Install variants: the top-mounted status LED should be solid green or blue

If the LEDs are amber or not illuminated, check PoE delivery at the switch port and cable integrity.

Step 2: Connect the Audio Device

Connect your analogue gear, USB device, or Bluetooth source/destination to the appropriate port on the adapter. Refer to the specific adapter's quick-start card for connector pinout — XLR, Euroblock, and USB-C configurations vary by model.

Step 3: Open Dante Controller

Launch Dante Controller on a computer connected to the same network. Within a few seconds the AVIO adapter should appear in the Routing tab alongside any other Dante-enabled devices.

If the adapter does not appear:

• Confirm the control computer is on the same subnet
• Check the Windows Firewall is not blocking Dante Controller (Dante software configures the built-in Windows Firewall automatically; third-party firewalls need manual exceptions)
• Check that no IGMP filtering on the switch is blocking mDNS discovery traffic

Step 4: Update Firmware

Before routing audio in a production environment, check for firmware updates:

In Dante Controller, click Dante Updater (top menu). Select the AVIO adapter and update if a newer version is available. Keep firmware current — updates often include reliability fixes for specific switch environments.

Step 5: Configure Device Settings

Double-click the AVIO adapter in Dante Controller's Routing tab to open Device View. Key settings:

Device Config tab:

• Device Name: rename from the default (e.g., AVIO-USB-0a1b) to something meaningful for the install (BoardroomPC-AVIO)
• Sample Rate: match to all other devices on the network (typically 48 kHz for installed AV)
• Bit Depth: 24-bit is standard
• Latency: set based on network conditions. For a local single-switch system, 1 ms is achievable. For networks with multiple switches or shared infrastructure, increase to 5–10 ms to provide headroom for jitter

Network Config tab:

• Default is DHCP — fine for most installs. If the device needs a fixed IP (for DDM enrolment or firewall rules), set a static address here

Controls tab:

• Analogue models: set input gain and pad, phantom power for condenser mics
• USB models: configure channel mapping for the connected USB audio class device

Step 6: Route Audio

Return to the main Routing tab in Dante Controller. Click the intersection cell between a transmitter (source) channel and a receiver (destination) channel to create a subscription. A green circle confirms the route is active and audio is flowing.

To verify audio is actually passing, check the metering in your connected device or DSP. Dante Controller does not show audio level meters — that is the job of downstream processing.

Practical Notes for Installers

PoE budget: AVIO adapters consume approximately 3–5 W. Verify your switch's PoE budget covers all connected adapters simultaneously, especially on smaller unmanaged PoE switches with shared budgets.

Same subnet rule: Dante devices discover each other via mDNS and communicate via PTP — both are subnet-local. All AVIO adapters and the control computer must be on the same IP subnet unless you are using DDM or Dante Director to bridge subnets.

Warranty: All Dante AVIO adapters carry a 2-year warranty from date of purchase. Registration is not required.

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This article was adapted from Audinate's original guidance: "Getting Started with Dante AVIO" — https://support.getdante.com/hc/en-gb/articles/5452636684319-Getting-Started-with-Dante-AVIO Habitech-edited for UK trade installer context. Original © Audinate Pty Ltd.