User Manual

7
RedNet PCIe/ PCIeR card
The RedNet PCIe/ PCIeR (PCI Express) card is an optional hardware interface between the Ethernet
network interconnecting the various I/O units in a RedNet system, and the host computer. When
installed in a 4-lane (minimum) PCIe card slot in either a PC, Mac or Thunderbolt chassis, it allows
up to 128 channels to be sent to/from the DAW through its on-board Ethernet port/ ports. A system
latency of less than 3 ms is possible with the PCIe/ PCIeR card, but to achieve this, we recommend
the use of a 16-lane PCIe card slot. Note also that system latency in all cases will be dependent on
buffer size, sample rate and processor power.
The computer into which the card is attached will require RedNet Control to be installed. The Ethernet
port/ ports on the PCIe/ PCIeR card should be connected to the network via a Gigabit Ethernet
switch, and the host computer’s native Ethernet port should be connected to another port on this
same switch. In this arrangement, the PCIe/ PCIeR card’s Ethernet port handles all the audio and
the native port handles the control data between RedNet Control and the remote RedNet I/O units.
RedNet Control
RedNet Control is the software application which lets the user configure the RedNet system and
control each individual RedNet I/O device, whatever its physical location. RedNet Control versions
for both PC and Mac are available as downloads from the Focusrite website – see “Installing RedNet
Control” on page 12.
All RedNet devices on the network are auto-detected by the RedNet Control software, and visualised
on-screen along with their various controls and settings.
Dante Controller
Dante Controller software is Audinate’s proprietary generic audio routing application for use with
Dante digital audio networked devices. Installation of Dante Controller is automatic; it will be
installed as part of the RedNet Control software installation.
Dante Virtual Soundcard
Dante Virtual Soundcard is a software alternative to the RedNet PCIe/ PCIeR card. It allows users
who do not require the extremely low latency and high channel count possible with the RedNet
PCIe/ PCIeR card to implement a RedNet system. A maximum of 64 channels (in each direction) is
possible, at a typical latency of 7 ms (buffer size and sample rate dependent).
Dante Virtual Soundcard can be downloaded directly from www.audinate.com. (On-line registration
is required.)
Using RedNet with other Dante-compatible products
As RedNet is based on Audinate’s Dante system, it is compatible with Dante-enabled devices from
other manufacturers. However, note that when using RedNet devices with other Dante-enabled
products, you may be limited to sample rates of 48 or 96 kHz, as many other devices do not support
the full range of sample rate options offered by RedNet.