SSOUNDS System Networking: How Our Amplifiers Connect

SSOUNDS amplifiers feature dual Gigabit Ethernet ports for both audio and control traffic. By default, Port 1 handles primary audio and control, while Port 2 can be configured for redundant audio (Dante redundancy) or as a separate control network. This separation allows system designers to isolate critical audio streams from monitoring traffic, reducing latency and jitter.

All SSOUNDS amplifiers support daisy-chaining via the secondary port, simplifying cable runs in large arrays. However, for maximum resilience, we recommend a star topology using managed switches with IGMP snooping, especially when deploying more than eight amplifiers in a single subnet.

SSOUNDS amplifiers natively support Dante and AES67 audio-over-IP protocols. Dante provides plug-and-play discovery, sample-accurate synchronization, and up to 128 channels per amplifier (depending on model). AES67 ensures interoperability with other AV-over-IP systems, making SSOUNDS amplifiers compatible with a wide range of consoles and DSPs.

Configuration is handled via Dante Controller or directly through the amplifier's web interface. Each amplifier can receive up to 32 audio channels and route them to any of its output channels, allowing flexible matrix mixing and speaker processing without external DSP.

SSOUNDS amplifiers are managed through our proprietary System Designer software, which provides real-time monitoring of amplifier status, load impedance, temperature, and signal levels. The software runs on Windows and macOS, connecting to amplifiers via the control network (Port 1 or a dedicated control VLAN).

System Designer enables grouping of amplifiers into zones, remote gain adjustment, EQ, delay, and limiter settings. It also logs performance data for predictive maintenance. For large installations, the software supports multi-user access with role-based permissions, ensuring that only authorized technicians can modify critical parameters.

Reliability is paramount in live sound and fixed installations. SSOUNDS amplifiers implement both audio and control redundancy. For audio, Dante's redundant network mode allows a secondary network path that automatically switches in under 10 milliseconds if the primary path fails. Control redundancy is achieved by connecting both Ethernet ports to separate switches; if one port or switch fails, the amplifier remains fully manageable via the other.

Power redundancy is also supported: SSOUNDS amplifiers can be ordered with dual power supplies. In the event of a mains failure, the amplifier continues to operate seamlessly on the backup supply, with no audio interruption.

SSOUNDS amplifiers integrate directly with major digital consoles via Dante or AES67. For example, a Yamaha CL5 or Allen & Heath dLive can send discrete mixes to each amplifier channel without additional analog splits. The amplifiers also accept analog inputs (XLR) for legacy compatibility or as a backup.

For advanced show control, SSOUNDS amplifiers support MIDI over Ethernet and can be triggered by lighting consoles (e.g., grandMA) via OSC commands. This allows synchronized audio scene changes with lighting and video cues.

Whether deploying a single amplifier for a small venue or hundreds for a festival, SSOUNDS networking scales predictably. Our System Designer includes a network calculator that estimates bandwidth and recommends switch configurations. For large-scale events, we recommend using a dedicated VLAN for audio and a separate VLAN for control, with QoS enabled to prioritize Dante traffic.

SSOUNDS amplifiers also support AES67 for wide-area distribution, making them suitable for multi-venue campuses or broadcast applications where audio must travel over existing IT infrastructure.