SSOUNDS System Networking: How Our Amplifiers Connect

SSOUNDS amplifiers feature a comprehensive I/O panel designed for flexibility and reliability. Each unit includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports for primary and secondary network connections, enabling redundant audio and control paths. Analog inputs (XLR) and AES3 digital inputs are also provided for legacy or standalone operation, but the core of a modern SSOUNDS system is the digital network.

The amplifier’s onboard DSP handles all crossover, EQ, limiting, and delay processing, with presets optimized for each SSOUNDS loudspeaker model. Network connectivity allows real-time monitoring of amplifier temperature, output current, and limiter activity, as well as remote adjustment of gain, mute, and routing.

SSOUNDS amplifiers support Dante audio networking with up to 64x64 channels per amplifier (depending on model), using standard IP infrastructure. AES67 compatibility ensures interoperability with other professional audio equipment, including digital mixing consoles, stage boxes, and third-party DSP units.

Audio routing is configured via Dante Controller or directly within SSOUNDS System Designer. Multiple amplifiers can share the same multicast flows, allowing a single console output to feed an entire line array or zone. Sample rates of 48 kHz or 96 kHz are supported, with automatic latency management to keep all drivers phase-aligned.

SSOUNDS System Designer is the central software platform for configuring, monitoring, and controlling the entire loudspeaker system. It discovers all SSOUNDS amplifiers on the network via standard IP protocols (TCP/IP and UDP), displaying their status, firmware version, and assigned loudspeaker presets.

Engineers can create groups, adjust output levels, mute individual channels, and monitor real-time metrics such as output voltage, current, and temperature. System Designer also logs historical data for troubleshooting and preventive maintenance. The software runs on Windows and macOS, and can be used on a dedicated laptop or integrated into a larger show control network via OSC or MIDI.

For mission-critical events, SSOUNDS amplifiers support redundant network topologies. The dual Ethernet ports can be configured for primary/secondary audio streams (Dante redundancy) or for separate control and audio networks. In the event of a network switch failure or cable break, the amplifier seamlessly switches to the backup stream with no audible dropout.

Additionally, amplifiers can be daisy-chained using the secondary port for simplified cabling in smaller systems, while still maintaining a redundant path when using a ring topology with managed switches. Power supply redundancy is also available in select amplifier models, with dual hot-swappable PSUs.

SSOUNDS amplifiers integrate directly with major digital mixing consoles via Dante/AES67, allowing direct digital patching without analog conversion. For consoles without Dante, analog or AES3 inputs are available. The network control layer can also be bridged to console automation systems using MIDI or TCP/IP commands.

System Designer supports export of system configurations for documentation and can import venue or rigging data for acoustic prediction. This makes it easy to pre-configure an entire tour or installation in the shop and deploy on-site with minimal setup time.

A typical SSOUNDS system for a medium-sized festival might use a primary Dante network running at 1 Gbps, with a secondary network for control and monitoring. Amplifiers are connected to managed switches with QoS enabled to prioritize audio traffic. The FOH console sends its main L/R and subwoofer outputs via Dante to a dedicated amplifier for the front fill, while delay towers receive their own multicast flows.

For larger installations, multiple subnets can be used, with SSOUNDS amplifiers supporting VLAN tagging and IGMP snooping to minimize network load. System Designer can manage devices across different subnets as long as routing is properly configured.