AudioNetzwerke

AudioNetzwerke refers to computer networks and communication infrastructures designed to transport digital audio signals between devices such as mixers, interfaces, speakers, consoles, and software applications. They enable professional and consumer systems to route, mix, process, and distribute audio over local area networks and wide area networks, often with strict requirements for timing, reliability, and interoperability.

Key concepts include time synchronization, typically achieved with precision clock distribution technologies such as IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP), to keep multiple devices aligned to sample-accurate timing. Quality of Service, traffic shaping, and network topologies based on switched Ethernet or Wi-Fi are used to minimize latency and jitter. Audio networks may operate as peer-to-peer links or in a streaming/distribution architecture, sometimes involving multicast.

Standards and protocols commonly associated with AudioNetzwerke include AES67, Ravenna, and Dante for inter-device interoperability on IP networks, along with older but still relevant standards such as Livewire and AVB/TSN. Transport can use widely supported protocols like RTP/RTSP or proprietary protocols, with various codecs such as PCM, Opus, AAC, or MP3 depending on bandwidth and quality requirements.

Applications span broadcasting, music production studios, live sound reinforcement, venue installations, and multi-room consumer audio systems. Challenges include ensuring low latency, deterministic delivery, robust synchronization across devices, security, and interoperability among different vendors.