Bi-Directional Mic/Line Dante Interface 4 x 4 w/PoE-2 XLR In, 1 Mini-jack In, 1 Mini-jack Out, 2 Out on Rear-Panel Terminal Block-Stainless Steel

The RDL DDS-BN31 is a stainless-steel, bidirectional 4 x 4 Dante network interface designed to move analog microphone and line-level audio onto a Dante network and return Dante audio to analog destinations. Its front panel provides two female XLR inputs, one mini-jack input, and one mini-jack output, while the rear panel includes two outputs on a detachable terminal block. High-resolution 24-bit analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion supports 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sample rates.

Ideal Use Cases

This model is suited to wall-mounted Dante installations that need both analog inputs and outputs at a single connection point. The two XLR inputs accommodate standard microphone or line sources, making the interface useful wherever balanced sources must be converted into Dante network channels. Its mini-jack input can accept stereo -10 dBV audio or sum the incoming channels to mono. On the output side, four Dante network signals can be converted to line level through a stereo mini-jack and two rear-panel terminal-block connections.

The combination of front-facing user connections and rear-panel installed wiring supports applications that require convenient source access without exposing permanent output cabling.

Why Choose This Model

Each XLR input includes independent switches for phantom power, mic or line operation, and gain. Microphone gain is selectable at 40 dB, 48 dB, or 62 dB, while P48 phantom power can be enabled for compatible microphones. Line inputs also provide selectable gain positions. This flexibility allows two different analog sources to be configured directly at the interface without requiring special software for module setup.

The mini-jack input is switch-selectable between stereo operation and summed mono. The mini-jack output can operate in stereo or mono using the left channel. Rear-panel outputs support selectable balanced +4 dBu or unbalanced -10 dBV operation, allowing the output configuration to match different downstream equipment.

Installation and Integration

The DDS-BN31 connects to the Dante network through a 100 Mbps RJ45 Ethernet port with Link and Speed indicators. Power is supplied through PoE Class 0 in accordance with IEEE 802.3af, combining network connectivity and operating power through the Ethernet connection.

The unit measures 3.52 inches wide, 4.11 inches high, and 2.09 inches deep. It can be wall-mounted in a North American dual electrical box, with a four-square-deep box recommended, or installed in an RDL WB-2U international wall box. The specified mounting elevation is no more than 2 meters. Front-panel Sync and Power indicators provide operating status, while the Ethernet indicators are located on the rear panel.

Performance Highlights

The interface supports a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response within ±0.5 dB and provides 20 dB of headroom. Its digital audio reference is 0 dBFS at +24 dBu, with an operating relationship of -20 dBFS at +4 dBu. Maximum balanced output level is +24 dBu, while maximum unbalanced output level is +10 dBV.

Balanced outputs have a 150-ohm impedance, and unbalanced outputs have a 500-ohm impedance. Output THD is specified below 0.01% at 1 kHz. XLR input impedance is greater than 2.5 kilohms in microphone mode and greater than 5 kilohms in line mode. RDL analog filtering complements the 24-bit conversion and the unit’s studio-quality, low-noise design.

What Makes It Different

The DDS-BN31 combines four-channel Dante input and output conversion in a compact wall-mounted format. Its two configurable XLR inputs, stereo-capable mini-jack connections, installed terminal-block outputs, selectable operating levels, and PoE operation place source connection, network conversion, and analog return capabilities in one module. Switch-based setup provides direct access to core input and output choices without special module-configuration software.

Final Assessment

For an installation requiring two XLR mic or line sources, stereo mini-jack connectivity, two rear-panel analog outputs, and bidirectional Dante transport, the DDS-BN31 provides a focused 4 x 4 interface. Its selectable gain, P48 phantom power, balanced and unbalanced output options, 24-bit conversion, wall-mount design, and IEEE 802.3af PoE support address both signal-routing and installation requirements.