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-Black

The RDL DDB-BN31 is a black, wall-mounted, bidirectional 4×4 Dante endpoint for connecting analog mic and line signals to a Dante audio network. Its input connectivity includes two female XLR connectors and mini-jack input support, while its outputs include two balanced channels on detachable terminal blocks and left/right unbalanced audio through a mini-jack. The interface transports 24-bit audio over a 100 Mbps RJ45 connection and supports 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sample rates.

Ideal Use Cases

This model is suited to fixed installations that need to place microphone, line-level, and mini-jack sources directly onto a Dante network. Its combination of balanced and unbalanced outputs also supports systems that must return network audio to more than one type of analog connection. The wall-mounted design is particularly relevant when controls and connectors must remain accessible at the point of use. PoE Class 0 power under IEEE 802.3af allows power and network connectivity to share the Ethernet connection.

Why Choose This Model

Each XLR input provides switch-selectable phantom power, mic or line operation, and gain. Microphone gain settings are 40 dB, 48 dB, and 62 dB. The detailed gain specification lists line settings of unity, 8 dB, and 19 dB. P48 phantom power is switch-selectable and specified at 48 Vdc in accordance with IEC 61938:2013. A stereo left/right or summed-mono selector provides another practical routing option. Together, these controls let the endpoint accommodate different analog source levels without requiring a single fixed input configuration.

Installation and Integration

The DDB-BN31 measures 3.52 inches wide, 4.11 inches high, and 2.09 inches deep. Its rear-panel RJ45 connector includes Link and Speed indicators, while front-panel indicators show Sync and Power status. Network transmission operates at 100 Mbps using the Dante digital audio Ethernet protocol. The two balanced outputs use detachable terminal blocks for fixed analog wiring, and the unbalanced output operates through mini-jack connectivity. The specified ambient operating range is 0°C to 40°C, with 30°C identified as the maximum recommended temperature.

Performance Highlights

The interface supports 24-bit digital audio with 48 kHz as the default sample rate and 44.1 kHz also supported. Frequency response is specified from 20 Hz to 20 kHz within ±0.5 dB. The audio operating relationship is -20 dBFS at +4 dBu, while the reference level is 0 dBFS at +24 dBu. Input headroom is 20 dB, and common-mode rejection is greater than 65 dB from 50 Hz to 120 Hz. Input THD+N is less than 0.1% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at +4 dBu/-20 dBFS, with 0.015% typical at 1 kHz. Crosstalk is specified below the noise floor at operating level from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, including at maximum microphone gain.

The balanced outputs provide a nominal operating level of +4 dBu and a maximum level of +24 dBu. Unbalanced output levels are -10 dBV operating and +10 dBV maximum. Output impedance is 150 ohms balanced and 500 ohms unbalanced. Output THD is specified below 0.01% at 1 kHz, and the outputs maintain 20 dB of headroom above the stated +4 dBu or -10 dBV operating levels.

What Makes It Different

The defining feature of the DDB-BN31 is the concentration of bidirectional 4×4 Dante conversion, local input controls, and multiple analog connector formats in a wall-mounted enclosure. Two XLR mic/line inputs address balanced sources, while mini-jack connectivity supports an additional analog input format. On the return side, the endpoint combines balanced terminal-block connections with left/right unbalanced mini-jack output. Selectable P48 phantom power, three microphone gain settings, mic/line selection, and stereo or summed-mono operation expand the available configuration choices without changing the network interface.

Final Assessment

The RDL DDB-BN31 is a focused endpoint for Dante systems requiring four-channel bidirectional analog connectivity in a compact wall-mounted format. Its 24-bit conversion, two supported sample rates, selectable XLR input controls, balanced and unbalanced output options, status indicators, and IEEE 802.3af PoE support provide a clearly specified path between local analog equipment and a 100 Mbps Dante network.