BSS BLU-DAN – Dante/AES67 to BLU link Bridge

Product Overview

The BSS BLU-DAN (now designated BLU-DA) is a Dante and AES67 to BLU link bridge that connects Dante-networked audio systems to the Soundweb London BLU link digital audio bus. By bridging these two protocols, the BLU-DAN enables designers to integrate Dante-enabled consoles, processors, and endpoints directly with the Soundweb London ecosystem. The unit is configurable through HiQnet Audio Architect, supports 64x64 channels of simultaneous Dante or AES67 audio, and is EN 54-16 certified for life safety applications — making it suitable for both commercial AV installations and code-compliant emergency sound systems.

Product Description

The BSS BLU-DAN provides a bidirectional bridge between Dante/AES67 audio networks and the Soundweb London BLU link bus, giving system designers a direct path to add Dante or AES67 connectivity to any BLU link-enabled device in the Soundweb London family. The unit simultaneously transmits and receives up to 64 channels of Dante or AES67 audio (64x64), with Primary and Secondary network ports for fault-tolerant redundancy on the Dante side. A separate Ethernet control port handles HiQnet communication independently from the audio network. The BLU-DAN is a fully configurable HiQnet device managed through HiQnet Audio Architect, where logic objects and drag-and-drop configuration provide a consistent design environment with the rest of the Soundweb London ecosystem. A bi-directional locate function allows the device to be identified both from and within Audio Architect. On the BLU link side, the unit provides a 256-channel, low latency, fault-tolerant digital audio bus via standard Cat 5e cabling at up to 100m per segment, with fiber media converter support for runs beyond 40km. The BLU-DAN also supports Dante 4.0 firmware and Dante Domain Manager integration, making it compatible with enterprise-scale managed Dante deployments. AES67 compatibility ensures interoperability with non-Dante AES67 devices on the same network. The half-rack 1RU chassis provides a compact footprint in mixed-protocol system racks. EN 54-16 certification qualifies the BLU-DAN for use in life safety voice alarm systems, extending its deployment scope beyond standard commercial AV into compliant emergency audio infrastructure.

Key Features

• Dante and AES67 Audio — Simultaneously transmit and receive up to 64x64 channels of Dante or AES67 audio.
• BLU link Integration — 256-channel, low latency, fault-tolerant digital audio bus using standard Cat 5e cabling up to 100m per segment.
• Adds Dante/AES67 to BLU link Devices — Directly connects Dante-networked equipment to any Soundweb London BLU link device.
• Primary and Secondary Dante Ports — Redundant network connections for fault-tolerant Dante audio transmission.
• Separate Control Ethernet Port — Dedicated HiQnet control port keeps audio and control networks independent.
• HiQnet Audio Architect Configurable — Drag-and-drop design environment with full logic object support, consistent with Soundweb London system design workflow.
• Dante Domain Manager Support — Compatible with Dante 4.0 firmware for managed enterprise Dante deployments.
• Bi-Directional Locate Function — Identify the device from within or from Audio Architect for rapid on-site commissioning.
• AES67 Compatible — Interoperable with AES67 devices on shared IP audio networks.
• EN 54-16 Certified — Compliant for use in life safety voice alarm applications.
• 1RU Half-Rack Chassis — Compact form factor for mixed-protocol system racks.

Typical Applications

• Conference room
• Boardroom
• Auditorium
• House of worship
• Government space
• Broadcast studio
• Multi-purpose room

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the BLU-DAN and the BLU-DA?

A: They are the same device. BSS Audio rebranded the BLU-DAN as the BLU-DA. The SKU sold by Creation Networks (BSSBLU-DANFX) is the same unit, now listed as BLU-DA (BLU-DAN) on the BSS Audio website.

Q: Can the BLU-DAN connect a Dante console directly to a Soundweb London system?

A: Yes. The BLU-DAN bridges Dante audio to the BLU link bus, allowing any Dante-enabled device — including mixing consoles, DSPs, and amplifiers — to exchange audio with Soundweb London devices.

Q: How many channels of audio does the BLU-DAN carry?

A: The BLU-DAN supports 64 transmit and 64 receive channels of Dante or AES67 audio simultaneously, bridged to the 256-channel BLU link bus.

Q: Does the BLU-DAN support Dante Domain Manager?

A: Yes. The BLU-DAN supports Dante 4.0 firmware and is compatible with Dante Domain Manager for managed, enterprise-scale Dante network deployments.

Q: Is the BLU-DAN AES67 compatible?

A: Yes. The BLU-DAN supports AES67, enabling interoperability with non-Dante AES67 devices on the same IP audio network.

Q: Is the BLU-DAN suitable for life safety or emergency sound systems?

A: Yes. The BLU-DAN is EN 54-16 certified, qualifying it for use in voice alarm and life safety audio systems where compliance is required.

Q: What warranty and purchasing options are available?

A: The BLU-DAN is available from Creation Networks and is backed by the HARMAN Professional Solutions warranty program. Contact us for pre-sales support and system integration assistance.