Kotaro Terada:

Dante digital audio networking had been making significant inroads into the pro audio market, offering outstanding sound quality as well as convenience. But as system complexity increased, setup and operation became more difficult, and that could sometimes lead to problems. We wanted to make it easier for users to set up and operate a complex network, without requiring any specialized knowledge or skill.

Shunichi “Shaun” Kamiya:

We were also receiving numerous inquiries from customers who were considering our Dante equipped CL and QL series consoles. They wanted to know what switches to use for their systems. Although our company offers expertise in network technology as well as music and audio, Yamaha branded network switches were only marketed in selected regions at the time, and those switches were not fully configured for Dante operation. It was a frustrating situation.

Terada:

We believed that we could come up with a network switch that could be easily optimized for Dante operation while retaining the “network visibility” feature of existing Yamaha switches, plus the audio flow management functionality that is part of the Dante protocol. That would allow our customers to set up even complex Dante networks with ease and confidence.

Kamiya:

At the same time our Sound Network Division, the group that was developing our network switches, was also beginning to receive inquiries about Dante networking from customers, so their interest in how network switches were being used in pro audio applications was beginning to grow. In that sense our interest and goals began to align at an opportune time, and development of the new switches was begun.

Terada:

It was essential to provide initial settings or presets that would make setting up for stable Dante operation easy. The ability to monitor the communication bandwidth and other important status parameters for each port via the Yamaha LAN Monitor software was important too.

Kamiya:

On the hardware side, we used Neutrik etherCON and opticalCON connectors to ensure maximum connection reliability in demanding professional audio systems. The result was that the switches are a bit larger than similar 8-port or 16-port models, but the extra space made it possible to incorporate a +24 VDC input for power supply redundancy and use a quiet fanless design. We were able to create switches that are ideally suited for live sound applications.

Kamiya:

Most of our customers know Yamaha as a musical instrument and audio equipment manufacturer, but in reality we offer a number of other product lines and services in Japan and a few other regions. Routers and other network devices are one example, having been on the market since the mid 90s. Our network devices include numerous features that facilitate network management and control. “Network visibility” is one of those features that has been inherited by the SWP1 series.

Terada:

We have been involved in the network device business for many years, but this is the first time a Yamaha network device has included easy optimization for sound systems, and the first time a Yamaha network device will be marketed worldwide. This is a new direction that we are determined to continue, with more system solutions that take advantage of Yamaha’s strengths.

Kamiya:

The Yamaha CL series consoles were the first to include Dante networking capability, and that led to a closer look at the requirements for audio networking. Soon after the CL series was released we began receiving inquiries from customers regarding the types and combinations of switches that should be used. It quickly became clear that network switches were essential to achieving maximum system reliability. There’s the performance of the switches themselves, of course, but even more important is how a multitude of network switch functions and parameters need to be set up for stable operation. That normally requires some expertise. Another little known issue is that the power saving features of some switches can cause noise in audio networks. By combining the real-world audio networking needs revealed by the CL series with the “network visibility” technology that was already a feature of switches produced by our Sound Network division, a number of innovative solutions were devised. We would produce a switch that is optimized for Dante at the factory, with a preset that allows those settings to be recalled at any time. VLAN is another feature that can be a huge advantage in live sound applications, allowing Dante communication and other services to be isolated and handled on separate domains for maximum stability and reliability. VLAN setups would also be recallable via simple switch settings, and the VLAN status at each port would be indicated by panel LEDs rather than via an external computer and monitoring software. At the same time, the Yamaha LAN Monitor application for Windows computers would be available for comprehensive network monitoring as well as monitoring of the status of individual Dante devices. Many of the benefits offered by SWP1 series switches arose from the fact that they were created through the combined efforts of two dedicated teams.

Terada:

Dante communication consists primarily of a continuous audio stream for which consistent timing must be maintained. But in most LAN environments consistent timing cannot be guaranteed. To provide the necessary stability, time-critical communication must be given the highest priority and handled separately from other types of data. In SWP1 series switches the internal buffers and other functions are preset to meet Dante priority requirements, allowing stable audio transmission even when a large volume of data is involved. Since audio professionals are not necessarily network professionals, we have provided a number of VLAN presets that can simply be recalled to match specific use cases without having to deal with unfamiliar parameters or terminology.

Kamiya:

There’s no need to worry about the system! (laughs)

Terada:

That’s right! The most important benefit is confidence! Dante optimization and network visibility make setting up a Dante network much easier than it is when using conventional network devices, and you can be confident that your network will work as planned.

Kamiya:

Basically, any type of switch can be used in a Dante network, but we have found that a large number of customers struggle with this issue. The SWP1 series switches are perfect for them. SWP1 series switches can be used in audio networks of just about any scale, from the smallest to very large, complex systems that require optical fiber. The presets we have provided make it easy to use these switches right out of the box. And we have done extensive testing to ensure that they work flawlessly with Dante equipped Yamaha products. If a problem does occur, troubleshooting is easy.

Terada:

Unlike conventional switches, SWP1 series switches have etherCON connectors, which is another feature that makes them an excellent choice for touring live sound applications. Network redundancy, spanning tree protocol, and redundant power supply capability that reduce the risk of trouble due to cable disconnection or failure are other important features. And there’s ease of use. Large, complex network setups involve a number of detailed parameters that, when conventional switches are used, must be checked and rechecked at each new venue. The SWP1 series switches include presets for commonly used VLAN settings built in. And with optical cables these switches can handle large outdoor events that require transmission over long distances. The range of potential applications is enormous.

Terada:

We hope that our customers will find the SWP1 switches so easy to use and reliable that they become standard equipment. They are not showy products that stand out, but their contribution to ease of use and confidence will be huge. We really hope customers will try them and like them.

Kamiya:

The hardware processing capability of SWP1 series switches is at least one rank above the conventional switches currently used in Dante networks, and they are packaged with presets and software that make them easy for anyone to use in live sound networks. No specialized IT knowledge is required. We hope that, when a comparison is made with other switches, the choice is clear.