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Audio-Technica LINK looks to be the latest proprietary way to move uncompressed multi-channel audio and control data over Cat5e with minimal latency.
While you might think there are enough audio over cat cable options these days, ranging from passive adapters (like the SoundTools CatBOX) to full AoIP eco-systems like Dante®️or AVB, Audio Technica seems to disagree. Though they are offereing a bridge mixer that can integrate their system into a Dante®️ network, they decieded to roll their own protocol for their installed audio products going forward.
Audio-Technica LINK calls for shielded Cat5e or higher grade cable, with 24AWG or larger wire since it carries power for their supported microphones on the same cable. Unlike Dante, you cannot use off the shelf switches or network gear to extend this system, however they do offer link extenders in multiple versions to enable more complex configurations. They’ve added support for LINK into their beamforming ceiling array microphones, as well as their Engineered Sound Wireless Systems, making it easier than ever to depoly a high-end boardroom setup with minimal wiring.
One of AT’s big talking points about this sytem is the security of it not being a network protocol. While I have not heard of any examples of Dante or AVB systems being breeched by bad actors, I can certainly understand the need for an approach like this to meet corporate and government requirements for certain installations.
With support for Dante, QSYS and now their own LINK protocol, Audio-Technica’s commercial division seem to be working hard to provide flexible and scalable solutions to their integrators. If you install AT gear as an integrator, let us know what you like about them and what you think they could do better in the comments here.
Read the full press release from Clyne Media here.
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