Switchcraft SD-104QA First Look – Four Channel Dante Output Interface

Click here to watch on mobile

In this video we take a quick first look at the new SD-104QA four channel output box from Switchcraft. There isn’t a ton to say in a first look about a Dante output box, but this one does have a nice combination of features that I’ve heard you asking for in past comments. Selling for $299 at the time of this video, the SWC-Dante is right in line with Neutrik’s NA2-IO-Dline offering.

PoE to power devices is exceedingly common in these types of units, but many people request an option to power the unit locally when PoE is not available. A locking barrel connector allows you to supply 48 volts DC locally and has indicator lights for both power source options.

The rugged all metal housing features chunky rubber bumpers and weights in at just over one pound, making it a good candidate for situations where you may want to fly it overhead. I could easily see modifying this chassis to receive a truss clamp & have no doubt it would take the abuse of regular use on the road.

We’ll be putting this box into a few projects here coming up to get to know it better. We’re working on a series called ‘Dante Everything’ where we are implementing Dante solutions in as many places around the house as possible in order to live with a Dante network and interact with test gear daily. For content creation, it’s really fun finding new ways to make things possible & for everyday life it opens up some cool possibilities… more to come.

While we’re all on hold, we’ve started a DcSoundOp Discord Server to keep the conversation going and have a place to track questions and conversations that we want to keep ongoing. Check it out at https://discord.gg/VrZm6k7 and say hello. We’re new to Discord, so hopefully we don’t make too big of a mess out of it all.

More Dante coverage

• #96 – Sound Devices 970 Audio Recorder First Look & Teardown
  As an Amazon Associate DcSoundOp earns from qualifying purchases.Redundancy is key: In this video, we’re taking a look at the Sound Devices 970 audio recorder with Dante & Madi i/O.Read More
• #100 – First Look: Sound Devices MD-4 Dante Audio Interface
  As an Amazon Associate DcSoundOp earns from qualifying purchases.MD-4 Review: The MD-4 is a unique piece of gear, providing simple solutions for real world Dante Network configurations. In this week’sRead More
• #105 – Audinate AVIO Dante Network Audio Adapter: First look & Review
  As an Amazon Associate DcSoundOp earns from qualifying purchases.If you’re working with Dante networks regularly or have thought about moving in that direction, the new AVIO adapters by Audinate areRead More
• #120 – Dropping the Ball with Maryland Sound
  As an Amazon Associate DcSoundOp earns from qualifying purchases.New Year’s Eve: Ringing in 2019 in Times Square Happy New Year & a huge thanks for all of your support overRead More
• RDL Dante Audio Interface Round-Up
  As an Amazon Associate DcSoundOp earns from qualifying purchases.#DanteSpokenHere In this video we’re taking a first look at the RDL (Radio Design Labs) Dante Audio Interfaces. Power over Ethernet capableRead More