MERGING Virtual Audio Device (VAD) Premium

Product overview

The MERGING Virtual Audio Device (VAD) Premium is MERGING's RAVENNA/AES67 network audio driver for computers: the VAD PREMIUM licence unlocks the full 128 inputs and outputs at ultra-high sampling rates, up to 384 kHz, DXD and DSD256.

VAD (Virtual Audio Device) connects computers to RAVENNA/AES67 networks. It is intended for owners of RAVENNA or AES67 compatible network interfaces: the computer sees VAD as an ordinary sound card whose inputs and outputs are network streams. Main settings are configured in a simple panel in the computer's system settings, where the required number of inputs and outputs, the latency and the sampling rate can be specified to optimise CPU activity; connections are then made in a web GUI, to and from senders and receivers.

Key features

• RAVENNA/AES67 network audio driver for computers
• 128 inputs and outputs at all supported sampling rates
• Supported sampling rates: 44.1/48 kHz, 88.2/96 kHz, 176.4/192 kHz, 352.8 kHz (DXD), 384 kHz, DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256
• Supported latencies: 0.33 ms, 0.67 ms, 1 ms (48 samples / AES67), 1.33 ms, 2.67 ms, 4 ms, 6 ms and 10 ms
• Can be used as the computer's default device and system (alert) device
• Simple control panel for I/O count, latency and sampling rate; web GUI for stream connections
• UNITE: one-click stream patching with MERGING network interfaces
• Licence key activated in the MERGING License Manager (MLM)
• DSD playback through DoP (DSD over PCM) mode
• Remote control of MERGING microphone preamps from recording software
• PTP support for any domain

Easy set-up

The VAD panel shows the status of the network connections, the driver and PTP at a glance, lists the network ports (with an auto mode that picks the port where a MERGING device is connected) and shows every RAVENNA device online in its discovery zone, with direct access to its web pages, the advanced settings and maintenance mode.

Sources and sinks

In the advanced web pages, session sources send the computer's playback to the network as L24 streams with their own names, multicast or unicast addresses, DSCP and channel counts, and session sinks receive streams from other RAVENNA/AES67 devices, with playout delay and PTP reference options and a live session status.

UNITE and RAV/AES67 modes

UNITE automatically patches all inputs and outputs between a MERGING network interface (ANUBIS Music Mission, Horus or Hapi) and the driver with one click, without further network software. The RAV/AES67 mode gives full control over stream connections with ANEMAN, MERGING's Audio NEtwork MANager.

Ultra-high resolution and low latency

VAD PREMIUM supports every rate from 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz and DSD256, with latencies from 16 samples (0.33 ms) to 480 samples; MERGING recommends 1.33 ms (64 samples), along with 1 ms (48 samples) for AES67 compliance. DoP mode detects DSD over PCM from the player and reconfigures VAD in DSD.

In the box

• VAD PREMIUM licence key code (activated in the MERGING License Manager)

MERGING Virtual Audio Device (VAD) Premium: frequently asked questions

What do I need to run VAD?

A RAVENNA or AES67 compatible network interface connected to the computer and running, Virtual Audio Device v3.2 or above installed, and an internet connection for licence activation.

How is the licence activated?

In the MERGING RAVENNA/AES67 settings, right-click the discovered system icon, select Launch License Manager and enter the VAD PREMIUM key code, then press Activate.

Do MERGING interfaces need a VAD key?

No. With at least one MERGING network interface (Horus, Hapi or ANUBIS) detected on the network, VAD runs in Premium mode automatically. The keys are for owners of other RAVENNA or AES67 compatible interfaces.

Which channel counts can be set?

Inputs and outputs can each be set to 0, 2, 8, 16, 32, 40, 48, 56 or 64 channels, and up to 128 with VAD PREMIUM.

Where can I buy the MERGING Virtual Audio Device (VAD) Premium in India?

The MERGING Virtual Audio Device (VAD) Premium is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Recording a network stage box

Studios and live recording teams with RAVENNA/AES67 interfaces.

Connections

Setup

1. Install VAD and activate the licence.
2. Set the input count, latency and sampling rate in the VAD panel.
3. Subscribe to the stage box streams on the Session sinks page.
4. Record the VAD inputs in the recording software.

Tip: Use a 1 Gb network port: the panel shows it in green.

Workflow 2: Playback to network monitoring

Mixing rooms with network monitor controllers or speakers.

Connections

Setup

1. Create session sources for the speaker outputs.
2. Name each stream so receivers can find it.
3. Subscribe to the streams on the receiving devices.
4. Select VAD as the output device in the software.

Tip: VAD can also be the computer's default and system device.

Workflow 3: One-click patching with UNITE

Owners of a MERGING ANUBIS, Horus or Hapi.

Connections

Setup

1. Open the VAD panel and select the UNITE tab.
2. Click the device to UNITE.
3. Check the inputs and outputs to connect.
4. Confirm: the connections are made automatically.

Tip: Select enough inputs and outputs in the VAD panel for every UNITE connection.

Workflow 4: Multi-device networks with ANEMAN

Facilities with several RAVENNA/AES67 devices.

Connections

Setup

1. Switch the VAD panel to RAV/AES67 mode.
2. Launch ANEMAN.
3. Connect, monitor and manage the streams.
4. Check PTP lock in the VAD status.

Tip: The status turns green when connections, driver and PTP are valid.

Workflow 5: Adding devices by IP address

Networks where a device is not discovered automatically.

Connections

Setup

1. Open the advanced settings from the VAD panel.
2. Go to Static Discovery.
3. Enter the device IP address and port.
4. Apply and open its remote control.

Tip: An orange dot shows a device in static mode.

Workflow 6: DSD and high-resolution playback

Mastering rooms and high-resolution playback systems.

Connections

Setup

1. Set the sampling rate up to 384 kHz or DSD256 in the VAD panel.
2. Enable Follow DoP mode.
3. Play DSD from a player that sends DoP.
4. VAD reconfigures itself in DSD.

Tip: MERGING recommends 1.33 ms (64 samples) latency for most work.