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Dante Converter

Focusrite RedNet D16R MkII

The RedNet D16R bridges between AES3 digital audio and Dante networking, handling 16 channels in each direction with word clock I/O for synchronization. It is essential in rigs where AES3-equipped consoles or processors need to interface with a Dante network, or where you need a reliable word clock reference alongside your format conversion. Dual Dante ports provide redundant networking for mission-critical applications.

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Photos

Manufacturer product photography — the drawn faceplate stays true to panel layout; these show the hardware itself.

Photo: FocusriteClick to zoom
Documented outputs
33 destination connections
Documented inputs
4Based on documented inputs
Rack space
1UBuilder checks available rail space
Power draw
25W35W documented maximum
Catalog estimate
~$2,800Use retailer rows for current price and stock

01 · What it does—and what that changes in your rig.

Product overview

Start with the payoff, then work through how it functions, where it fits, and the details that change a real build.

The payoff

Dante Converter decisions, organized around the whole rig.

The RedNet D16R MkII is a single-rack-unit AES3-to-Dante bridge, and its job in a rig is exactly that specific: it converts 16 channels of AES3 in both directions simultaneously, connecting gear that speaks AES3 — consoles, processors, stagebox outputs — to a Dante network carrying audio everywhere else. Four DB25 connectors handle all the digital audio on the rear panel, two for AES3 inputs and two for outputs, which keeps the wiring dense but organized if you're already working in the Tascam pinout world. This is not an analog converter, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else.

Documented outputs
33 destination connections
Documented inputs
4Based on documented inputs
Rack space
1UBuilder checks available rail space
REDNETD16RFocusrite
Focusrite product panel1U · 25W
Function

How it works in the path

At 25 watts nominal and a shallow 235mm depth, the D16R MkII fits cleanly into a touring IEM rack without fighting for space or burning up your power budget. The dual EtherCon ports for Dante primary and secondary networks are the headline feature at show time — if your primary network path drops, the secondary takes over without an audible interruption, which matters when the D16R is sitting between a playback system and sixteen artists' ears. Word clock in and out via BNC means you can slot this into an existing clock topology rather than forcing a Dante clock takeover, giving you flexibility when sharing a rack with other synchronized digital gear.

Best fit

Where it earns its place in the rack

If your workflow is built around a Dante network and you're interfacing with any AES3-native device — a DiGiCo console's local I/O, a TC Electronic processor, a legacy stagebox — this unit earns its place without much debate. Where it doesn't belong is in a rig that's entirely analog at the edges and only needs a single Dante endpoint; something with analog I/O would serve you better and cost less. Similarly, if you only need eight channels of conversion, you're buying headroom you may never use. But for 16-channel AES3 connectivity in a redundant Dante infrastructure, the D16R MkII is the purpose-built answer.

In the rack

Details worth deciding before load-in.

  • Use Tascam-pinout DB25 breakout looms and label every connector at both ends before load-in — four identical DB25s on the rear panel are easy to transpose under pressure.
  • Assign the D16R MkII as a Dante clock follower rather than leader unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise; let your console or a dedicated clock master own the network timing.
  • Patch the secondary Dante port to a physically separate switch or network path — if both ports feed the same switch, you've built redundancy on paper but not in practice.
  • Verify word clock lock status on the front panel during line check, before the room gets loud; a clock mismatch here will corrupt all 16 channels at once and is easy to overlook until someone starts hearing artifacts.

02 · Know the whole path before you buy.

Signal path

Learn the route as a block diagram: source, product function, transport, and destination. Select any block to see what enters, what changes, and what leaves.

Interactive block diagramAuto-looping · hover, focus, or tap to hold a stage
Port-type signalProduct functionSystem boundary
Follow one signal from source to destination

Each block answers the same three questions: what arrives, what changes here, and what leaves.

01 · Source · selected
01 · Source

4 documented inputs

db25 + bnc

Arrives as
4 documented inputs
Connector
db25 + bnc
Signal
digital audio

03 · What this product asks of the rest of the system.

Compatibility

Treat connector names as the start of the check—not the answer. These are the boundaries that determine a complete working path.

Best fit · Dante Converter

Use it when 1U and 235 mm of depth fit the case.

Plan the companion path

Complete the path with upstream and downstream gear that matches connector, direction, signal type, protocol, and wiring standard.

Protocol boundary

This product declares DANTE; matching plugs alone do not make other protocols compatible.

04 · Every connector, grouped by job.

I/O ports

Switch the product view and the documented port inventory updates with it—hardware and data stay side by side.

Every connector, grouped by job.

Switch panels to keep the hardware view and the documented port list in sync.

Front panel
REDNETD16RFocusrite
Rear panel
FocusriteRedNet D16R MkII
All documented ports for Focusrite RedNet D16R MkII
PortPanelConnectorDirectionSignalChannels
AES3 In 1-8 (DB25)reardb25 inputdigital audio8
AES3 In 9-16 (DB25)reardb25 inputdigital audio8
AES3 Out 1-8 (DB25)reardb25 outputdigital audio8
AES3 Out 9-16 (DB25)reardb25 outputdigital audio8
Dante PrimaryrearetherCON bidirectionaldigital audio16
Dante SecondaryrearetherCON bidirectionaldigital audio16
Word Clock Out (BNC)rearbnc outputdigital audio—
Word Clock In (BNC)rearbnc inputdigital audio—
Power (IEC)rearIEC C14 inputpower—

Showing 9 of 9 documented physical ports.

05 · Compare the decision, not just the price.

Alternatives

The rows are organized around fit, power, I/O, and system role so a cheaper unit cannot hide a more expensive workflow.

Compare
Focusrite RedNet D16R MkII
DirectOut EXBOX.MD Dante/MADI Converter
Focusrite RedNet A16R MkII
Focusrite RedNet A8R
Fit📐 1U📐 1U · half-rack📐 1U📐 1U
Power⚡ 25W⚡ 15W⚡ 25W⚡ 20W
Weight⚖️ 6.2 lb⚖️ 3.3 lb⚖️ 6.0 lb⚖️ 5.1 lb
I/O🔌 9🔌 5🔌 7🔌 5
Estimate💵 ~$2,800💵 ~$3,339💵 ~$4,400💵 ~$3,000
Deep diveCurrent selectionFull comparison →Full comparison →Full comparison →

06 · Resolve the questions that can change the purchase or build plan.

Planning questions

Short, source-backed answers surface rack fit, power, cabling, and connection details before they become surprises.

How will the Focusrite RedNet D16R MkII affect rack fit and case depth?

It occupies 1U. Its documented depth is 235 mm.

How much power does the Focusrite RedNet D16R MkII draw?

Typical draw is 25W and documented maximum draw is 35W.

What connections does the Focusrite RedNet D16R MkII have?

9 documented physical ports, including AES3 In 1-8 (DB25), AES3 In 9-16 (DB25), AES3 Out 1-8 (DB25), AES3 Out 9-16 (DB25), Dante Primary, Dante Secondary.

07 · See this unit inside a real rack plan.

Builder preview

Placement is only the start. Builder checks space · depth · weight, power headroom, dependencies, and compatible signal paths around this exact catalog item.Open in Builder
RedNet D16R MkII positioned in a rack planA simplified plan shows the unit taking 1 rack units, with its documented connection path continuing to a planned destination.FocusriteRedNet D16R MkIICONNECTED GEARnext signal destination1U · 235 mm deep

08 · Related gear, in the order you may need it.

Planning guides for dante converter systems.