Focusrite has announced a major update to its RedNet Control software system that provides remote control for products in the company's RedNet range of Dante-based audio-over-IP systems. RedNet users the world over are employing and planning ever-larger RedNet systems, and RedNet Control 2.0 was developed in response to this trend.

What Is In RedNet Control 2.0?

Based around a web browser-like tabbed graphical interface, RedNet Control 2.0 is designed to handle the largest RedNet system, with the ability to control up to 600 RedNet devices, which represents up to 9600 Dante audio channels. Units available in the system can be dragged and dropped from a sidebar list into a grid on a tab. Each tab can display up to 12 devices, and up to 50 tabs can be defined.

Devices can be grouped logically and intuitively on each page: a multi-location system may now be rolled out with a tab representing each area of a facility, for example. 

Individual devices in the Device List sidebar are displayed in italics when they have been assigned to a tab. Right-clicking a device enables it to be identified and renamed. The device list can be filtered to display only devices that meet certain criteria - such as sample rate, devices that are not currently in a tab, and other criteria. The device list is also searchable.

Tabs in the main screen area can contain either 6 or 12 devices depending on the level of detail required. New devices can be added to a tab by dragging from the device sidebar and dropping, and when released they can either replace the existing device in the tab or move everything to the right. Alternatively, the system can populate tabs automatically with devices in the device list. Tab contents can be managed easily with a drop-down menu.

Individual devices are shown graphically, and RedNet Control 2.0 allows for improved device monitoring, metering and control of the vast majority of device parameters as well as allowing devices to be locked or unlocked for access control.

When Will RedNet Control 2.0 Be Available?

RedNet Control 2.0 on show at AES Los Angeles and will be available as a free upgrade for all RedNet users from December 2016.

What Do We Think?

Anyone who has used the control software for networked audio devices will be aware that as the complexity of the system increases so does the need for clear thinking as there is a very thin line between being in perfect control of your routing and staring blankly at the screen wondering why it's not working.

By offering the option to subdivide the presentation of a complex network into logical groups and the huge channel count which can be addressed mean that even the biggest RedNet systems (and some systems are getting very large) can be managed. I look forward to trying this update. Hardware as good as RedNet deserves the best software to control it.