ESI Planet 22X Audio Dante Interface

Everything to do with the Dante Audio Networking aspect of the digital eco-system
Post Reply
User avatar
MJKlein
Site Admin
Posts: 1018
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2021 12:08 pm
Location: Hukou, Taiwan
Contact:

ESI Planet 22X Audio Dante Interface

Post by MJKlein »

As some of you know, I use my X32 as the main audio interface to my DAW. I do not use the master bus in the DAW (Reaper) and I monitor via the console Control Room system and the Behringer Studio XL monitor controller.

Since I have the Reaper tracks routed 1:1 and there are 32 channels of Dante networking on the X-Dante card, I lose track playback ability when I use local inputs on the X32, rather than Dante card inputs. Working around that and using the Aux channels to monitor those card inputs can be troublesome. Depending upon what is going on, there is a lot of Input/Output routing going on.

This new device is arriving tomorrow: https://www.thomann.de/gb/esi_planet_22x.htm

It is a 2 x 2 stereo audio interface similar to what one would normally use with USB, but Dante enabled. Mic/Line with phantom power, master level, headphone level, combo jacks, external power supply or PoE - this is just what I have been looking for. I can keep my X32 channels on card inputs and bring external signals into the Dante network with this device and simply select that device as the recording input to tracks in Reaper. Also, since this is a 2 x 2 interface, I can also bring back 2 Dante channels into 2, X32 Aux inputs from Reaper. The possibilities are interesting, such as bringing in a stereo reverb bus from Reaper (without losing any of the 32 track mixing capability) or any other 2 tracks from the Dante network. There is even one very cool use for this device for those who use their console for mixing and not the DAW master bus: you can send the output of the Mixdown stereo track in the DAW into this device on 2 Dante channels and put the outputs on the monitor controller. This will allow the use of plugins on the mixdown track similar to how one would apply those plugins to the master bus. So, you can simply switch your monitor controller to those inputs and hears what's going to your mixdown track. Great for mastering too.

I'll share some experiences with this device very soon as I'm very actively engaged in several projects and I will be implementing this device about an hour after I get the box open!

Bonus! This device also comes with a license for DVS!
湖口鄉新竹縣台灣 Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
Behringer X32/Dante + Soundcraft Ghost + X32ReaperAutoMate
English/中文
This site is hosted at Dathorn: https://dathorn.com/index.php?r=489
https://www.youtube.com/@phoenixmediaforge
User avatar
GaryH
Posts: 937
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2021 8:19 pm

Re: ESI Planet 22X Audio Dante Interface

Post by GaryH »

Super nice! Keep us posted.
User avatar
MJKlein
Site Admin
Posts: 1018
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2021 12:08 pm
Location: Hukou, Taiwan
Contact:

Re: ESI Planet 22X Audio Dante Interface

Post by MJKlein »

First impressions:

This thing is tiny! The knobs have detents and are stepped. Apparently that gives greater accuracy. There is no secondary Dante network port. I connected it up last night and set the bit/sample rate and connected it via Dante Controller. It's 2 input channels are now available in Reaper. It has level controls on the front panel and I/O on the rear panel, except for the headphone jack (1/4").

I have it sitting on top of my ART tube mic pre/compressor and I'm going to use it with that device for some vocal work in a few days. Before I get to doing that I'll be plugging my Zoom guitar pedal into the Line input directly to Reaper via Dante and cutting some guitar tracks. No need to take up any channels on the X32.

The fact that this thing comes with a new DVS license is awesome. Anyone who is interested in using Dante instead of USB for recording can instantly get to work with this device. This also means I can use one of my older laptops with DVS and Reaper in a conventional Master Bus configuration and get recordings in the field.

I case anyone is wondering, I love Dante!
湖口鄉新竹縣台灣 Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan
Behringer X32/Dante + Soundcraft Ghost + X32ReaperAutoMate
English/中文
This site is hosted at Dathorn: https://dathorn.com/index.php?r=489
https://www.youtube.com/@phoenixmediaforge
Post Reply

Return to “Dante Audio Networking”