AVN-CU1
DanteĀ® Commentary Unit for 1 Commentator
The AVN-CU1 adds to the Sonifex range of Dante commentary units with a simple to use, single microphone/headphone combination with a full feature set and a low price point.
AVN-CU1
DanteĀ® Commentary Unit for 1 Commentator
The AVN-CU1 is a DanteĀ® commentary unit designed for a single commentator, combining professional broadcast functionality with an intuitive, compact interface. Expanding the Sonifex range of Dante commentary solutions, it offers a easy to use, straightforward microphone and headphone setup while maintaining a comprehensive feature set at a cost-effective price point.
Designed for ease of use in live sports and studio environments, the AVN-CU1 provides clear control over monitoring and routing. The integrated headphone amplifier features five inputs; three Dante talkback channels, Dante programme audio, and sidetone, each with its own dedicated level control via individual potentiometers. Audio output routing is managed using illuminated pushbuttons, providing clear visual feedback of signal paths.
An OLED display enables simple setup and configuration, while a high-impact LED bar graph ensures clear daylight metering. Additional visual indicators include per-source headphone routing status and subtle downlighting to show operational states at a glance.
It has redundant Primary and Secondary Dante network ports on EtherCON RJ45s as well as two SFP transceiver ports and is powered by dual PoE or a 12V DC input. The audio compressor/limiter has been specifically optimised for speech applications. A high-pass filter is positioned ahead of the compressor stage to prevent unwanted low-frequency transients, such as handling noise or microphone thumps, from triggering unnecessary gain reduction. The compressor threshold is adjustable from 0dB to ā40dBFS, providing flexibility to accommodate a wide range of incoming signal levels.
Product Features
4 channel Dante AoIP.
Potentiometers control mix levels of up to five sources into the userās headphones: Sidetone, Programme, Talkback A, B and C.
Sources (except for sidetone) are accompanied by an illuminated push button that routes the mic/line input to the relevant Dante output (On Air, T/B, A, B, and C).
Push buttons have removable caps, allowing you to change the text for your specific application.
A scribble pad spans all buttons to allow quick and easy source or destination labelling.
Sources, (except for sidetone), are accompanied by a 3-position toggle switch to route audio to the left, right or both channels of the headphone output.
The GPIO button can be used to call for technical help, identify users, or for your own remote function.
An OLED display for configuration, status indication (Clock, Link, PoE and DC) and active metering scale of the bar graph meter (dBFS/VU).
A rotary encoder is used to navigate the menu and adjust settings.
A curved LED meter displays the audio output level, offering daylight visibility with a user-selectable scale (VU or dBFS).
RGB LED downlighting under the unit indicates status (e.g. ON AIR), or can simply provide decorative lighting.
Compressor/Limiter on the microphone stage.
Typical Applications
Product Category
Dante CommentaryTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Network & AoIP | |
|---|---|
| AoIP Standard | Dante |
| Number of Channels | 4 receive, 4 transmit |
| Number of Streams | 2 receive, 2 transmit |
| Sample Rate | 48 kHz |
| Format | Linear PCM, 16, 24 or 32 bit |
| AES67 Support | Yes |
| Connectivity | 2 x RJ45 and 2 x SFP |
| Speed | 1Gbps or 100Mbps |
| Network Modes | Switched or redundant |
| Dante Domain Manager Ready | Yes |
Mic/Line Inputs | |
| Input Impedance (Mic Mode) | 2.5kā¦ electronically balanced |
| Input Impedance (Line Mode) | >10kā¦ electronically balanced |
| Preamp Gain (Mic Mode) | User selectable 16dB to 76dB in 3dB steps (Ref. +18dBu = 0dBFS) |
| 0dBFS Line-up (Mic Mode) | -58dBu @ Max preamp gain, +2dBu @ Min preamp gain |
| 0dBFS Line-up (Line Mode) | User selectable +15dBu / +18dBu / +20dBu / +22dBu / +24dBu = 0dBFS |
| Frequency Response (Mic Mode) | +0/-0.2dB 20Hz to 20kHz Ref 40dB gain @ 1kHz |
| Frequency Response (Line Mode) | +0/-0.2dB 20Hz to 20kHz Ref 0dBu @ 1kHz |
| THD+N (Mic Mode) | <-90dBFS, -64dBFS, 20Hz ā 20kHz, 40dB gain, 20kHz BW |
| THD+N (Line Mode) | <-98dBFS, -30dBFS, 20Hz ā 20kHz, 20kHz BW |
| Equivalent Input Noise (Mic Mode): | 125dB Ref. 76dB preamp gain, Rs = 200ā¦ |
| Noise (Line Mode): | <-100dBFS, 20kHz BW, Rs = 200ā¦ |
| C.M.R.R | >60dB @ 1kHz |
| Phantom Power (Mic Mode) | +48V |
| High Pass Filter | 12dB/octave, user selectable frequency |
| Compressor | Threshold: -40dBFS to 0dBFS |
| Ratio: 4:1 | |
| Attack Time: ~50ms | |
| Release Time: ~400ms | |
| Limiter | Threshold: -40dBFS to 0dBFS |
| Ratio : ā:1 | |
Headphone Output | |
| Drive Capability | Drives 150mW into 32ā¦ to 600ā¦ headphones |
| 0dBFS Line-up | -20dBFS = +18dBu Ref. Single Dante source, volume pot = maximum, master HP level = 0dB |
| Frequency Response | +0/-0.2dB 20Hz to 20kHz Ref 0dBu @ 1kHz |
| THD+N | <-107dBFS, -30dBFS, 20Hz ā 20kHz, 20kHz BW |
| Noise | <-110dBFS, 20kHz BW |
Main Panel Operational Controls & Indicators | |
| Meter | 21 segment display showing output level. Scale selectable (PPM or VU). Brightness selectable. Monitoring point selectable (Pre or Post DSP). |
| Pushbuttons | 5 x Illuminated buttons that can be configured to momentary, latching or auto action and selectable colours. Brightness is selectable. 1 x GPIO button 1 x On-Air button 3 x T/B buttons (T/B A, B & C) |
| Display | 128 x 64 pixel white OLED display showing status, signal presence, HP level and configuration menu. |
| Headphone Monitor Controls | Input source level adjustment potentiometers Headphone channel selection switches |
| Rotary Encoders | 1 x robust soft touch rotary encoder for master HP level control, display page and menu navigation |
Rear Panel Connections | |
| Power LED | Illuminates red when power is present |
| Headphone Outputs: | 1 x Ā¼ā (6.35mm) stereo jack socket 1 x 3.5mm stereo jack socket Outputs are paralleled |
| Microphone/Line Input | 1 x Neutrik 3 pin latching XLR socket |
| Phantom Power LED | Illuminates red when phantom power is enabled |
| Microphone Output | Direct output of the mic/line input post pre-amp. 1 x Neutrik 3 pin XLR plug |
| GPIO Port | 15-way āDā-type socket |
| DC Input | Neutrik 4 pin XLR plug, 12VDC, Maximum 12W |
PoE Power | |
| Standard | 802.3af |
| Class | 0 |
| PD Power Range | 0.44 W to 12.94 W |
| Typical PSE Power Usage | TBC |
| Max PSE Power Usage | 15.4 W |
Equipment Type | |
| AVN-CU1 | Dante Commentary Unit for 1 Commentator |
Physical Specification | |
| Dimensions (Raw) | 13cm (W) x 18.5cm (D) x 9cm (H) |
| Dimensions (Boxed) | 18.1cm (W) x 24.5cm (D) x 15.2cm (H) |
| Weights | Nett: 0.9kg Gross: 1.1kg |
Accessories | |
| AVN-DCX60 | DC Power Supply for AVN Range, 4 pin XLR socket, 60W |
| CM-TC1 (Case Only) | Commentary Transport Case |
| CM-GM2 | Professional Gooseneck Condenser Microphone |
SUPPORT
| AVN-CU1 Handbook V1.01 | [Download] |
Brochures
| Click to visit the brochures page. |
Declarations
| Click to visit the declarations page. |
| Version | V1.4.2902 | Date | 24/02/2026 | [Download] |
| Full release notes for all firmware versions | [Download] |
