GLOBAL: In 2026, Audinate Group Limited will mark the 20th anniversary of Dante, its industry-leading AV-over-IP platform that has fundamentally transformed how audio and video are distributed, managed, and scaled across professional environments worldwide.

Originally developed to simplify the complexity of digital audio networking, Dante emerged at a time when proprietary systems and rigid infrastructures limited interoperability and flexibility. What began as a bold technical proposition has since evolved into the de facto standard for AV-over-IP, trusted by manufacturers, integrators, and end users across live sound, commercial installations, education, and broadcast applications. Two decades on, Dante’s footprint extends across millions of devices from hundreds of manufacturers, underscoring its role as a cornerstone technology for future-ready AV infrastructures.

“Twenty years ago, Dante didn’t just solve a technical challenge. It redefined what was possible for AV,” said Aidan Williams, Chief Executive Officer at Audinate. “What began as a better way to move high-quality audio reliably and easily over IP has become a platform that underpins today’s AV systems. This milestone validates our vision, the sustained collaboration of our partners, and the depth and commitment of the global Dante community.”

Since its introduction to the market in 2006, connecting uncompressed, low-latency audio over standard IP networks, Dante has followed a steady trajectory of innovation that mirrors the broader evolution of professional AV. Early adoption milestones included the Dolby Lake Processor becoming the first Dante-enabled device in 2008, followed by the launch of Dante Virtual Soundcard in 2010, which brought Dante connectivity directly to computers. By 2012, leading brands such as Yamaha, Focusrite, Shure, Harman, and Allen & Heath had embraced the platform, accelerating its adoption across multiple market segments.

The integration of Dante directly into hardware marked another turning point in 2014, when the Yamaha CL Series became the first console with Dante built in. This was followed by the launch of the Dante Certification Program in 2016, which helped cultivate a global community of trained audio networking professionals, and the introduction of Dante Domain Manager in 2017, enabling enterprise-grade control and security for larger networked systems.

Audinate continued to expand Dante’s reach and functionality with the launch of Dante AVIO Adapters in 2018, simplifying connectivity between legacy equipment and IP networks, and Dante AV in 2019, extending the platform’s capabilities into networked video. In 2020, Dante’s industry impact was formally recognised when it received a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award, highlighting its role in reshaping broadcast and media workflows.

Recent years have seen Dante scale to unprecedented levels. In 2023, Audinate manufactured and shipped more than 1,000,000 Dante devices in a single year, a company record that reflects the platform’s global penetration. The introduction of Dante Director in 2024 further strengthened Dante’s cloud-based credentials, enabling the remote management of Dante devices from any manufacturer, while 2025 saw the launch of Dante AVIO Adapters specifically designed for the installation market.

Today, Dante’s open ecosystem and commitment to reliability continue to drive its adoption across an increasingly diverse range of applications. Its ability to deliver seamless interoperability across products, manufacturers, and workflows has made it a foundational technology for organisations navigating the convergence of AV and IT.

Looking ahead, Audinate remains focused on advancing the Dante platform to address emerging requirements, including cloud workflows, enhanced security, and deeper integration across IT and AV environments. For the company, the 20-year milestone is as much about the future as it is about the past.

“Reaching 20 years is not just about celebrating the past,” Williams added. “It’s about reaffirming our commitment to innovation and ensuring Dante continues to enable the next generation of AV experiences, making them simpler to deploy, easier to manage, and more powerful than ever.”