Merging Technologies HAPI MKIII adds Dante compatibility to modular audio networking
Merging Technologies has launched the HAPI MKIII, a 1U modular networked audio interface that supports RAVENNA, AES67, ST 2110, and NMOS standards. The device features two expansion slots for flexible I/O connectivity and provides optional Dante compatibility via a licensed upgrade.
Key Takeaways
- Modular architecture includes two expansion slots supporting analog, digital, MADI, and Pro Tools DigiLink V3 cards.
- Integrated support for broadcast standards including ST 2110, ST 2022-7 redundancy, NMOS, and LAWO HOME.
- Internal routing engine handles up to 256 network audio channels in RAVENNA/AES67 mode and 64 Dante channels.
- Hardware supports high-resolution formats up to DSD256 and 384kHz PCM with near-zero latency of less than 1ms.
- Dante Ready licensing offers optional 16x16 or 64x64 I/O configurations through Audinate's activation utility.
Why It Matters
The HAPI MKIII resolves long-standing protocol fragmentation in professional audio networking by bridging the RAVENNA/AES67 and Dante ecosystems in a single hardware unit. For broadcasters and streaming facilities migrating to IP-based infrastructures, this interoperability reduces the need for expensive format gateways and simplifies management via NMOS. The incorporation of ST 2110-30 and ST 2022-7 ensures the device meets the stringent redundancy requirements of live streaming and remote production. Watch for further consolidation between Merging and Neumann's product lines as the Sennheiser-owned brands unify their IP-based monitoring and capture portfolios through 2026.
Additional Context
The HAPI MKIII launch marks a major milestone in the integration of Merging Technologies into the Sennheiser Group. Following the 2022 acquisition, Merging officially fully rebranded as Neumann as of July 2026, per avcat Japan. This unification brings Merging’s networked audio expertise directly to Neumann's studio monitor and microphone lines, aiming to create a complete reference-quality signal chain for immersive audio production. Technically, the MKIII utilizes the ZMAN ARM-based audio network module originally developed for the Anubis interface. According to Reporting from InBroadcast in late 2025, this hardware core allowed Merging to introduce the PT64 V3 card, which emulates legacy Pro Tools HD I/O latencies. This gives streaming and post-production facilities a modular path to integrate Pro Tools HDX systems into modern AoIP fabrics without changing their existing DAW workflows. Broadly, the adoption of Dante Ready represents a significant strategic shift for Merging. Historically anchored in the RAVENNA and AES67 standards, the company’s decision to offer optional Audinate licensing responds to the dominance of Dante in the live sound and installation sectors, where over 4,000 devices are currently certified. Per Audinate’s May 2026 updates, the Dante Ready program is increasingly used by hardware manufacturers to lower base manufacturing costs while allowing end-users to pay for only the network channel capacity they require for specific projects.
Read full article at awave.com.au
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