Studio Technologies launches Model 791 Control Console for Dante monitoring

The introduction of this console addresses a specific friction point in broadcast environments where full-featured control surfaces are overkill for secondary listening positions. By allowing up to three units to interface with a single central controller, Studio Technologies provides a cost-effective way to scale monitoring access without duplicating expensive hardware. This move reinforces the industry shift toward Dante-based audio-over-IP ecosystems that prioritize modularity and simplified cabling. Watch for how this integration impacts the adoption rates of the broader StudioComm for Dante platform in multi-room post-production suites.

Studio Technologies operates within a rapidly growing ecosystem of Dante-based audio-over-IP products that have become standard in broadcast and post-production facilities. The Dante protocol, developed by Audinate, has seen widespread adoption across the professional audio industry, with over 3,000 Dante-enabled products now available from more than 600 manufacturers as of 2026, spanning consoles, interfaces, amplifiers, and signal processors. This breadth of compatible hardware means that StudioComm for Dante controllers like those paired with the Model 791 can integrate into facilities already running Dante networks without requiring additional protocol bridges or format converters.

The professional audio hardware market has seen increased consolidation and strategic positioning around IP-based workflows. At IBC2026, multiple vendors showcased Dante-compatible monitoring and control solutions, reflecting the broader industry migration from analog and AES/EBU monitoring chains to networked audio infrastructure that reduces cabling complexity and enables remote production workflows. Studio Technologies, founded by Gordon Kapes, has maintained a focused product line targeting the intersection of broadcast intercom and monitoring, a niche that larger console manufacturers have largely ceded. The company's strategy of building modular accessories that extend the reach of its central controllers mirrors approaches seen in the video routing space, where secondary control panels allow operators in adjacent rooms to access the same signal paths without duplicating expensive matrix hardware.

Technical specifications for Dante-based monitoring systems have matured significantly, with latency figures now consistently below 1 millisecond for standard Dante configurations at 48 kHz sample rates, making them suitable for real-time broadcast monitoring where even slight delays can disrupt presenter cueing and quality control workflows. The Model 791's RS-485 connection to StudioComm controllers represents a deliberate design choice: rather than consuming a Dante channel for control data, the console uses a lightweight serial protocol that preserves network bandwidth for audio streams. This approach aligns with best practices recommended by broadcast systems integrators who note that separating control and audio planes reduces network congestion in facilities running hundreds of Dante streams simultaneously. For facilities evaluating the Model 791, the practical implication is that adding secondary monitoring positions does not increase Dante license requirements or switch port utilization beyond what the central controller already demands.

For related background, see StreamingMeme's prior coverage of Jason Bache proves portable broadcast rig configuration matches studio quality.