Witness Dante's Mastery on Providence Park's Soccer Field in Portland
### Dante Transforms Providence Park's Audio Experience
Dante, a cutting-edge networked audio protocol, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the audio experience at Providence Park, the oldest soccer-specific stadium for an MLS team. This technology serves as the backbone of the stadium's audio systems, delivering high-quality, flexible, and accessible sound for all fans and events.
#### Core Functions of Dante
At Providence Park, Dante is responsible for transporting audio signals digitally, replacing legacy analog systems. This network connects microphones, mixing consoles, public address (PA) systems, and broadcast equipment, ensuring pristine audio delivery from the field to every corner of the venue.
The stadium uses Shure AD4D wireless receivers paired with Shure Axient microphones to capture field audio, which is transmitted over Dante to Yamaha QL5 and QL1 mixing consoles. These consoles handle mixing, processing, and routing for live sound, broadcasting, and special events.
Dante's flexibility is showcased through its ability to integrate with external vendors and partners via AVIO adapters, converting analog signals for inclusion in the digital network. This integration is crucial for large-scale, multi-purpose venues like Providence Park, hosting everything from soccer matches to concerts and graduations.
#### Broadcast and Streaming
The AV system, powered by Dante, feeds multiple camera angles and audio streams to top-tier streaming services, enhancing the experience for remote viewers. This setup is vital for MLS and NWSL matches, where reliable, high-quality broadcast is essential.
#### Enhanced Fan Experience and Accessibility
Providence Park has implemented an assisted listening program from Listen Technologies to cater to fans with hearing impairments. Dante enables the stadium to route different audio feeds—such as radio commentary, Spanish-language broadcasts, or television audio—directly to assisted listening devices.
#### Operational Impact
Dante has simplified the workflow for production staff by streamlining signal routing and reducing the physical infrastructure required for complex audio setups. This reliability is critical during high-profile matches and events with thousands of attendees.
The move to Dante positions Providence Park to easily adopt new technologies and scale its audio infrastructure as needed, supporting both current demands and future expansions.
#### Looking Ahead: Dante Domain Manager
In the future, Providence Park plans to implement Dante Domain Manager to improve the management of its AV systems, increase security, and segmentation of duties. This expansion will further enhance the reliability and flexibility of the stadium's audio systems, ensuring a top-tier experience for all events.
#### Table: The Role of Dante at Providence Park
| Function | Role of Dante at Providence Park | Benefit | |---------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | Audio Transport | Digital backbone for all audio signals | High quality, low latency, reliability | | Integration | Connects mics, consoles, PA, vendors | Flexibility, interoperability | | Broadcast/Streaming | Feeds live audio to multiple platforms | Enhanced remote viewing experience | | Accessibility | Routes feeds to assisted listening | Inclusive experience for all fans | | Operations | Simplifies routing and reduces errors | Easier workflows, future-ready |
In essence, Dante is not just a technical upgrade but a transformative element that elevates the audio experience at Providence Park, making it more dynamic, accessible, and professional for every event.
The implementation of Dante at Providence Park enhances the ability to broadcast and stream MLS and NWSL matches, providing high-quality audio to remote viewers.
The digital network within the stadium, connected to various products like mixing consoles and Shure microphones through Shure AD4D receivers, offers flexibility, integrating with external vendors and partners.
Furthermore, the use of Dante enables improved accessibility for fans with hearing impairments, allowing for different audio feeds to be routed directly to assisted listening devices, catering to these individuals' needs.
