Overview
Iris Studio offers robust support for professional audio workflows, including the integration of external audio mixers, mixing consoles, Dante devices, and USB interfaces. Whether you're running live sound for a hybrid event or capturing studio audio through a mixing desk, Iris provides a streamlined path for ingesting and routing your audio sources.
This article explains how to integrate your audio mixer with Iris Studio via USB, Dante AVIO adapters, or network-based audio sources, and how Iris automatically discovers and lists these sources through the Iris Bridge using OS-level audio device detection.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Launch Iris Studio and Select Your Studio
Open Iris Studio, log in, and choose your organization and studio from the dropdown in the top-left corner.
Confirm your Iris Bridge is linked and online. This is critical for hardware discovery and ingest routing.
Navigate to the Source Tray on the left side of the UI.
2. Connect Your Audio Mixer to the Iris Bridge
Depending on your mixer type and signal routing, connect using one of the following supported workflows:
A. USB Audio Mixers
Many mixers (e.g., Yamaha MGXU, Behringer X32, PreSonus StudioLive) feature built-in USB interfaces.
Use a USB A-to-B, USB-C, or appropriate adapter cable to connect your mixer to the Iris Bridge.
The mixer should now appear as an audio device in the OS-level settings of your Iris Bridge.
Example: A Behringer X32 connected via USB will appear as “X32 Audio Interface” in your computer’s sound panel and in Iris.
B. Dante AVIO (Analog or USB-to-Network)
For Dante-enabled audio mixers or analog mixers with Dante AVIO:
Plug the Dante AVIO USB-C adapter into your Iris Bridge.
Or connect the Dante AVIO (analog input or output) directly to the same subnet as the Iris Bridge via Ethernet.
Use Audinate’s Dante Controller software to verify and route the Dante channels.
Iris will detect the Dante source as a network audio device if it’s mapped to the host OS.
Important: Iris discovers devices at the OS level, so if the Dante stream appears as an audio input/output to the host system, it can be ingested.
3. Add the Audio Source in Iris Studio
Once your audio mixer is properly connected and recognized by the operating system:
In Iris Studio, open the Source Tray.
Click the plus icon (+) or any empty source frame to open the Add New Source panel.
Select the Audio tab.
From the list of available audio input devices, choose the name corresponding to your connected mixer or Dante device.
Example names might include:
“X32 Audio Interface”
“PreSonus USB Audio”
“Focusrite Scarlett”
“Dante Virtual Soundcard” or “AVIO Adapter”
Click Add, and the source will now appear in your audio tray on the left-hand side.
Tip: If the device doesn’t appear, confirm that it shows up in your operating system’s audio input list. If it’s not visible there, Iris will not be able to detect it.
How It Works and What to Expect
Iris bridges audio inputs from the OS layer, meaning any hardware device recognized by your system’s audio settings can be ingested.
Audio levels and signal flow are managed externally, your mixer or Dante controller determines signal routing, preamp gain, EQ, fader levels, etc..
Once added, the audio source behaves like any other input, monitorable, routable, and available for presets and sync.
Iris does not modify your mixer's settings, use your console or digital interface for all routing and signal control.
Tips, Limitations, and Best Practices
Label your audio sources clearly in the Source Tray (e.g., “FOH Program,” “Host Mic Console”).
Test your USB or Dante routing before a live event, and confirm audio connections at the OS level.
Use Dante Controller to verify your signal flow to the Iris Studio .
Ensure the Iris Bridge uses a consistent network configuration, especially when working with Dante or AVB audio protocols.
Avoid using generic USB hubs for critical audio connections; they may introduce clocking or recognition issues.
Dante networks require stable IPs, use static assignments or DHCP reservations for AVIO devices.
Iris is limited in its Audio Mixing Capabilities as compared to external consoles, plan well in advance for the best fit for your production.
FAQs
1. Does Iris offer control over my audio mixer's EQ or faders?
No. Iris only ingests the signal you provide it from your mixer. All routing, gain, and effects must be configured pre-send.
2. What if my USB mixer isn’t showing up in Iris?
Check if the device is visible in your operating system’s audio input settings. If your OS doesn’t recognize it, Iris won’t either. Begin there for troubleshooting further.
3. Can I use Dante devices over Wi-Fi?
We do not recommend this. Dante is designed for wired connections and relies on consistent latency and time sync, which Wi-Fi cannot guarantee.
4. Can I ingest multiple audio channels from my mixer?
Yes, however the Iris Platform is currently limited to one channel per input source. We are working hard to create multi-channel source integration. Stay tuned!!! {please let our Product team know if you caught that pun in the help center chat}
5. Is there a way to monitor audio levels in Iris?
Yes. Once the audio source is added, you can monitor levels visually in the Source Trays.
6. What audio sample rate and bit depth does Iris support?
Iris supports standard OS-level rates such as 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz at 16- or 24-bit.
7. Can I use an aggregate audio device or multi-output device?
Yes, but only if it appears to the operating system as a unified audio output. Be cautious of clocking issues with aggregate setups.
Use Cases
1. Ingesting FOH Program Mix from a USB Console
Plug your USB mixer directly into the Iris Bridge, add it as a source, and label it “Program Mix.” Use for broadcast or archive audio.
2. Routing Stage Mics from Dante AVIO Adapters
Patch stage mic signals into analog-to-Dante AVIO boxes, connect them to the Iris Bridge subnet, and assign inputs via Dante Controller.
3. Redundant Audio Paths with Dante + USB
Connect both a Dante stream and USB from the same mixer to the bridge for redundancy; if one fails, the other can be used.
4. Ingesting Multi-Zone Mixes for Language or Audience Splits
Use separate outputs from the mixer or Dante matrix to create zone-specific mixes for different Iris compositions.
Integrating Iris Studio with an external audio mixer ensures significant workflow enhancement without compromising quality. Whether via USB, Dante, or another digital interface, Iris automatically recognizes audio hardware at the OS level and lets you ingest it cleanly for monitoring, recording, and broadcast. With proper setup, your audio mixer becomes a seamless part of the Iris signal path, capable of handling complex, multi-source production environments.