Symetrix has launched SymNet Composer 3.0, an update to the manufacturer’s award-winning open architecture design software. Version 3.0 has built upon the native support of Audinate’s Dante media networking technology for select third-party devices in earlier releases, and extends support of market-leading products thanks to new partnerships with Shure Inc. and Audio-Technica.

Now, integrators can streamline their set-up procedures and achieve network discovery, Dante signal routing, and audio set-up of supported third-party devices from the two new manufacturers alongside Attero Tech and Stewart Audio with a single piece of software.

“The previous version of Composer was genuinely groundbreaking because it meant less software to keep up-to-date and less jumping between different items of software,” says Trent Wagner, Senior Product Manager at Symetrix. “Since launch, integrators have consistently told us that it is saving them both time and money. Now, with SymNet Composer 3.0, we are delighted to be able to extend this ease of configuration to several other market-leading products and make it possible for a Dante-based system to be configured quickly and easily from input to amplifier through a single software program.”

For Shure users, SymNet Composer 3.0 brings the MXWAPT4 and MXWAPT8 access point transceivers from Shure’s Microflex™ Wireless range into the SymNet fold.

Chad Wiggins, Director of Networked Audio Systems, Global Product Management at Shure Incorporated, emphasizes the benefits of the integration for one specific market segment: “Symetrix provides a great conference room solution with its SymNet Radius and Edge line of DSP processors, and we think they pair nicely with our Microflex™ Wireless microphone system which excels in that application environment. The audio and control interoperability of these two products gives our integrators a powerful tool to easily design flexible, feature-rich audio systems.”

SymNet Composer 3.0 also adds native Dante configuration for two leading products from another prominent microphone manufacturer, Audio-Technica. The two supported items are the ATND971 Dante-enabled cardioid condenser boundary microphone and the ATND8677 Dante-enabled microphone desk stand, which can be used with any gooseneck microphone sporting a three-pin XLRM-type output connector.

Gary Dixon, Sales Engineer, Installed Sound at Audio-Technica US, remarks: “With the integration of Audio-Technica and Symetrix technologies, the microphone becomes the ‘user interface’ for the AV system. It is able to capture audio, transmit a user button press and provide visual feedback for the end-user – all over category cable utilizing standard networking protocols. This means reducing the equipment specified by the consultant and simplifying the on-site wiring for the installer. The signal routing and control signals can be designed, tested and implemented virtually. Ultimately, the AV designer can be more creative in controlling how the end-user interacts with the system.”

The new version of SymNet Composer also includes a number of Window Management (Composer UI) Framework improvements, giving the user greater freedom to move pallets to any side of the screen they desire, resize them in place and nest them into tabbed pallets. It is also possible to create specific menu bars for frequently accessed commands and customize toolbars to keep preferred shortcuts at hand.

Symetrix founder and CEO Dane Butcher comments: “Our overriding objective at Symetrix is to make integrators’ lives easier, and it is clear that requirement will gain significance as we move into the world of comprehensive A/V networking. With SymNet Composer 3.0, I believe that we have taken our support of integrators to a new and higher level.”

SymNet Radius 12×8 EX

Alongside the introduction of SymNet Composer 3.0, Symetrix also launched the SymNet Radius 12×8 EX. An upgrade to the popular SymNet Radius 12×8 DSP, the new version features the addition of an expansion slot which, when utilized, increases the total audio input/output count from 20 to 24 in the same 1U format.

In a development that boosts the future-proofing of an installation by allowing for subsequent expansion by simple I/O card addition, SymNet Radius 12×8 EX supports an array of optional SymNet cards, including analog, digital, AEC and telephone. A dedicated Migration Tool allows those with previous designs or work-in-progress using Radius 12×8 to easily convert their files to use the Radius 12×8 EX hardware without any further modifications or extra work.

SymNet 2 Line VoIP Interface Card

Also available is the 2 Line VoIP Interface Card, which is an Asterisk®- and Cisco®-compatible plug-in card for the SymNet Edge and Radius DSPs that natively integrates with SIP-based call platforms and unified communications environments. Designed to be easy to deploy and manage, the 2 Line VoIP Interface Card is suited for a variety of conferencing, paging, remote monitoring and broadcast applications.