In a month brimming with energy, forward momentum, and significant product evolution, Sonifex once again underscores its position as a trusted and innovative force in the broadcast audio space. With fresh firmware upgrades, new product developments, expanded global show participation, and a look at their refreshed promotional media, April 2025 was anything but quiet for the Northamptonshire-based manufacturer.
Let’s unpack the highlights.
London Calling: Sonifex at MPTS 2025
Set against the backdrop of London’s bustling tech scene, Sonifex is preparing to exhibit at the MPTS Show 2025 with a full team of leadership and product specialists. Attending the stand will be Richard Butlin (Head of Sales), Craig Throssell (Technical Director), Luke Bradshaw (R&D Director), and CEO Marcus Brooke himself.
With decades of collective experience, the Sonifex team will be on hand to walk visitors through their expanding range of AoIP commentary units, embedders/de-embedders, and other core solutions. Attendees are encouraged to book dedicated time via sales@sonifex.co.uk to ensure a focused, in-depth discussion on product capabilities or upcoming projects.
Meanwhile, globetrotter Eamonn Heffernan will be representing the brand at CABSAT in Dubai, Broadcast Asia in Singapore, and Palm Expo in Mumbai, signalling the company’s sustained commitment to emerging and established markets across Asia and the Middle East.
Coming Soon: A New Dante Multi-Channel Release
Just when you thought the AoIP range couldn’t get more comprehensive, Sonifex drops a tantalising teaser: a new Dante multi-channel product is nearing release, scheduled for June 2025. No spoilers just yet—but if history is anything to go by, expect a well-engineered solution that brings both innovation and rock-solid reliability to the broadcast workflow.
New Models: Native RAVENNA Support with CU2-RAV & CU4-RAV
In a significant step towards wider interoperability, Sonifex is now offering native RAVENNA/AES67 support in their flagship AoIP commentator units. The newly launched AVN-CU2-RAV and AVN-CU4-RAV provide the same customisable experience as their Dante siblings, but with added flexibility for broadcasters standardising around RAVENNA and AES67 protocols.
Engineered with versatility in mind, these units feature a powerful mix engine and user-configurable routing, with seamless integration between AoIP and physical I/O. Programmable buttons and rotary encoders allow precise control over gain, pan, and monitoring—all with optional manual or remote operation, and robust lockout features for live environments.
Notably, the CU2-RAV and CU4-RAV models offer full support for SMPTE ST2022-7 redundancy, PTP (Precision Time Protocol), and configuration protocols like NMOS, SAP, and JSON, ensuring smooth deployment in complex broadcast ecosystems.
CU1 Enhancements: Smarter, Sharper, Stronger
The popular AVN-CU1 Dante Commentator Unit has undergone a notable firmware refresh, bringing sharper functionality and usability to its already battle-proven design.
Among the headline improvements:
– Tone Generator Mode for simplified output routing during setup.
– Signal Presence Detection with GPIO event triggers for automated workflows.
– Expanded Lightbar Options and new GPIO output events for greater feedback customisation.
– DEP (Dante Embedded Platform) multicast support expanded from 2 to 4 flows.
– Individual Button Locking, enabling granular control over critical live buttons.
All these enhancements reflect Sonifex’s relentless push to make their hardware more intuitive, more powerful, and more field-ready for commentary teams who simply can’t afford technical missteps.
To cap it off, Sonifex has released a new promotional video for the AVN-CU1—highlighting its refined UI, dependable performance, and versatility in multilingual, multi-tier commentary setups. Worth a watch, whether you’re new to AoIP or just looking to upgrade.
Deeper into Video: DIO10 and DIO10-12G Expand Capabilities
Sonifex continues its SDI journey with the AVN-DIO10 and AVN-DIO10-12G embedders and de-embedders—released in November 2024 and March 2025 respectively. These aren’t minor iterations; they’re serious tools built for modern workflows.
AVN-DIO10 Highlights:
– Auto Gen Mode for simplified SDI generation
– 96kHz audio sample rate support
– SRC (Sample Rate Conversion) bypass controls
– 2K video support and extended group de-embedding
– Integrated test tone generation
AVN-DIO10-12G Enhancements:
– Power-saving SDI Output Disable Control
– Smarter cooling with automatic fan control
– Auto-labeling of Dante channels based on SDI format—making life easier in Dante Controller when navigating video-linked audio streams
These updates place Sonifex in a solid position for those needing cost-effective, high-performance AoIP-video interface solutions—especially as hybrid SDI/IP workflows become the norm.
From Vegas to the World: NAB 2025 & Beyond
April also saw the team return from NAB Show 2025 in Las Vegas, where their new stand made it unscathed (a small but welcome victory in trade show logistics). With fresh leads, valuable conversations, and an enthusiastic reception for their latest innovations, Sonifex has once again proven that great engineering paired with global reach is a winning combination.
Check out their behind-the-scenes wrap-up video for a glimpse of the energy and engagement that defined their presence.
Final Word
From product updates and new protocols to expanded global outreach and richer media engagement, Sonifex is pushing hard into the future of broadcast audio. If April 2025 is anything to go by, expect even more ambitious developments as the year unfolds.
For more information on their product range or to find your nearest distributor, head to the “Where to Buy” page on sonifex.co.uk. There’s a lot coming—and Sonifex is just getting started.
