AT&T Stadium, located in Arlington, TX, plays home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, but offers so much more. Opened in 2009, the stadium’s massive 160-foot-wide HD video board, mobile app integrations, and robust Wi-Fi network reinforce its image as a high-tech venue. Now, a Dante audio system enhances the fan and concert goer experience further.
The facility hosts a wide variety of events, including high school and college football championships, concerts, international soccer, the Professional Bull Riders World Finals, motorsports, and other public and private events, ensuring year-round utilization. The fan experience remains a cornerstone of its success. Furthermore, its global recognition is underscored by its selection as a host facility for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The stadium’s AV team undertook a massive three-year project to convert the entire stadium over to Dante audio. The first year involved replacing all of the stadium’s amplifiers with Dynacord IPX10:4 units. The IPX series offers 96 kHz high-resolution digital signal processing for the highest performance, internal analog-to-digital conversion with ultra-low latency, and a superior signal-to-noise ratio. The 4-channel, Dante-enabled 2500-watt IPX10:4 amplifier can run in either 48- or 96 kHz, including FIR Drive.
Year two encompassed remodeling the south side of the stadium, including suites, clubs, corridors, concessions, and more, while year three involved the north side. All existing BSS DSPs were replaced with Dante-enabled BLU-806DA DSPs coupled with BLU-120 and BLU-326DA I/O expanders. The Soundweb London BLU-806DA offers configurable I/O, configurable signal processing, and a high bandwidth, fault-tolerant digital audio bus. The processor features Dante audio with primary and secondary ports for fault tolerance, with control through a separate Ethernet port. The BLU-806DA also includes support for integration with Dante Domain Manager.
All Dante channels feed into a Solid State Logic (SSL) System T console for mixing and production. System T bridges the gap between commonly found DAW and controller setups. Its digital audio handling and advanced production workflows, including Dolby Atmos, are complemented by SSL production tools optimized for immersive music production, providing multi-format immersive and object signal paths. Full SSL dynamics and EQ are available on every channel and bus, along with 3D panning, DAW control, Dynamic Automation, Dante integration, and an inbuilt effect rack.
Gary French, AT&T Stadium’s A1 audio engineer, said that working with Dante offers seamless, low-latency audio networking, allowing him to manage complex audio setups efficiently with high-quality, uncompressed sound over standard IP networks. Dante’s flexibility and scalability make it ideal for professional audio environments, enhancing French’s ability to deliver top-tier sound experiences.
