BSS BLU-326 Networked I/O expander
- Brand new in original box
- Full BSS manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- BSSBLU326M-US
Description
BSS BLU-326 Networked I/O Expander
The BSS BLU-326 is a compact, single-rack-space networked I/O expander that brings flexible analog and digital connectivity into your studio infrastructure with fault-tolerant Dante networking. This unit expands your recording system's I/O capability through four hot-swappable card slots and dual Dante/AES67 ports, allowing you to route audio over standard Ethernet cabling without sacrificing signal integrity or introducing single points of failure.
Low-Latency Dante Routing & Network Integration
The BLU-326 operates on a 256-channel, low-latency digital audio bus with primary and secondary Dante/AES67 ports for redundant audio transmission, plus a dedicated Ethernet control port and Dante 4.0 firmware support for Domain Manager integration. Standard Category 5e cabling supports distances up to 100 meters between compatible devices, with fiber optic media converters extending range beyond 40 kilometers for complex multi-room or distributed recording setups.
Modular I/O Configuration for Session Flexibility
Card slots accommodate up to 16 analog inputs, 16 analog outputs, 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 16 AEC inputs, and 4 telephone connections in configurable banks of four, letting you tailor I/O to your current session requirements. Analog inputs feature electronically balanced Phoenix Combicon connectors with selectable gain from 0dB to +48dB in 6dB steps, selectable 48V phantom power per input, 3.5kΩ input impedance, +20dBu maximum input level at 0dB gain, and CMRR >75dB at 1kHz—delivering clean, transparent capture for tracking and live recording.
Key Features
- 19" rack chassis, single rack space form factor
- Four card slots supporting modular I/O expansion in banks of four
- Up to 16 analog inputs with selectable gain 0dB to +48dB in 6dB steps
- Up to 16 analog outputs with electronically balanced Phoenix Combicon connectors
- Up to 16 digital inputs and 16 digital outputs
- Up to 16 AEC inputs and 4 telephone connections
- 256-channel, low-latency digital audio bus with fault-tolerant dual Dante/AES67 ports
- 100m maximum distance with Category 5e cabling; fiber optic media converters extend to 40km+
- 12 control inputs and 6 logic outputs for GPIO integration
- Front panel LCD display showing device name, firmware version, IP address, and subnet mask
- LED indicators for Phantom Power, Sync, Signal Present, and Clip
- EN 54-16 compliant for life safety applications
The BLU-326 delivers professional-grade I/O expansion with redundant networking and comprehensive analog/digital interfacing, making it an essential tool for studios requiring scalable, fault-tolerant audio I/O and reliable network-based signal distribution across tracking, mixing, and mastering spaces.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The BSS BLU-326 is a networked I/O expander designed for professional control rooms and broadcast studios that need modular, fault-tolerant analog and digital I/O over standard Ethernet infrastructure. Studio engineers and producers use it to integrate large-format mixing consoles, multitrack interfaces, and distributed monitoring systems into a single, low-latency audio network. Choose it for transparent, low-noise audio capture and distribution with redundant Dante/AES67 paths and the flexibility to configure up to 16 analog ins, 16 outs, and digital I/O as your session grows.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Live Sound Reinforcement
- ✓ System Integration
- ✓ Installed Audio
- ✓ Broadcast/Studio Networking
Not the best pick for
- – Home Recording
- – Practice
- – Portable Applications
Skill level: Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What I/O configurations does the BLU-326 support?
The unit has four hot-swappable card slots that support up to 16 analog inputs, 16 analog outputs, 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 16 AEC inputs, and 4 telephone connections in configurable banks of four. Analog inputs offer selectable gain from 0dB to +48dB in 6dB steps and 48V phantom power per input.
Does the BLU-326 provide network redundancy?
Yes. It features dual primary and secondary Dante/AES67 ports for fault-tolerant audio transport, a dedicated Ethernet control port, and Dante 4.0 firmware support for Domain Manager integration. This ensures no single network failure interrupts your audio stream.
What distances and cabling does the BLU-326 support?
Standard Category 5e cabling supports up to 100 meters between compatible devices. Fiber optic media converters can extend range beyond 40 kilometers for large-scale distributed systems, making it suitable for venue networks, broadcast plants, and multi-building installations.
What is the audio quality and latency performance?
The BLU-326 delivers a 256-channel, low-latency digital audio bus with a transparent tone profile and low-noise analog stage; analog inputs feature CMRR >75dB at 1kHz for clean signal capture. It is EN 54-16 compliant for life safety applications, confirming enterprise-grade reliability.
What control and monitoring features are included?
The front panel includes an LCD display showing device name, firmware version, IP address, and subnet mask, plus LED indicators for Phantom Power, Sync, Signal Present, and Clip. The unit also supports 12 control inputs and 6 logic outputs for GPIO integration.
Similar Gear
Complete the Rig
Gear that pairs well with this.
✨ For You
Based on what you've been looking at.