New York, NY (October 15, 2026)—Now shipping from Hear Technologies is the Switch Back PLUS, a combination audio interface, mixer and MIDI controller wrapped up in a single package. Switch Back PLUS is Dante-enabled, allowing users to connect it to a PoE+ (Power over Ethernet Plus) network switch via CAT6 cable and route audio to/from other Dante-enabled devices.
Switch Back PLUS can mix up to 32 stereo channels of Dante audio with four local inputs (mic, instrument, line 1, line 2) to stereo line outputs and dual headphone outputs, and the stereo mix from each unit can be transmitted to other Dante devices. The Switch Back PLUS can function as a studio audio interface and MIDI controller, or as a personal mixer in live sound applications.
Features include control over volume, pan and stereo width for up to 32 stereo Dante audio channels; zero-latency monitoring of the local inputs; 4-band parametric EQ for the master bus; balanced stereo outputs; two headphone jacks signal-present LEDs per channel; and OLED screens with brightness control that display channel names and status.
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The four local inputs include an XLR microphone input with switched phantom power, a studio-quality preamp with 50dB gain (adjustable) and switchable 100Hz high-pass filter; a ¼-inch high-impedance instrument input with 32dB adjustable gain and switched 100Hz high-pass filter; and two balanced line-level inputs on ¼-inch TRS jacks.
Analog outputs include two balanced line-level TRS and 1/8-inch and ¼-inch headphone jacks powered via onboard 5-watt headphone amp.
Switch Back PLUS can transmit 10 Dante channels: mic, instrument, two line-level inputs, the internal stereo mix, and four channels that broadcast local inputs only by pressing the Broadcast button, thus allowing any of the inputs to be used as an intercom. The control knobs can be used to transmit or receive MIDI control data, allowing the device to function as a network-based MIDI controller.
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Firmware updates are implemented using Hear Technologies’ PRO Connect software. A standard 5/8×27 receptacle enables the unit to be mounted to any microphone stand, and an Ethernet cable relief channel facilitates tidy Ethernet cable routing.
Chassis measurements are 9.5H x 5.95W x 2.71D inches (241H x 151W x 69D mm), and weight is 1.6 pounds. Power is supplied to the Switch Back PLUS using PoE+, with a maximum power consumption rated at 15 watts maximum. Street price is around $1400 U.S.
