· Infrastructure · 4 min read
Powering the Modern Creative Space — Smart Networking for Studios
Behind every reliable creative space is a smart network. From Dante and VLANs to PoE and NAS integration, here’s how South Loop Studios designs rock-solid infrastructure for modern studios.
Powering the Modern Creative Space — Smart Networking for Studios
Behind every great creative space is a network quietly doing the heavy lifting.
It’s what keeps your cameras streaming, your Dante network in sync, your NAS drives online, and your automation talking to everything else.
When it’s designed properly, nobody notices it. When it’s not, everything grinds to a halt.
At South Loop Studios, we design smart network infrastructures built for creative environments — not just offices. That means Ubiquiti-based switching and routing, rock-solid PoE, proper VLAN separation, and bandwidth that won’t choke under multitrack audio, 4K video, or live Dante streams.
Contents
- Why Networking Matters More Than Ever
- The Backbone: Ubiquiti & PoE
- VLANs: The Secret to Stability
- Dante, Video, and NAS Integration
- Designing for Growth
- Our Typical Network Stack
- Final Thoughts
- Let’s Build Yours
Why Networking Matters More Than Ever
Studios today are no longer just audio spaces — they’re connected ecosystems.
Cameras, audio interfaces, lighting controllers, NAS systems, and even smart power relays all depend on a reliable network.
But creative environments push far more data than traditional offices. You’re not moving spreadsheets — you’re streaming multichannel audio, syncing gigabytes of footage, and backing up terabytes to your NAS in real time.
That’s why we design networks that understand creative pressure: low latency, high throughput, and total reliability.
The Backbone: Ubiquiti & PoE
Every South Loop Studios install starts with Ubiquiti.
We’ve standardised on UniFi hardware because it’s powerful, predictable, and built for scalability — with full remote monitoring and control.
- Managed PoE switching powers cameras, access points, and automation from a single rack.
- Unified management via the UniFi Controller makes diagnostics and power cycling effortless.
- High PoE budgets mean even power-hungry devices like PTZ cameras and NAS units stay rock solid.
From two-room podcast setups to Dolby Atmos production suites, UniFi delivers the backbone that keeps everything connected and stable.
VLANs: The Secret to Stability
VLANs (Virtual LANs) are where professional networking and creative reliability meet.
By separating traffic types — audio, video, NAS, management, and automation — we keep performance consistent and prevent bottlenecks.
A typical layout might look like:
| VLAN | Use Case | Example Devices |
|---|---|---|
| VLAN 2 | Dante | Audio interfaces, controllers |
| VLAN 3 | Video | Cameras, switchers |
| VLAN 4 | NAS | Storage & backups |
| VLAN 5 | Studio Control | Shelly, lighting, automation |
| VLAN 6 | Management | PCs, APs, admin access |
This structured approach keeps latency low and troubleshooting simple — a key difference between office IT and creative-grade networking.
Dante, Video, and NAS Integration
Creative networking isn’t about one system — it’s about everything working together.
We design networks where Dante audio, video streaming, and NAS file sharing coexist without compromise.
That means:
- Traffic prioritisation for real-time audio and video.
- 10 Gb uplinks for NAS systems and editing suites.
- Shielded Cat6A cabling and proper grounding for signal integrity.
- Ample PoE overhead to handle future expansion.
It’s not just about making it work — it’s about making it bulletproof.
Designing for Growth
Every South Loop Studios network is designed with expansion in mind.
We don’t max out ports or power budgets on day one — we leave headroom.
- Extra PoE ports for future gear.
- Spare SFP+ links for 10 Gb backbones.
- Rack layouts that anticipate what’s next.
Whether you’re adding a film suite, a second podcast room, or more Dante devices, your network will already be ready.
Our Typical Network Stack
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Core Switch | Ubiquiti UniFi PoE+ / PoE++ managed switch |
| Aggregation | Ubiquiti 10 Gb SFP+ uplink to NAS or second rack |
| Access Points | Ubiquiti U6 series for low-latency Wi-Fi |
| Routing | UniFi Gateway or Dream Machine Pro for VLAN control |
| NAS | Unraid or HexOS server on 10 Gb backbone |
| Automation | Shelly modules and network-controlled power |
| Cabling | Shielded Cat6A, tested and labelled |
| UPS | Battery backup for all network hardware |
Every install is documented, labelled, and stress-tested.
If a port or cable ever fails, you’ll know exactly where to look — and have remote access to fix it.
Final Thoughts
A studio’s creativity is only as stable as the network it runs on.
That’s why we treat every cable, switch, and VLAN as part of the creative ecosystem — not an afterthought.
Our goal is simple: make the tech invisible, so the creativity isn’t.
Let’s Build Yours
If your studio, campus, or creative business needs a network designed for serious work — let’s talk.
💬 Get in touch with South Loop Studios
We’ll design, deploy, and document a Ubiquiti-based network that keeps your creative systems running flawlessly.