Using Ethernet Networks with Audio – A few Basic Options
What about smaller Networked audio system installations? What if you are setting up a small stage and want to keep it simple and don’t want to run a large mic snake for a system this small? There are plenty of equipment options that are smaller in size and less expensive – here are a few for you to consider.
The devices below are called “Audio Over Cat5 Extenders.” They are “plug and play” and can be used in many different configurations. Very easy to set up, and can be used with either Cat5 or Cat6 cable types.
This is the Radial Engineering “Catapult 4-Channel Cat5 Passive Audio Snake.” There is a Transmitter unit #TX4 (shown above), and a Receiver unit #RX4 that are needed to send 4-Channels of Analog audio over a standard Cat5 or Cat 6 cable. This unit can also work as a return snake to feed a couple stage monitors (using 2 Cat cables). The configuration (right) is being used as a microphone sub-snake to the main stage snake that is feeding the mixer (or you can skip the sub-snake and go directly to the mixer).
Note: These Catapult modules do not require power to operate due to their “Passive” operation.
The devices below are “Mini” versions of the Radial Engineering “Audio Over Cat5 Extenders.” These units can deliver “balanced” signals over long distances.
