4-Channel Cat 5 Audio Snake
The Catapult Mini is a compact passive audio snake that allows you to send four channels of analog audio over standard Cat 5 or Cat 6 Ethernet cable.
- Send four channels of analog audio over a Cat 5/6 cable
- Available with XLRM, XLRF or ¼” TRS connectors
- Works with a building’s existing cable infrastructure
- Compact and lightweight, yet durable and rugged
- Economical Cat 5/6 cable replaces bulky multichannel audio snakes
Analog audio over Cat 5 wiring
The Catapult Mini System works like a typical four-channel analog audio snake; they allow you to send mic or line-level signals from one location to another without signal loss, noise, or interference, and without any digital audio conversion needed. What makes the Catapult system unique is that it utilizes Cat 5 Ethernet cable, which is widely available, lightweight, and economical. Simply connect a shielded Cat 5 cable between any two Catapult modules and they will use the analog conductors in the cable to deliver four balanced audio lines to any destination.
Straight-wire passive operation
Catapult modules require no power to operate, and since they keep the signal in the analog realm, no digital conversion is necessary. Straight-wire connection from the XLRs to the RJ45 connector on a Cat 5 cable ensures that your audio passes through without coloration or distortion.
Utilize pre-existing cable installations
As many buildings are already pre-wired for Cat 5, you can take advantage of this to transmit audio between distant rooms without the need to install or supply new cabling. This eliminates the need for bulky and expensive multi-channel audio cable, and allows contractors to benefit from installed network cable and easily connect from one room to another.
Mix & Match
Three versions of the Catapult Mini are available: The Mini TX features female XLR connectors, the Mini RX has male XLRs, and the Mini TRS is equipped with ¼” TRS jacks for balanced connection to any pro audio device.
Catapult Mini Applications
Using the Mini TX with the Mini RX
The Mini TX and RX can be directly connected using a single Cat 5 cable, providing you with a robust 4-channel analog audio snake that can deliver balanced signals over long distances while maintaining high audio quality.
Using the Mini TRS with the Mini RX
The Mini TRS has ¼” balanced connectors commonly found on rackmount interfaces and other compact pro audio equipment, allowing you to match connector types without the need for adaptor cables.
Using the Mini RX with the Catapult TX4
You can use the Catapult TX4 with the Mini RX to send audio signals from a live stage to the FOH console. The Catapult TX4 provides a robust stage box to plug your microphones into, while the Mini RX is small enough to fit in the case of a mixing board, with its XLR output connectors plugged directly into the mixer. If you’re splitting signals on stage, you can utilize one of the transformer isolated Catapult modules: the TX4M for mic-level signals, or the TX4L for line-level operation.
Using the Mini TX with the Catapult RX4
The Mini TX can be paired with the Catapult RX4 to feed the outputs of a console to a distant rack of power amps. To block stray DC voltages and avoid noise through the system, the RX4L has line level isolation transformers to eliminate hum and buzz, as well as four direct XLR outputs to feed another device such as a recording interface. For isolation of mic-level signals, you can utilize the RX4M.
Use the Catapults with pre-existing CAT 5 wiring
Use the Ethernet cables already wired throughout a building to send audio from one room to the other without additional installation required or messy cables running from room to room. Note that the signals between two Catapult modules cannot pass through a network switch, as it will block the analog audio signal.
All Radial Catapult modules are compatible with each other and sold individually, so you can select whichever combination best suits your needs. The Catapult Mini RX and TX can be used together as a pair, creating a compact 4-channel audio snake. However, if you prefer to have a stage box to plug microphones into, but want a compact breakout cable that fits in the case with the mixer, combine the Catapult TX4 with the Catapult Mini RX. With the addition of the Catapult Rack units, you can also incorporate equipment racks into your setups for greater flexibility, with each rack unit essentially functioning as three 4-channel modules in a 1RU rackspace. With a wide variety of modules available, you can customize your stage or recording studio setup to suit any application.
Videos
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How to connect analog audio through cat 5 ethernet with Radial Engineering
Reviews
""The Catapult is a convenient and well thought out expandable analog snake system that is a fantastic solution for studio and stage.""
Related Products
Catapult Mini Resources
- Model:
- TX (Female XLRs)
- RX (Male XLRs)
- TRS
- Part No:
- R800 8028 00
- R800 8029 00
- R800 8032 00
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