Radial Catapult TX4M 4-Channel Cat 5 Audio Snake

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.

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.

Catapult Mini TRS and Mini RX to connect pro rack gear with a console

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.