yeah Dave Rat from Rat Sound introduced me to this a few years ago. pretty sure he's got some videos up of the wiring process for his Cat Tail breakout cables and boxes (Audio-over-Cat5) it's so simple...just make sure you use the shielded variety of cat5 cables, connectors and jacks. great for live sound applications too.
That’s a really great realistic bit of a hack . Glen , you are doing amazing works in this field and we are all here for it . Tip of the hat to you good sir 🤘
One important thing: make sure the cable is "twisted pair". This means that each cable has 4 pairs of wires, with each pair spiraled along each other. This is done to minimize electrical noise between the pairs. While intended to keep radio noise and other interference from messing up the digital signals, it also helps eliminate cross-talk and the wires acting as an antenna when using them as analog cables. You might also want to consider shielded "plenum" CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 cables. "Plenum" means that the plastic of the insulation of the cable is fire-resistant and doesn't generate toxic smoke if it does catch fire, making it safe to use in big buildings. "Shielded" means that under the outer jacket of insulation there is a foil layer, rejecting noise just like the foil lining in a quality guitar's pickup pockets and underside of the pick guard. CAT5, CAT6 and CAT7 are all interchangeable for this purpose, by the way. Yes I'm a nerd.
People seem to forget, all these cables are just filled with wires, and you can basically use them for any application that uses the same amount of wires... given that it's the correct gauge for said application... cat5 cable is cheap and you can wire in 4 different peripherals that require single in/out off a single cable
YEEEESSSSS! I’ve tested the Lyx brand as well, and it’s great for the price. Although, the Cat tail I got was wired incorrectly. Nonetheless, I stand with you Glen!
Ever thought of even going a bit further? There are standard cables which have more Pins than ethernet like HDMI. But you need an easy to solder connector or breakout board for this. And what about the good old dsub/centronics connectors. They are easy to get and still around for many industrial applications.
Love the idea Cat 5 or 6 should work well. I've seen other vids on the subject. Haven't seen any data on crosstalk yet but I still plan to add a couple to my live capture rig. BTW: Cat 8 has individually shielded pairs but may not be necessary for shorter runs.
@@felixwurm1467 There is always crosstalk. Stray cap, inductance and resistive losses are contributors. Part of the reason that standard twisted multipair telephone cable is not used for audio snakes. Why most multi-pair audio cable is individually shielded. I have non-critical applications that I plan to use this tech for but most of my multi-channel/mic recording is live capture, so crosstalk data capture is not gonna happen.
How have those LYXPRO boxes worked out for you? I was looking into a more expensive supposedly better product but im pretty sure the LYXPRO do the job and pass audio higher than any xlr anyways so it would be a better option.
Hey, that's pretty cool! I have a ton of CAT5 cables from my network admin days just lying around and it would be cool to repurpose them for something like this.
Yesss!!! About 20 years ago I used Cat 8 to run an SNES controller and RF signal about 50 feet. My bedroom was the "smoking room" as well, so my roommate and I could play Ultimate MK3 across the house while he looked after his infant daughter (and I blackened my lungs.)
It's just 4 XLR channels, use them whichever way you want. Knowing which is which is just testing a single unout until you find the output and then labeling.
Indeed, and for instrument and mic signals, well, they are very low current. However I actually commented to say you made me laugh because it's not just DB loss over distance, the signal slurs which can in itself when done intentionally be a cool effect, (the first telegram line under the Atlantic because of the slurring took hours for them to send the first telegram across due to how much space they had to leave for the . and - (s) of the message) Really made me actually chuckle. Engineering man, it gets wild lol
Any difference in sound quality between the cat 5, cat 5e, and cat 6(/can you even use cat 5e or cat 6?) I would expect there to be more EMI with cheap unshielded twisted pair cat 5 than some good shielded twisted pair cat 6.
GLEEEEEENNNN!!!!!
It's sh*t like this that makes your channel great!
Cheers from Nashville!
I think I can hear audiophiles' brains sizzling after seeing this.
Its quad twisted pairs… different ratios mean excellent noise rejection. This IS audiophile level
Cat5 works out with a lot of applications. Just don't use phone wire to wire your guitar.
yeah Dave Rat from Rat Sound introduced me to this a few years ago. pretty sure he's got some videos up of the wiring process for his Cat Tail breakout cables and boxes (Audio-over-Cat5)
it's so simple...just make sure you use the shielded variety of cat5 cables, connectors and jacks.
great for live sound applications too.
That’s a really great realistic bit of a hack . Glen , you are doing amazing works in this field and we are all here for it . Tip of the hat to you good sir 🤘
One important thing: make sure the cable is "twisted pair". This means that each cable has 4 pairs of wires, with each pair spiraled along each other. This is done to minimize electrical noise between the pairs. While intended to keep radio noise and other interference from messing up the digital signals, it also helps eliminate cross-talk and the wires acting as an antenna when using them as analog cables.
You might also want to consider shielded "plenum" CAT5/CAT6/CAT7 cables. "Plenum" means that the plastic of the insulation of the cable is fire-resistant and doesn't generate toxic smoke if it does catch fire, making it safe to use in big buildings. "Shielded" means that under the outer jacket of insulation there is a foil layer, rejecting noise just like the foil lining in a quality guitar's pickup pockets and underside of the pick guard.
CAT5, CAT6 and CAT7 are all interchangeable for this purpose, by the way.
Yes I'm a nerd.
Yes, it’s shielded cat5
People seem to forget, all these cables are just filled with wires, and you can basically use them for any application that uses the same amount of wires... given that it's the correct gauge for said application... cat5 cable is cheap and you can wire in 4 different peripherals that require single in/out off a single cable
Great for Live as well. I use these all over my stage for live shows. Speedus up everything. Absolutely love them
Ah yes, my Mics too need internet access
YEEEESSSSS! I’ve tested the Lyx brand as well, and it’s great for the price. Although, the Cat tail I got was wired incorrectly. Nonetheless, I stand with you Glen!
I made my own for my live rig. Carry’s 2 inputs and two outputs, guitar, mic, monitor and speaker. Cuts a good 15 minutes off of setup and tear down.
Ever thought of even going a bit further? There are standard cables which have more Pins than ethernet like HDMI. But you need an easy to solder connector or breakout board for this. And what about the good old dsub/centronics connectors. They are easy to get and still around for many industrial applications.
I never knew this was a thing, amazing
we need more of this
Love the idea Cat 5 or 6 should work well. I've seen other vids on the subject. Haven't seen any data on crosstalk yet but I still plan to add a couple to my live capture rig. BTW: Cat 8 has individually shielded pairs but may not be necessary for shorter runs.
I think as Long as you use Balenced Signals there should by no Crosstalk between the Channels.
@@felixwurm1467 There is always crosstalk. Stray cap, inductance and resistive losses are contributors. Part of the reason that standard twisted multipair telephone cable is not used for audio snakes. Why most multi-pair audio cable is individually shielded. I have non-critical applications that I plan to use this tech for but most of my multi-channel/mic recording is live capture, so crosstalk data capture is not gonna happen.
It's all in the twist
God bless you Glen.
How have those LYXPRO boxes worked out for you? I was looking into a more expensive supposedly better product but im pretty sure the LYXPRO do the job and pass audio higher than any xlr anyways so it would be a better option.
My favorite studio snake is the ball python. A great low maintenance pet.
Hey, that's pretty cool! I have a ton of CAT5 cables from my network admin days just lying around and it would be cool to repurpose them for something like this.
Super Dope 🔥🫡🇨🇦
Good old twisted pair. I'm not saying we ran mics with it but me may have
Thats right I forgot about this
Only when you need hot and cold pins and no ground.
Dynamic passive stuff.
Or did I miss a thing?
BUT.... CAT 5 cables still cost MUNNAY!!!!! HAHA anyways how much is the cable converter? I am interested!
So what Cat5 products do you plug it into? Solder yourself into what? This needs A part 2 !!!!?
Male & female breakouts
Yesss!!! About 20 years ago I used Cat 8 to run an SNES controller and RF signal about 50 feet. My bedroom was the "smoking room" as well, so my roommate and I could play Ultimate MK3 across the house while he looked after his infant daughter (and I blackened my lungs.)
Wait... So those are Ethernet cables made into XLR?!
You need a cat5 to XLR breakout
So what are the 4 channels? Just two sets of left and right? How do you know which is which?
It's just 4 XLR channels, use them whichever way you want. Knowing which is which is just testing a single unout until you find the output and then labeling.
They’re labeled 1-4
@@NuclearHeadshot gotcha!
Has anyone ever ran into any interference or any other issues while tracking?
nice! do they come in bigger than 4s?
No. 4 per cat 5. But cat 5 is super cheap
@@SpectreSoundStudios true, its a lot cheaper than some cables, thanks glenn! :D
Copper wire is copper wire. Just larger it is higher currents it can handle. (Not getting into DB loss per foot just keeping it simple)
Indeed, and for instrument and mic signals, well, they are very low current.
However I actually commented to say you made me laugh because it's not just DB loss over distance, the signal slurs which can in itself when done intentionally be a cool effect, (the first telegram line under the Atlantic because of the slurring took hours for them to send the first telegram across due to how much space they had to leave for the . and - (s) of the message)
Really made me actually chuckle. Engineering man, it gets wild lol
Yea all that signal wire
Oh yeesss I love it😁
Do you know what’s even more awesome? These boxes are not hard to design. Takes a little time and that’s all!
You mentioned a brand you used once before. But not here. Can i get a namedrop in the comment section before i buy these lyxpros and feel sad for it 🤣
cat5 has 8 tiny wires
four xlr = 12 shielded wires
Your point?
Yessssss
Imma need links and resources
I know some of these words…
Alright...that's pretty 😎
Any difference in sound quality between the cat 5, cat 5e, and cat 6(/can you even use cat 5e or cat 6?) I would expect there to be more EMI with cheap unshielded twisted pair cat 5 than some good shielded twisted pair cat 6.