16 xlr to cat5e to dsnake or usb on QU16? for stage box.

Qu Qu General Discussions
1

I would like to find or make either a usb OR ethernet cat5e to 16 xlr and 4 trs snake, assuming I could use the cat5e in the dsnake port?? on the QU16?? or the usb port??

Can someone tell me if there is a product available that can do this without me
having to sell my house to buy it??

Thanks!

2

It’s called an AB168.

3

I did mention that I didn’t want to have to sell my house for it… :wink:
Thanks none the less…
Also, I wouldn’t need it to have pre-ampps as the board already has them,
theoretically and realistically keeping the cost down/lower…

4

Not to be ugly but your house is surely worth more than $1000. There really is no other path other than a copper snake. QU vs GLD is that it offers pres either local or via DSnake. Very helpful in many situations.

5

Thanks, but I just read that someone can use Layer 2 network switches and media converters with the dSNAKE port?? provided they support Fast Ethernet (100Base-TX) connections (ACE and dSNAKE are Ethernet 802.3 IEEE Layer 2 compliant) so, I’m trying to sort all of this info out…

Found that info here: https://support.allen-heath.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/703/201/can-i-run-dsnake-through-a-network-switch

6

But what are you plugging into the other end of that?

7

You have to have done kind of qualified interface on the other end. A switch means nothing. It can’t pass phantom power it can’t pass analog audio. It really services no purpose.

8

Yes, an AB168 is the minimum you’ll need to connect the digital dSnake protocol with the analog world. As George said, if digital seems to be too expensive or you insist to use the preamps of the desk, a heavy analog snake will be the way to go.
The phrase Media Converter refers to other ethernet carrying media like optical fibers instead of copper, it has nothing to do with “multimedia” or audio.

9

Oh I see, I would like to have a snake with x16 xlrs, (with no preamps as the QU16 already has them on the xlr ins) with maybe 4 trs on the stage side, then preferably run
to the console with either USB, (or if possible, dSNAKE) in…

It seems dSNAKE would not be able to happen unless someone were to make a DIY kit mirroring their protocol? so then, I wonder if to USB input is possible as I understand
that the QU16’s USB port is bidirectional?

10

Thanks for the clarification Andreas. :slight_smile:

11

Again. An AB168 is your only choice other than a copper snake which may cost you 1/3-2/3 the price of the 168. That’s it.

12

Both dSnake and USB running digital protocols. To convert analog signals into the digital world you’ll need:

  • A Gain stage to adapt analog level to whatever the ADC expects.
  • Maybe switchable phantom power to enable use of active DI boxes or condenser mics.
  • An Analog to Digital Converter (“ADC”) per channel.
  • Some sort of MCU or FPGA to collect digital data from all these ADCs and convert it into the dSnake protocol.
  • Maybe some return channels to feed speakers (which again will need DACs and analog driver stages).
  • Maybe a rugged case for stage use.

This exactly is contained in a AB168. Building the same DIY will consume time and probably will cost more.

I really doubt you intend to remove the existing preamps and DACs from your desk and stuff them into a box just to spare some bucks.

13

I have several analog snakes to sell if you are interested. I bought the AB168 and no need for analog any more.

14

I see Andreas, so I couldn’t just simply use something like this: Behringer FCA1616
to run from stage to the QU16 USB port? :slight_smile:

15

Thanks for the offer Lou, but I think I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get
an ab168, (even though it pizzes me off to be bullied into a proprietary protocol!)

Thanks for the responses everyone and your help…

16

Eurekarem, sometimes, manufacturers design their equipment to use products that have already proven themselves as reliable, like CAT5/6 cable. Many times though, they come up with their own protocal to use on that CAT 5 cable that is NOT compatible with other companies like Yamaha, Soundcraft, Digico etc. It is common for guys like you and I to think that these companies do this so we have to buy “THEIR” accessories like stage boxes, power supplies etc. and we just feel trapped, or bullied as you put it into buying their stuff. Sometimes that is no doubt the case, Sony and Apple just to mention a few are notorious for that greed, but we still use their stuff because it just works…well most of the time :slight_smile:

The convenience of a digital stage box and a simple CAT5 cable sure beats the heck out of a 100 plus pound snake.

May I suggest that you purchase an AR2412 instead of an AB168,… you may find it is not any more expensive, in fact maybe cheaper, and you get a lot more. With the AR2412 connected to your Qu16, you can now use the ST-1 and ST-2 as additional microphone inputs,… on the Qu16 that would give you a total of 20 mic inputs. To not waste mic inputs, it is ideal in most cases to use ST-1 and ST-2 for stereo sources like stereo overhead mics, or a stereo keyboard.

Just something to consider.

17

Actually, ST-3 as well, so 22 mic inputs.

18

Hmmm, good info guys, are the 22 inputs also available for inputs to DAW as well via USB?

Thanks.

19

You haven’t been bullied; you chose the Qu system for good reasons. It is a system however, and if you want to build something to fit the protocol, go for it, but I’d rather be mixing music than designing a kluge :slight_smile:

Best,

20

“are the 22 inputs also available for inputs to DAW as well via USB?”

Don’t have everything with me, so can’t test it, but it would but a strange one if they’re not.