Using line outs on mixing desks / more snakes

James_uclan · 30th April 2009

A final question regarding audio snakes, when classing a digital audio snake, would a madi or aes converter such as telecom fibers adder II still convert audio to digital when analogue audio inputs / outputs were all that was needed on it? I take it that systems using AES / MADI would be classed just as digital just as a device utlising Cobra Net or Ether Sound, though these act more like a computer network thus enabling splits etc. When avoding splits I am also assuming the line out of, say, the stage (monitor) mixing desk could be used to provide a mix of the audio to an outside broadcast vehicle. Also where is the best position for the sound desk getting the monitor mix to be placed? I'm starting to wonder whether digital snakes are at the moment worth their cost economically unless being used in fixed installations. Once again, thank you all very much for your expertise on the subject, James.

Murton · 30th April 2009

The con with digital snakes is their cost. The pros are endless in terms of size, weight reach, capacity, flexibility etc

You have to have a system where it is worth the cost and the added cost of instead of a splitter, you have to add a converter to get digital or analogue outputs additional to those you have with the digital snake. This allows you to expand easily but it is pricey. Like, I could run remote preamps on stage with AD converters and then a converter to the digital snake protocol I am using. Run it to my desk which can accept that protocol as input, same with monitors and then a converter at the other end allows returns. At any place a converter can be placed to get a split. Unlike many analogue snakes, you don't need to decide on the type of split, youa re effectively getting a straight split of the preamps after the AD.

It is worth it when you have a big rig. I've run enough copper cores to say that the job is terrible and a ethernet run is a dream to run and pack up.

You would have a rig where you have digital FOH and monitors and pay for the converter to allow recording splits to be easily taken. Only one set of preamps are used, controlled via remote control, usually you would give control of these to an agreed upon person, but like phantompower, inhouse guys love to keep as much control as they can get.

I myself will upgrade my rig to include an EtherSound card on my desk and an EtherSound stageBox and an EtherSound soundcard plus a DA for analalogue splits. But this is much later on down the track when I can afford it haha.

30th April 2009	#1
James_uclan Gear interested Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 9 Thread Starter	Using line outs on mixing desks / more snakes A final question regarding audio snakes, when classing a digital audio snake, would a madi or aes converter such as telecom fibers adder II still convert audio to digital when analogue audio inputs / outputs were all that was needed on it? I take it that systems using AES / MADI would be classed just as digital just as a device utlising Cobra Net or Ether Sound, though these act more like a computer network thus enabling splits etc. When avoding splits I am also assuming the line out of, say, the stage (monitor) mixing desk could be used to provide a mix of the audio to an outside broadcast vehicle. Also where is the best position for the sound desk getting the monitor mix to be placed? I'm starting to wonder whether digital snakes are at the moment worth their cost economically unless being used in fixed installations. Once again, thank you all very much for your expertise on the subject, James.

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30th April 2009	#2
Murton Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 297	The con with digital snakes is their cost. The pros are endless in terms of size, weight reach, capacity, flexibility etc You have to have a system where it is worth the cost and the added cost of instead of a splitter, you have to add a converter to get digital or analogue outputs additional to those you have with the digital snake. This allows you to expand easily but it is pricey. Like, I could run remote preamps on stage with AD converters and then a converter to the digital snake protocol I am using. Run it to my desk which can accept that protocol as input, same with monitors and then a converter at the other end allows returns. At any place a converter can be placed to get a split. Unlike many analogue snakes, you don't need to decide on the type of split, youa re effectively getting a straight split of the preamps after the AD. It is worth it when you have a big rig. I've run enough copper cores to say that the job is terrible and a ethernet run is a dream to run and pack up. You would have a rig where you have digital FOH and monitors and pay for the converter to allow recording splits to be easily taken. Only one set of preamps are used, controlled via remote control, usually you would give control of these to an agreed upon person, but like phantompower, inhouse guys love to keep as much control as they can get. I myself will upgrade my rig to include an EtherSound card on my desk and an EtherSound stageBox and an EtherSound soundcard plus a DA for analalogue splits. But this is much later on down the track when I can afford it haha.