Specifications
Digital Snakes and Audio Distribution
Traditionally microphones have been connected to mixing consoles by long multi-
core cables. Over time, as sound systems have grown, the number of cores required
and the number of cables needed to connect all parts of the sound system together
(FOH, Monitors, Remote Truck etc.) have increased. This results in ever higher costs
and lower performance. MIDAS digital snakes provide a solution to these problems.
Microphones tend to be reactive devices, that is, their sound is altered by load
impedance. Long cable and multiple console connections load microphone outputs
such that level is reduced and especially high frequency content is lost. Digital snakes
eliminate the need for long analogue connections and MIDAS snakes have especially
high input impedance to minimise losses at all frequencies. As a result microphones
develop their full natural character and typically sound superbly smooth and open.
MIDAS Snakes have been created using I/O components developed for the MIDAS
digital console range and as such feature all the sonic benets produced by this
latest generation of MIDAS mic preampliers. These are real world designs featuring
RFI protection, high common mode rejection, high dynamic range and overload
tolerance; and of course they sound fantastic, as MIDAS pre-amps always have.
High quality, oversampling A/Ds and D/As are carefully protected from digital
overload (so you can drive them hard without the sound breaking up). They feed
multichannel data streams that conform to the AES50 standard and provide bi-
directional connectivity between I/O boxes. The physical cable connection only
requires light weight, but rugged, CAT-5e cable rather than the bulky multi-core
traditionally used in the past. Neutrik Ethercon connectors provide rugged locking
connections. System latency is extremely low and the connections feature feed
forward error correction and recovery systems plus the option of adding n+1
redundancy to protect from damage to any single cable. Additionally the digital
signals are immune to the crosstalk and noise issues that plague passive
multi-core systems.
All components use a default unity gain structure and analogue inputs readily accept
line level signals with headroom and metering identical to MIDAS Analogue consoles.
The mic pre’s are controlled by an application on your PC that provides direct access
to 24 channels at a time with all settings automatically stored to the snake hardware
boxes (so you can disconnect or reconnect the controlling PC at any time while the
system continues to operate normally). Full metering is available for inputs (and
outputs) so to all intents and purposes using the digital snake is just like remoting
your console mic pre directly to the stage, except now it’s a MIDAS mic pre.
Models range from a 16in / 8 out system up to 64 in / 64 out channels with up to
3,000 metres range, and include an inexpensive 48 in / 16 out model. There is a
choice of ve road-rugged hardware options including the DL431 24-channel, 5-way
active digital/analogue input splitter. Each of its 24 inputs features three MIDAS mic
pres, completely isolated from each other to prevent any audio interaction. The
DL351 64 channel and DL451 24 channel units support a range of ve dierent I/O
modules providing huge conguration exibility. Options include the MIDAS remote
controlled mic pres, line in/out on various connectors and AES3 digital audio with
sample rate conversion and local synchronisation capability. The DL251 and DL252
provide a xed-format, 48 in / 16 out, all-analogue remote stage box which feature
MIDAS mic pre’s and dual-redundant power supplies and snakes. Remote control of
mic amp functions is achieved from any MIDAS digital system, or via a PC computer
running the appropriate MIDAS software.
All the components are connected using standard CAT-5e cables carrying the AES50
multichannel audio and control protocol and provide a standard 100m range.
This can be extended up to 3000m with the KLARK TEKNIK DN9650 network bridge
in MADI mode.