Radial Engineering SRA CATAPULT-TX4M 4-Channel Audio Snake — main product image

Radial Engineering SRA CATAPULT-TX4M 4-Channel Audio Snake

Radial Engineering SRA CATAPULT-TX4M 4-Channel Audio Snake

Name: Radial Engineering SRA CATAPULT-TX4M 4-Channel Audio Snake
Brand: Radial Engineering
SKU: SRA CATAPULT-TX4M

Route four balanced mic channels across Cat5/Cat6 without signal degradation — the Catapult TX4M turns network infrastructure into a precision audio snake.

$369.99*

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 28, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Radial Engineering Catapult TX4M is the transmitter half of a system that replaces a traditional multi-core copper audio snake with a single Cat5 or Cat6 shielded twisted pair cable. Each of the four XLR inputs routes one balanced audio channel — analog or AES digital — through the unit and out via Neutrik Ethercon connectors. What this means in practice: you can run four mic channels from stage to front of house across pre-wired Cat6 infrastructure that already exists in many installed venues, eliminating the cost, weight, and setup time of traditional copper looms. The 14-gauge solid steel chassis is not a cosmetic specification — it reflects a structural decision that matters when this box lives in a stage pocket or gets kicked by a monitor wedge on load-in day.

The TX4M is the right tool for installed systems integrators and touring engineers who need to leverage existing Cat5/6 building wiring for audio distribution, or who want to reduce cable weight and bulk on touring rigs without sacrificing channel count. XLR thru-puts on each channel allow splits to local amp racks or monitor consoles without additional passive splitters. The built-in Ethercon ground lift reveals the product's professional DNA — it exists because ground loops are a real-world problem in venue environments with shared electrical infrastructure, and Radial engineered the solution into the hardware rather than leaving it for the FOH engineer to chase at showtime.

Key Features

Catapult Cat5 Audio Snake 4-ch TXM Mic

Specifications

Channels

Input Connectors

XLR (inputs and thru-puts)

Output Connectors

Neutrik Ethercon

Signal Compatibility

Analog or AES digital

Cable Type

Cat5 or Cat6 shielded twisted pair

Frame Construction

Solid 14-gauge steel

Ground Lift

Yes (Ethercon connection)

Weight

2.2 lbs

Dimensions

11.02 x 5.12 x 3.15 inches

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Carries both analog and AES digital audio over the same Cat5/Cat6 cable — no protocol-specific snake required for mixed-format systems
Neutrik Ethercon locking connectors provide field-repairable, mechanically secure connections that standard RJ45 cannot match under live touring conditions
XLR thru-puts on all four channels allow local splits for monitoring or amp racks at the stage box without additional hardware
Solid 14-gauge steel construction survives the physical demands of touring — repeated setup, teardown, and the daily abuse of stage environments
Ground lift on the Ethercon connection proactively addresses ground loop potential in venues with shared electrical infrastructure

👎 Cons

Requires a matching Radial Catapult receiver unit to function — the TX4M is a system component, not a standalone device, adding total system cost
Does not generate phantom power internally — the source console or preamp must supply 48V per channel for condenser mic applications
Four-channel capacity limits scalability for stage configurations requiring eight or more simultaneous mic runs over a single cable path
Fixed XLR connector format offers no field-reconfigurable channel count or input type variation

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the TX4M require a matching Radial receiver unit, or can it connect to standard network switches?

The TX4M requires a compatible Radial Catapult receiver unit on the far end — it is not compatible with standard IT network switches. The Neutrik Ethercon outputs carry analog or AES audio-over-Cat5, not Ethernet data packets.

Does the TX4M supply phantom power to condenser microphones on its XLR inputs?

The TX4M passes phantom power through from your console or preamp — it does not generate 48V internally. Your source device must supply phantom power on each channel where condenser mics are connected.

Can the TX4M carry AES digital audio alongside analog signals on the same unit?

Yes. The TX4M is protocol-agnostic — the same XLR inputs and twisted-pair transmission handle both analog balanced audio and AES digital sources. You can mix signal types across channels depending on your system requirements.

What does the ground lift on the TX4M actually address in a live environment?

The ground lift is specifically provided for the Ethercon cable connection to break ground loops that form when the audio snake shares physical infrastructure with other grounded systems in a venue. It does not affect the XLR input grounds.

What are the XLR thru-puts on the TX4M used for?

The XLR thru-puts duplicate each channel's signal at the stage box, allowing local monitoring feeds, amp rack connections, or redundant recording splits without additional DI boxes or signal splitters downstream.