4-Way Audio over Cat Male XLR Breakout Cable – Neutrik & Van Damme

Bring four channels back out without another box

At the mixer or rack end of an Audio over Cat run, you often just need four male XLRs. A separate satellite box takes up space without adding anything useful.

This breakout connects a locking Neutrik etherCON directly to four Neutrik male XLRs using Van Damme four-pair Digi Tour multicore. Pair it with a female breakout or DAC.34 satellite box at the source end for a compact four-channel system that is quick to connect and easy to store.

What Audio over Cat actually means

This is a passive wiring system. It does not convert the signal into Ethernet data and there are no electronics or network protocols involved. Each of the four twisted pairs in the Cat cable carries one independent balanced audio channel.

That allows one fully screened Cat cable to carry four mic, line or AES3 signals. The system can also pass 48V phantom power, provided the complete Cat run uses screened cable and screened RJ45 or etherCON connectors.

Do not connect this product to an Ethernet switch, router, computer or Dante network.

Performance & Build Quality

Van Damme Digi Tour provides four individually screened 110Ω pairs in one flexible multicore. It is a sensible cable for the breakout itself: properly specified for analogue and AES3 signals, but still flexible enough to dress neatly around a mixer, interface or rack.

We build each assembly in our UK workshop using Neutrik NC3MXX-B male XLRs and a rugged NE8MX6-B-T etherCON. The channels are identified with blue, orange, green and brown boots, then individually tested for continuity, polarity and screen connection before dispatch.

Key Features

• Four balanced audio channels through one screened Cat cable
• Suitable for mic level, line level and AES3 digital audio
• Supports 48V phantom power with a fully screened Cat run
• Four Neutrik NC3MXX-B male XLRs
• Locking Neutrik NE8MX6-B-T etherCON connection
• Van Damme 110Ω four-pair Digi Tour multicore
• Blue, orange, green and brown channel identification
• Compact flying breakout with no separate box
• Compatible with the Designacable DAC.34 range

Why these connectors?

Neutrik XX Series male XLRs provide reliable connections for mixers, audio interfaces and rack equipment. At the Cat end, the locking metal etherCON protects the RJ45 connection and provides proper strain relief—far better suited to studio, broadcast and live use than an exposed plastic network plug.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which breakout do I need at the other end?

For a typical stage-to-mixer run, use a female XLR Audio over Cat breakout or satellite box at the source end. The system is passively wired, so the signal itself is not electronically directional.

Will it pass phantom power?

Yes, provided the entire Cat run is fully screened and fitted with screened RJ45 or etherCON connectors. The screen provides the common XLR pin 1 connection, so an unscreened Cat cable will not work correctly.

Can I connect it to a network switch?

No. This product carries four passive audio circuits and must only be connected to a compatible Audio over Cat breakout, box or patchbay. It is not an Ethernet or Dante device.

Related Audio over Cat Products

View the Designacable Audio over Cat range – use a female breakout or satellite box at the source end, or choose a panel version where a fixed installation makes more sense.