Thoughts on these Ethernet breakout cable boxes?

[dickiefunk]

Hi,

I am currently using an old cheap 4 way multicore in my studio which is patched between my mic preamps/headphone amp and vocal booth. I am noticing some loss in level and hum when using this compared to patching mics direct to the preamps. The Jack plugs are really flimsy and the multicore is way too long for my setup.
As a result I’m considering replacing this and have just come across these Ethernet breakout boxes at Thomann.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/the_sssnake_cat_snake_3mc.htm

https://www.thomann.de/gb/the_sssnake_cat_snake_3fb.htm

Does anyone have any experience with using these or a similar setup?
Am I likely to notice an improvement in audio quality signal?

[The Elf]

I have those in my location recording system. I've only needed to use them a couple of times, but they worked fine. I imagine it's all about the quality of the network cable you use with them. They don't seem to add anything nasty to the signal, though I've not made a study of them in terms of cross-talk, or other side-effects.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I am currently using an old cheap 4 way multicore in my studio which is patched between my mic preamps/headphone amp and vocal booth.

Nothing wrong with that in concept... It's done in studios all round the world.

I am noticing some loss in level and hum when using this compared to patching mics direct to the preamps.

There shouldn't be a loss in mic level unless it's a really low-quality cable. Loss of heaphone level is quite likely, especially if using low-impedance phones, but easily solved by sending balanced line level to a headphone amp in the booth.

Hum can be caused either by interference or ground loops. We did a Studio SOS a while back where a chap had hummy mics. Turned out he'd coiled his excessively long multicore behind his desk, and the dropped a mains plugboard on top with a couple of transformer wall-warts plugged in! Oops. Radiated hum a-go-go!

If the multi is nowhere near a mains transformer or cables, then its more likely to be a ground-loop. Many cheap multis tie all the grounds together, which means you're also tying the grounds of everything plugged in — headphone amp and preamps in your case... hence ground-loops. Some thoughtful snipping of cable grounds should resolve it if that's the problem.

The Jack plugs are really flimsy and the multicore is way too long for my setup.

If you can solder and DIY, it is probably not too difficult to shorten the cable and replace the connectors with better quality ones.

As a result I’m considering replacing this and have just come across these Ethernet breakout boxes at Thomann... Am I likely to notice an improvement in audio quality signal?

Much depends on the quality (and type) of the cable you use, as Elf says. Most cables have a single overall screen whereas you would really need individually screened pairs for low-level mics, especially if adjacent pairscare carrying high-level unbalanced headphone signals.

Such individually screen cat cables exist but are more expensive... Your existing multicore already has individually screened pairs, by the way.

The cat multi system works well. But it will suffer from interference and ground-loops in exactly the same way as your existing rig.

In my view, it would be much better and more cost effective to resolve your current problems and modify your existing multi to better suit your needs.

[dickiefunk]

Thanks guys. It looks like Hugh has hit the nail exactly on the head!
My multicore is way too long for my setup and is coiled up in the corner of my studio next to my sub and Electric drum kit with a plug board and transformer wall warts on top
Also, the cable that has the connections soldered onto is extremely thin! and looks quite delicate!? I get nervous when unplugging equipment from it as I'm also worried I'm going to accidently break a solder connection.