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®
True to the Music™
CATAPULT RACK
TX & RX
CAT 5 ANALOG AUDIO SNAKE
User Guide
Radial Engineering Ltd.
1165-1845 Kingsway Ave, Port Coquitlam
British Columbia, Canada, V3C 0H3
Tel: 604-942-1001 • www.radialeng.com
Email: info@radialeng.com
www.radialeng.com
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Radial® Reamp Station User Guide
Table of Contents Page
Overview.......................................................................................1
Features ................................................................................... 2-3
Making Connections .....................................................................4
Lifting the Ground .........................................................................5
Using the Catapult TX and RX as a Pair ......................................5
The Radial Catapult Family ..........................................................6
Additional Applications.............................................................. 7-8
Specications ...............................................................................9
Warranty .......................................................................Back cover
Thank you for purchasing the Radial Catapult™ Rack modular
snake, a Cat 5 analog audio snake system that is designed
to simplify stage setups, take advantage of pre-existing wire
infrastructure, and work in combination with other Catapult
modules.
We recommend you take a few minutes to read this short manual
before you begin using the Catapult Rack TX or RX, as it covers
the various features of these devices and tips for setup and
use. Should you have any questions about the Catapult Rack or
any other Radial Catapult modules, please visit our website at
www.radialeng.com for additional resources and frequently asked
questions.
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True to the Music
OVERVIEW
The Catapult Rack TX and RX both act like typical multi-channel analog
audio snakes; they allow you to send balanced mic or line-level signals
from one location to another without signal loss, noise, or interference,
and without any digital audio conversion needed. However, unlike typical
analog snakes that require bulky and expensive multi-channel audio
cables, the Catapult system makes use of Cat 5 Ethernet cabling, which
is widely available, lightweight, and economical.
Simply connect one shielded Cat 5 cable for every four channels of audio
and deliver it to any other Radial Catapult module – it will utilize the
analog conductors in the cable to deliver four balanced audio lines to any
destination. As many buildings are already pre-wired for Cat 5, you can
take advantage of this to transmit audio between distant rooms without
the need to install or supply new cable. And since the Catapult system is
modular, you can mix and match dierent transmit and receive boxes to
best suit your application.
Each Catapult Rack unit operates like three separate Catapult modules in
one chassis. The 12 XLRs on the chassis are split into three banks, each
with their own noise-eliminating ground lift switch and RJ45 Ethernet
jacks on the rear panel. You can use three Ethernet cables to connect
all 12 channels to a single location, or split them o to any of the Radial
Catapult stage boxes, providing you with a fully customizable audio snake
system that can connect to multiple destinations at once. The Catapult
Rack TX features all female XLR connectors, while the Catapult Rack RX
has 12 male XLR connectors.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
The Catapult Rack TX
The Catapult Rack RX
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Catapult Rack™
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FEATURES - CATAPULT RACK TX
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1. GROUND LIFT: Lifts pin-1 on all four of the corresponding XLR
connectors to remove hum and buzz caused by ground loops.
2. XLR INPUTS: Locking female XLRs are provided in banks of four,
each bank corresponds to a pair of rear panel RJ45 connectors to
transmit analog audio over Cat 5 cabling.
3. REVERSIBLE RACK EARS: Can be placed on either side of the
Catapult Rack, allowing for the XLRs or the RJ45 connectors to face
outwards for added exibility.
4. RJ45 OUTPUT AND THRU: Standard Ethernet style connectors for
feeding four channels of audio to another Catapult module. Both
connectors are wired in parallel with the front panel XLRs. Rugged
Neutrik etherCON jacks provide a robust connection for live touring
use.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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Catapult Rack™
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FEATURES - CATAPULT RACK RX
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5. GROUND LIFT: Lifts pin-1 on all four of the corresponding XLR
connectors to remove hum and buzz caused by ground loops.
6. XLR OUTPUTS: Locking male XLRs are provided in banks of four,
each bank corresponds to a pair of rear panel RJ45 connectors to
receive analog audio over Cat 5 cabling.
7. REVERSIBLE RACK EARS: Can be placed on either side of the
Catapult Rack, allowing for the XLRs or the RJ45 connectors to face
outwards for added exibility.
8. RJ45 INPUT AND THRU: Standard Ethernet style connectors for
receiving four channels of audio from another Catapult module.
Both connectors are wired in parallel with the front panel XLRs.
Rugged Neutrik etherCON jacks provide a robust connection for live
touring use.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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Catapult Rack™
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True to the Music
MAKING CONNECTIONS
As with all audio systems, it is good practice to turn volume levels down
or audio systems o before making connections to and from the Catapult
Rack. This will help avoid connection or power-up transients from
damaging more sensitive components such as tweeters.
You can use any standard Cat 5 or Cat 6 cable to connect Catapult Rack
units to each other or to any other Radial Catapult modules. In order to
pass 48V phantom power to feed your condenser mics or active direct
boxes, the cable and terminating connections must have a shield.
If you are transmitting line level signals, the shield is not required due
to the twisted pair conguration, but it will still be benecial as shielded
cables are less susceptible to noise. As the twisted pairs in a Cat 5 cable
are tightly wound together in a compact jacket, it’s a good idea to send
similar level signals together over the same wire as this will reduce
crosstalk from higher signal levels (such as +4dB line levels) bleeding
onto lower output signals (such as -30dB mic levels).
A typical Cat 5 connector and cable showing the four twisted pairs
The Catapult Rack also supports the use of a ruggedized and lockable
RJ45 connector type known as an etherCON connector, which features
a metal shell that surrounds and protects the RJ45 plug, and prevents
against accidental disconnection.
The Catapult Rack RJ45
connectors
A Neutrik etherCON
connector
Each Catapult Rack has two RJ45 connectors for each bank of four
XLRs. One of these jacks is intended to be used as a passthrough
connector which allows you to feed that bank to an additional destination.
Since these jacks are wired in parallel with each other, it doesn’t matter
which one you use for the passthrough - this is why they are unlabeled.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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LIFTING THE GROUND
Each bank of four channels on the
Catapult Rack is equipped with a ground
lift switch. Start with this switch set to the
‘out’ position.
True to the Music
If you hear noise on one of the banks
after you have connected to your source
The ground lift switch
and destination devices, try engaging this
switch as it can help eliminate ground
loop noise such as hum and buzz.
However, note that lifting the ground will disconnect phantom power,
which means that condenser mics or active DI boxes will not work on that
bank of channels.
USING THE CATAPULT RACK TX AND RX AS A PAIR
To use the Catapult Rack units in their simplest form, connect the TX to
the RX using three Cat 5 cables. This creates a 12 channel rackmount
audio snake that allows you to send balanced mic or line-level signals
from one distant location to another.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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Catapult Rack™
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True to the Music
THE RADIAL CATAPULT FAMILY
While the Catapult Rack TX and RX work great as a pair, they are made
even more useful by the wide variety of other Radial Catapult modules
that already exist. Since all Catapult modules are compatible with one
another, you can easily customize your stage or recording studio setup
to best suit your needs.
The Catapult Mini modules are extremely compact stage boxes that
feature an RJ45 jack on the chassis and a 2ft long fanout of either XLR
male, XLR female or TRS connectors. These units are small enough to t
inside the doghouse of a mixing console or tucked behind an equipment
rack, but also rugged enough to be placed on a live stage.
The Catapult Mini RX
The Catapult TX4 and RX4 are extremely heavy-duty stage boxes that
feature both XLR and RJ45 pass thru connectors on each unit, and
certain models also oer transformer isolation on each channel to keep
noise to a minimum when used to connect between multiple powered
devices.
The Catapult TX4M and RX4M models each feature transformers
optimized for use with mic-level signals, while the TX4L and RX4L have
line-level transformers on board. The standard TX4 and RX4 models do
not feature transformer isolation and as such they can be used with both
mic and line-level signals.
The Catapult TX4 The Catapult RX4
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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True to the Music
ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS
The following examples demonstrate some of the various setups that are
possible when using dierent combinations of Radial Catapult modules.
CREATE STAGE ZONES WITH MULTIPLE MODULES
Set the Catapult Rack RX at your PA console and place three compact
Catapult Mini TX units at dierent zones on stage. This cuts down on
cable clutter and streamlines your setups and teardowns.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PRE-EXISTING CAT 5 WIRING
Use the Cat 5 cables already wired throughout a building to send audio
from one room to the other without additional installation or messy cables.
Keep in mind that it is common for cable infrastructure to be unshielded,
so it may not pass phantom power. Note that the signals between two
Catapult modules cannot pass through a network switch, as it will block
the analog audio signal.
Cat 5 Wall Plate
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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Catapult Rack™
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True to the Music
ADD FLEXIBILITY WITH THE CATAPULT TX4
Combining the Catapult Rack RX with Catapult TX4 stage boxes adds
exibility to match the needs of any setup. The TX4 features both male
and female XLR connectors so they can be used for both sends and
returns, or the XLR thru connectors can feed channels to a monitor
console while the Cat 5 cable feeds the main PA system.
USE THE CATAPULT RACK WITH ISOLATED STAGE BOXES
Send audio to three separate zones by using the Catapult Rack TX and
the transformer-isolated Catapult RX4L modules together as a return
snake. The isolated outputs allow you to send audio to multiple power
amps or other powered devices without the need to worry about ground
loop noise.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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Catapult Rack™
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True to the Music
SPECIFICATIONS*
TX - RX
Audio Circuit Type: ............................................Passive RJ45 to XLR
Frequency Response: ......................................10Hz - 100kHz, ±0.05dB
Total Harmonic Distortion: .................................<0.0003% @ +4dBu, 20Hz - 20kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio: .......................................>114dB
Dynamic Range: ................................................136dB
Maximum Input: .................................................+20dBu
Crosstalk Between Channels: ...........................-130dB @ 1kHz, +4dBu
Crosstalk Between Banks: .................................-140dB @ 1kHz, +4dBu
Features
Input / Output Connectors .................................12 XLR, 6 RJ45 etherCON
Reversible Rack Ears: .......................................Rackmount with either side facing out
Ground Lift Switch: ...........................................Disconnects Pin-1 on bank of XLR connectors
General
Construction: .....................................................18-gauge Steel Chassis, 12-gauge Steel Faceplate
Size: ...................................................................L: 19" x H: 1.75" x D: 3.25"
Weight: ..............................................................3.06lbs (1.39kg)
Finish: ................................................................Durable Powder Coat
Warranty: ...........................................................Radial 3-year, transferable
* Subject to change without notice.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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THREE YEAR TRANSFERABLE LIMITED WARRANTY
RADIAL ENGINEERING LTD. (“Radial”) warrants this product to be free from defects in
material and workmanship and will remedy any such defects free of charge according
to the terms of this warranty. Radial will repair or replace (at its option) any defective
component(s) of this product (excluding nish and wear and tear on components under
normal use) for a period of three (3) years from the original date of purchase. In the event
that a particular product is no longer available, Radial reserves the right to replace the
product with a similar product of equal or greater value. In the unlikely event that a defect
is uncovered, please call 604-942-1001 or email support@radialeng.com to obtain an
RA number (Return Authorization number) before the 3 year warranty period expires.
The product must be returned prepaid in the original shipping container (or equivalent)
to Radial or to an authorized Radial repair center and you must assume the risk of loss
or damage. A copy of the original invoice showing date of purchase and the dealer name
must accompany any request for work to be performed under this limited and transferable
warranty. This warranty shall not apply if the product has been damaged due to abuse,
misuse, misapplication, accident or as a result of service or modication by any other than
an authorized Radial repair center.
THERE ARE NO EXPRESSED WARRANTIES OTHER THAN THOSE ON THE FACE
HEREOF AND DESCRIBED ABOVE. NO WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE SHALL EXTEND
BEYOND THE RESPECTIVE WARRANTY PERIOD DESCRIBED ABOVE OF THREE
YEARS. RADIAL SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSS ARISING FROM THE USE
OF THIS PRODUCT. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND
YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY DEPENDING ON WHERE
YOU LIVE AND WHERE THE PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED.
To meet the requirements of California Proposition 65, it is our responsibility to inform you of the following:
WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please take proper care when handling and consult local government regulations before discarding.
®
www.radialeng.com
Radial Engineering Ltd.
1165-1845 Kingsway Ave, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, V3C 0H3
Tel: 604-942-1001 • www.radialeng.com • info@radialeng.com
Radial® Catapult Rack User Guide - Part #: R870 1069 00 / 03-2024
Copyright 2024 Radial Engineering Ltd. All rights reserved.
Specications and appearance subject to change without notice.
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