{"product_id":"cat-tails-fx-female-xlr-breakout-4-channel-slim-stage-fanout","title":"CAT Tails FX Female XLR Breakout 4-Channel - Slim Stage Fanout","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of the CAT Tails FX Female XLR Breakout, the bottom line is simple: this tool is for live sound engineers and studio techs who want to replace four bulky XLR runs with a single slim shielded CAT cable without sacrificing audio integrity. The biggest reason to buy is the reliable, all-analog conversion in a compact, road-ready package that supports analog, AES3, DMX and intercom signals while carrying 48-volt phantom power when shielded cable is used. The review focuses on real-world setup speed, build quality, and how it integrates into existing stage and venue cabling.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlim fanout:\u003c\/strong\u003e Replaces four separate XLR cables with one shielded CAT5\/6\/7 run to reduce cable bulk and stage clutter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour-channel wiring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Contains four 24 Mogami AES3 grade cables to maintain signal quality across all channels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNeutrik etherCON:\u003c\/strong\u003e Uses a Neutrik etherCON RJ45 connector for a secure, road-worthy network-style link.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignal compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Works with analog audio, AES3 digital, DMX and intercom signals for flexible use on tour or in the studio.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRugged construction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Housed in machined anodized aluminum for long-term durability under live sound conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransport ready:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ships in a durable red canvas zippered bag that keeps the unit organized between gigs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe CAT Tails FX Female XLR Breakout is aimed at live sound engineers, production companies and venues that need a compact way to fan out four channels of XLR from a single CAT cable or patch point. It is particularly useful for touring rigs, stage snakes and buildings with pre-installed CAT wiring where quick fanouts to consoles or stage boxes save setup time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThose who should look elsewhere include users needing long runs without venue CAT infrastructure or anyone requiring fully digital networking solutions beyond point-to-point AES3; this is a straightforward analog\/digital breakout, not a network switch or converter for complex signal routing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSignificantly reduces cable bulk by combining four XLRs into one CAT run.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-quality internal wiring with Mogami-grade cables preserves signal integrity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSturdy Neutrik etherCON and anodized aluminum body withstand road use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eRequires shielded CAT cable when using 48-volt phantom power, adding a constraint to cable choice.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-channel XLR breakout (female)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCable count\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFour 24 Mogami AES3 grade cables\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConnector\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeutrik etherCON RJ45 and four Neutrik XLR\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatible signals\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnalog, AES3, DMX, intercom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhantom power\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupports 48-volt phantom when using shielded CAT cable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHousing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMachined anodized aluminum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePackaging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed canvas zippered bag for transport and storage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe CAT Tails FX Female XLR Breakout is a practical, well-built fanout that earns its place in live sound toolkits for anyone wanting to simplify stage cabling and speed load-ins. It offers clear benefits in cable management, durable connectors and broad signal compatibility, making it good value for production teams and studios that use venue CAT infrastructure or need compact fanouts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan this carry phantom power?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, it supports 48-volt phantom power but you must use shielded CAT cable to do so.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it digital or analog?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is an all-analog unit that is compatible with AES3 digital and analog signals, as well as DMX and intercom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat connectors are used?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt uses a Neutrik etherCON RJ45 on the CAT side and four Neutrik XLR connectors labeled 1-4.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sound Tools","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48636262449371,"sku":"B07H45YP2V","price":143.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71TyIAPAGuL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778594217","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/cat-tails-fx-female-xlr-breakout-4-channel-slim-stage-fanout","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}