{"product_id":"sound-tools-cat-rack-female-xlr-stage-box-12-channel-passive-rack","title":"Sound Tools CAT Rack Female XLR Stage Box - 12-Channel Passive Rack","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of the Sound Tools CAT Rack Female XLR stage box, the bottom line is simple: it's a robust, no-frills 12-channel passive solution for routing analog and data signals from stage to rack with minimal fuss. The unit is aimed at live sound techs, small touring rigs, and studio engineers who need a compact, durable stage box that supports analog audio, AES3, DMX and intercom signals over shielded CAT cable. The single biggest reason to buy is the combination of full XLR connectivity and etherCON inputs that let you replace bulky snake runs with a single shielded CAT run.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12 Channel XLR:\u003c\/strong\u003e Delivers up to twelve XLR channels of balanced audio or data in a fully passive design, keeping signal flow simple and reliable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eetherCON I\/O:\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes an etherCON input and a parallel etherCON output so you can daisy-chain boxes and reduce cable congestion on busy stages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReversible rack ears:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rack ears can be reversed by unscrewing two screws per side, giving flexible mounting orientation in a 1U rack slot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModular compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Works as a stage box, splitter or other routing device and accepts analog, AES3, DMX and intercom signals when used with shielded CAT5e or better cable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDurable construction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Built with Neutrik connectors, machined anodized aluminum and stainless screws for road-ready resilience.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe CAT Rack Female is best for live sound engineers, small touring acts, and studio operators who want a compact, low-maintenance stage box that fits a 1U rack slot and can carry multiple signal types over shielded CAT cable. It is particularly useful where quick setup, daisy-chaining and durable connectors are priorities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThose who need powered active splitting, onboard signal processing, long runs without proper shielded cable, or integrated stage controls should look elsewhere; this is a fully passive unit intended as a rugged routing and split solution rather than a powered or networking converter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides twelve balanced XLR channels in a compact 1U package for straightforward stage-to-rack routing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eetherCON input and parallel output let you daisy-chain multiple racks and simplify cabling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReversible rack ears and strong Neutrik hardware make rack mounting flexible and durable for touring use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully passive design means no onboard processing or active distribution; users needing powered splitting must add external gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhantom power over CAT requires shielded CAT5e or better and proper system setup, so it is not a plug-and-play replacement for all mic snake scenarios.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChannels\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12 XLR\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConfiguration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFemale XLR rack mount (also available in male)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNetwork Ports\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eetherCON input and parallel etherCON output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnalog, AES3, DMX, intercom; phantom power over shielded CAT5e+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRack Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1U with reversible rack ears\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConstruction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeutrik connectors, anodized aluminum, stainless steel screws\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Sound Tools CAT Rack Female is a practical, well-built passive stage box for anyone who needs tidy signal routing and durable connectors without extra processing. It represents good value for touring and studio environments where a simple, modular solution for analog, AES3, DMX or intercom over shielded CAT cable is required; buy it when you want reliability and compact rack mounting rather than active features.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan this carry phantom power?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, phantom power can be passed when using shielded CAT5e or better cable, but correct wiring and system setup are required.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan multiple units be daisy-chained?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the parallel etherCON output allows daisy-chaining of multiple CAT Rack units for expanded channel counts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this an active splitter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, the CAT Rack is fully passive and provides no onboard active splitting or processing; external gear is needed for powered distribution.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sound Tools","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48232658370779,"sku":"B07TWCRXPJ","price":285.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51p4f2bpmiL._AC_SL1000.jpg?v=1770882760","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/sound-tools-cat-rack-female-xlr-stage-box-12-channel-passive-rack","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}