#Chapter 02: Digital Snakes, Stageboxes & AES50 Networks

The SuperMAC AES50 networking protocol, developed by Sony Pro Audio and refined by Klark Teknik, is the digital backbone of the Behringer X32 and Midas M32 ecosystems. Carrying 48 channels of bidirectional 24-bit 48 kHz digital audio over a single network cable with sub-millisecond latency, AES50 replaces heavy analog copper snake multicables with lightweight, interference-free digital connections.

This chapter details the AES50 protocol, stagebox hardware (S16, S32, SD8/16, DL16, DL32), mandatory shielded cabling requirements, master/slave clock synchronization, cascading, and multi-console gain sharing.

#1. The SuperMAC AES50 Protocol

Each AES50 port (Port A and Port B) transmits and receives:

• 48 Bidirectional Channels: 48 channels in, 48 channels out at 48 kHz (or 44.1 kHz) 24-bit PCM.
• Ultra-Low Latency: Latency across the link is deterministic: exactly 3 samples (~62.5 microseconds at 48 kHz).
• Control Data: Carries headamp remote commands (gain, +48V phantom power, stagebox status) multiplexed directly inside the audio stream.

#2. Stagebox Hardware Models Compared

#3. MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: Shielded Cable & EtherCON

CRITICAL WARNING: You MUST NEVER use standard unshielded (UTP) computer network cable for AES50 connections!

#Mandatory Cable Specifications:

1. Shielded Twisted Pair: STP, FTP, or SF/UTP Cat5e or Cat6 cable with foil or braided shield.
2. Neutrik EtherCON Shells: Metal EtherCON barrel connectors on both ends.
3. Continuous Grounding: The metal shell of the connector must be physically soldered to the cable shield wire on both ends to drain static charges harmlessly into the chassis ground before reaching data pins.
4. Maximum Cable Run: Maximum certified distance is 100 meters (330 feet).

#4. Master / Slave Clock Synchronization

In digital audio networking, exactly one device can serve as the Clock Master. All other devices must operate as Clock Slaves.

#How to Configure Clocking:

1. Front of House (Master Console):
   • Navigate to SETUP → CONFIG.
   • Set Sample Rate to 48 kHz (or 44.1 kHz).
   • Set Synchronization to INTERNAL. (A green icon appears next to Internal).
2. Secondary / Monitor Console (Slave):
   • Navigate to SETUP → CONFIG.
   • Set Synchronization to AES50 A (or AES50 B, matching the cable connection).
   • Verify that the green AES50 lock indicator illuminates solidly on the top status bar.

#5. Cascading Multiple Stageboxes

You can chain two 16-channel stageboxes (e.g., two Behringer S16s or Midas DL16s) to create a 32-input / 16-output digital snake over a single run of cable back to the console:

All links use shielded Cat5e cable (a short shielded jumper between the two stageboxes).

#On the Mixing Console:

• Navigate to ROUTING → HOME:
  • Inputs 1-8 = AES50 A 1-8 (Stagebox 1)
  • Inputs 9-16 = AES50 A 9-16 (Stagebox 1)
  • Inputs 17-24 = AES50 A 17-24 (Stagebox 2)
  • Inputs 25-32 = AES50 A 25-32 (Stagebox 2)
• Navigate to ROUTING → AES50 A OUT:
  • Outputs 1-8 = Out 1-8 (Feeds XLR Outs 1–8 on Stagebox 1)
  • Outputs 9-16 = Out 9-16 (Feeds XLR Outs 1–8 on Stagebox 2)

#6. Multi-Console AES50 Network (FOH, Monitors & Broadcast)

Connecting Front of House, Monitor, and Broadcast desks to share stage inputs:

1. Monitor Console Pass-Through Routing:
   • The Monitor Desk receives the stagebox on AES50 Port A.
   • To pass the raw stage inputs along to FOH, navigate on the Monitor Desk to Routing → AES50 B Out.
   • Route Outputs 1-32 directly from AES50 A 1-32.
   • Result: The FOH console receives the untouched stagebox streams transparently!
2. Gain Sharing Protection:
   • The Monitor Desk controls physical preamps.
   • On the FOH and Broadcast desks, navigate to SETUP → GLOBAL and engage HA Gain Split.
   • FOH and Broadcast adjust independent digital trim (-18 dB to +18 dB) without disturbing the stage monitor mix.