Snake Calculator — Audio Snake Channel & Length Requirements

An audio snake (multicore) is a bundle of individually shielded audio cables in a single outer jacket, with a stage box at one end and a fan-out of connectors at the other. It carries multiple audio channels between the stage and the mixing desk, replacing many individual cables.

Measure the actual route the snake will take — not the straight-line distance. Add 5-10 metres for slack, routing around obstacles, and connecting to stage box and desk. Common lengths: small venue 15-20m, medium venue 30-50m, large venue 50-100m.

Sends carry signals from the stage to the mixing desk (microphones, DI boxes). Returns carry signals from the desk back to the stage (monitor mixes, effects). A 16×4 snake has 16 sends and 4 returns.

Digital snakes (using Cat5e/Cat6, fibre optic, or Dante/AES50) offer major advantages for long runs: no signal degradation over distance, lighter weight, fewer cables, and easy channel expansion. They are increasingly common even in small-medium setups. The trade-off is higher initial cost and need for digital infrastructure.