PROEL CMT16 - 16-Channel Analog Audio Multipair Cable with XLPE Insulation
The Proel CMT16 is a high-performance connectivity solution designed for audio professionals who demand reliability, order, and purity in signal transmission. This multi-core cable (also known as a "snake" or "medusa") integrates 16 balanced pairs into a compact and exceptionally flexible structure, ideal for both the demanding environment of touring and live events and for fixed installations in recording and broadcast studios.
Built to Proel's rigorous CMT series standards, this cable stands out for its internal engineering. Each pair features XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) insulation, a superior material to standard PVC that offers a lower dielectric constant, resulting in reduced capacitance and better preservation of high frequencies over long runs. Furthermore, XLPE withstands heat better during the soldering process, facilitating connectorization and reducing the risk of melting the insulation.
The design focuses on ease of use and error prevention. Each pair is individually 100% shielded and covered with a numbered, color-coded PVC jacket. This allows technicians to identify each channel at a glance at both ends, eliminating the need for constant continuity testers and ensuring no phase errors or crosstalk occur during assembly.
Main features
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Pure signal transmission: Thanks to the use of flexible virgin copper and XLPE insulation, the signal remains intact with low attenuation.
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Total Shielding: Each of the 16 pairs has its own 100% shield, guaranteeing excellent immunity against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), crucial in scenarios with a lot of lighting and electricity.
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Extreme Flexibility: The outer PVC cover with a hardness of 60 Shore is soft to the touch and allows for easy rewinding without memory (kinking), even after repeated use in difficult conditions.
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Quick Identification: Individual numbering system on the cover of each pair, drastically speeding up the assembly process of connectors (XLR, Jack, etc.).
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Thermal Durability: Designed to operate in a wide temperature range (-20°C to +80°C), maintaining its flexibility in cold outdoor conditions and resisting the heat of indoor spotlights.
Benefits for the sound technician
The main benefit of the Proel CMT16 is the reduction in setup and teardown time. Its flexibility eliminates the usual struggles with rigid cables that refuse to coil properly at the end of the show. Furthermore, the assurance of individually insulated XLPE pairs provides peace of mind: you'll know that the signal from channel 1 won't leak into channel 2, maintaining a clean and defined mix.
Use cases
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Live Stages and Touring: Perfect for connecting the stage box to the monitor or FOH mixing console on tours where equipment is set up and taken down daily.
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Recording Studios: Ideal for structured cabling between the recording room (Live Room) and the control room, passing through technical floors or channels thanks to its contained diameter.
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Broadcast Installations: For mobile television or radio units that require deploying multiple audio lines quickly and safely.
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Conference Rooms and Theatres: Fixed installations where cabling needs to be hidden and noise-free long-distance transmission is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What type of connectors can be mounted on this cable?
It is compatible with any standard 3-pin audio connector, such as XLR (Cannon) or 1/4" TRS jack. The conductor gauge is optimized for soldering into standard cups.
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Is it resistant to being stepped on?
Yes, the abrasion-resistant PVC outer cover is designed to withstand normal stage foot traffic and dragging on the floor, protecting the internal components.
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Does the cable have shape memory?
No, one of the great advantages of the CMT series is the use of "soft" materials that prevent the cable from "remembering" the way it was coiled, allowing it to lie flat on the stage floor.
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Does it work for AES/EBU digital signals?
Although it's a very high-quality cable, the CMT series is primarily optimized for analog audio signals (microphone/line). For long runs of dedicated digital signals, cables with a strict 110-ohm impedance are recommended, although it may work fine for short distances.
Project description
16-channel balanced analog audio multipair cable. Flexible 26 AWG (0.14 mm²) copper conductors with 1.05 mm diameter cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation. Each pair is individually 100% shielded with tape, has a 24 AWG (0.22 mm²) tinned copper drain wire, and an individual numbered PVC jacket for identification. The outer jacket is made of black, abrasion-resistant (60 Shore) flexible PVC. Nominal outer diameter: 16.50 mm. Conductor resistance: <127 Ohm/Km; conductor-to-conductor capacitance: 52 pF/mA at 1 kHz. Operating temperature range: -20°C to +80°C.
