My immediate need was for an eight-channel snake to record a drum kit here at my small studio. I connected the Modular Snake System Box using a D'Addario PW-DB25MM-50 male-to-male 50-foot DB-25 cable directly to an API 8-slot High Current Lunchbox® with 8 microphone pre-amps installed.

Then inputs 1 thru 8 on the Snake Box correspond directly to slots 1 thru 8 on the API rack. The 50-foot length was fine to get to the adjoining room with plenty of extra length to keep it out of the way of foot traffic but these cables also come in all different lengths too.

It is thoughtful that the D'Addario Modular Snake System Stage Box configures the first four XLR inputs conventionally while inputs 5 thru 8 are XLR Combo jacks ready for either XLRs or 1/4-inch line level instruments such as synthesizers. To record a small drum kit, I use all eight inputs for studio microphones--some requiring phantom powering. I had no problem with noise or crosstalk--when one channel's audio signal "leaks" into another channel.

I liked that the Stage Box is small and lies flat with none of the connectors stick straight up that people might trip over--perfect for use around drummers! Ha! Around a drum kit this makes for a cleaner setup for sure--even the connected DB-25 cable plugs into the side (the end cap) so it is fairly well protected too. Plus, if you need more lines than eight, just get another Snake Box and cable for eight more mic or instrument inputs or for returning audio to the stage. In my case at my home studio, I use a pair of lines to feed a stereo headphone signal to musicians.

The D'Addario Modular Snake System Stage Box PW-XLRSB-01 sells for $85 MSRP and is an instant problems solver for both studio and live sound work!