Roland M-5000 - Installing REAC Devices; Basic REAC Knowledge; About Cables; Ethernet Cable Types

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Installing REAC Devices
Basic REAC Knowledge
REAC (Roland Ethernet Audio Communication) is Roland’s own
original digital audio-transmission technology using Ethernet. It
uses a protocol independently developed by Roland based on
Ethernet technology, and makes possible transmission of 40 input
and 40 output channels of 24-bit digital audio at 96 kHz using a
single Category 5e Ethernet cable. REAC devices can also easily be
interconnected.
5 Capable of 40 inputs and 40 outputs of 24-bit digital audio at
96 kHz
5 Allows easy device connection using just master, slave, and split
settings
5 Capable of transmission of up to 100 meters over a single Cat
5e cable
5 Extension of cable length possible using an Ethernet switching
hub
5 Easy signal splitting possible using a switching hub
5 Extremely short transmission latency between REAC devices
(approx. 375 microseconds)
About Cables
Because Category 5e Ethernet cables are used, connecting REAC
devices to one another is simple and easy. These Cat 5e Ethernet
cables are ordinarily used to make computer network connections.
Ethernet Cable Types
5 Crossover cable
The cable’s internal wiring crosses over at each RJ45 plug. This
means that the connections of the RJ45 plugs at either end of
the signal cable are dierent.
5 Straight cable
The cable’s internal wiring is arranged identically at each end.
With this unit, you can use either crossover cables or straight cables.
For making connections to the REAC ports, we recommend using
optionally available REAC cables (SC-W20F, SC-W100S, W100S-R,
etc.).
Ethernet Connectors
Ethernet cables use RJ45 plugs. REAC devices are provided with an
RJ45 connector at REAC port.
RJ45 plug REAC RJ45 connector
For critically important communication, protecting RJ45 plugs and
connectors is vital. In such cases, rugged Neutrik EtherCon plugs are
used for the REAC RJ45 plugs.
Using EtherCon RJ45 plugs makes possible the same kind of latch-
locked connections as when using XLR plugs.
Neutrik provides EtherCon RJ45 plugs, as well as EtherCon plugs
that you can add to or use to modify RJ45 plugs on third-party
Ethernet cables.
Important Notes on Handling Ethernet Cables
5 Never apply strong force to Ethernet cables.
5 Never wind (bend) an Ethernet cable using a coil radius of 25
millimeters or less, or bend the cable sharply enough to kink it.
5 Never bind bundled Ethernet cables too tightly.
5 Never run lengths of multiple Ethernet cables in parallel over
long distances.
5 Keep Ethernet cables away from sources of noise (such as power
cords, motors, and uorescent lights).