Behringer Digital SnakeE S16 Owner's Manual

DIGITAL SNAKE S16 User Manual

DIGITAL SNAKE S16 User Manual

The S16 Digital Snake is a 16-in, 8-out stagebox that features AES50 networking 

with KLARK TEKNIK SuperMac technology. Designed with multiple scenarios in 

mind, the S16 works equally well as a stand-alone pair for use with analog mixing 

consoles, or as part of the trio of BEHRINGER’s digital mixing solution along with 

the X32 digital mixer and P16 personal monitoring system. 
The 16 MIDAS-designed XLR inputs are fully programmable and remote-

controllable from the X32. 8 balanced XLR outputs provide ample sends to 

the stage for mains and monitoring. The front panel also allows the level and 

phantom power to be controlled for all inputs and outputs, accompanied by 

an 8-LED meter and 7-segment display. The currently selected channel can be 

monitored via 1/4" headphone jack with level control. 

Dual AES50 jacks allow transmission of all audio and MIDI data to the FOH X32 

with a single Ethernet cable, and also allow up to 3 S16s to be cascaded for 

maximum channel count. In this scenario, 48 bidirectional audio channels at 

24-bit / 48 kHz can be transferred on just one CAT5 line between FOH and stage, 

including 48 analog inputs from stage, 24 analog outputs on stage as well as the 

16 Ultranet channels, MIDI data and head amp remote control. 
An additional Ultranet output provides the 16 channels for use with BEHRINGER’s 

P16 personal monitoring system via Ethernet cable, allowing each musician 

to dial in their own custom mix from the stage. A pair of ADAT ports can carry 

additional sends to the stage beyond the 8 analog outputs, or split the 16 inputs. 

Lastly, a USB jack allows for future firmware updates.

HPX6000

DI Box

GTX30

F1320D active monitor

B215D active speaker

B1800D PRO

Keyboard

XM8500

(5)

(16)

(14)

(13)

(1)

(2)

(12)

(3)

(4)

(6)

(8)

(7)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(17)

(18)

(15)

(1) 

PHANTOM LEDs light when the 48 V button is engaged for a particular channel. 

(2) 

MIDAS-designed mic/line inputs accept balanced XLR male plugs.

(3) 

GAIN button, when pressed and held, displays the currently selected 

mic input’s gain setting, which may then be adjusted using the 

SELECT/ADJUST knob.

(4) 

DISPLAY shows the selected channel number, its gain setting, or the sample 

rate in Snake Master configuration.

(5) 

NETWORK LINK LEDs light red to indicate the AES50 ports are connected 

but not synchronized, and light green to indicate they are connected 

and synchronized.

(6) 

48 V button sends phantom power to the currently selected mic input, 

indicated by a lit button when active.

(7) 

STATUS LEDs show the operation mode of various features. See the Operation 

Mode Chart for details. The HA LOCKED LED indicates that preamp gain 

adjustment has been blocked by the controlling X32. To unlock, open the X32 

Setup/Global page and un-check the General Preference ’Lock Stagebox’.

(8) 

CONFIG button, when pressed and held, allows the device’s operation 

mode to be adjusted by the SELECT/ADJUST knob. See Operation Mode Chart 

for details.

(9) 

SELECT/ADJUST knob scrolls through the 16 channels, adjusts the gain 

of the currently selected input, and changes the operating mode. 

Push repeatedly to scroll Inputs, Outputs, P16 channels, ADAT outputs, 

and Stage (only in Snake Master mode).

(10) 

LED METER displays the signal level of the currently selected channel.

(11) 

MONITORING LEVEL knob adjusts the level of the PHONES output.

(12) 

XLR outputs accept balanced XLR female plugs.

(13) 

POWER switch turns the unit on and off. 

(14) 

USB input accepts a USB type-B plug for firmware updates via PC. 

(15) 

AES50 ports allow connection to a SuperMAC digital multichannel audio 

network via shielded Cat-5e Ethernet cable with terminated ends. 

This allows connection to digital mixers or cascading of multiple S16 units.

(16) 

ULTRANET port sends 16 channels to a Behringer P-16 personal 

monitoring system.

(17) 

ADAT OUT jacks send AES50 channels 17-32 to external equipment via optical 

cable, or split the local 16 inputs for direct ADAT recording.

(18) 

MIDI IN/OUT jacks accept standard 5-pin MIDI cables for MIDI communication 

to and from an X32 console.

Common connections