Network Switches and Cables for SoundGrid Systems

Jun 30, 2025

Consult this page for up-to-date information on network switches and cables that can be used in a SoundGrid audio networking and processing systems.

The SoundGrid system is designed for simplicity and requires exclusive use of the network for its traffic. Operating in a Layer 2 environment without relying on complex Layer 3 configurations, it is compatible with many network switches that meet the basic requirements, and should work ‘out of the box’.
To ensure optimal performance and reliability, Waves provides a recommended list of specific switch models that have been fully tested and qualified. Whether you select a switch from the recommended list or choose one that is not included, please follow the guidelines below to ensure optimal performance of your SoundGrid system.
- Use a 1Gbps (1000Base-T) network switch from a known high-quality brand.
- Maintain an exclusive, private network with SoundGrid devices only. Keep traffic on a dedicated network or VLAN, separated from any other data. Using non-SoundGrid devices on the same network switch might result in audio drops and other unexpected behaviors. For more information about using SoundGrid with VLAN, refer to the How to Use SoundGrid Network in a VLAN article.
- Make sure to connect to your network switch with a high-quality Ethernet cable. Refer to the Ethernet cables for SoundGrid systems page for additional info.
- Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) or Green Ethernet: We recommend using a managed switch for setups with multiple switches, ensuring Energy Efficient features are either disabled by default or can be turned off. Refer to the Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) in SoundGrid Systems article for more information.
- In a multi-switch system, such as an eMotion LV1 system that includes two consoles, or when connecting a SoundGrid interface on stage through a network switch to an eMotion LV1 at front-of-house, we recommend only using managed network switches.
Using Non-Managed vs. Managed switches:
Non-Managed switches:
- Non-managed switches can vary significantly in quality and stability. For this reason, we strongly recommend using a switch from our list of recommended switches, when choosing to work with a non-managed switch.
- Verify that the switch features a non-blocking architecture, meaning each port can operate at its full 1Gbps capacity simultaneously without congestion or performance degradation.
Managed switches:
- We recommend disabling Layer 3 features, as SoundGrid systems do not benefit from having these features enabled (e.g., Multicast IGMP or PIM, QoS, DHCP, NAT, PTP, static or dynamic routing, inter-VLAN, etc.).
- When using LAG, we suggest trying out both LACP and Static configurations to determine which mode performs better in case of a link disconnection/reconnection. In addition, SoundGrid network topology and load will also affect audio fallback time.
- For SuperRack/DiGiCo ProLink setups, MLD snooping should be enabled. Refer to the How to Configure NETGEAR Managed Switches for ProLink Integration article for more information.
- For SuperRack/Lawo ProLink setups, IGMP snooping needs to be enabled.
- Some Cisco enterprise switches come with VLAN 0 priority tagging (also known as dot1p, 802.1p, or Voice VLAN) disabled by default. Ensure this feature is enabled on your SoundGrid ports to support proper priority tagging.
Recommended Switches List
- - NETGEAR M4250 Series (Supports Netgear SFP AGM731F)
    LAG (Link Aggregation Group) feature is supported and can be used for a redundant connection between network switches from this series. Learn How to Apply SoundGrid Profile on Netgear M4250 Series Network Switches.
  - NETGEAR GS110TP V3 10 port switch - (Supports Netgear SFP AGM731F) Not Supported with DiGiCo SD consoles. LAG (Link Aggregation Group) feature is supported and can be used for a redundant connection between network switches (of the same model).
  - NETGEAR GS108 V4 8-Port Switch
    When devices are disconnected and then reconnected to the switch, the relevant port may not regain connection and may show no activity. To solve this issue, power cycle the switch.
    The GS108 V4 switch comes in different sub-versions, some of which use a Realtek chipset, leading to compatibility issues with DiGiCo consoles. To guarantee compatibility, make sure to use a switch with a Broadcom chipset. You can identify if a switch is equipped with a Broadcom chip by checking its serial number; switches with Broadcom chips have a serial number prefix of 3TX
  - NETGEAR JGS516 v2 - 16-Port Switch (learn how to use this switch with DiGiCo SD consoles)
  - NETGEAR GS510TLP 10 port switch (Supports Netgear SFP AGM731F)
    LAG (Link Aggregation Group) feature is supported and can be used for a redundant connection between network switches (of the same model).
  - NETGEAR Prosafe M4100-D12G (Supports Netgear SFP AGM731F)
    LAG (Link Aggregation Group) feature is supported and can be used for a redundant connection between network switches (of the same model).
- - Luminex GigaCore 10 10-Port Switch
    Link Redundancy (RLinkX) is supported with SoundGrid. Link Aggregation (MultiLinkX) is not supported with SoundGrid.
  - Luminex GigaCore 16Xt 16-Port Switch
    Link Redundancy (RLinkX) is supported with SoundGrid. Link Aggregation (MultiLinkX) is not supported with SoundGrid.
- - Cisco SG300-10PP (with SFP module MGBSX1 & fiber-optic cables for distances above 100m/328ft)
  - Cisco SG250-08 8-Port Gigabit Smart Switch
  - Cisco SG250-08HP 8-Port Gigabit PoE Smart Switch
- - DLink DGS-1210-10P (Supports DLink DEM-311GT)
    Not Supported with DiGiCo SD consoles.
    LAG (Link Aggregation Group) feature is supported and can be used for a redundant connection between network switches (of the same model).
- - HP1920-8G (JG920A) 8-port switch (with SFP module MGBSX1 & fiber optics cables for distances above 100m/328ft))
  - HP 1410-16G (J9560A) 16-port switch
  - HP 1410-8G (J9559A) 8-port switch
  - HP 1405-5G (JD869A) 5-port switch
  - HP ProCurve 1810-24G (J9450A) 24-port switch
- - TP-Link TL-SG108 (v2.0) 8-port switch (not supported with DiGiCo SD consoles)
  - TP-Link TL-SG1016 (v10.0) 16-port switch
  - TP-Link TL-SG3210 (v3) 8-port switch (not supported with DiGiCo SD consoles). LAG (Link Aggregation Group) feature is supported and can be used for a redundant connection between network switches (of the same model)

Supported Cable Types
Category Type
- Use Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a Ethernet cables.
- Cat5 is not compatible and Cat7* (or higher) is not recommended
Cable Shielding Considerations
- Use shielded twisted-pair (STP) or shielded and foiled twisted-pair (S/FTP) cables.
- Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables are generally not recommended, except for certain touring-grade models specifically designed for live environments.
Supported Maximum Cable Lengths
- Network Switch to SoundGrid Interfaces, SoundGrid Driver, or Host Computer running the SoundGrid Application: Up to 328 ft (100 m)
- Network Switch to SoundGrid Server: Use short, up to 32.8 ft (10m) Ethernet cables
- Network Switch to Network Switch – Up to 328 ft (100m) via copper Ethernet cables.
  For distances over 328 ft (100 m), use fiber optic cables. Consult your switch manufacturer to ensure compatibility with the appropriate cable types and SFP transceivers.
Important Notes
- We recommend using high-quality cables from reputable brands. Poorly crimped connectors or inconsistent assembly can lead to data loss and signal distortion. Avoid chaining short cables, as this increases the risk of impedance mismatches, opt for continuous runs whenever possible.
- With DiGiGrid Interfaces, use up to 164 ft (50m) Ethernet cables.
- *Cat7 is designed and wired for high-bandwidth traffic, but in a SoundGrid network, it can accentuate impedance matching issues anywhere in the signal chain, potentially leading to signal integrity problems. Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a are better suited, as they help suppress overshoot and ringing at connection points, preventing these artifacts from reaching the receiving end. We recommend using Cat5e, Cat6, or Cat6a whenever possible. If your system is working reliably with Cat7, there’s no need to change it, but if you're experiencing dropouts or network issues, consider switching to one of the recommended cable types.

Useful Resources: