Yamaha Tio1608-D2

The Yamaha Tio1608-D2 is a Dante-enabled I/O rack and stage box that puts 16 mic preamps and 8 outputs on stage and carries them to your console over a single network cable. Designed for seamless operation with Yamaha’s digital consoles, it replaces heavy analog snakes with a clean, low-latency digital connection, and up to three units can be combined for larger systems.

Highlights

• 16 XLR/TRS combo inputs with remote-controlled preamps and 48V phantom
• 8 XLR outputs
• Dante audio networking over a single Cat5e cable
• Sample rates up to 96 kHz
• Quick Config for fast setup with Yamaha TF-series consoles
• Primary and secondary Dante ports for redundancy or daisy-chaining

Yamaha Tio1608-D2: Replace the Snake With One Cable

A traditional analog snake is heavy, expensive, and prone to noise over long runs. The Tio1608-D2 converts stage inputs to digital audio right at the source and sends them to the console over Dante, so a single Ethernet cable carries all 16 inputs and 8 returns with pristine quality and low latency.

Remote-Controlled Preamps

All 16 preamps are controlled from the console, so gain, phantom power, and settings can be adjusted from front of house without walking to the stage. With 48V phantom on every input, it handles condenser mics, dynamics, and DI boxes.

Setting Up the Tio1608-D2

Rack-mount the unit on stage, connect microphones and monitor sends, and run a Cat5e or better cable from the Primary Dante port to your Yamaha console. With TF-series consoles, Quick Config handles patching automatically; with other Dante consoles, set up routing in Dante Controller. Use the Secondary port for redundancy or to daisy-chain units.

What to Pair With the Tio1608-D2

Pair the Tio1608-D2 with a Yamaha TF, DM3, or other Dante-capable console, shielded Cat5e/Cat6 cable, a rack case, and stage microphones and DI boxes.

Scale Up Your System

Combine up to three Tio1608-D2 units for as many as 48 inputs and 24 outputs, spread across the stage wherever you need them. It’s an easy way to grow from small events to large productions.

Built for Professional Use

A rugged rack chassis, adjustable fan speed, and Yamaha’s proven preamps and converters make the Tio1608-D2 a reliable choice for churches, theaters, schools, and rental companies.

Why Move to a Digital Stage Box?

Digital stage boxes reduce setup time, cable weight, and noise compared to analog snakes, and they let you place inputs exactly where they’re needed on stage. Because audio travels over Dante, the same network can also feed recording computers, broadcast feeds, and monitor systems.

Network Best Practices

Use quality shielded Cat5e or Cat6 cable, keep runs within Ethernet distance limits, and connect the Secondary port to a separate network for redundancy on critical events. Label each unit and cable to make troubleshooting quick.

Yamaha Tio1608-D2 FAQ

What consoles does it work with? It’s designed for Yamaha’s Dante-capable consoles, with Quick Config for TF-series mixers.

Can I use more than one? Yes. Up to three units provide 48 inputs and 24 outputs.

Yamaha Tio1608-D2 Specifications at a Glance

• Inputs: 16 XLR/TRS combo with 48V phantom
• Outputs: 8 XLR
• Network: Dante (primary and secondary ports)
• Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz
• Equivalent input noise: -128 dBu
• Power consumption: 50W
• Weight: 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg)

Who Buys the Yamaha Tio1608-D2

• Churches and houses of worship
• Theaters and schools
• Live sound and rental companies
• Venues upgrading to digital snakes

Why Buy the Yamaha Tio1608-D2 From Metro Sound & Lighting

Metro Sound & Lighting isn’t a catalog-only retailer. We design, install, and service sound systems in-house, so our team can design your Dante network and stage box system and support it after the sale. We offer B2B and integrator pricing for churches, schools, and venues.

Browse more options in our Remote I/O category, or see the full specifications on the official Yamaha Tio1608-D2 product page.