Radial Engineering Bigshot I/O Users Manual

FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS

True to the Music

INPUT-1 - ¼” jack for ﬁrst

instrument connection.

INPUT-2 - ¼” jack for second instrument connection.

DIM LEVEL - control lets you

reduce the level of the instrument connected to INPUT-2.

TUNER - ¼” jack connects to tuner.

OUTPUT - ¼” jack connects to ampliﬁer.

BRIGHT - three position switch counteracts any effects from the DIM LEVEL

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control circuit and the capacitive ﬁltering effects from long cables.

DIM - bypass switch for the DIM level control.

TUNER - switch determines whether the TUNER output is on all the time or only when MUTE footswitch is depressed.

MUTE - footswitch turns the OUTPUT jack off for silent onstage tuning through the TUNER output.

SELECT - footswitch toggles between INPUT-1 and 2 to select the desired instrument.

The Radial BigShot i/o is a passive switcher that is speciﬁcally designed for use with ampliﬁers with proper electrical safety grounds that have been approved by nationally recognized electrical authorities such as UL in the United States, CSA in Canada and other similar bodies in countries around the world.

It is further understood that due to the unpredictable nature of connecting any number of different ampliﬁers and pedals together, using the BigShot i/o can pose a potential for electric shock, and as such, the user is completely responsible for any and all consequences as these are beyond our control.

This means that you are completely responsible to ensure the safe and proper use of the BigShot i/o and to clearly understand that using the BigShot i/o conﬁrms you have taken full responsibility. If you are not 100% sure of your actions, please consult a qualiﬁed technician for advice before using this device or connecting any of your equipment to it.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

BigShot i/o Owner’s Manual

Part # R800 7202

RADIAL LIMITED THREE YEAR

BigShot i/o User Guide

Radial Engineering - a division of JP Cabletek Electronics Ltd.- warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship and will remedy any such defects free of charge according to the terms of this warranty. Radial Engineering will repair or replace at its option any defective component(s) of this product, excluding the ﬁnish, the footswitch (footswitch is warranted for 90 days) and wear and tear from normal use, for a period of three (3) years from the original date of purchase. In the event that a particular product is no longer available, Radial Engineering reserves the right to replace the product with a similar product of equal or greater value. To

make a request or claim under this limited warranty, the product must be returned prepaid in the original shipping container (or equivalent) to Radial Engineering or to an authorized repair centre and you must assume the risk of loss or damage. A copy of the original invoice showing date of purchase and the dealer name must accompany any request for work to be performed under this limited warranty. This limited warranty shall not apply if the product has been damaged due to abuse, misuse, misapplication, accident or as a result of service or modiﬁcation by any other than an authorized repair centre.

THERE ARE NO EXPRESSED WARRANTIES OTHER THAN THOSE ON THE FACE HEREOF AND DESCRIBED ABOVE. NO WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SHALL EXTEND BEYOND THE RESPECTIVE WARRANTY PERIOD DESCRIBED ABOVE OF THREE YEARS.

RADIAL ENGINEERING SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSS ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH MAY VARY DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE.

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TRANSFERABLE WARRANTY

BigShot i/o User Guide

CAUTION: PLEASE READ THE IMPORTANT NOTICE ON THE BACK COVER BEFORE USING THE BIGSHOT i/o

Radial Engineering 1638 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5W9 Tel: 604-942-1001 Fax: 604-942-1010 email: info@radialeng.com

Radial Engineering is a division of C•TEC (JP CableTek Electronics Ltd.) Radial BigShot i/o users guide - v1.0 - Part #: R870 1125 00 Subject to change without notice

www.radialeng.com

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a Radial BigShot i/o. The Big-Shot i/o is a foot controllable device that allows a musician to select between two instruments on stage. The BigShot i/o can select between an electric and acoustic guitar or between a passive 4-string bass and an active-5 string bass. This is done by simply depressing a footswitch.

To make the transition as simple and effective as possible, an innovative DIM LEVEL control is provided that only affects INPUT-2. This control allows the louder of the two instruments to be tamed down so that both instruments play through the same amp channel at the same relative volume. The DIM LEVEL control may be switched out of the signal path when not needed.

To add versatility, a second output labeled TUNER allows a tuning device to be connected for quiet on-stage tuning. The BigShot i/o is ideally suited for any high impedance instrument such as guitars, basses and keyboards.

CONNECTING THE BIGSHOT I/O

The BigShot i/o is completely passive. This means that it does not require any power whatsoever to make it work. Before making any connections, conﬁ rm your ampliﬁ er is turned off and the volume controls are turned all the way down. This will reduce the possibility of problems should you have a short or a bad connection.

Start by connecting your main guitar to INPUT-1 and your second guitar to INPUT-2. Now connect the OUTPUT to your ampliﬁ er. If you have a tuner, you can connect it to the TUNER output.

Turn your amp on and test your setup at a low volume. By depressing the SELECT footswitch, you will be able to toggle between guitars. By depressing the MUTE footswitch, you will turn off the output for silent tuning. You are now set to go!

BigShot i/o User Guide

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BigShot i/o User Guide

Radial Engineering

BigShot i/o User Guide

Radial Engineering

USING THE RADIAL BIGSHOT I/O

DIM LEVEL

The BigShot i/o is equipped with an innovative feature called DIM LEVEL. By engaging the DIM LEVEL control, you can reduce the level of the instrument connected to INPUT-2 so that it matches the instrument connected to INPUT-

1. Using the DIM LEVEL control to set a balanced level between two instruments can make transitions quick and easy without having to go to the amp and adjust the level each time.

DIM LEVEL is designed primarily for situations when toggling between an instrument with passive pickups (such as a vintage Fender Precision bass) and an instrument with active pickups (such as a modern 5 string bass). The active bass will generally have much more output than the passive. The same logic applies when toggling between an electric guitar with passive pickups and an acoustic guitar with a built in preamp. The active acoustic guitar is much louder than the passive electric. By reducing the output of the more powerful instrument with the DIM LEVEL control, toggling between instruments during a hectic show is greatly simpliﬁ ed.

To use the DIM LEVEL control, ﬁ rst ensure the DIM slider switch is in the on position. Next connect the louder of your two instruments to INPUT-2. Strum each guitar and use the SELECT footswitch to toggle between instruments. Adjust the DIM LEVEL control until the instrument levels match.

DIM SWITCH

The DIM LEVEL control would generally not be used if you are selecting between two identical guitars, such as a backup guitar. It may be switched out of the circuit using the DIM slider switch.

BRIGHT SWITCH

This 3 position switch is designed to counteract any effects caused by the DIM LEVEL control and therefore only effects the instrument connected to INPUT-

2. As the BigShot i/o is passive, introducing a potentiometer into the circuit could darken the tone in some cases. The BRIGHT switch will allow you to compensate as needed. Note that the BRIGHT switch is only available when the DIM switch is set in the on position.

TUNER SWITCH

The TUNER slider switch works with the MUTE footswitch and controls how the TUNER output jack behaves. In the down position, the TUNER output jack is only active when the MUTE footswitch is depressed, this also mutes the main OUTPUT for silent on-stage tuning. In the up position, the tuner output remains on at all times regardless of whether the main OUTPUT is muted or not. This allows on-the-ﬂ y tuning.

MUTE FOOTSWITCH

The MUTE footswitch on the BigShot i/o always turns off the main OUTPUT jack and stops your guitar signal from reaching the ampliﬁ er.

SELECT FOOTSWITCH

The SELECT footswitch determines which input jack is active and toggles between them.

FAQ

Besides guitar and bass, can the BigShot i/o be used with other instruments?

Yes. The BigShot i/o will work for any high impedance signal including electronic instruments like keyboards and samplers. It will also work with dynamic microphones that have a hi-Z ¼” cable. For low-Z balanced mics, use the Radial HotShot ABi device which is designed to switch mic signals.

What is the advantage to turning the tuner output off?

Splitting the guitar signal to feed two inputs such as the tuner and ampliﬁ er can cause passive pickups to be loaded down. Loading will reduce the level of your guitar signal and make it sound less punchy. The BigShots tuner mute feature eliminates loading problems and has the beneﬁ t of convenient silent tuning.

Can I use the tuner output to switch between amps like an ABY switcher?

Yes, but be careful! Especially with older amps that do not have safety grounds. These old amps are notorious for causing shocks! As such, we are unable to recommend this practice due to legal responsibility. Please consult a qualiﬁ ed technician should you wish to use your BigShot i/o in an application it was not intended for.

I hear a slight clicking when I switch in effects. Is this normal?

Yes. The BigShot i/o is passive and the click occurs as the switch makes contact. This is normal for passive devices like the i/o. The only switchers that do not click are the types that employ photocells like the Tonebone Bassbone. These units ramp up and down the signal to avoid the on-off click.

What is the difference between the BigShot i/o and the Tonebone Bassbone?

Both allow you to select between two instruments but the BigShot i/o is passive while the Bassbone is a preamp and employs active Class-A buffering. The BigShot i/o is designed for those that prefer a direct guitar to amp connection. The Bassbone is designed for those that need to run longer cables, insist on eliminating all switching noises and do not want to deal with loading issues. The i/o is also considerably more affordable!

I have two passive instruments. Which one do I connect to INPUT-2?

Even passive pickups can vary in the amount of signal they produce. Connect the “louder” of the two instruments to INPUT-2 and use the DIM LEVEL control to match levels between instruments. If necessary, the BRIGHT switch may be employed to compensate for any treble loss as a result of the DIM LEVEL control. If your instruments are identical and no level matching is needed, the DIM switch should be in its off position.

I have two guitars, one going direct and another I use with a wireless. How do I connect them to the BigShot i/o?

The wireless system will have a buffer, or pre-ampliﬁ er as part of its output stage. This makes it very much like an active instrument. Connect the passive guitar to INPUT-1 for a true bypass connection to your amp. Connect the wireless to INPUT-2 and use the DIM LEVEL control to match levels between instruments.

Passive instrument connects to input-1

Active instrument

connects to input-2

Tuner