Radial Engineering JX44 Users Manual

JX44 AIR CONTROL

Guitar and Amp Distribution Switcher

True to the Music

Order No. JX44: R800 6500

Radial Engineering Ltd.

www.radialeng.com

1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5
tel: [phone] • fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail] • web: www.radialeng.com

Specifi cations and appearance are subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2009 Radial Engineering Ltd.

Order No. SGI-44: R800 6700

Order No. JR5: R800 6600

OWNER’S MANUAL

www.radialeng.com

Radial JX44 Air Control Owner’s Manual

Guitar and Amp Distribution Switcher

Table of Contents .......................................................Page

PART 1: GETTING TO KNOW THE JX44

Seven Section Breakdown ......................................................................1

Feature Set Overview ..............................................................................2

Front Panel Features and Functions .......................................................3

Rear Panel Features and Functions ........................................................5

PART 2: USING THE JX44

Setting Up Inputs and Guitars .................................................................8

Setting Up Outputs and Amps .................................................................9

PART 3: PROGRAMMING BANKS

Programing The JX44 ..............................................................................10

Programming The JR5 Remote Footswitch .............................................11

PART 4: USING THE ADVANCED FEATURES

EFX Local Effects Loop ...........................................................................12

SGI-44 Long Haul Effects Loop ...............................................................14

Direct Out ................................................................................................16

X-AMP .....................................................................................................17

FAQ & Trouble Shooting Guide ...............................................................18

Signal Flow Block Diagram .....................................................................19

Specifi cations ..........................................................................................19

User’s Notes ............................................................................................20

Warranty .................................................................................................. Back Cover

Electrical Shock Caution Statement ........................................................ Back Cover

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Radial JX44 Air Control!
The Radial JX44 is a professional 19” rack device designed primarily for guitarists to manage their live rigs when touring. It has

4 inputs for guitars and 4 outputs to drive multiple amplifi ers. In between the inputs and outputs, facilities have been added to
help manage pedals, rack effects and tuning. The JX44 can be used on its own or be equipped with the optional Radial JR5
remote footswitch to choose guitars, select amplifi ers and control effects.

After the tour, you may want to touch up a few notes in post production. To this end the JX44 has been equipped with a built-in
Radial ProDI direct box and a Radial X-Amp. The direct box lets you record a dry guitar track during the tour. The X-AMP lets
you re-amplify your performances afterwards and send the signal back out to pedals and amps to recreate the sounds you need
for the live album.

With all of this stuff going on, one would think that using the JX44 is diffi cult. Well, in fact we invested a bunch of time and energy
to make sure a seasoned professional could actually get up and running with the JX44 without even needing a manual! In fact,
we even silk screened the programming instructions on the top panel. But as with any good product, a good manual should both
guide the user towards a deeper understanding of the product and inspire creative applications. So, put the manual next to your
bunk on the bus and read it! We know the JX44 will spark your imagination!

Should you have any questions, comments or concerns not covered in these pages, please visit our web site and the JX44 FAQ
section. This is where we post the latest details and applications. If you do not fi nd what you need there; feel free to send us
an email at [e-mail] and we will do our best to answer you as quickly as possible. Strap yourself in and get ready
for lift off. Enjoy!

Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5
tel: [phone] • fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail] • web: www.radialeng.com

Specifi cations and appearance are subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2009 Radial Engineering Ltd.

www.radialeng.com

True to the Music

PART 1: GETTING TO KNOW THE JX44

The JX44 is an amalgamation of guitar oriented devices combined into one product. It is designed to streamline the processes used in live
touring and studio recording. The basic functions give you the ability to control complex live guitar setups. The advanced features go beyond that
and allow the JX44 to seamlessly integrate into today’s highly technical concert productions. The JX44 can be broken down into seven distinct
sections:

1. INSTRUMENT INPUTS

INPUT-A INPUT-B INPUT-C INPUT-D

Wireless Wireless Wireless

7. X-AMP

X-AMP IN

Recorder

DI OUT

Mixer

6. DIRECT

Remote

Tuner

TUNER OUT

FOOTSWITCH

GUITAR SELECT

5. TUNER

Local
Tuner

Generic
Footswitch

MUTE FS

4. SGI-44 LOOP

3. EFX LOOP

1. INSTRUMENT INPUTS: The JX44 starts with a four input
instrument selector for wired and wireless guitars. The JX44 can
have all your instruments ready and waiting and the optional JR5
remote footswitch allows hands free operation with big, bright LED
indicators that are easy to see on stage.

2. AMPLIFIER OUTPUTS: These four outputs can connect up to
six amplifi ers giving you an incredibly fl exible multi-amp rig. You
can manually select amps or program a bank to recall a group of
amps with the front panel controls or JR5 footswitch. A pristine
Class-A signal path and transformer isolation offer amazing Radial
quality sound with immunity from hum and buzz caused by ground
loops.

3. EFX LOOP: Patch rackmount effects and pedals into this local
hi-impedance effects loop and all your instruments can use them.
The local effect loop can be assigned to each amplifi er output.

OUT-1 OUT-2 OUT-3 A & B OUT-4 A & B

2. AMPLIFIER OUTPUTS

4. SGI-44 LOOP: This balanced long-haul effects loop works with
the optional SGI-44 to connect a pedalboard up to 100 meters
(300 feet) away from your amps without introducing noise or signal
loss.

5. TUNE & MUTE: The JX44, JR5 and SGI-44 offers tremendous
tuning and mute options: You can connect a rack and pedalboard
tuner plus mute the guitar from fi ve different places.

6. DIRECT OUTPUT : The built in Radial ProDI direct box has many
uses on-stage and in the studio. This one has been optimized with
features for the guitarist like pre/post effects loop and assignment
to one or all instrument inputs.

7. X-AMP INPUT : The JX44 lets you tap into the huge tone shaping
and post production possibilities of re-amping. The X-AMP lets you
send guitar tracks from your multi-track to the JX44 and route the
signal to your effects and amps for re-recording.

AMP SELECT

Radial Engineering Ltd. JX44 Owner’s Manual

1

True to the Music

FEATURE SET OVERVIEW

2

Radial Engineering Ltd.

JX44 Owner’s Manual

True to the Music

FRONT PANEL FEATURE SET

A B D E FC

A

PANIC BUTTON

In the event of a problem such as a wireless system failure, the PANIC button
activates a hardwire bypass and automatically connects INPUT-A directly to
OUTPUT-1. The SGI and local EFX LOOP are also bypassed. The LED fl ashes
to indicate panic mode is active. Release the PANIC button to revert to normal
operation. (Fig.1)

If power is disconnected, the JX44 will automatically revert to PANIC mode and
engage the hardwire connection. This allows you to continue playing through your
fi rst amp while the technical problems are sorted out and power is restored.

Depress

Panic Button

JX44 Enters
Panic Mode

INSTRUMENT INPUTS

The JX44 is equipped with four guitar inputs. These employ Radial’s proprietary
Class-A drive circuit for the best sound and lowest noise. Selecting an input is done
by depressing the front panel ON switch for the desired instrument, or remotely
with the optional JR5 footswitch. Each input has an LED on the front panel that
illuminates when selected.

The JX44’s inputs are ‘exclusive’ whereby only one can be on at a time. This
‘safety feature’ prevents noise from inactive guitars entering the system. An input
can be muted by depressing the ON switch a second time. To restore the input
depress the ON switch again or select a different instrument.

B

INPUT-A & B

Although instruments are usually connected at the rear jacks INPUTS-A and B are
equipped with switching jacks on the front panel. These will override the rear panel
jacks when a cable is inserted. This makes the front jacks a handy place to quickly
fl y in a new instrument while another is connected through the rear jacks. (Fig.2)

We added DRAG™ control on inputs A and B for the purists who want to connect to
their amps with a ‘real cable’ in the most transparent way possible. DRAG is a load
correction function that allows you to reintroduce the natural loading characteristic
of a direct cable connection to your amp.

Here’s how it works. When you connect your guitar directly to your amp, the
amplifi er ‘sees’ your pickups as a load. When a buffer like the one inside the JX44
or built into a wireless system is introduced, your amplifi er no longer ‘sees’ your
pickups as a load. Your amp sees the electronically ‘perfect’ output of the JX44.
But sometimes, perfect may not sound quite right. With one simple control, DRAG
allows you to dial-in the natural loading and tone as if your guitar were connected
directly to the amp.

Input-A

Hard wired to

output-1

Fig.1 - In Panic Mode, the tech can grab a guitar

hand it to the artist, connect it to input-A
and the show goes on.

Fig.2 - INPUTS-A and B on the front panel have

priority. When you connect a guitar they will
override the rear inputs.

All other

outputs

are muted

EFX & SGI
Loops are

bypassed

C

INPUT-C & D

Instrument connections for INPUT-C and D are made at the rear jacks. These
inputs are equipped with a recessed TRIM control making them ideal for wireless
systems and active instruments such as acoustic-electrics and guitars with active
pickups (i.e. EMG pickup). The Trim controls let you reduce the level from louder
instruments to better balance with passive instruments connected to the other
inputs. (Fig.3)

INPUT-D is unique in that it may be exclusively assigned to the direct box output.
This is invoked through the direct box controls on the rear panel. See the direct box

Fig.3 - Inputs C and D feature TRIM controls to

balance the levels of louder instrument signals
such as buffered wireless systems and active
acoustic guitars with passive instruments.

section for more information on using this feature.

Radial Engineering Ltd. JX44 Owner’s Manual

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D

SYSTEM MONITOR

At the center of the front panel you will fi nd the SYSTEM MONITOR where six
LEDs display the status of several JX44 functions. (Fig.4)

True to the Music

• STATUS-G This will fl ash every six seconds as the internal microprocessor
checks the status of the input routing and does a self-diagnostic
test. This LED will briefl y fl ash when an input is selected to confi rm
the command.

• SIGNAL This level meter fl ashes when a guitar signal is present at the
input. This is the fi rst place to look when trouble shooting to ensure
the JX44 is receiving a signal from your guitar.

• SGI LOOP Illuminates when the SGI effects loop is active. When active the
SGI loop must be connected or the guitar signal will be interrupted
and no sound will be output.

• X-AMP Illuminates when the re-amping interface is active. When active
the JX44 accepts balanced line signals at the SGI RX rear panel
input.

• EFX LOOP This LED indicates when the effects loop is active. It illuminates
when an amplifi er output assigned to the effects loop is turned on.

• STATUS-A This will also fl ash every six seconds as the JX44 checks the
status of the output routing and does a self-diagnostic test. This
LED stays illuminated when BANK mode is active.

E

AMPLIFIER OUTPUT CONTROLS

Amplifi er output connections are made at the rear panel jacks. (Fig.5a) The four
amplifi er outputs are selected using the front panel ON buttons or remotely with
the JR5 footswitch. An LED illuminates when the output is selected. While the
instrument inputs on the JX44 are ‘exclusive’ (only one at a time), the amplifi er
outputs are ‘inclusive’ whereby you can activate as many amps as you like.

Fig.4 - The JX44 System Monitor provides the status of six

functions with easy to see LED indicators.

Fig.5a- To keep the front panel clear from obstructions,

all amplifi er connections are done on the rear.
Amplifi er outputs 1 and 2 are single while outputs
3 and 4 are dual.

Amplifi er outputs can be selected manually or programmed and saved as a bank.
This way different combinations of amps can be recalled with a single button or
footswitch. Amplifi er outputs are transformer isolated to eliminate ground loops
and equipped with three recessed controls that help set up your amps for the best
sound and least noise. (Fig.5b)

• EFX Assigns an amplifi er output to the effects loop bus.

• 180° Polarity reverse switch is used to set the absolute phase between
multiple amps.

• LIFT Isolates the ground connection to reduce hum and buzz caused by
ground loops.

F

MUTE FUNCTION (FRONT PANEL)

The front panel MUTE switch is a multi function control. Its primary function is to
mute the amplifi er outputs to facilitate silent tuning. When the JX44 is muted, all
outputs are silenced and effects loops turned off. The only output to remain active
will be to the tuner (Fig.6).

The MUTE LED indicator illuminates when the function is active. The MUTE control
is also used to access and program BANKS as described later in this manual.

Fig.5b- Separate EFX, 180° and ground LIFT controls on each

output allow you to optimize the performance of your
amps and system setup.

Depress

Mute Button

JX44 Enters

Mute Mode

Outputs
1 thru 4

are muted

Fig.6 - MUTE mode, all outputs are silenced

except the tuner output.

Direct Out

is muted

Tuner out

remains

active

4

Radial Engineering Ltd.

JX44 Owner’s Manual

True to the Music

REAR PANEL FEATURE SET

G H I J K L M N O

G

POWER CONNECTION

The Radial JX44 is powered by a Radial 15 volt DC external power supply. Two
power supplies are packed in the shipping box. The second power supply is
provided as a spare in case the fi rst is lost or damaged. Do not substitute with
another type.

The power connection on the rear panel features a cable clamp to prevent
accidental disconnect. To use the cable clamp loosen the hex screw, loop the
power supply cable through and tighten. (Fig.7)

H

FOOTSWITCH REMOTE CONTROL PORTS

There are two remote control ports on the rear panel for connecting the Radial JR5
remote footswitch. One port is used for controlling the instrument inputs and the
other for amplifi er outputs. Standard XLR mic cables are used to connect between
the JR5 and the JX44 (Fig.8).

Fig.7 - A handy cable clamp prevents

accidental power disconnection.

Once connected the microprocessor will recognize and auto-confi gure the JR5
footswitch. When the JR5 is connected to the GUITARS port it can select and

GUITARSAMPS

mute the active instrument input. When connected to the AMP port the JR5 selects
amplifi er outputs and can mute the system for tuning. The LED indicators on the
JR5 will coincide with the JX44 front panel indicators giving the performer and tech
the same visual cues.

I

AMPLIFIER OUTPUT JACKS

Fig.8 - Two Radial JR5 footswitches may be used at once: one to

control guitars and another to control the amps.

The JX44 has six ¼” amplifi er output jacks on the rear panel. Amplifi er OUTPUT-1
and 2 use a single jack while OUTPUT-3 and 4 feature dual jacks labeled 3A/3B
and 4A/4B. These dual outputs allow you to connect two amps to OUTPUT-3 and
4 (Fig.9). All amplifi er outputs are transformer isolated to eliminate hum and buzz
caused by ground loops.

J

TUNER OUT AND MUTE FOOTSWITCH JACK

Connecting an electronic tuner is done via the TUNER output jack on the rear
panel. This buffered output is always on and connecting your tuner here will
remove it from the main signal chain preventing clock noise from bleeding into
your guitar signal. (Fig.10)

Fig.9 - There are four amplifi er outputs on the JX44. Amplifi er

outputs 1 & 2 are single jacks while outputs 3 & 4 are dual.

Below the TUNER out you will fi nd the MUTE footswitch jack. This is used to
remotely MUTE the JX44. When muted, all outputs will be turned off except
the tuner out. Any standard footswitch wired as a normally open, non-latching
momentary switch with a ¼” mono plug may be used. When the remote footswitch
is depressed, the front panel MUTE LED will illuminate indicating the MUTE

Electronic Tuner

function is active. Either the front panel control or remote footswitch can be used
to toggle the mute function.

Non-latching footswitch

The BigShot SW2 is a two channel universal remote
footswitch that can be used with the JX44 to engage
the mute function. Because the SW2 supports both
latching and momentary switching you can use the
second footswitch to switch amplifi er channels or
effects. See www.radialeng.com for more info.

Fig.10 - A separate tuner output keeps clocking noise out of the

signal path. The MUTE jack uses a non-latching momentary
footswitch.

Radial Engineering Ltd. JX44 Owner’s Manual

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