KEY•LARGO
Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5
Tel: 604-942-1001 Fax: 604-942-1010
email: info@radialeng.com
www.radialeng.com
USER GUIDE
RADIAL KEY•LARGO
USER GUIDE
Table of Contents Page
Overview ................................................................................ 1
Features and Functions ....................................................... 2-3
Making Connections ............................................................... 4
Using the Key-Largo ............................................................... 5
Going Digital ........................................................................... 6
Using the Effects Loop ........................................................... 7
Adding a Volume Pedal .......................................................... 8
Sustain Pedal ......................................................................... 8
Using with Midi ....................................................................... 9
Recording vs Live Mode ....................................................... 10
Specications ....................................................................... 11
Block Diagram ................................................................. 13-14
Warranty .................................................................Back Cover
Thank you for purchasing the Key-Largo, a unique and powerful
device that gives you control over your keyboard setup like
never before, all in a compact pedal that can be easily controlled
during a live performance.
The Key-Largo is packed with features, and offers a number
of ways in which it can be used. To fully utilize all the possible
functions of the Key-Largo, please take a moment to read through
this manual, which details each feature and outlines their use.
If afterward you still nd yourself with questions, visit the FAQ
page on the Radial website. This is where we post questions
from other users along with product updates. If you still require
clarication feel free to send an email to info@radialeng.com
and we will do our best to respond promptly.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
Key-Largo™
OVERVIEW
The Key-Largo is a compact keyboard mixer that also includes the realtime performance attributes of a footswitch controller, allowing you to
easily create an exciting and professional performance on stage. The
best way to approach the various features of this powerful device is to
break each section down into modules before addressing the Key-Largo
as a whole.
MONITOR
INPUT-2 INPUT-3
EFFECTS
KEY LARGO
KEY LARGO
1 2 3
LEVEL LEVEL LEVEL
EFX SEND
EFX
USB
EFX SEND EFX SEND EFX SEND
MON MAIN
RECVLEVEL
LEVEL LEVEL
LIFT
GND
GROUND
4
VOL PEDAL
15VDCUSBRIGHTLEFT MAIN
TM
5
Made in Canada
4 CHANNEL
KEYBOARD
OUT - MIDI - IN
MIXER
SUSTAIN
CLOSED
LIFT
OPEN
GND
ON
USB ASSIGN
RECORDING
GROUND
LIVE
SUSTAINEFFECTS
1
CH-1, 2, 3
INPUT-1
CH-1 CH-2 CH-3
EFFECTS
MONO
STEREO
The design begins with ¼” TS (tip-sleeve) inputs that allow you to
connect up to three stereo keyboards at once. The Key-Largo has
tons of headroom so it can handle your hottest keyboard outputs,
and it features individual level controls to balance the signal levels
of each instrument. For mono keyboards, simply connect to the left
input only – the Key-Largo will automatically route the signal to both
the left and right outputs.
USB
2
In addition to functioning as a mixer, the Key-Largo is also a highquality USB audio interface. This means you can connect to your
laptop to play back soft synths or other backing tracks. This connection can also be used to record your performance using your digital
audio workstation of choice.
3
EFFECTS
The Key-Largo effects loop lets you share your favorite pedal or
rackmount effects unit across all of your keyboards. This can be used
with mono or stereo effects, and is easily activated/deactivated with
a built-in footswitch. EFX SEND/RECV knobs provide precise control
over which channels feed the effects loop, as well as how much of
the effects return is blended with the dry signal from your keyboards.
MONITORS
4
Balanced ¼” TRS monitor outputs provide the option to connect to
a pair of powered speakers for easy on-stage monitoring. A level
control lets you adjust the volume to suit, and a ground lift switch is
provided to help reduce noise from ground loops.
MAIN OUT
5
The main outputs of the Key-Largo are balanced XLRs for connection to a console or PA system. They feature transformer isolation to
eliminate buzz and hum, as well as a ground lift switch for additional
noise abatement.
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Key-Largo™
FEATURES
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1
2 9
3 4 5 76 8
1.
EFFECTS LOOP MONO: Switches the effects loop from stereo to
11
10
mono when pushed in.
2. EFFECTS FOOTSWITCH: Latching footswitch used to turn on or
off the effects loop in order to add echo or reverb when soloing.
3. EFX SEND: Individual controls on each channel are used to set
the desired amount of effect that will be applied to each device.
4. LEVEL CONTROL (1, 2, 3): Used to adjust the input levels of your
three analog keyboards.
5. USB LEVEL CONTROL: Used to adjust the USB audio return
from your laptop.
6. EFX RETURN: Master effects return control, used to optimise the
effects loop signal path.
7. MONITOR OUT: Used to adjust the stage volume for the keyboard
monitors.
8. MAIN OUT: Used to set the Key-Largo output level going to the PA
system.
9. SUSTAIN FOOTSWITCH: Momentary footswitch used to activate
the sustain function on a master keyboard or digital piano.
10. USB ASSIGN: Congures the Key-Largo for live performance use
or as a recording interface.
11. SUSTAIN FOOTSWITCH POLARITY: Enables the Key-Largo
sustain footswitch function to work with various keyboards.
12. MIDI: IN and OUT connections to send & receive MIDI over USB.
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Key-Largo™
20
141516171819
13
13. STEREO INPUTS (1, 2, 3): Used to connect the analog outputs of
your keyboards to the Key-Largo.
14. EFFECTS SEND & RECEIVE: Stereo ¼” TRS jacks used to feed
an external effects device.
15. MONITOR OUT: Stereo ¼” TRS balanced outputs are used to
feed a pair of powered speakers for on-stage monitoring.
16. MAIN OUT: Stereo XLR balanced outputs are used to feed the PA
system - transformer isolated to eliminate ground loops.
17. VOLUME PEDAL SEND / RECV: Stereo TRS insert for a master
volume pedal.
18. USB TYPE-2: High quality USB I/O for Mac or PC. Drivers
required for PC.
19. 15VDC: Connection for the Radial 15VDC/260mA power supply
(included).
20. CABLE CLAMP: Prevents accidental power disconnection by
locking down the AC adapter cable.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
3
Key-Largo™
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Before connecting to the Key-Largo, it is always best to turn your audio
system levels down in order to prevent plug-in transients that could
damage more sensitive components such as high frequency drivers. It
is also a good idea to test at low volumes before turning up. This way,
should a cable not be properly seated, making a live connection will be
safer.
The Key-Largo is powered via a 15VDC center-pin positive supply. A
power supply cable lock is located just above this connection, allowing
you to secure the cable and prevent accidental disconnection. Unscrew
the lock using a hex driver, insert the power cable through the cavity and
then retighten.
Connections from your keyboards to the Key-Largo are done using
standard ¼” TS coaxial cables. The main outputs to the PA system are
typical XLR connections wired to AES standard pin-1 (ground), pin-2
(+), and pin-3 (-). The Volume pedal, Monitor, and Effects Send/Receive
connections are ¼” TRS jacks wired tip (+), ring (-), and sleeve (ground).
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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Key-Largo™
USING THE KEY-LARGO
There is no power switch on the Key-Largo, as soon as you connect the
power supply the ON light on the front of the unit will illuminate and the
Key-Largo will be active.
Connect your rst keyboard to INPUT-1 Left and Right (if using a
keyboard with only one output, connect to the Left/Mono input, the Key-
Largo will automatically recongure this channel for mono), then connect
the MAIN OUT to the PA or a set of powered speakers via XLR cables.
Start with the CH-1 level control at around 12 o’clock, and slowly turn
up the MAIN level until you can hear your rst keyboard. Repeat the
process with your next two keyboards, using the input levels for each
channel to balance the levels between them. The MONITOR outputs
allows you to connect to an additional set of powered speakers via TRS
cables, for local monitoring on stage or to send to a headphone amplier.
Should you experience any hum or buzz due to ground loops, the MAIN
and MONITOR outputs are each equipped with a ground lift switch to
help eliminate this problem.
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5
Key-Largo™
GOING DIGITAL
The Key-Largo features a Type-B USB connection, and requires a USB
2.0 cable to connect to the port on your computer or laptop. This is a
common ‘TYPE A to TYPE B’ cable that is compatible with the majority of
printers, hard drives and audio interfaces.
TYPE A USB
Fits most laptops and computers
TYPE B USB
Used to connect to the Key-Largo
If using with a Mac, the Key-Largo is plug-and-play, with no drivers
required. Upon rst use, if your audio software does not immediately
recognize the Key-Largo, try restarting your Mac with the Key-Largo
connected. For users running Windows, please visit www.radialeng.
com/radial-drivers.php to download the latest drivers for the Key-Largo.
Install these drivers before connecting the Key-Largo to your computer
via USB.
Once connected to your computer via USB, the Key-Largo will appear in
the list of available audio devices in your system setting/control panel.
The Key-Largo functions as a 2-in/2-out audio interface, so you can set
it as your audio input device (for recording audio into your digital audio
workstation), and as an audio output device (for playing back audio from
your computer through a PA system). When playing back audio from
your computer, the USB LEVEL control affects how much is mixed in with
your keyboards and fed to the MAIN and MONITOR outputs. Test this
output with the volume turned down, then slowly increase the level until
you reach a good balance with the instruments connected to channels
1-3.
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6
Key-Largo™
THE EFFECTS LOOP
The Key-Largo is equipped with an effects loop to allow you to share
outboard effects units across all of your keyboards. This feature can
be used with both mono and stereo effects, as well as with pedals or
rackmount equipment. A latching footswitch turns the loop on and off,
so you can quickly add in a delay or a chorus and have it affect each
keyboard as much or as little as you want.
For mono effects, engage the recessed switch on the left side of the KeyLargo. Then connect the SEND jack to the input of your effects unit, and
the output to the RECV jack using ¼” TS coaxial cables.
TS
Mono
For stereo pedals and effects, make sure that the recessed Effects
switch is disengaged. Use insert cables wired with ¼” TRS to 2x ¼” TS
connectors to connect the SEND jack to the left and right inputs of the
effects unit, and use a second insert cable to connect the outputs of the
device to the TRS RECV connector on the Key-Largo.
TRS
Stereo
Start with the EFX RECV level control at 12 o’clock, this controls how
much of the overall FX you will hear in the mix. Engage the EFFECTS
footswitch on the Key-Largo and slowly turn up the EFX SEND control on
each channel that you want to send to the effects loop. The EFX SEND
controls follow the input level controls in the signal chain, so if you turn
down CH-1 LEVEL, you’ll also be reducing the amount of signal sent to
the EFX SEND on channel 1. Note that when the Key-Largo is set to
Recording mode, the EFX SEND for the USB input will not be active.
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Key-Largo™
ADDING SUSTAIN
The Key-Largo features a dedicated footswitch to act as a sustain pedal
for one of your keyboards. This is a momentary non-latching switch, so
it will only apply sustain when you are physically pressing down on the
switch. Connect the SUSTAIN OUT to the Key-Largo to the connection
on your keyboard for a sustain pedal. Test by playing a note and holding
down the sustain footswitch. If the footswitch works the opposite way you
expect it to (sustain is always on, except when the footswitch is pressed),
then engage the recessed sustain switch on the side of the Key-Largo, to
change the connection from normally open to normally closed.
Closed
Open
ADDING A VOLUME PEDAL
You can use an external stereo volume pedal to control the overall output
of the Key-Largo, giving you control over all your levels in one place.
Simply connect the Volume SEND on the Key-Largo to the input of your
pedal, and the output of your pedal to the RECV connector using ¼”
TRS cables or TRS>2x TS insert cables. The volume pedal will control
the level of the MAIN OUT, MONITOR OUT, and the USB send to your
recording software. Note: When the Key-Largo is set to recording mode,
any USB audio output from your computer to the Key-Largo will not be
affected by the volume pedal.
TRS
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TS
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Key-Largo™
USING WITH MIDI
The Key-Largo can send and receive MIDI information over USB, allowing
you to use a controller to play a soft-synth on your laptop, or record and
playback MIDI using your computer’s digital audio workstation (DAW).
The Key-Largo doesn’t generate MIDI information on its own, nor can it
be controlled via MIDI; it simply transmits the information between the
MIDI and USB connections.
To send MIDI to your DAW to control a soft-synth, connect the MIDI
output of your keyboard to the MIDI IN on the Key-Largo using a
standard MIDI 5-pin DIN connector. Please refer to your DAW’s manual
for instructions on how to set up a MIDI record/playback track or softsynth. To playback MIDI information from your computer to control an
external device, connect the MIDI OUT on the Key-Largo to the MIDI
input on your keyboard or other MIDI-enabled device.
Application: Using a controller to send MIDI to your DAW
Sends MIDI signal to DAW
USB
Digital Audio from DAW
Application: Using a laptop as the MIDI source to control an external drum machine
Keyboard audio in CH-1
Sends MIDI signal
thru Key-Largo to
drum machine
Analog audio from drum
machine to CH-2
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9
Key-Largo™
RECORDING VS. LIVE MODE
The Key-Largo has two modes, set via the USB ASSIGN recessed
control on the side of the unit. When this switch is disengaged the
Key-Largo is set to LIVE mode. This means the USB audio from the
computer is treated like any other keyboard input; you can send it to
the effects loop, blend it with the other keyboard inputs, and control it
with an external volume pedal. Most players will keep the Key-Largo in
LIVE mode for the majority of the time, especially when using the device
during a performance.
In LIVE mode, the Key-Largo is the centerpiece of your performance rig. Control your inputs,
sustain, effects, and output volume in a compact footprint.
Live
When the recessed switch is engaged, the Key-Largo is in RECORDING
mode, and the USB audio from the computer is sent directly to the MAIN
and MONITOR outputs. This congures the Key-Largo for use as a USB
recording interface for tracking and overdubbing keyboards. You can
use the volume pedal to control your performance without affecting the
backing tracks that you’re playing along to, and the effects loop will only
affect the inputs that you’ll be recording. In this mode, the USB EFX
SEND will not be active, and an external volume pedal will not affect the
signal returning from the computer.
In RECORDING mode the Key-Largo is a powerful 24bit/192kHz interface, allowing you to
capture ideas on the road or in the studio.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
Recording
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Key-Largo™
SPECIFICATIONS
Audio Circuit Type: ........................ Active circuit with audio-grade operational ampliers
Frequency Response: ....................................................................20Hz - 20kHz ±0.5dB
Noise Floor: ..............................................................................................................-91dB
Clip Level - Input: ...................................................................................................+12dBu
Clip Level - Output: ................................................................................................+24dBu
Maximum Gain - Input to Output: ..........................................................................+12dBu
Total Harmonic Distortion: ..................................................................... <0.005% @ 1kHz
Input Impedance - Analog Inputs: ......................................................................20k Ohms
Input Impedance - FX Return: ..........................................................................50k Ohms
Input Impedance - Volume Return: ..................................................................485k Ohms
Output Impedance - XLR: ..................................................................................300 Ohms
Output Impedance - 1/4": ..................................................................................450 Ohms
Output Impedance - FX Send: .............................................................................1k Ohms
Output Impedance - Volume Send: ...................................................................300 Ohms
General
Power: ......................................................................260mA, 15VDC (center pin positive)
Construction: ............................................................................................. 14-gauge steel
Finish: ............................................................................................... Durable powder coat
Size: ...................................................................................................................................
FCC Approval: ................................................ Complies with section 15 of the FCC rules
Conditions: ............................. For indoor use at temperatures between +5°C and +40°C
Warranty: .................................................................................Radial 3-year, transferable
Specications are subject to change without notice
Radial Engineering Ltd.
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Key-Largo™
MAIN OUT
MON OUT
BLOCK DIAGRAM - LIVE MODE
FX SEND
MAIN-FX MIX
FX RECV
FX FOOTSWTICH
FX RETURN
FX SEND
LIFT
MAIN LEVEL
VOL SEND
LIFT
MON LEVEL
VOL RETURN
FX SEND
USB SEND
LEVEL
INPUT - 1
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LEVEL FX SEND
INPUT - 2
LEVEL FX SEND
INPUT - 3
12
LEVEL
USB INPUT
Subject to change without notice
Key-Largo™
MAIN OUT
MON OUT
BLOCK DIAGRAM - RECORDING MODE
FX SEND
MAIN-FX MIX
FX RECV
FX FOOTSWTICH
FX RETURN
FX SEND
LIFT
MAIN LEVEL
USB SEND
LIFT
MON LEVEL
VOL RETURN
VOL SEND
LEVEL
INPUT - 1
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LEVEL FX SEND
INPUT - 2
LEVEL FX SEND
INPUT - 3
13
LEVEL
USB INPUT
Subject to change without notice
Key-Largo™
THREE YEAR TRANSFERABLE LIMITED WARRANTY
RADIAL ENGINEERING LTD. (“Radial”) 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 will repair or replace (at its option) any defective component(s) of this
product (excluding nish and wear and tear on components under 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 reserves the right to replace the product with a similar product of equal
or greater value. In the unlikely event that a defect is uncovered, please call 1-800-939-1001
or email service@radialeng.com to obtain a RA number (Return Authorization number) before
the 3 year warranty period expires. The product must be returned prepaid in the original shipping container (or equivalent) to Radial or to an authorized Radial repair center 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
and transferable warranty. This warranty shall not apply if the product has been damaged due
to abuse, misuse, misapplication, accident or as a result of service or modication by any other
than an authorized Radial repair center.
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 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 AND WHERE
THE PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED.
To meet the requirements of California Proposition 65, it is our responsibility to inform you of the following:
WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please take proper care when handling and consult local government regulations before discarding.
www.radialeng.com
Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5
tel: 604-942-1001 • fax: 604-942-1010
info@radialeng.com • www.radialeng.com
Radial Key-Largo User Guide - Part #: R870 1019 00 / 04-2017 / V1
Appearance and specications subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2016 Radial Engineering Ltd. All rights reserved.
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