Radial Engineering PZ-Pre User Manual
RADIAL ENGINEERING
3 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
Radial Engineering 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 fi nish, the tube, the footswitch (tubes and footswitches are
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 modifi cation 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 MERCHANT ABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE SHALL EXTEND BEYOND
THE RESPECTIVE WARRANTY PERIOD DESCRIBED ABOVE OF
THREE YEARS.
PZ-Pre
Acoustic Instrument Preamp
User Guide
RADIAL ENGINEERING SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE
FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENT AL 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.
True to the Music
1638 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5W9
tel: 604-942-1001 fax: 604-942-1010 email: info@radialeng.com
Tonebone PZ-Pre users guide V1.0 - Part #: R870 1205 00
www.radialeng.com
Radial Engineering Ltd.
1638 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5W9
Tel: 604-942-1001 Fax: 604-942-1010
email: info@radialeng.com
www.tonebone.com
Radial PZ-Pre
Acoustic Instrument Preamp
Users Guide
Table of Contents Page
Introduction.................................................................. 1
Feature Set.................................................................. 2
Input Section ............................................................... 4
Filter and EQ Section.................................................. 6
Output Section............................................................. 8
Instrument Connection................................................ 9
Output Connection ...................................................... 11
Setting Up The PZ-Pre................................................12
Controlling Feedback .................................................. 14
Stage Setups............................................................... 16
Adding Boost and Effects............................................ 17
FAQ............................................................................. 18
Specifi cations.............................................................. 20
Warranty................................................................Back Cover
Congratulations on your purchase of the Radial PZ-Pre, without
a doubt the most challenging pedal we have ever produced! Why?
Simply put, it is so jammed with features that it took us over two
years to get it right! And with all of these features, we absolutely
recommend that you take a few minutes to read through this
manual to familiarize yourself with all of the PZ-Pre functions
before you get started.
Like all Radial products, the PZ-Pre is built to the very highest
standards with the very best components, and provides the type
of durability you would expect for concert stage use. If, after reading this manual, you have a question please visit the FAQ in the
PZ-Pre section of our web site. This is where we post the latest
notes. If you have a question that is not covered please send your
email to info@radialeng.com and we will do our very best to get
back to you promptly.
True to the Music
INTRODUCTION
The Radial PZ-Pre is a very unique pedal. Although the PZ-Pre
is likely to be the best sounding acoustic guitar preamp you
have ever experienced, it is not dedicated to just guitars. We
designed the PZ-Pre from the ground up to work with all types of
instruments including violin, cello, contrabass, mandolin, Dobro,
bouzouki, harp, sitar and banjo! In fact it will likely do a smash-up
job on brass and woodwinds too! This is because the two inputs
have been designed to accept all types of pickups and the onboard equalizer is both very powerful and musical. Y ou can even
combine the two inputs should you wish to use two pickups at
the same time!
Our quest for fl exibility did not stop there; we also equipped the
PZ-Pre with four outputs so that it could drive four separate signal
paths at the same time! And each output is managed differently
to address different needs.
The instrument output is designed for the on-stage musician. An
electric fi ddle player may have numerous effects pedals and an
over-driven guitar amp on stage to create various sonic textures
while a bouzouki player may have his vintage Twin. The tuner
output works with the mute footswitch for silent on-stage tuning
and instrument changeover.
There are also two built-in Radial direct boxes with balanced
XLR outputs. Output-1 is a pre-EQ, pre-effects output designed
to feed a clean signal to the PA system while output-2 is post-EQ
and post effects, to feed stage monitors and in-ear systems with
a completely different mix. For instance, when playing in a typical
arena, there is so much echo that the last thing you would want
would be to send a ‘wet instrument’ (sound with lots of echo and
reverb) into the PA system. On the other hand, adding reverb to
your in-ear system will often give you a better sense of space and
a more natural feel to the performance.
The built-in fl exibility is further expanded with an effects loop,
power booster and probably the best sounding front end you have
ever encountered for your instrument. Best of all, it is all housed
in a super compact pedal that can fi t in any gig bag and travel
with you wherever you go.
Now get ready to pluck, pick, bow, twang and strum till dawn!
Radial Engineering Ltd.
1638 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5W9
tel: 604-942-1001 fax: 604-942-1010 email: info@radialeng.com
www.radialeng.com
Specifi cations and appearance subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2007 Radial Engineering Ltd.
Radial Engineering Ltd. PZ-Pre User Guide
1
FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS
True to the Music
True to the Music
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1. INPUT-1: ¼" connection for fi rst instrument.
2. PZB-1: recessed switch activates piezo buffer for input-1.
Push in with tweaker to turn buffer on.
3. TOGGLE: footswitch selects between input-1 and input-2.
4. BLEND-MIX: recessed switch selects between toggle mode
and mix/blend mode.
5. INPUT-2: ¼" connection for second instrument.
6. LEVEL-1: gain control for input-1.
7. LEVEL-2: gain control for input 2.
8. NOTCH: used to sweep the frequency of the notch fi lter.
9. HIGH: high frequency shelving EQ. Boosts or cuts treble.
10. MID: amplitude control for semi-parametric mid EQ.
11. FREQ: frequency control for semi-parametric mid EQ.
12. LOW: low frequency shelving EQ. Boosts or cuts bass.
13. BOOST: variable level control for the power booster.
14. MUTE: footswitch mutes all outputs except tuner out.
15. OUTPUT: ¼” out for instrument amplifi er.
16. PHASE: (polarity) inverts the signal polarity at the ¼"
instrument output.
17. FOOTSWITCH ASSIGN: sets function of boost footswitch
between power boost, effects loop or both.
18. BOOST: activates power booster and/or effects loop
depending on setting of footswitch assign switch.
19. NOTCH Q: sets the depth of the notch fi lter.
Select between normal, deep and bypass.
20. LO-CUT: high-pass fi lter removes low frequencies to eliminate
resonant feedback. Select between bypass and two low-cut
settings.
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21. PZB-2: recessed switch activates piezo buffer for input-2.
Push in with tweaker to turn buffer on.
22. LOOP SEND & RETURN: The built-in effects loop uses ¼”
jacks to connect effect pedals.
23. PRE-EQ: balanced XLR direct box out taps signal before fi lter,
EQ, effects loop and boost sections. Outputs an un-processed
signal to the "house" PA, or recording console.
24. LIFT: recessed ground lift switch disconnects pin-1 on both
XLR outputs to reduce hum and buzz from ground loops.
25. 180°: recessed switch reverses signal polarity at post-EQ
XLR output.
26. POST-EQ: balanced XLR direct box out taps signal after
fi lter, EQ, loop and boost sections. Outputs a signal to the
monitor system so the player can control their on-stage tone
with the PZ-Pre.
27. TUNER: buffered ¼” output to feed an electronic tuner.
28. 15VDC-400mA: power supply connection 15 volts DC, center
pin positive. Use only with Radial power supply #R8009407
Radial Engineering Ltd.
2
PZ-Pre User Guide
Radial Engineering Ltd. PZ-Pre User Guide
3
True to the Music
True to the Music
INPUT SECTION
ON
PIEZO
IN 1
IN 2
BUFFER
PIEZO
BUFFER
PIEZO
PIEZO
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
TUNER
ON
TOGGL E
MIX
TUNER OUT
MUTE
MIX
Input-1 and 2
The PZ-Pre features two ¼” inputs, each equipped with its
own LEVEL control. The fl exible dual input design lets a player
connect and switch between instruments simply by stomping on
the TOGGLE footswitch. Most performers, whether they play
acoustic guitar or mandolin, tend to have two instruments on
stage. The second instrument is often for backup should a string
break; in some cases, it may be tuned differently , or it may even
be a completely different instrument! The PZ-Pre is equipped to
be a control center for two instruments.
PZB-1 and 2 Piezo Pickup Buffers
Each PZ-Pre input features
a special piezoelectric
pickup (piezo) buffer that
can be switched into the
signal path when needed.
These 100% Class-A
buffers allow a passive
piezo pickup element to
be connected directly to
the PZ-Pre without the use
of a separate preamp. The
Input-1 Piezo
Buffer 1
Blend Input-2
piezo buffer increases the
gain while elevating the
input impedance to 10meg ohms. This ensures the piezo pickup
“sees” the optimum input impedance for signal transfer which will
result in better tone. To activate the piezo buffer use a tweaker
(small screwdriver) to push in the recessed PZB switch. There is
a separate PZB switch for each input channel.
LEVEL-1 and 2
Separate level controls
adjust the volume of each
instrument input for the
proper on-stage balance.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
PZ-Pre User Guide
45
Piezo
Buffer 2
Tuner Output
This buffered output is dedicated
for an electronic tuner. Since it is
buffered, connecting a tuner won’t
load down your pickup's tone. The
TUNER output is always on to allow
silent tuning in conjunction with the
MUTE footswitch.
Mute Footswitch with LED
The MUTE footswitch allows silent
tuning on stage through the TUNER
output and may also be used for
instrument change-over. Depressing
this footswitch will mute all outputs
except the TUNER out. The LED
illuminates to indicate the PZ-Pre
is in mute mode.
Blend-Mix
The BLEND-MIX function is typically used with instruments that
have two pickup elements or two different pickup systems. It
allows you to blend the two input channels using the LEVEL
controls to set up a mix. For instance, you can use the MIX mode
to blend an active on-board pickup with a passive piezo to create
a more natural acoustic sound. Alternatively , you can use the MIX
mode to connect two guitars to one amp for jamming with another
player. The MIX mode is activated by depressing the recessed
BLEND-MIX switch using a small screwdriver or tweaker. The
TOGGLE footswitch will not work when the MIX mode is active.
Input-1 is specially equipped to allow a stereo TRS cable (Tip,
Ring, and Sleeve) to access both PZ-Pre channels. This feature
is designed for instruments that combine two pickup systems
through a stereo TRS jack. A stereo TRS cable will allow you
to connect both pickups to separate PZ-Pre inputs with a single
cable. From there you can toggle between the two pickup systems
or blend them together.
TRS Jack &
Plug
Saddle
Pickup
Piezo
Pickup
Tip
Saddle Pickup
Ring
Piezo Pickup
Radial Engineering Ltd. PZ-Pre User Guide
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