Radial Engineering SW4 User's Guide

™

SW4

FOUR CHANNEL BALANCED

A/B SWITCHER

True to the Music

Owner’s Manual

Radial Engineering Ltd. 1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5 tel: 604-942-1001 • fax: 604-942-1010

www.radialeng.com

email: info@radialeng.com • web: www.radialeng.com

www.radialeng.com

Radial SW4 Balanced Switcher

Owner’s Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

Overview........................................................................................................................................1

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

Features and Function Details.......................................................................................................3

Getting Started .............................................................................................................................4

Basic A/B Switching .......................................................................................................................4

Stereo Switching Connections.......................................................................................................5

Channel Linking .............................................................................................................................5

Mix Bus ..........................................................................................................................................6

Unbalanced Guitar Outputs ...........................................................................................................7

A+B Mixing (Channel-1) ................................................................................................................7

Headphones and PFL Monitoring ..................................................................................................8

Using the Mono Output..................................................................................................................8

JR•2 Remotes ...............................................................................................................................8

Applications ............................................................................................................................9 - 12

Speciﬁ cations ...................................................................................................................... ........13

Block Diagram .............................................................................................................................13

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

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Radial SW4 four-channel switcher. The SW4 is part of Radial’s growing family of audio switchers designed for use in professional touring and installations where audio routing can be advantageous.

As you delve into the SW4, you will soon come to realize that although the basic design and functionality is quite simple, there are many little extras that have been added to provide maximum ﬂ exibility. This we hope will open the door to resolving challenges that may have been difﬁ cult to address in the past. Please take a few minutes to read through this manual so that you can familiarize yourself with the many features and functions. There are also a number of applications that are worth reviewing which could open doors to other creative uses.

If after reading you have questions that are not covered in the user guide, please visit the FAQ page on the web site. This is where we post the latest updates and answers from users. If you do not ﬁ nd what you need, feel free to send us an email at info@radialeng.com and we will do our best to reply in short order.

Now get ready to start switching audio with more speed and elegance than ever before!

Note: The Radial SW4 is solely intended for use by audio professionals. These professionals are expected to be familiar with safety issues regarding electrical systems and sound pressure levels that could cause ear damage after extended exposure. If you are not familiar with these, please contact your local electrical and health authorities as Radial has no means to ensure products like the SW4 are being used according to local rules and regulations.

True to the Music

SW4 OVERVIEW

Housed in a single space 19” rack enclosure, the Radial SW4 is a balanced analog audio switcher with four channels, each of which is equipped with A and B XLR inputs and a dedicated XLR output. The four individual channels are essentially straight wire connections. There are no buf fers or ampliﬁ ers in the signal path that could distort or introduce artifact.

The signal ﬂ ow for each channel is diagramed below. After the A and B inputs, a set of trim controls allow you to ﬁ ne tune input levels. Switching the A/B inputs can be done via the front panel A/B selector or using the optional JR•2 remote. Each channel may be used independently or channels may be linked together for stereo, three-channel or four-channel switching.

BALANCED

INPUT-A

BALANCED

INPUT-B

TRIM

LEVEL

TRIM

LEVEL

LINK

SWITCH

A/B SELECT SWITCH

JR•2 REMOTE

A/B SWITCH

To next channel A/B switch

MUTE

ON/OFF

TRANSFORMER

GROUND

LIFT

ISOLATION

MIX

BUS

ON/OFF

CHANNEL

OUTPUT

STEREO OUTPUT

To eliminate hum and buzz caused by ground loops, each channel output is transformer isolated and equipped with a ground lift switch. These are rated to handle signal levels in excess of +20dB from 20Hz to 20kHz and work equally well when switching the outputs from professional mixing consoles as they do for wireless microphones and instrument level signals.

The output from each channel may be independently routed to the stereo mix bus. This equipped with balanced XLR and ¼” outputs. The mix bus allows you to create a stereo mix from any of the four channels. Channels-1 and 3 are routed to the left output while 2 and 4 are routed to the right output. A top-mounted mono-sum switch may be engaged to route all four channels to both outputs.

System monitoring is fully supported with signal present LEDs on each input and a PFL (Pre-Fader Listen) system. The PFL system enables the audio engineer to listen to the primary input-A or secondary input-B sources before switching using headphones or a powered monitor speaker.

There are many applications where the SW4 can be used. Examples include: switching backup wireless microphones or guitars on a busy stage; switching multi-channel backing tracks from a DAW workstation for a live musical performance; switching FOH mixing consoles at a music festival. Several of these are detailed later in the manual.

Wireless Mics DAW Workstation

Primary Primary

Radial Engineering Ltd. SW4 Owner’s Manual

Backup Backup

AAAABBBB

Mixing Console

FOH

Mixer-1

AAAABBBB

Left Center Right Front Fills

FOH

Mixer-2

RR FF CC LL

FEATURE SET OVERVIEW

1 2 3 4 5

True to the Music

6 7 9

1. INPUT CHANNELS (1-4): Each of the four independent

channels feature A/B switching, trim level controls, LED signal indicators and PFL monitoring.

2. STEREO LINKING: Channels may be used independently or linked together for stereo, tri-channel or quad switching.

3. PFL MONITOR: Pre-fader listen switch allows the A or B input to be monitored via the headphone and auxiliary ¼” mono outputs.

4. BUS OUT: Volume control with on/off switch and LED indicator lets you set the level of the mix bus XLR and ¼” outputs.

5. PHONES: Headphone ampliﬁ er equipped with a level control to monitor the stereo mix bus and PFL system.

6. POWER SUPPLY: External power supply connects with a locking XLR connector for reliable power.

TOP PANEL DETAILS

11 12 13 14

108

7. FOOT SW and LINK JACKS: The ¼” FOOT SW jack is used

to connect the optional Radial JR•2 remote control. The ¼” LINK jack is used to pass the control command to more SW4s and expand the number of channels.

8. BUS OUTPUTS: Stereo balanced XLR and unbalanced ¼” outputs. Each channel can feed the bus whereby channels-1 and 3 are routed to the left output and channels-2 and 4 routed to the right. A top mounted mono sum switch may be engaged to route all four channels to both outputs.

9. CHANNEL INPUTS: Each channel has A and B balanced inputs for connecting primary and backup source devices.

10. CHANNEL OUTPUT: Each of the four channels features a balanced XLR output that is transformer isolated to prevent hum and buzz caused by ground loops.

See below

11. GROUND LIFT: Disconnects the ground from the channel XLR outputs to eliminate hum and buzz caused by ground loops.

12. BUS TRIM: This ‘set-n-forget’ control is used to set the level of the left and right ¼” outputs. It allows the XLR and ¼” bus outputs to operate at different levels.

Radial Engineering Ltd.

13. BUS GROUND LIFT: Disconnects the ground from the stereo bus XLR outputs to eliminate hum and buzz caused by ground loops.

14. BUS ASSIGN: This two position switch lets you operate the mix bus in either stereo or mono.

SW4 User Guide

True to the Music

INPUT CHANNEL DETAILS

15. ON: This switch turns the channel output on. When the channel is turned

on, the LED indicator illuminates. When turned off, the channel output is muted.

16. BUS: This recessed switch routes the output of the channel to the stereo mix bus. Channel-1 and 3 are routed to the left output, and channel-2 and 4 routed to the right. The LED indicator illuminates when the channel is being routed to the mix bus.

17. A+B (CHANNEL-1 ONLY): This recessed switch allows both A and B inputs to be active at the same time. When engaged the LED illuminates and the A/B select switch is disabled and used to combine sources.

18. TRIM A and B: These ‘set-n-forget’ level controls are used to match the input levels of the A and B sources for seamless audio switching.

19. A/B SELECT SWITCH and LEDs: Front panel control for toggling the A and B inputs. LED indicators display which input source is active.

20. SIGNAL LED: Two signal present LED indicators under each trim control illuminate when signal is detected at the A and B inputs. Used to conﬁ rm the source devices are connected and working before switching.

21. PFL SWITCH: This three position switch lets you listen to either the A or B input through the headphone and auxiliary ¼” mono outputs. An LED indicator illuminates when the PFL system is active.

22. LINK: This recessed switch ties the A/B switching to the next adjacent channel. Allows more than one channel to be switched at the same time.

MIX BUS AND HEADPHONE DETAILS

23. BUS OUT: Controls the output level of the stereo mix bus. Features an on/

off switch and LED indicator.

24. MUTE INDICATOR: LED illuminates to show the SW4 is responding to the MUTE command issued from the optional Radial JR•2 footswitch or DT2 desktop remotes. When active, all outputs except the front panel phones and ¼” mono are muted.

25. PFL INDICATOR: Indicates the headphones are monitoring the PFL system and one or more of the channel PFL switches is set to listen to its A or B inputs.

26. PHONES: Level control and stereo ¼” output for the headphone ampliﬁ er. Lets you monitor the mix bus or any of the eight inputs via the PFL system.

27. MONO: ¼” headphone mix output used to connect a powered monitor, guitar ampliﬁ er or electronic tuner. The phones level control is used to control the loudness.

28. XLR BUS OUTPUTS: Balanced XLR jacks output a stereo or mono mix of the four input channels. Transformer isolated to prevent buzz and hum caused by ground loops.

29. ¼” BUS OUTPUTS: Unbalanced ¼” jacks output a stereo or mono mix of the four input channels. Transformer isolated to prevent buzz.

16 17 19 20 21 22

REAR P ANEL DETAILS

30. CHANNEL OUTPUT: Transformer isolated balanced XLR outputs.

31. INPUT-A and B: Balanced A and B XLR inputs for microphone, instrument

or line-level signals. Wired to the AES standard with pin-1 ground, pin-2 hot (+), and pin-3 cold (-).

32. XLR POWER: Locking 4-pin XLR is used to connect the external power supply to the SW4.

33. FOOT SW JACK: ¼” jack used to connect the optional Radial JR•2 or JR•2DT remote controls.

34. LINK JACK: ¼” jack connects to an additional SW4 and passes along the switching and mute commands. By linking multiple SW4 units you can switch eight or more A/B channels.

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