Radial Engineering SW8 Users Manual

Radial± Smart Sheet

Order No. R800 8100 00

SW8

±

e i gh t c h a n ne l a ut o s w i t c h e r

The Radial SW8™ is an 8-channel redundant backup switching interface designed for live
concert touring and stage shows that employ pre-recorded backing tracks as part of the
sound production. The SW8 provides the means to switch to a backup multi-track machine
if ever the main unit should suffer a failure. Switching from one multi-track to another is
instantaneous and noiseless enabling the show to go on uninterrupted.

The SW8 works by switching two balanced 8-channel line inputs between one 8-channel

thru-put. For exibility, the SW8 thru-puts both line-level and mic-level signals. This makes it

easy to interface the SW8 at the mix-position using it’s line-level thru-put, or on-stage using
the transformer isolated XLR direct box outputs to feed mic-level signals to a snake.

To accommodate larger 16 or 24 track playback, the SW8 is equipped with a link function
that allows several units to be slaved together. The SW8 can be manually switched by the
front panel AB selector or footswitch. Automatic switching is performed by sensing a pre­recorded drone track from the master multi-track. Should the drone disappear the SW8 will
seamlessly switch to the backup multi-track.

INPUT SELECT switch
with status LEDs for
manual switching.

A & B TRS INPUTS for
balanced +4dB or unbalanced

-10dB line-level signals.

8-CHANNEL DIRECT BOX with transformers provide
100% isolation from noise caused by ground loops for
connecting mic-level signals to a microphone snake.

ALARM LED indicates
when there is a loss of
signal from the drone track.

CH. 1 TONE INPUT con­nects from a drone track to
monitor auto-switching.

CH-1 TONE LED lights
to indicate drone track
is present.

D-SUB THRU-PUT
8-channel balanced
+4dB line-level.

INTERNAL LIFT connects the
signal ground to the chassis

for exible grounding.

LIFT disconnects pin-1 on
the XLR to eliminate noise
caused by ground loops.

FILTER lets you use
a binary signal such
as SMPTE as a drone
track by smoothing out
the signal.

ALT 1/8 selects
between channel 1 or
8 to receive the drone
track.

A & B D-SUB INPUTS
follows the Tascam pin-out
for analog audio interface.

AUTO SWITCH GATE used to con­nect a drone signal directly to the
auto-switching gate.

Detail of rear panel controls.

XLR OUTPUTS are
transformer isolated direct
boxes with mic-level outputs.

CONTACT INPUT
1/4” latching contact used to
switch the SW8 with a remote.

CONTACT ALARM Internal relay
can turn on a beacon when the drone
signal drops below the set threshold.

ID LABELS for wax pencil
makes setups easy. A great
help when troubleshooting!

PSU & CABLE LOCK

connection for the power
supply with cable lock.

JR-2 used to con­nect optional JR-2
remote to switch
between A & B
inputs. Link multiple
SW8’s together with
one footswitch.

SW8 at Front of House Position

Multi-track machines connect to the SW8 using either the 25-pin D­Sub or 1/4” Phone inputs. When the SW8 is located at the FOH mix­position the 25-pin D-sub THRU-PUT connector provides a direct
balanced line-level feed from the multi-track to the console.

+4dB Line-level Output

Main Multi-track

FOH Console

Back-up Multi-track

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SW8 On-stage

When the SW8 is located on-stage the eight, transformer isolated,
XLR direct box outputs are used to connect to the snake systems.

Mic-level DI Output

Main Multi-track

Radial V12

Snake

Back-up Multi-track

FOH Console