Radial Engineering X-Amp User's Guide

®

True to the Music

USER GUIDE

Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5
Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

www.radialeng.com

®

Radial® XAMP

™

REAMP

User Guide

Table of Contents Page

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

Input Panel ...................................................................... 2

Output Panel ................................................................... 3

Getting Ready To Remap ................................................5

Connecting And Using The X-Amp ................................. 6

Adjusting Levels And Adding A Second Amp .................. 7

Using With Keyboards And Voice ...................................8

Grounding Options .......................................................... 9

Specifi cations .................................................................. 9

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

INTRODUCTION

The Radial X-Amp is an active Reamper that has been
developed with one goal in mind: To explore new musical
sounds and spur on the creative process.

Like all Radial products, this ‘creative tool’ is made using
the very fi nest components and care to ensure the very
highest quality sound possible. And like any tool, the
best way to get the most out of it is by understanding
the functions, the intent behind the design and of course
some of the safety features and instructions that have
been provided. To this end, we recommend reading this
manual before operating your X-Amp.

We are confi dent you will fi nd the Radial X-Amp to be
fun to use, musical and that it will open new doors to
creativity. If you have question after you have read the
user guide please visit the X-Amp FAQ page on our web
site. If you still can not fi nd what you are looking for, feel
free to send us an email at [e-mail] and we
will do our very best to reply to you in short order. We love
to hear from you!

Please read the caution statement on the last page

before connecting your Radial X-Amp

®

True to the Music

OVERVIEW

Designed as a creative tool, the Radial X-Amp is an active device that
allows pre-recorded instrument tracks to be sent through guitar amplifi ers
and effect devices. Since guitar amps and recording devices work at
different signal levels, they are not directly compatible. In essence, the
X-Amp allows these devices to ‘speak’ to each other. The Radial X-Amp
is an active ‘impedance and level-matching device’ that converts line level
signals from a mixing console or tape recorder to guitar level signals to
drive one or two guitar amplifi ers without introducing ground-loops or noise.

To start Reamping, one would generally record a dry guitar or bass track
using a direct box such as the Radial JDI, Radial J48 or Radial JDV.

Radial J48

Active DI

Record a
Dry Track

Afterwards, the pre-recorded dry track is routed through the X-Amp, which
in turn is connected to a guitar amplifi er. The ‘Reamped’ sound is recorded
to new tracks.

Recorder

(dry track)

Radial
X-Amp

Reamp Track

Reamp Track

Guitar
Amps

Mic

Mic

The advantages of recording a track this way are many: Once the
original track has been recorded, the engineer and producer can try
different amplifi ers and sounds without tiring out the player with relentless
repetition. For the player-engineer, the track can be recorded, then the
player can then sit in the control room and listen to a variety of guitar effects
or amplifi ers before committing a fi nal sound to the track.

The X-Amp can also be used on other instruments. Keyboard tracks can
be given extra life by warming up their sound by sometimes driving them
through distortion pedals or tube guitar amps. Vocal tracks can also be
twisted into new sounds by introducing these fun effects.

Radial Engineering Ltd.

1

X-AMP Reamper™

®

FEATURE SET: INPUT PANEL

True to the Music

2 3 41 5

6

1. LINE LEVEL XLR INPUT: The input to the Radial X-Amp is a
balanced line level female XLR. This is typically fed from the output
of a recording device or mixing console. The XLR connector is wired
with pin-2 hot following the AES standard.

2. GROUND: A ground lift switch disconnects pin-1 ground at the XLR
input. Depressing this switch assumes you will be providing a ground
path via the OUT-1 to your amplifi er. Lifting the ground often helps
reduce hum or buzz caused by so-called ground loops.

3. CABLE CLAMP: Used to secure the power supply cable and prevent
accidental power disconnection.

4. POWER: The 15VDC power supply is connected here. Plug in to
activate the X-Amp.

5. FULL-BOTTOM NO-SLIP PAD: Provides mechanical isolation to
reduce slipping and electrical isolation from amplifi er frames and
handles.

6. BOOKEND DESIGN: 14 gauge steel outer shell creates a protective
zone around connectors and switches. Internal welded I beam
construction for maximum durability.

7. POWER LED INDICATOR: The power LED will immediately
illuminate when the 15VDC supply is connected.

Radial Engineering Ltd.

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X-AMP Reamper™