Getting Started - Radial Engineering SW8 MK2 User Manual

GETTING STARTED

The following considers you will be using the SW8 to switch between two eight channel multi-track machines running in sync and designated
as the PRIMARY-A and the BACKUP-B playback systems. The SW8 lets you instantly switch from the PRIMARY-A to the BACKUP-B
system and outputs eight isolated channels to the PA system and eight direct channels for local monitoring. If you anticipate switching
manually you can fi ll all eight tracks of your multi-track with audio. If you plan to use the auto-switch function, you will need to record a tone
or drone track onto one of the channels. This is explained in detail later in the manual.
Audio inputs
You can connect your two playback recorders to the SW8 using either ¼" TRS connectors or 25-Pin D-Subs. The balanced TRS connectors
are wired to the AES standard with tip (+), ring (-) and sleeve (ground) and the D-Sub is wired following the Tascam / ProTools 8-channel
standard. You can fi nd the pin wiring diagram at the back of the manual or on the rear panel of the SW8. Both the ¼" TRS and the 25-pin
D-Sub inputs are internaly wired in parallel and work with balanced or unbalanced sources.
Primary and backup multi-tracks connected to the TRS inputs.
Audio Outputs
The SW8 is equipped with both a 25-pin D-Sub output on the rear panel and eight XLR-male outputs on the front panel. The D-Sub is a
balanced 8-channel output that is coupled directly to the input relays while each XLR output is confi gured like a passive direct box with an
isolation transformer, a -20dB PAD and a ground lift switch. An internal jumper cable can be reconfi gured so that the transformer isolated DI
outputs may be routed to the 25 pin D-Sub output. Most playback system technicians employ the direct D-Sub output to feed their personal
playback system for pre-fader-listening, cueing and monitoring while using the isolated XLR outputs to connect to the PA. As the PA
system's mixing console is often far removed, transformer isolating these outputs helps eliminate hum and buzz caused by ground loops.
PLAYBACK SYSTEM
CONTROL
Radial Engineering Ltd.
PRIMARY-A
MULTI-TRACK
®
CONTROL MONITOR
PAD AUTO MUTE STANDBY INPUT SELECT ALARM
TONE
A B BELOW
THRESHOLD THRESHOLD
GLOBAL ON A TONE B
PLAYBACK SYSTEM
(DIRECT OUT)
BACKUP-B
MULTI-TRACK
PRIMARY-A
MULTI-TRACK
®
CONTROL MONITOR
PAD AUTO LIFT LIFT
MUTE STANDBY INPUT SELECT ALARM
A B TONE
BELOW
THRESHOLD
THRESHOLD
PIN-1 PIN-1
GLOBAL ON A TONE B
Front XLR outputs connect to PA system. Rear D-Sub output connected to local monitoring station.
BACKUP-B
MULTI-TRACK
8-CH AUTO
LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT BACK-UP
SWITCHER
PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1
PA SYSTEM
(ISOLATED OUT)
Primary and backup multi-tracks connected to the D-Sub inputs.
8-CH AUTO
LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT LIFT
BACK-UP
SWITCHER
PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1 PIN-1
PRIMARY-A
MULTI-TRACK
BACKUP-B
MULTI-TRACK
3
PRIMARY-A
MULTI-TRACK
BACKUP-B
MULTI-TRACK
SOUND REINFORCEMENT
SYSTEM
SW8 ™ MK2 User Guide