Auto-Switching - Radial Engineering SW8 MK2 User Manual

AUTO-SWITCHING

To use the SW8 in the auto-switch mode, record a drone track (steady state tone) onto your primary playback recorder. This channel is then
connected to the SW8's gate input where the signal is detected. If the drone signal 'drops out' the SW8 will divert the 8 inputs from primary-A
playback system to the backup-B system using a series of relays. A pure 1kHz tone is recommended but any steady state tone will work
for the drone track. You merely need to adjust the threshold to match the level. You can monitor the drone track using the gate monitor out.
This can also be used to loop through for other units should you wish to have several units switch concurrently via a 'drone and gate' setup.
Alternate Input
Channels 1 or 8
LOCAL MONITOR AND
SYNC CONTROL
In fact you can even use or SMPTE time code as an audio source. Digital square wave carrier signals can be smoothed out using the
3-position fi lter on the rear panel to have it 'look' more like a sine wave. Simply test using the various fi lter and threshold settings to fi nd the
one that produces stable results.
Auto-switch gate input
The auto-switch gate that controls automatic switching is arranged so that it can be fed from three different source inputs:
1. Channel-1, Input-A: Diverts to the auto-gate input automatically unless a cable is connected to the gate input.
Make sure the 1/8 ALT switch is in the out position to connect channel-1 to the auto-switch gate.
2. Channel-8, Input-A: Many techs prefer to record the drone on channel-8 as it leaves 1 free as a primary
playback channel. Simply depress the ALT 1/8 switch inward to route channel-8 to the auto-switch gate.
3. Direct to gate: You can also patch a signal directly to the auto-switch gate by connecting to the gate input. This
defeats the channel-1/8 routing option, leaving these channels free for more playback channels.
The ¼" gate input features a switching jack that defeats the channels 1 or 8 routing when a plug is inserted.
In other words, channels 1 or 8 are routed to the gate input unless a plug is inserted into the ¼" gate input.
Using the auto-switch function
Turn auto-switching on by depressing the front panel AUTO switch inward. An LED illuminates to
alert you the auto-switch mode is active. This will disengage the A/B select switch on the front panel
along with the remote JR2 and contact closure switching functions. Rotate the THRESHOLD level
control fully counter-clockwise. Start your primary (A) machine with the drone track. The SW8's
LED below the A/B switch will indicate signal is present. Adjust the threshold clockwise until the
SW8 switches from B to A. To test, pause the A playback system and the SW8 will switch to B.
Activate your B playback rig to audition the two sources as you switch back and forth using the
threshold control.
Using the standby function
One of the cool new features on the SW8 is the addition of a STANDBY switch. This is used to
arm the SW8 so that it is not searching for a drone signal when one may not be present. For
instance, consider a situation where a song fi nishes, and the artist decides to talk to the audience
between songs. The playback technician immediately reaches over and stops the main playback
unit which in turn will shut off the drone signal. This in turn will cause the SW8 to switch to the B
backup playback system as it assumes that there is a system fault. The standby switch enables the
playback technician to pause playback and hold the SW8 on it's primary 'A' inputs as he awaits the
count-in for the next song. As soon as the song begins, he starts the backing tracks to follow the
band. He can then leisurely revert back to auto-mode by turning the standby switch off allowing the
SW8 to monitor the drone signal.
The standby mode can be activated in two ways, via the front panel STANDBY switch or by remote
control via the optional JR2 footswitch. The standby control mode switch on the top cover allows
you to choose LOCAL control via the front panel switch or REMOTE control.
Radial Engineering Ltd.
DRONE
TRACK
Auto-switch Gate
Direct Input
PRIMARY-A
MULTI-TRACK
BACKUP-B
MULTI-TRACK
6
®
CONTROL MON
AUTO
MUTE STANDBY
THRESHOLD
ON A TONE B
Threshold control sets the sensitivity
of the auto-switch detector
Connect the drone track to channels 1 or 8 using the
D-Sub or ¼" inputs or connect direct to the gate input.
AUTO
THRESHOLD
ON A TONE B
Set the THRESHOLD control to 7
o'clock and turn clockwise until the
SW8 switches to the inputs-A.
Use the STANDBY CONTROL MODE switch
to choose between local or remote control.
SW8 MK2 User Guide
™
INPUT SE
A