Radial Engineering SW8 Owner's Manual download pdf (Page 6)

True to the Music

Radial Engineering Ltd.

SW8 Owner’s Manual

Audio Outputs

The SW8 offers two audio outputs; the line-level DB25 output connector and the front panel mic-level XLR jacks. Which output you

choose to use will depend on where the SW8 is set up. For instance, the DB25 output will typically be used at the FOH mix position to

feed line-level signals to the console while the XLR outputs would feed mic-level signals to the on-stage mic snake. The DB25 direct

thru-put and the mic-level XLR outputs can be used at the same time should you want to connect two mixing consoles using different

signal formats. For example, the DB25 output may be connected to the on-stage monitor console while the XLR outputs are connected

to the FOH console through the mic snake.

DB25 Output

The rear panel DB25 connector is a direct thru-put connection providing a duplicate of the input signal. The signal path from the

inputs to the DB25 direct thru-put is 100% passive with no active electronics to color the sound. The audio signals only cross the

gold contacts of the sealed relays before reaching the DB25 output connector. Use the rear panel DB25 connector when the SW8 is

connected to the line-level console inputs.

XLR Outputs

The front panel XLR jacks produce a balanced, mic-level signal and are transformer isolated to eliminate buzz and hum caused by

ground loops. The mic-level outputs allow the SW8 to interface with mic splitter snakes and console mic-preamps.

If you hear distortion from the XLR outputs it is likely that the multi-track output level is overloading the transformers. The GLOBAL

PAD switches in a -20dB PAD on all eight channels to protect against overloading the transformer.

Each channel features a ground LIFT switch that disconnects the pin-1 signal ground at the XLR outputs. It may be used on a per-

channel basis to accommodate speciﬁ c grounding needs. Typically this will be set to lift the ground (pushed in) so the transformer can

decouple the signal grounds.

Internal Ribbon Connector

An internal ribbon connector allows the SW8 to route the eight transformer isolated mic-level outputs to the rear panel DB25 connector.

This allows mic-level connections to be made on the rear panel instead of the front XLR jacks. This modiﬁ cation will disconnect the

front XLR jacks and the SW8 will only be able to output mic-level signals (no direct thru-put is available in this mode). Note that after

this modiﬁ cation the front panel LIFT switches will continue to function as normal.

To access the internal ribbon connector remove the top panel. Locate the ribbon cable for the DB25 Direct output. Gently remove the

ribbon connector from the circuit board and plug it into CONN4 marked “XLR OUT” on the circuit board. The red stripe on the ribbon

cable should be on the same side as the rear panel and the notch on the connector should match with the notch silk screened on the

circuit board.

Direct out

ribbon cable.

CONN4

XLR OUT

Notch

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Radial Engineering SW8 Owner's Manual Page 6