Radial SW8 Auto-Switcher

Product Description

Auto-switch between two 8 channel systems

Expandable and remote controllable
Mic and line level operation
Transformer isolated XLR mic outputs
Full manual override with foot control

The Radial SW8 auto-switcher provides redundant backup by automatically switching between two 8-channel sources such as a pair of digital recorders. Designed primarily for live concerts and stage shows where backing tracks are used for orchestration, backing chorals and sound effects, the SW8 can detect a machine malfunction and automatically switch to a second backup machine to ensure a seamless performance.

Using the SW8 is easy! Connect your two sync’d playback systems and record a steady drone on track-1. If the tone disappears, the SW8’s front panel red LED will illuminate to let you know trouble is at hand. If you like, have the SW8 trigger an alarm, trip a contact closure or have it automatically switch to your second machine. For larger systems, the SW8 may be expanded by linking machines together using a simple ¼” instrument cable. Housed in a heavy duty 14-gauge steel 19” enclosure, the Radial SW8 is equipped with choice of ¼” TRS or 25 pin D-Sub inputs and XLR or D-Sub outputs to handle just about any audio challenge, wardrobe malfunction or backing tape failure.

SW8 Applications:

Live backing track redundant switching
Eight transformer isolated DI channels
Interface all high-Z audio eg: iPods, video

SW8™ - Real-world scenarios
The following are three common scenarios used today in live production. For obvious reasons, we have removed the names of the bands and technicians who provided this info as many artists like to keep their production secrets, well... secret! Each scenario might have a click track going on a separate out, usually only to the drummer, very rarely if ever, to the front of house. Sometimes alternate click tracks are sent, via the monitor desk, to individual band members that need to start at the top of a given song.

SW8™ - 'Fly-in' scenario
This is most commonly found in the club band scene and for fly-in promotional TV and video tours. In these scenarios, everything is mixed to a single stereo or even a mono output. Some bands have done this with great success but this takes a lot of hard work to get the balance just right.

In this setup:

• One SW8's will output up to 8 channels - more can be linked
• Playback devices are synched to the same clock
• 'A' and 'B' inputs via 1/4" jacks, D-sub connectors or one of each
• Ground lifts for individual channels take care of hum or buzz
• Balanced XLR outs go to separate mixer channels

SW8™ - 'Moderate' scenario
In this scenario, 16 backing tracks are mixed down into stereo subgroups. This is the most common form of backing tracks as the musicians are doing all of the main work and the playback machines are adding icing to the cake. In these systems, you'll have something like extra left and right drums, percussion & beats, L/R keyboards (orchestration) & sound effects, L/R extra guitars & L/R backing vocals and often all of the vocal effects. This would usually require 10 to 16 tracks.

In this setup:

• Two SW8's output up to 16 channels - more SW8's can be linked
• SW8's are set up as 'Master-slave' w/LINK IN and OUT 1/4" jacks
• Playback devices are synched to the same clock
• 'A' and 'B' inputs via 1/4" jacks, D-sub connectors or one of each
• Ground lifts for individual channels take care of hum or buzz
• Balanced XLR outs go to separate mixer channels

SW8™ - 'Superstar' scenario
Everything is on backing tracks: drums, electronic beats, instruments, backing vocals, vocal effects and in some cases, even lead vocals. Here we are talking about the various pop bands that incorporate huge, over-the-top production. Every track is broken out to individual channels so the monitor engineer can send different players different mixes & the front of house mixer has total control. It would not be uncommon to see 32 to 48 backing tracks in this type of setup.

In this setup:

• Four SW8's output up to 32 channels - more SW8's can be linked
• SW8's are set up as 'Master-slaves' w/LINK IN and OUT 1/4" jacks
• Playback units are synched to the same clock
• Set- 'A' and Set-'B' to SW8's via D-sub connectors or 1/4" jacks
• Ground lifts for individual channels take care of hum or buzz
• Balanced XLR outs go to separate mixer channels for greatest control