1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 RADIAL X-AMP ACTIVE RE-AMPLIFIER

Part Number: 000242

RADIAL X-AMP ACTIVE RE-AMPLIFIER - Part Number 000242
Radial X-Amp active re-amplifier • Active re-amping device • 100% Class-A signal path • Two outputs to drive two amps • Input level overload LED indicator • Isolated output eliminates ground loops • Variable output level control The Radial X-Amp is an active re-amping device that presents the engineer / producer with a new and innovative creative tool that allows a pre-recorded track from a line level device to drive two guitar amplifiers or effect pedals simultaneously. This opens the door to explore new musical sounds and spur on the creative process. Following the critically acclaimed Radial JD7 Injector, the X-Amp employs a unique Class-A circuit design that has been optimized for use with guitars. Using the X-Amp is easy: One would, for instance, record a dry track using a high quality direct box, then send this track from the recorder to the X-Amp and then to either guitar amps, effect pedals or combinations thereof. X-Amp Development & Evolution Designed as a creative tool, the Radial X-Amp is an active re-amplifying device that allows prerecorded instrument tracks to be sent through guitar amplifiers and effect devices. With the X-Amp, you could for instance take a pre-recorded guitar track, and send it through a second distortion pedal and amplifier and then slightly delay the track to add a thick doubling effect. You could also use the X-Amp from a voice track to a distortion pedal to ad some grit to a performance. Another popular use would be to go back and fix a track should an error or glitch somehow appear. Although the Radial X-amp is new, the process of re-amping tracks has been around for years. Historians credit jazz guitar great Les Paul as the first to employ the concepts of re-amplifying sound in the 1950s as there was no other way to double tracks or create echo effects. In the 1960s, Phil Spector’s work with his famous ‘wall of sound’ employed re-amping techniques. In the 1970s, Roger Nichols built his own ‘re-amper’. Roger used it on all of the Steely Dan records virtually burning out tubes in effort to get the right sound. Only today with the proliferation of affordable high quality multi-track recording has the demand for high-quality recording tools allowed manufacturers to develop devices such the Radial X-amp into commercially viable products. This is not to say that other re-amping devices have not been available. In 1980, Jensen® Transformers introduced the 1st transformer that could effectuate the process and included an application note on the spec sheet discussing the conversion of balanced to unbalanced guitar signals. The Radial JDI Mk3 in fact employs a newer version of this same transformer and can be easily used as a re-amping device. (See the Radial JDI Owner’s manual for more details). The forefather to the Radial JD7 Injector (custom built by Radial Chief Engineer Denis Rozon circa 1990) was designed to drive a signal to several guitar amplifiers at once and the introduction of the 1st generation Radial JD7 in 2001 added facilities such as balanced output and input to simplify the re-amping process. The Radial X-Amp is in fact a derivative of the Radial JD7 Injector. It employs the same active balanced input and new Class-A circuit topology as the popular JD7, but in a more affordable and simplified two output configuration. More detailed information can be found in the The History of re-amping article. The Challenges in building a better re-amping device Up until the X-Amp, pretty much all re-amping devices have been passive, transformer-based. These generally work well but do have limitations: Because the same transformer is used to both convert the balanced line level to an unbalanced signal while changing the impedance, one is required to employ workable compromise to get an acceptable tone. Because varying the output level is required to properly match the amplifier’s input level, a potentiometer is required. Since a potentiometer is in fact a variable resistor, changing the level will introduce a load variation, which will inevitably impact the tone. This is not to say that the tone will be bad, it just means that finding the ‘sweet spot’ may be compromised. The Radial X-Amp was designed in such a way as to solve these problems. To begin, the X-Amp is active. This means that it is equipped with an external power supply to provide the DC to the circuit. The circuit itself is Class-A meaning that it employs a high performance, audiophile buffering circuit to ensure the cleanest and most natural tone. This design allows us to ad several important features and controls that are not possible with simple passive devices. For instance, we introduced a peak-overload detector that lets you monitor the level coming from the recorder and ensure the signal will not overload the circuit. Because we are active, the X-Amp’s output control can be adjusted at will without affecting the tonal character. Furthermore, by adding a second buffer to the signal, we can introduce a second output that to drive a stereo amp set-up or maybe two completely different amps and effects chains at one time. This opens the doors to significantly greater tonal possibilities! X-Amp Features & Specifications The Radial X-Amp is a creative tool designed to advance recording and open the door to new sounds and processes. Although highly complex on the inside, the Radial X-Amp is easy to use on the outside. It is loaded with features and jam-packed with discreet components to make re-amping simple and sound great! Inside the X-Amp 1. 14-Gauge steel welded I-beam construction makes it impossible to torque the PC board. 2. Class-A active circuit for transparency and lowest possible noise. 3. Ground lift switch - recessed to prevent accidental use. 4. Audio Transformer provides 100% isolation to eliminate hum and noise caused by ground loops. 5. Heavy duty connectors and switches - high cycle for reliable performance. 6. Military spec PC board with full surface ground plane to reduce RF noise susceptibility. Input and Output Panels 7. INPUT - Balanced LINE LEVEL XLR input connector, normally connected to recorder output. A dry guitar track would be a typical source signal. 8. GROUND - INPUT SIDE lifts pin-1 ground at the XLR-in to help eliminate ground loops that can cause buzz and hum in a sound system. 9. POWER - X-Amp comes equipped with a 15VDC 400mA power supply. Optional 100V, 110V, 220V and 240V PSUs are available. 10. Full bottom rubber pad - provides plenty of stay-put wherever you place the X-Amp. Also electrical isolation from amp handles etc. 11. Book-cover design creates a protective zone around switches & connectors – Indestructable 14-gauge steel construction with baked enamel finish. 12. Power LED - lets you know the X-amp is on and ready to use. 13. LEVEL control - adjusts the X-Amp level going to your amp or effects to match that of your guitar; get the exact sound as plugging directly in! 14. CLIP LED - provides visual cue of input signal overload. 15. OUT-1 1/4" DIRECT feed from the X-Amp's Class-A circuit. This output should always be used to ensure proper grounding. 16. POLARITY - 180° reverse on the isolated OUT-2 to correct the phase with an amp or device connected on OUT-1. 17. OUT-2 - 1/4" ISOLATED 2nd output to another amp or effect(s). Transformer isolation eliminates the hum and buzz caused by ground loops. 18. Ground Lift switch on output - lifts ground between OUT-2 and OUT-1. Side mounted switch is recessed to prevent accidental use. Construction The X-Amp is designed to withstand the rigors of high-use professional environments! Radial's innovative book-cover design provides a protective zone around the switches and connectors that makes it practically impossible to damage these components. Stress on circuit boards causes broken and intermittant solder joints and is a common cause of failure in lesser DI's. Radial's 14-gauge welded I-beam inner chassis and 14-guage outer shell greatly reduce the possibility of torque stress being applied to the PC board. A full-bottom no-slip rubber pad works double duty by (a) providing protection from electrical shock from (eg:) guitar amp handles which are often directly coupled to the amp chassis, and (b) assuring that the X-Amp won’t slip and slide around. X-AMP SPECIFICATIONS Input (XLR connector): Balanced 600 ohm, +4dB Line level, AES standard Pin-2 hot Input level: +4dB balanced line level Input impedance: 600 Ohms Out-1 (1/4" connector): Unbalanced 10kOhm guitar signal, direct coupled Out-2 (1/4" connector): 10k-Ohm guitar signal, transformer isolated Output level: continuously variable Output impedance: 5K-Ohms Audio signal path: 100% discreet component Class-A circuit Dynamic range: >100dB Power requirement: 15VDC 400mA - center positive Construction / finish: 14-gauge steel chassis & shell / baked enamel finish Size: 3-5/16"W x 5”L x 1-7/8"D (84mm x 127mm x 48mm) Weight (boxed): 2.6lb (1.8kg) Warranty: 3 years, limited (see owner’s manual for details) Recording using the X-Amp has many benefits: Once the basic track has been recorded, replacing or adding tracks can be done well after the session player has gone home. This eliminates tiresome repetition and assures a fresh vibrant performance on the final recording. Furthermore, by driving two amps at the same time, new sounds and textures can be created allowing the engineer – producer to make artistic decisions as the recording progresses. Features include balanced line level input with LED peak indicator and level control, Class-A circuit topology for optimal reach and frequency response, direct and isolated guitar amplifier outputs, 180º polarity reverse to bring both amps into phase, and dual ground lift options for noise-free operation. As with all Radial products, the X-Amp is built like a tank to provide years of trouble-free performance. A welded I-beam internal skeleton provides a separate housing for maximum protection against external forces, which may cause stress on the PC board assembly while the outside bookend cover provides a protective zone for the switches, potentiometer and connectors. A full bottom no-slip pad performs double duty by keeping the X-Amp from sliding around when placed on a vibrating amplifier while also providing electrical and mechanical isolation. NOTE: THIS UNIT SHIPS WITH A 115 VAC 60HZ POWER SUPPLY FOR USE IN NORTH AMERICA AS WELL AS ANY OTHER COUNTRY WITH 115-120 VOLT SERVICE.
Active re-amping device. Two outputs to drive two 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985

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