 Start here with your questions about the features, capabilities,
or operation of our products. You can even find tips to get the most out of our gear. If you
can't find what you're looking for,
please feel free to contact us
for additional help.
Q: Why do I need a switching system at all?
A: Three words:
flexibility, organization, and creative control. A switching system serves as
the central hub of your rig. Our products allow you to route and reroute
connections between your gear on the fly without ever touching a patch cord,
providing a degree of flexibility that's unheard of in the world of wires.
Switch the order of effects on the fly; run in series or in parallel alongside
an unprocessed signal. It's like having the best "virtual pedalboard" features
of today's top digital gear without being stuck in a one-box-does-it-all effects
situation (cause you know you love those pedals).
Next, a switching system
provides an easy way to keep your setup and sounds organized. Our products allow
you to wire your gear in advance and save preset scenes of each setup you
"invent". There's even a feature for adjusting the overall level between your
programs to help you be balanced. Your band and the audience will be blown away
at how together you've gotten.
Finally, a switching
system is really all about control-- a kind of creativity that's just not
possible otherwise. With our products, you can create any number of interesting
effects "configurations" to finally achieve the sounds you've always wanted;
improve the integrity of your tone while opening the door to imagination. A
Switchblade is like a blank piece of graph paper you can use to design the
ultimate effects/mixing rig, again and again and again. With MIDI in the mix to
select scenes, and even adjust settings like mix, pan, volume, or balance on the
fly, there is virtually no limit to what you will accomplish.
If you're interested in
learning more, visit the Switchblade pages,
or check out the list of pro artists who
are using our products for the flexibility, organization, and control they
provide.
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Q: I'm not sure which Switchblade product is right for
me. What are the key differences between the models offered?
A: The main differences
lie in the capacity and features of the models offered. The switchblade GL
supports 16 inputs and 16 outputs, while the 8 and 8B have eight of each. The GL
and the 8B have fully balanced inputs and outputs, which can be VERY nice to
have if you are using any 'pro grade' rack gear (or if you hope to avoid
ground loops). Other than that, all
switchblade models offer the same great features like realtime midi control,
preset memories, . For more on the similarities, see our page on
Switchblade "family" features.
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Q: How extensively can the products of the Switchblade
Line be controlled by MIDI?
A: VERY extensively! The
basic operating mode allows you to summon Switchblade preset scenes via midi
program changes, and every scene can employ two realtime (CC) controls to vary
the I/O level of any patch. In Sysex mode, the unit becomes completely midi
controlled, with options to make or break every connection, vary levels, and
more. Download Switchblade manuals for an in-depth
exploration of this topic and the complete midi spec.
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Q: Does the Switchblade
operate in the analog or digital domain?
A: The Switchblade is an
ALL ANALOG audio router. It is digitally controlled, but the audio path is 100%
analog (just like YOU and your GUITAR!)
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Q: Will
the Switchblade adversely affect my sound?
A: The quality of the
audio paths in the Switchblade is extremely high. Ultra low distortion and noise
as well as an extended bandwidth well into the supersonic range assure that the
not only flawless audio passage but very low phase shift to make the signal look
like it’s going through no more than a simple audio cable. The audio paths are
always short and direct from any input to any output regardless of the
complexity of the preset.
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Q: How can I create a
controlled feedback loop using my switchblade?
A: Controlled feedback is
usually performed by holding a guitar in front of an amplifier so the audio from
the amp can vibrate the strings and guitar body and sustain the loop causing a
controlled wail. Although you cannot get exactly the same effect using an all
electronic loop, you can get some seriously interesting feedback effects using
just the Switchblade and attached effects. See the applications section for
details about how to create electronic feedback loops.
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Q: How
can I add a true analog bypass to my Switchblade?
A: By using the Sound
Sculpture ABCadabra you can add true bypass to your setup. True bypass allows
you to directly connect your guitar, under preset control, to your amplifier
without going through any electronics other than a simple relay. For purists
this is the best way to connect your guitar to your amp when you don’t want to
use any effects devices, yet have your full access to all your effects when you
need them. See the Application section for details.
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Q: I heard that (insert
famous person here) uses a Switchblade system. Is this
true? Which model do they use?
A: Yes. More and more top
artists have finally discovered the Switchblade and install them in their
touring rigs and session rigs. Some of these artists have informed us that they
don’t know how they got by without the Switchblade switching system.
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Q:
Can I insert effects both before my amp head and in the
amp head effect loop using the Switchblade?
A: Yes. To do this
connect a cable from the SEND of the head to an input on the Switchblade and
another from an output on the Switchblade to the RETURN on the head. Name
the input and output something like HEADLOOP on both the input and output.
To insert any effects into the loop, simply include the loop in your
connections. For example, HEADLOOP->REVERB and REVERB->HEADLOOP will
insert your reverb to the FX loop on the amp. Other effects can go before
the input at the same time using the usual methods. CAUTION: If you
are not inserting an effect into the head loop, then you must always remember to
connect the loop anyway by doing a HEADLOOP->HEADLOOP connection. The
reason you need to do this is because by inserting a cable into your head loop,
you break the audio circuit, so you must connect it in the Switchblade.
back to questions
Q: What are ground loops and can the Switchblade help
tame them?
A: Ground loops are
literally audio ground pathways that form a loop. These loops can cause a
buzzing noise. The most common ground loop occurs if you are using more
than one amplifier since a potential loop exists between the AC power line
ground and the audio ground of the two amps. Using the special Amp Lift
Cable shown below, you can use your balanced Switchblade to break these loops
and eliminate the buzz.
NOTE: If you are using a
Switchblade with UNBALANCED outputs, this cable will do nothing. We may still be
able to help with a solution however; Contact
us for more information.
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