Radial engineering Lx-2 User manual

line splitter

Jensen transFOrMer eQuipped

Radial Engineering Ltd.

1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5

Tel: 604-942-1001 • Fax: 604-942-1010 • Email: [email protected]

user guide

Radial Engineering Ltd. LX-2™ Line Splitter User Guide

radial lX-2 passive line splitter

user guide

Introduction....................................................................................... 1

Features ........................................................................................... 2

Overview........................................................................................... 3

Making Connections......................................................................... 4

Using the Trim .................................................................................. 4

Using the Ground Lift........................................................................ 5

Optional Mounting Accessories ........................................................ 6

FAQ .................................................................................................. 7

Specications ................................................................................... 8

Block Diagram .................................................................................. 9

Radial Limited Warranty ...................................................Back Cover

Thank you for your purchase of the Radial LX-2™ line-level audio splitter and attenuator, a simple but powerful tool built for the

studio, stage, or broadcast applications.

Before you begin using the LX-2, please take a few minutes to read this short manual to become familiar with the various fea-

tures and possible uses of the LX-2. If afterwards you nd yourself in need of more information, please visit our website. This is

where we post updates and frequently asked questions and answers from users like yourself. If you are still in need of answers,

feel free to drop us a line at [email protected] and we will do our best to respond in a timely manner.

With the LX-2 you can crank up your mic preamps without fear of overloading, and split your line-level signal to multiple destina-

tions with ease.

Radial Engineering Ltd. LX-2™ Line Splitter User Guide

FEATURES

1. XLR/TRS INPUT: Combination XLR or ¼” input.

2. TRIM ON: Set & forget switch activates the trim level

control. Signal passes through at unity gain when this

switch is not engaged.

3. TRIM LEVEL: Attenuates the signal at the input of the

LX-2.

4. BOOK END DESIGN: Creates a protective zone around

the jacks and switches.

5. ISO OUTPUT: Transformer isolated output eliminates

hum & buzz caused by ground loops.

6. GROUND LIFTS: Disconnects pin-1 ground at the XLR

output and thru.

7. DIRECT THRU OUTPUT: Direct output to connect to

recording or monitor systems.

8. NO SLIP PAD: Provides electrical & mechanical isolation

and keeps the unit from sliding around.

54 76 8

2 3

Radial Engineering Ltd. LX-2™ Line Splitter User Guide

OVERVIEW

The LX-2 has a single XLR/TRS INPUT con-

nector, an ISO OUTPUT with a ground lift

switch, and a DIRECT THRU output with a

ground lift switch. You can connect any line-

level signal to the INPUT, and use the ISO

OUTPUT to feed a recording device, broad-

cast truck, or mixing console. The ISO OUT-

PUT is equipped with a premium Jensen™

transformer, which provides exceptional

signal handling and low noise, while also

blocking DC voltage to help eliminate buzz

and hum from ground loops. This output also

features a ground lift switch that disconnects

the ground path between the input and out-

put to further reduce ground loop noise. The

DIRECT THRU output can be used to feed

an additional mixer or another destination,

with a separate ground lift switch for noise

abatement. Should you  nd the need to at-

tenuate a high-output signal, a variable TRIM

control can be engaged to provide an acces-

sible level adjustment, allowing you to tame

hot console outputs or preamps and prevent

distortion at your input devices.

Using the LX-2 in the studio for parallel processing

Using the LX-2 live to split a line level signal from a mixer

ISOLATED

PREAMP

MIXER

DIRECT

COMPRESSOR

Using the LX-2 live to split a line level signal from a mixer

Radial Engineering Ltd. LX-2™ Line Splitter User Guide

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Before making connections, ensure that your sound system is turned off and all volume controls are turned down. This prevents

any plug-in transients from damaging speakers or other sensitive components. The LX-2 is completely passive, so it doesn’t

require any power to operate.

The LX-2 has a combination XLR/TRS input connector, which is wired with the AES standard pin-1 ground, pin-2 hot (+), pin-3

cold (-).You can connect balanced or unbalanced inputs to the LX-2; the isolated output will always be a balanced signal, while

the direct output will be balanced or unbalanced depending on the input source.

USING THE TRIM FUNCTION

For situations where a level adjustment is required, the trim control on the LX-2 allows you to attenuate overly hot signals. This

lets you drive your mic preamps hard to achieve coloration, while attenuating the level at the LX-2 to avoid clipping the inputs

of your recording interface. This trim control is activated by a recessed ‘set & forget’ TRIM ON switch. For use on stage or in

situations where attenuation is not needed, simply disengage this switch to prevent accidental or unwanted level adjustments.

PREAMP

Engage the trim function to drive

a mic preamp to saturation with-

out distorting the inputs of your

recording interface

Radial Engineering Ltd. LX-2™ Line Splitter User Guide

USING THE GROUND LIFT

When connecting two or more powered devices, you may encounter hum and buzz caused by ground loops. The isolated out-

put on the LX-2 has a Jensen transformer in the signal path, which blocks DC voltage and breaks the ground loop. However, the

direct output is connected straight through to the input of the LX-2, and you may need to engage the ground lift on this output

to disconnect pin-1 on the connector and help remove buzz and hum on this output. A ground lift switch is also present on the

isolated output to provide further abatement of ground loop noise.

The image above shows an audio source and a destination with a common electrical ground. As the audio also has a ground, these

combine to create a ground loop. The transformer and ground lift work together to eliminate the ground loop and potential noise.

60Hz

Hum

GROUND LOOP HUM

TRANSFORMER

BREAKS THE LOOP

ELECTRICAL GROUND PATH

EMI & RADIO NOISE

SOURCE RECEIVE

TRANSFORMER

Radial Engineering Ltd. LX-2™ Line Splitter User Guide

J-CLAMP

OPTIONAL RACK MOUNTING KITS

The optional J-RAK™ rackmount adapters allow four or eight LX-2s to be securely housed in a standard 19” equipment rack.

The J-RAK ts any standard-sized Radial DI or splitter, allowing you to mix and match as needed. Both J-RAK models are built

of 14-gauge steel with a baked enamel nish.

Each direct box can be front or rear mounted allowing the system designer to have the XLR’s on the front of the rack or rear,

depending on the application.

The optional J-CLAMP™ can mount a single LX-2 inside a

road case, under a table, or on virtually any surface. Con-

structed from 14-gauge steel with a baked enamel nish.

J-Rak 8 J-Rak 4

Radial Engineering Ltd. LX-2™ Line Splitter User Guide

FAQ

Can I use the LX-2 with a microphone signal?

No, the LX-2 is designed for line-level signals, and will not provide optimal performance with a mic-level input. If you need to split

the output of a microphone the Radial JS2™ and JS3™ mic splitters are designed for this purpose.

Will the 48V from phantom power hurt the LX-2?

No, phantom power will not harm the LX-2. The transformer will block 48V at the isolated output, but the direct output will pass

phantom power back through the input of the LX-2.

Can I use the LX-2 with unbalanced signals?

Absolutely. The LX-2 will automatically convert the signal to balanced audio at the isolated output. The direct output will mirror

the input, and it will be unbalanced if the input is unbalanced.

Will the LX-2 t in a J-Rak?

Yes, the LX-2 can be mounted in the J-Rak 4 and the J-Rak 8, or secured to a desktop or road case using the J-Clamp.

What is the maximum input level of the LX-2?

The LX-2 can handle +21dBu with the trim control fully bypassed.

Can I use the LX-2 backwards to sum two signals together?

You can, but you won’t have any control over the individual levels to balance the signals.

Can I use the LX-2 to split one signal to feed multiple powered speakers?

Yes, you can. This allows you to send a mono output from a mixing board to two powered speakers.

Can I use the LX-2 to split the output of my guitar or keyboard?

Yes, although the StageBug SB-6™ might be a better option as it has ¼” connectors.

Can I bypass the trim control entirely?

Yes, when the TRIM ON recessed switch is not engaged, the trim control is completely bypassed from the circuit, so you don’t

have to worry about the knob getting touched or bumped accidentally.

Radial Engineering Ltd. LX-2™ Line Splitter User Guide

SPECIFICATIONS

Audio Circuit Type: ....................................................................................................................Passive, transformer based

Frequency Response: ..................................................................................................................... 20Hz - 20kHz +/-0.5dB

Gain: ........................................................................................................................................................................-1.5dBu

Noise Floor: ............................................................................................................................................................. -119dBu

Maximum Input:........................................................................................................................................................ +21dBu

Dynamic Range:....................................................................................................................................................... 140dBu

Total Harmonic Distortion: .........................................................................................................................<0.001% @ 1kHz

Phase Deviation: ............................................................................................................................................ +0.3° @ 20Hz

Common Mode Rejection:......................................................................................................94dB @ 60Hz, 83dB @ 3kHz

Input Impedance:..........................................................................................................................................................716Ω

Output Impedance:....................................................................................................................................................... 116Ω

Transformer: ....................................................................................................................................... Jensen JT-11-FLPCH

XLR Conguration: ....................................................................................................................... AES standard (pin-2 hot)

Connectors: ............................................................................................. Combo XLR/1/4” input, XLR-M iso and direct out

Construction: .................................................................................................................................................14-gauge steel

Finish:.................................................................................................................................................. Durable powder coat

Size:................................................................................................................................ 84 x 127 x 48mm (3.3” x 5.0” x 2”)

Weight: ......................................................................................................................................................0.70 kg (1.55 lbs)

Warranty: .................................................................................................................................... Radial 3-year, transferable

Specications are subject to change without notice