Radial Engineering 4-PLAY User manual

Multi-Output
direct bOx
Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5
Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • Email: [email protected]

Radial Engineering Ltd. 4-Play™ User Guide
1
radial 4-play Multi-Output direct bOx
user guide
Introduction....................................................................................... 1
Features ........................................................................................ 2-3
Overview........................................................................................... 4
Making Connections......................................................................... 5
Using ................................................................................................ 6
Ground Lift........................................................................................ 7
Tuner Assign..................................................................................... 7
Specications ................................................................................... 8
Block Diagram .................................................................................. 9
Radial Limited Warranty ...................................................Back Cover
Thank you for purchasing the Radial 4-Play. We are delighted that you have made this purchase and
are sure you will nd that it will meet and exceed your expectations in every way!
Before you start plugging in, please take a few minutes to read through this short manual. Although
the 4-Play has been designed to be easy to use, it is best that you review the setup options so that
you are familiar with their operation. If afterwards you still nd yourself looking for answers, please
check out the FAQ page on our web site. This is where we post questions and answers from users
like yourself, along with updates. If you still nd yourself in need of answers, feel free to send us an
email at [email protected] and we will do our best to reply in short order.
Now get ready to stomp and pick to your hearts content!

Radial Engineering Ltd. 4-Play™ User Guide
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FEATURES
1
4
5
3
12
7
11 10
6
8
9
2

Radial Engineering Ltd. 4-Play™ User Guide
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FEATURES
1. INSTRUMENT INPUT: Standard ¼”
input used to connect your instrument to
the 4-Play.
2. SELECT FOOTSWITCH: Advances
through the enabled outputs to select
which one is on.
3. OUTPUT LED INDICATORS: Indicate
which of the 4 outputs is active, super-
bright to ensure visibility on stage.
4. GROUND LIFT: Disconnects the ground
on pin-1 at the XLR outputs.
5. OUTPUTS 1 ~ 4: Balanced XLR mic-
level outputs are used to feed the PA
system.
6. MUTE FOOTSWITCH: Used to turn
off all of the balanced outputs for
changeovers and tuning.
7. MUTE LED: Illuminates when the mute
footswitch is depressed.
8. TUNER OUT: Connect to a tuner pedal
to allow for on-the-fly tuning.
9. TUNER ASSIGN: Selects whether the
tuner is always on, only on when the
mute switch is engaged, or only on when
the mute switch is not engaged.
10. OUT-3 ENABLE: Allows out-3 to be
activated using the select switch.
11. OUT-4 ENABLE: Allows out-4 to be
activated using the select switch.
12. 9VDC: Connection for a standard 9V
pedal power supply.

Radial Engineering Ltd. 4-Play™ User Guide
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OVERVIEW
At its most basic form, the 4-Play is a
1-in, 4-out direct box that lets you route
the connected instrument to any of four
different channels on the PA and in your
monitors. This allows each instrument to
have its own dedicated channel with in-
dividual level, EQ and effects. Only one
input is used in order to eliminate cable
spaghetti on stage. You simply mute the
4-Play, change the instrument, select
the desired output and you are set to go.

Radial Engineering Ltd. 4-Play™ User Guide
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MAKING CONNECTIONS
Before making connections, it is always best to turn audio system levels down in order to prevent
plug-in transients that could damage more sensitive components such as high frequency drivers. It
is also a good idea to test at low volumes before turning up. This way, should a cable not be properly
seated, making a live connection will be safer.
Powering the 4-Play is done using a standard
9V Boss®-type power supply. These are readily
available at all music stores. You can also power
the 4-Play using a multi-output pedal brick. Be
careful to ensure you are using the proper volt-
age and polarity (center-pin negative). A power
supply cable lock is there to protect against ac-
cidental disconnection. Merely unscrew the lock
using a hex driver, insert the power cable through
the cavity and then retighten.
Connections from instruments to the 4-Play in-
put is done using standard ¼” coaxial cables.
The outputs from the 4-play to the PA system
are typical XLR connections wired to AES stan-
dard pin-1 (ground), pin-2 (+) and pin-3 (-).

Radial Engineering Ltd. 4-Play™ User Guide
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USING
There is no power switch on the 4-Play. As soon as you connect the PSU it will spring to life and OUT-
1 will be activated. The OUT-1 LED will illuminate to conrm the active output.
If all is good, mute the 4-Play and connect OUT-2 to
your second channel. You can test using the same in-
strument or switch to another if you like. Depressing the
SELECT footswitch will now toggle between outputs 1
and 2. If you plan to use OUT-3 and OUT-4, these must
be enabled using the two ‘set & forget’ switches located
on the front corners. When pushed in, these switches al-
low the selector switch to advance to the third and fourth
outputs and illuminate the associated LEDs.
Note: There are two ‘set & forget’ switches on the two front corners. These are used to enable selec-
tion of outputs 3 and 4 respectively. For now, these should be set in the out position.
1. Press the MUTE footswitch to turn off the outputs.
2. The MUTE LED will illuminate to let you know the outputs are muted.
3. Connect your rst instrument to the 4-Play using a standard ¼” coaxial guitar cable.
4. Connect OUT-1 to the rst channel on your PA system via XLR cable.
5. Depress the MUTE footswitch to reactivate the outputs and slowly increase the level on the PA
to test.

Radial Engineering Ltd. 4-Play™ User Guide
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FEATURES
Lifting the ground
The 4-Play is equipped with ground lift switches on each of the four out-
puts. Set all of the ground lift switches in the down or grounded position. As
you rotate through the outputs, if you notice any noise, try lifting the ground
as this can often help remove buzz and hum caused by ground loops.
Connecting a tuner
The 4-Play is also equipped with a tuner output, along with a 3-position
tuner assign switch that allows you to choose when this output is active.
When the tuner assign is set to ALWAYS ON, the tuner will still be active
even when the mute switch is engaged. When set to ON W MUTE, the
tuner output will only be active when the mute switch is engaged, allowing
you to mute the instrument output to the PA when you want to tune up. The
OFF W MUTE setting will do the opposite, allowing the tuner to remain on
until the mute switch is engaged.
You can also use
the TUNER OUT
as an output to an
amp. Select OFF W
MUTE when switching
instruments.

Radial Engineering Ltd. 4-Play™ User Guide
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SPECIFICATIONS*
Frequency response:.............................................................................................. 20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD+N):.....................................................................................0.03%
Dynamic range: ..................................................................................................................113dBu
Maximum input: ..................................................................................................................... +8dB
Gain:...................................................................................................................................... 0dBu
Clip level - Output:............................................................................................................... +13dB
Noise oor: ....................................................................................................................... -100dBu
Intermodulation distortion: ................................................................................................. <0.02%
Phase deviation:.................................................................................... -0.12deg @ -20dBu/1kHz
XLR conguration:.................................................................................. AES standard (pin-2 hot)
Power: .................................................................... 9V / 80mA Center pin negative (not included)
Construction: ........................................................................ 14 gauge steel chassis & outer shell
Finish:............................................................................................................Durable powder coat
Size (LxWxD):............................................................................5” x 4.9” x 2” (127 x 124 x 51mm)
Weight: ...............................................................................................................2 lbs (907 grams)
Warranty: ..............................................................................................Radial 3-year, transferable
* Subject to change without notice.