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™
Radial
Headbone VT & SS
Part # VT R800 7040 00
SS R800 7084 00
Owner’s Manual
Radial Engineering
1638 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5W9
tel: 604-942-1001 • fax: 604-942-1010
email: info@radialeng.com • web: www.radialeng.com
Radial Engineering is a division of C • TEC (JP CableTek Electronics Ltd.)
www.tonebone.com
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>>> IMPORTANT SAFETY AND LIABILITY NOTICE <<< Radial Engineering (JP Cabletek Electronics Ltd.) manufactures products that are safe for use when connected as per the instruc- tions in our owner’s manuals. Manuals are freely available for download on our web sites. As it is impossible for Radial to ensure the user is following these instructions, the user must take full responsibility in the suitability of purchasing a Radial product for his or her use. For safe operation, the Headbone MUST
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True to the Music RADIAL HEADBONE™ OWNER’S MANUAL Table Of Contents Page Caution Statement & Legal Disclaimer ..............................Inside cover Introduction ................................................................................1 Feature Set ................................................................................3 Quick Start .................................................................................5 Getting To Know Your Headbone
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True to the Music INTRODUCTION Whether you have a Headbone VT or a Headbone SS, the setups and connections are identical. For simplicity, this manual will discuss the Headbone VT. It is important to note that because of the very different nature of solid-state amps and valve-tube amps, each Headbone’s internal circuit is different. The Headbone VT is exclusively designed for valve-tube amps; the Headbone SS is exclusively designed for solid-state amps. As such the SS and VT are not inter
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True to the Music Why is this setup so cool? Because it truly covers all of the bases: the powerful clean sound from a 100-Watt amp is radically different than an all-tube 30-Watt amp cranked to 10. Not just as far as loudness goes, but also as far as tone. Being able to use that reserve power for blister- ing solos can make a huge difference. Best of all, you only have to carry around a single speaker cabinet - a luxury that is best appreciated at two in the morning after the gig! OVER- HE
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True to the Music FEATURE SET 1. Input Buffered – This is the primary input for your guitar and pedal effects that do not buffer (pre-amplify) the signal. 2. Input Direct – Used when driving the Headbone from a device, like the Radial Loopbone, that buffers (pre-amplifies) the signal. 3. To Amp-1 Input – This is a ¼” hi-impedance guitar signal output that connects from the Headbone to the input of the first guitar amplifier. 4. To Amp-2 Input – This is a ¼” hi-impedance guitar signal output
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True to the Music output jack back to the Headbone. This is a speaker level signal, so use a good quality speaker cable for best power transfer. 8. From Amp-2 Output – Connects from the second amplifier’s speaker output jack back to the Headbone. 9. To Speaker Cabinet – Connects the Headbone to your speaker cabinet. 10. Power Supply Connection – The Headbone comes with its own 15VDC power supply in a choice of 100V, 110V, 220V and 240V models. 11. Footswitch – Used to toggle the Headbone
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True to the Music Before making any connections, ensure that your ampli- fiers are turned off, the Headbone power supply is discon- nected, and volume controls are set to zero. 1. Begin by connecting your guitar to the Headbone’s ¼” Buffered Input. This will allow you to test the system more effectively during the initial setup. For unbuffered (Direct) input use, please go to the section that discusses this on page 7. 2. From the Headbone, connect the To Amp-1 Input jack to your first amp’s
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True to the Music QUICK START CONNECTIONS 1 Signal from guitar or pedalboard. 2 Guitar signal to amp head-1. 3 Guitar signal to amp head-2. 4 Speaker signal from amp head-1. 5 Speaker signal from amp head-2. 6 Speaker signal to speaker cabinet. 7 Power supply Throughout this manual, references are made to “guitar level signals” and “speaker level signals”. The Headbone passes both types and it is important to use the proper cables. A guitar level signal requires a good quality shielded cable
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True to the Music To best explain the workings of the Headbone, take a minute to study the block diagram. Reading from left to right, you can see the inputs, the high-impedance guitar switching, the control circuitry and the speaker level switching. The Input Signal Path The Radial Headbone’s input signal path is 100% discreet Class-A. This means that it employs a whole bunch of parts such as resistors and capacitors instead of a transistor to buffer (amplify) the guitar signal to a mana
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True to the Music to avoid any clicks or pops. The PIC digital controller controls this action (see block diagram on page 7). Switching Speaker Signals To accomplish this task, the PIC sends a status change command to a series of internal relays that connect the speaker to the active amp, and connect the load resistor to the standby amp. Always use good quality, large conductor speaker cable between the Headbone, your amps and your speaker cabinet, as this will reduce signal loss and impr
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True to the Music ance. You must manage the speaker connections for the best impedance match. It is important to note that most amplifiers are designed to work best at their rated impedance. If your amp features selectable impedance loads, use the one that matches your speaker cabinet. Always consult the amplifier’s specifications to ensure the speaker connections are within the amplifier’s accepted working range. While matched loads between the amplifier and speaker are the ideal, unmatched l
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True to the Music from electrical shock. Most amplifiers have been subjected to safety tests from authorities like UL or CSA. Amplifiers that have passed these tests are safe to use with your Headbone. If you intend to use the Headbone with amps that only have 2-prong AC plugs, such as old vintage amps, you are doing so at your own risk. Please consult a qualified technician if you are not sure how to establish a safety ground connection. Safe Mode™ Operation One of the really smart features
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True to the Music FAQ Q: I heard that tube amps must always see a speaker load or else they will blow up. Is this true? A: This is true. To deal with this, the Headbone is equipped to manage two loads: the speaker for the active amp and a load resistor for the standby amp. The Headbone transitions between these two loads when the footswitch is toggled. Q: Is the Headbone a load-box? A: No. A load-box is designed to absorb an amplifiers full output and pass a reduced amount of power to the s
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True to the Music amps and speaker can I be? A: As a general rule, we do not recommend running cables any more than 20 feet as you are subjecting the signal to increased resistance. If you are intent on doing so, use good quality cables. For speaker con- nections use large gauge (12AWG) speaker cables. For guitar signals use low capacitance shielded cables. Q: How do I know if my footswitch will be Slingshot compatible? A: If your external footswitch employs a basic latching type switch with
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RADIAL LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY Radial Engineering - a division of JP CableTek Electronics Ltd. (“Radial”) warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship to the original owner and will remedy any such defects free of charge according to the terms of this warranty. Radial will repair or replace at its option any defective component(s) of this product, excluding the finish, wear and tear on components under normal use, and the tube and footswitch (which are warra
