Radial Engineering SW8-USB Auto-Switcher and USB Playback Interface

SW8-USB | Buy Radial Engineering direct from Singapore's Authorized Distributor for warranty assurance.

If you need to utilize backing tracks on stage and if you want to ensure you'll not have any audio issues or dropouts, the SW8-USB from Radial Engineering is the audio device for you. This is an eight-channel switcher and USB interface for use with live concerts.

The SW8-USB has two USB ports to accommodate two different computers. You can synchronize your backing tracks from a primary machine with redundant backing tracks from a secondary machine. If anything goes awry, the device can automatically switch from one computer to the other. Switching can also be accomplished manually from the front panel of the unit or with a separately available footswitch.

The SW8-USB provides multiple analog outputs over eight XLR jacks, eight 1/4" connectors, and 1 DB25 connector. Use these to feed the house and monitor mixes. The 1/4" jacks and DB25 connector are routed in parallel to feed multiple destinations.

The digital path of the SWB-USB can run up to 24-bit and 192 kHz. It comes with redundant auto-switching power supplies to help ensure you never have a dropout.

FEATURES:

Connect to 2 Computers over USB:
The SW8-USB features two Type-B USB ports, compatible with your computer's USB-A or USB-C ports. Connect your primary playback computer via the jack labelled "A" and the backup computer via the jack labelled "B". The SW8-USB should be recognized by Mac computers immediately upon connection.

Redundant Power Supplies:
The SW8-USB features redundant power supply inputs to protect it against loss of power during use. Two power supplies are included with locking 4-pin connectors to prevent accidental disconnection. These are switching power supplies to allow for easy international use: Simply swap out the IEC cable for the appropriate power connector when travelling to a region with a different power grid. There is no power switch on the SW8-USB; once it is connected to a power source, it will be active and ready for use. Two front-panel LEDs will indicate which PSU inputs are connected and providing power to the SW8-USB.

Multiple Analog Outputs:
The SW8-USB has two sets of analog audio outputs: the XLR connectors on the front panel to feed the main PA system and the rear-panel DB25 and 1/4” TRS connectors for monitoring outputs at your playback control station.

Manual or Automatic Switching:
The SW8-USB can be used to manually select between the two playback computers, or it can be set to automatically detect a dropout or failure on your primary system and immediately switch to the backup system, thereby ensuring a seamless performance.

Works with Optional Remote:
Manual switching can be accomplished remotely using a—separately available—JR-2 footswitch. The JR-2 can be connected using balanced XLR or 1/4" TRS cables. Both connector types are provided on the rear panel of the SW8-USB for convenience.

Multiple Options for Synchronizing Playback:
The SW8-USB provides multiple options for synchronizing playback between your primary and backup computers. The START/STOP footswitch input allows a remote control to trigger the SW8-USB to send start/stop MMC transport commands to both computers. MIDI IN allows an external MIDI device to trigger both computers for playback. You can also have the primary computer send MIDI information over USB to the backup computer to enable synchronizationby using the SYNC LOCK feature.

Connect & Synchronize Multiple Units:
Up to three SW8-USB units can be linked together to provide as many as 24 channels of simultaneous playback tracks for larger productions while retaining the powerful switching capabilities of the SW8-USB. You can connect each SW8-USB directly to each computer with USB cables or you can use two hubs (one for the primary computer, one for the backup) to free up available ports on your computers.

MIDI I/O:
In addition to passing audio over USB, the SW8-USB is also able to function as a MIDI interface: providing you with the ability to use the SW8-USB with show control systems to trigger lighting or video cues or to control and synchronize audio playback on your primary and backup computers.