Radial Engineering has updated its SW8 backing track switcher, adding several new features and functions.

The SW8 is designed to switch eight audio channels simultaneously – with backing tracks recorded on two separate systems, each is sent to the SW8 selection may be manual or automatic when a dropout occurs.

‘Over the past several years, the Radial SW8 has gained tremendous market penetration through major tours by The Eagles, Rush and Cirque Du Soleil and a wide variety of permanent installations,’ says Radial President, Peter Janis. ‘During this time, we have had many discussions with the technicians who use the SW8 on a daily basis. This input has driven us to develop a next-generation switcher that will elevate the performance in several key areas such as managing standby status more effectively, muting the main audio outputs to enable on-the-fly editing and providing remote controllability with LED status indicators.’

Inputs include a choice of quarter-inch TRS or 25-pin D-subs. The outputs can be via a series of transformer-isolated, low-Z XLR outputs to run through a snake system or D-Sub.

New features include a standby function that enables the technician to stop the show in between songs when the artist chooses to speak to the audience; a global mute that turns off all outputs allowing the tech to monitor playback tracks and prepare playback cue points; two signal status LEDs for A and B playback systems; and footswitch or desktop options remote control options with LED status indicators. To help eliminate switching noise with less than ideal sources, a series of filters have been added on all channels, and gate level controls have also been relocated to the front panel for easier access.

The updated SW8 is now shipping.

More: www.radialeng.com