3
HARDWARE SETUP
CONNECTING AUDIO DEVICES
1. The Switchblade 8B inputs and outputs are balanced 1/4” TRS jacks but may be connected to both balanced or unbalanced
equipment at standard guitar levels (-10dBv). In addition you may attenuate each input individually, under menu control, by
an additional 6dB to allow connection of higher level equipment without overload. The outputs are of servo design and
therefore may be connected to balanced devices (using TRS style plugs) as well as unbalanced devices (using TS plugs)
without damage to the unit.
2. The input configuration (consumer level (-10dBv nominal) or hi level (-4dBv nominal)) may be selected using the INPUT
CONFIGURATION MENU to match your equipment to each input. Refer the Input Configuration Menu section for details of
this menu. To determine the proper state to use with your equipment use the following guide:
If you are attaching a piece of gear that operates at a higher pro level
and the device does not have an output level or input
level control
, then set the input to the 6dB attenuation mode, identified by CUT in the menu. In most cases pro level gear has
level controls so
this configuration will rarely be used
.
For all other gear including stomp boxes, and both balanced and unbalanced rack gear, set the input to BAL in the
configuration menu. This includes the input for your instrument as well unless you have an instrument that puts out a very
high level.
3. When plugging signal processing equipment into the Switchblade, use adjacent inputs and outputs for simplicity. For
example, for a stereo processor, plug both inputs into OUT 3 and 4 and both outputs into IN 3 and 4.
4. Set the input levels and output levels on your effects that have such controls to the mid points or set them so the input to
output signal ratio is approximately unity gain to start. The input and output levels of the devices will be tweaked later using
the built in VU meter to get the best level match.
CONNECTING MIDI DEVICES
1. If you are using a MIDI foot controller to select presets on the Switchblade 8B then plug the controller’s MIDI OUT into
the Switchblade’s MIDI IN.
2. Set the MIDI controller to the same MIDI channel as the Switchblade. The Switchblade is factory set to MIDI channel 1. If
you wish to use another channel refer to the INPUT/OUTPUT DEFINITION MENU section for details on how to check or
change the Switchblade channel.
3. If you are using a MIDI continuous controller, plug the MIDI OUT from the continuous controller to the MIDI IN of the
MIDI foot controller. Set the MIDI channel of the continuous controller to the same channel as the Switchblade and foot
controller. In addition, the continuous controller has a second parameter that must be set. This is the MIDI Control Change
number. Set this to number 7 if you are using the factory setting. Refer to the owners manual that came with your pedal to
determine how to do this. Refer to the CONTINUOUS CONTROLLER ASSIGNMENT MENU section in this manual for
more information.
4. If you are using a second continuous controller, plug the MIDI OUT from this controller to the MIDI IN of the first
continuous controller. Set this pedal’s Control Change number to 0 if you are using the factory settings. This controller will
also be set to the same MIDI channel as the other controllers.
5. If you are using MIDI effects, connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT/THRU on the Switchblade to the MIDI IN of the
effect. Connect additional cables, as necessary, from the MIDI THRU of the effect to the MIDI IN of the next effect until all
MIDI effects are strung together. In addition, set each MIDI effect to its own MIDI channel starting with MIDI channel 2.
For example set the first effect to MIDI channel 2, the next effect to MIDI channel 3 and so on. If you have more than 2 or 3
devices to connect, it is suggested you use a MIDI IN to multiple MIDI OUT expander as each MIDI device in a chain
deteriorates MIDI signals and will cause errors if too many devices are chained in series (See Q & A section).
