CONGRATULATIONS
on your purchase of a Radial BigShot i/o. The BigShot
i/o is a foot controllable device that allows a musician to select between two in-
struments on stage. The BigShot i/o can select between an electric and acous-
tic guitar or between a passive 4-string bass and an active-5 string bass. This
is done by simply depressing a footswitch.
To make the transition as simple and effective as possible, an innovative LEV-
EL control is provided that only affects INPUT-2. This control allows the louder
of the two instruments to be tamed down so that both instruments play through
the same amp channel at the same relative volume. The LEVEL control may
be switched out of the signal path when not needed. Bright and easy to see
LED’s indicate the active input and mute status when the unit is connected to
a power supply.
To add versatility, a second output labeled TUNER allows a tuning device to be
connected for quiet on-stage tuning. The BigShot i/o is ideally suited for any
high impedance instrument such as guitars, basses and keyboards.
CONNECTING THE BIGSHOT I/O
To power the LED’s, the BigShot i/o requires an external 9VDC Boss style
power supply wired center pin negative. Before making any connections, con-
firm your amplifier is turned off and the volume controls are turned all the way
down. This will reduce the possibility of problems should you have a short or
a bad connection.
Start by connecting your main guitar to INPUT-1 and your second guitar to
INPUT-2. Now connect the OUTPUT to your amplifier. If you have a tuner, you
can connect it to the TUNER output.
Turn your amp on and test your setup at a low volume. By depressing the
SELECT footswitch, you will be able to toggle between guitars. By depressing
the MUTE footswitch, you will turn off the output for silent tuning. You are now
set to go!
BigShot i/o User Guide
Radial Engineering
BigShot i/o User Guide
Radial Engineering
BigShot i/o User Guide
Radial Engineering
USING THE RADIAL BIGSHOT I/O
TRIM LEVEL
The BigShot i/o is equipped with an innovative feature called TRIM LEVEL.
By engaging the TRIM LEVEL control, you can reduce the level of the instru-
ment connected to INPUT-2 so that it matches the instrument connected to
INPUT-1. Using the TRIM LEVEL control to set a balanced level between two
instruments can make transitions quick and easy without having to go to the
amp and adjust the level each time.
TRIM LEVEL is designed primarily for situations when toggling between an in-
strument with passive pickups (such as a vintage Fender Precision bass) and
an instrument with active pickups (such as a modern 5 string bass). The active
bass will generally have much more output than the passive. The same logic
applies when toggling between an electric guitar with passive pickups and
an acoustic guitar with a built in preamp. The active acoustic guitar is much
louder than the passive electric. By reducing the output of the more powerful
instrument with the TRIM LEVEL control, toggling between instruments during
a hectic show is greatly simplified.
To use the TRIM LEVEL control, first ensure the TRIM slider switch is in the on
position. Next connect the louder of your two instruments to INPUT-2. Strum
each guitar and use the SELECT footswitch to toggle between instruments.
Adjust the TRIM LEVEL control until the instrument levels match.
TRIM SWITCH
The TRIM LEVEL control would generally not be used if you are selecting
between two identical guitars, such as a backup guitar. It may be switched out
of the circuit using the TRIM slider switch.
BRIGHT SWITCH
This 3 position switch is designed to counteract any effects caused by the
TRIM LEVEL control and therefore only affects the instrument connected to
INPUT-2. As the BigShot i/o is passive, introducing a potentiometer into the
circuit could darken the tone in some cases. The BRIGHT switch will allow
you to compensate as needed. Note that the BRIGHT switch is only available
when the TRIM switch is set in the on position.
TUNER SWITCH
The TUNER slider switch works with the MUTE footswitch and controls how
the TUNER output jack behaves. In the down position, the TUNER output jack
is only active when the MUTE footswitch is depressed, this also mutes the
main OUTPUT for silent on-stage tuning. In the up position, the tuner output
remains on at all times regardless of whether the main OUTPUT is muted or
not. This allows on-the-fly tuning.
MUTE FOOTSWITCH
The MUTE footswitch on the BigShot i/o always turns off the main OUTPUT
jack and stops your guitar signal from reaching the amplifier.
SELECT FOOTSWITCH
The SELECT footswitch determines which input jack is active and toggles
between them.
FAQ
Besides guitar and bass, can the BigShot i/o be used with other instru-
ments?
Yes. The BigShot i/o will work for any high impedance signal including elec-
tronic instruments like keyboards and samplers. It will also work with dynamic
microphones that have a hi-Z ¼” cable. For low-Z balanced mics, use the
Radial HotShot ABi device which is designed to switch mic signals.
What is the advantage to turning the tuner output off?
Splitting the guitar signal to feed two inputs such as the tuner and amplifier can
cause passive pickups to be loaded down. Loading will reduce the level of your
guitar signal and make it sound less punchy. The BigShots tuner mute feature
eliminates loading problems and has the benefit of convenient silent tuning.
Can I use the tuner output to switch between amps like an ABY
switcher?
Yes, but be careful! Especially with older amps that do not have safety
grounds. These old amps are notorious for causing shocks! As such, we are
unable to recommend this practice due to legal responsibility. Please consult
a qualified technician should you wish to use your BigShot i/o in an application
it was not intended for.
I hear a slight clicking when I switch in effects. Is this normal?
Yes. The BigShot i/o is passive and the click occurs as the switch makes con-
tact. This is normal for passive devices like the i/o. The only switchers that do
not click are the types that employ photocells like the Tonebone Bassbone.
These units ramp up and down the signal to avoid the on-off click.
What is the difference between the BigShot i/o and the Tonebone
Bassbone?
Both allow you to select between two instruments but the BigShot i/o is passive
while the Bassbone is a preamp and employs active Class-A buffering. The
BigShot i/o is designed for those that prefer a direct guitar to amp connection.
The Bassbone is designed for those that need to run longer cables, insist on
eliminating all switching noises and do not want to deal with loading issues.
The i/o is also considerably more affordable!
I have two passive instruments. Which one do I connect to INPUT-2?
Even passive pickups can vary in the amount of signal they produce. Connect
the “louder” of the two instruments to INPUT-2 and use the TRIM LEVEL con-
trol to match levels between instruments. If necessary, the BRIGHT switch may
be employed to compensate for any treble loss as a result of the TRIM LEVEL
control. If your instruments are identical and no level matching is needed, the
TRIM switch should be in its off position.
I have two guitars, one going direct and another I use with a wireless.
How do I connect them to the BigShot i/o?
The wireless system will have a buffer or pre-amplifier as part of its output
stage. This makes it very much like an active instrument. Connect the pas-
sive guitar to INPUT-1 for a true bypass connection to your amp. Connect the
wireless to INPUT-2 and use the TRIM LEVEL control to match levels between
instruments.
Passive instrument
connects to input-1
Active instrument
connects to input-2
Tuner