True to the Music
Radial Engineering Ltd.
KL-8™ Owner’s Manual
8
DIGITAL CONNECTIONS
The KL-8 features two Type-B USB connections, and requires a USB 2.0 cable to connect to your computer or
laptop. If using with a Mac, the KL-8 is plug-and-play, with no drivers required. Upon first use, if your audio software
does not immediately recognize the KL-8, try restarting your Mac with the KL-8 connected. For users running
Windows, please visit www.radialeng.com to download the latest drivers for the KL-8. Install these drivers before
connecting the KL-8 to your Windows computer via USB.
TYPE A USB
Fits most laptops and computers
TYPE B USB
Used to connect to the KL-8
SWITCHING BETWEEN REDUNDANT USB DEVICES
The KL-8 features two USB connections so a primary and a backup laptop can be connected at the same time
to seamlessly switch from one computer to another in case of a failure during a live performance. Connect your
primary laptop to USB A and the backup laptop to USB B. Only one of these connections will be active at any given
time, this is determined by the front panel USB SELECT switch. Pressing this switch will instantly and silently switch
between your connected devices. You can also use an external JR1-L footswitch to control this feature remotely;
when the JR1-L is connected it will disable the USB SELECT switch on the KL-8, but the LEDs on the front panel
will still indicate which USB connection is active.
Once connected to your computer via USB, the KL-8 will appear in the list of available audio devices in your system
settings/control panel. The KL-8 functions as a 2-input/2-output audio interface, so you can set it as your audio input
device (for recording audio into your digital audio workstation), and as an audio output device (for playing back
audio from your computer through the KL-8).
When playing back audio from your computer, the USB LEVEL control affects how much of this signal is mixed in
with your keyboards to feed the MAIN and MONITOR outputs. Test this output with the USB LEVEL turned down,
then slowly increase the level until you reach a good balance between your computer’s output and any keyboards
connected to CH 1-4. Note that on CH-4, the USB playback and the fourth keyboard input have their own ON
switches and LEVEL controls, but they will share a single CUE switch and AUX SEND control.
Using redundant laptops with the KL-8
JR1-L Remote
footswitch (optional)
Front panel USB Select switch.
Note that this switch will be inactive when
an external footswitch is connected.
