The audio routers from the Canadian company Radial, have long been the professional standard for switching and utility solutions for the guitarist. For every routing problem, they have a solution and with Radial, you are choosing a rock solid product that has stood the test of time, that are packed with smart features and the highest achievable audio and mechanical quality; in every aspect a "boutique" product, but without the "boutique" price tag. What more could you want!
The BigShot ABY is the solution when you want to address two amplifiers in your set up. It's a 1-in / 2-out line-selector, enable either a toggle (A or B) or simultaneous routing (A and B) of its two outputs. Sounds simple! That first situation (A or B), is; simply a change of signal path. That second (A and B) is more technically complicated and requires audio engineering ingenuity. First of all, you can't just simply split a guitar signal in two and moreover, you will potentially run into all sorts of additional problems in a set up with two amplifiers as well, such as ground loop hum and phase issues. And of course Radial solves that for you with the BigShot ABY.
The second line output (B) features a ground lieft and a high-quality isolation transformer that can be switched on to eliminate noise and hum from ground loops, while a 180° polarity inversion switch ensures that both amps play in phase (or out of phase!) to avoid as much unwanted frequency cancellation as possible.
In essence, the BigShot ABY operates completely passively. That is; the audio path, switching functions and the above-mentioned features all function 100% without an external power supply. And that is very convenient in case the BigShot ABY is exclusively used for A AND B / both routing. In that case you could conveniently and safely place the switcher near (or hidden inside one of!) the amps instead of on a pedalboard where it -in this case- only takes up unnecessary space.
External 9Vdc power is required only for the LEDs and thus the visual feedback of the switcher. Thereby, the BigShot ABY also consumes very minimal power from any multi-power supply on a pedalboard.
The BigShot ABY is completely true-bypass and so there are no tone-changing buffers between the guitar and the amplifier.
And as a bonus a tuner output is provided; actually a third "always active" output, with the purpose to keep a tuner out of the signal path.
FEATURES:
- True-bypass ABY amplifier selector with LED indicators
- Built-in transformer to eliminate hum and buzz
- 180° polarity inversion to match amplifiers to each other
- 100% passive audio path, needs no power supply