Radial Engineering PZ-PRO - User Manual

USER GUIDE
PZ•PRO
Radial Engineering Ltd.
1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam BC V3C 5M5
support@radialeng.com • 604-942-1001 • www.radialeng.com
www.radialeng.com

Summary

OVERVIEW OF THE RADIAL PZ-PRO

PZ-PRO FOOTSWITCH CONTROL

Covers the three footswitches for stage performance control.

PZ-PRO FRONT PANEL FEATURES

PZ-PRO EQ CONTROLS

Variable EQ with bass, semi-parametric mid, and high controls for each input.

PZ-PRO FILTER CONTROLS

Three-position switch and control for notch or high-pass filtering.

PZ-PRO FRONT PANEL FEATURES CONTINUED

PZ-PRO MUTE FOOTSWITCH

Footswitch to cut all outputs except Tuner Out for quiet tuning.

PZ-PRO BOOST;FX LOOP FOOTSWITCH

Assignable footswitch for FX Loop, Boost, or both.

PZ-PRO PZ BOOST SWITCHES

Switches for 10dB boost and increased impedance for piezo pickups.

PZ-PRO REAR PANEL FEATURES

PZ-PRO TUNER OUT

Buffered 1/4" output for connecting a tuner pedal.

PZ-PRO AMP OUT

1/4" TS output for feeding a stage amplifier.

PZ-PRO REAR PANEL FEATURES CONTINUED

PZ-PRO PRE EQ OUT

PZ-PRO POST EQ OUT

CONNECTING 1;4 INSTRUMENT INPUTS

USING PZ-PRO BOOST SWITCHES

CONNECTING A MICROPHONE TO PZ-PRO

CONNECTING DUAL PICKUP INSTRUMENTS

PZ-PRO EQ AND FILTER SECTIONS

PZ-PRO FX LOOP AND BOOST FUNCTIONALITY

PZ-PRO BOOST;FX LOOP FOOTSWITCH

PZ-PRO XLR OUTPUTS EXPLAINED

Describes the balanced XLR outputs for PA or monitoring.

PZ-PRO OUTPUTS CONTINUED

PZ-PRO TUNER OUT AND MUTE FOOTSWITCH

Covers Tuner Out and Mute footswitch for quiet tuning.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Inputs and EQ
4. PZ Boost Switches
5. Connecting a Microphone
6. Connecting Instruments Wired with Two Pickup Systems
7. Blending Both Inputs Together
8. Phase Correction
9. EQ & Filter Sections
10. The FX Loop and Boost
11. The Boost/FX Loop Footswitch
12. The PZ-Pro Outputs
13. The Tuner Out and Mute Footswitch
14. Maintenance Features

The Radial PZ-Pro is a dual-channel instrument preamplifier designed for comprehensive control over your sound, offering both microphone and instrument connections, along with footswitch controls to streamline on-stage changes during a performance.

Function Description:

The PZ-Pro serves as a versatile preamplifier for acoustic instruments and microphones, allowing musicians to connect two separate sound sources simultaneously. It features two 1/4" input jacks for instruments and a dedicated XLR microphone input for channel B, enabling blending of instrument pickups with clip-on microphones or use with vocal mics. Each input channel is equipped with independent EQ and Filter sections for precise tone shaping. The device also integrates an EFX Loop for connecting guitar effects pedals, which can be assigned to affect Input A, Input B, or both. A clean Boost function provides up to +15dB of gain for cutting through the mix during solos.

For output, the PZ-Pro offers two balanced XLR DI outputs (Pre EQ and Post EQ) to feed PA systems or recording interfaces, an unbalanced 1/4" Amp Out for stage amplifiers, and a buffered 1/4" Tuner Out for quiet on-stage tuning. Footswitches provide real-time control for toggling between inputs, activating the EFX Loop or Boost, and muting all main outputs for silent tuning or instrument changeovers.

Usage Features:

Inputs and EQ:

The PZ-Pro features two 1/4" inputs (Input A and Input B) on the rear panel, allowing for connection of two instruments or blending multiple pickup types. Each input has a corresponding Level control, providing unity gain at 12 o'clock and up to +20dB of gain when turned fully clockwise. If only one instrument is connected to Input A, it automatically feeds into Input B (when the Mic On switch is disengaged), allowing both channels to be used for a single instrument, effectively creating a two-channel amplifier experience. This enables switching between different Level, EQ, and Filter settings for verse and chorus sections, for example.

PZ Boost Switches:

Each 1/4" input is equipped with a special PZ Boost circuit, activated by recessed side-access switches. Engaging these switches raises the input impedance from 220k Ohms to 10Meg Ohms and applies a +10dB class-A signal boost. This feature broadens frequency response and smooths out transient peaks, particularly beneficial for instruments using piezo transducers. It is safe to experiment with this feature on typical pickup systems.

Connecting a Microphone:

The PZ-Pro includes a locking female XLR jack for connecting a microphone to Channel B. Activating the "Mic On" switch (next to the XLR connection) overrides the 1/4" instrument input for Channel B. This input can be used for clip-on instrument mics, wireless microphones, or vocal mics. For dynamic microphones, simply plug and play. For condenser microphones requiring phantom power, connect the mic, then press the Mute Footswitch to prevent pops, and finally activate the 48V switch on the rear panel. The Channel B Level control provides up to +55dB of gain when the Mic On switch is active.

Connecting Instruments Wired with Two Pickup Systems:

Input B is specially designed to accommodate instruments with two pickup systems wired to a single 1/4" TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) output. Using a 1/4" TRS cable, the Tip conductor feeds Channel B, and the Ring conductor feeds Channel A (when nothing is connected to Input A). This allows switching between the two pickups or blending them using the A+B switch.

Blending Both Inputs Together:

The PZ-Pro allows blending both input sources by engaging the "A+B" switch on the rear panel. When engaged, both A and B LEDs illuminate, and the Toggle Footswitch is deactivated as both inputs remain active. This is useful for combining the warmth of a microphone with the clarity of a pickup system. The EQ and Filter sections still allow independent tailoring of each input's sound before blending, and the FX Loop and Boost controls can be assigned to affect Input A, Input B, or both.

Phase Correction:

When summing two signals from the same source, frequency cancellation can occur due to slight time differences. The "Input B 180" switch helps correct this by reversing the polarity on Input B, affecting both the XLR Mic Input and the 1/4" Input on this channel. Users should experiment with both positions to find the best sound, particularly when playing lower notes where cancellation is more noticeable.

EQ & Filter Sections:

Each channel has independent EQ and Filter sections. Channel A controls are on the top row, and Channel B controls are mirrored on the bottom row.

• High Frequency Control: A shelving EQ with a 1kHz corner frequency, offering +/-10dB boost or cut.
• Midrange EQ: Uses two controls: "Mid" for +/-10dB boost/cut and "Freq" to sweep the corner frequency from 350Hz (fully counter-clockwise) to 5kHz (fully clockwise).
• Low EQ: A low-end shelf with a 500Hz corner frequency, offering +/-14dB boost or cut.
• Filter Section: Includes a variable Filter knob and a 3-position selector switch (Bypass, Notch, HPF).
  • HPF (High-Pass Filter): Activated by setting the Filter Assign switch to HPF, it rolls off low frequencies from 40Hz (Filter knob fully counter-clockwise) to 250Hz (Filter knob fully clockwise). This helps reduce feedback caused by low-frequency resonance from PA systems on acoustic instruments.
  • Notch Filter: Activated by setting the Filter Assign switch to Notch, it allows surgical removal of problematic feedback frequencies. The Filter control knob attenuates a narrow frequency band by -15dB, sweepable from 55Hz (Filter knob fully counter-clockwise) to 350Hz (Filter knob fully clockwise).

The FX Loop and Boost:

• FX Loop: Allows connection of mono effects pedals or pedal chains. Connect FX Send to the pedal input and FX Receive to the pedal output using 1/4" TS instrument cables. The "FX Loop Assign" switch determines if the FX Loop affects Input A, Input B, or both.
• FX Blend: A wet/dry control to mix the original 'dry' input signal with the 'wet' effects from the FX Loop. Fully clockwise, only pedal effects are heard. At 12 o'clock, there's a 50/50 mix. This helps retain the fundamental tone of acoustic instruments while adding effects.
• Boost: Provides clean gain for solos. The "Boost" level control sets the amount of gain, up to +15dB when fully clockwise. The Boost function is always after the FX Loop in the signal path and is also affected by the FX Loop Assign switch.

The Boost/FX Loop Footswitch:

This middle footswitch is assignable via the "Footswitch Assign" control to activate the FX Loop, the Boost, or both simultaneously. Pressing it once activates the selected features (indicated by a red LED), and pressing it again deactivates them. A recessed "Loop On" switch on the left side allows the FX Loop to remain always active, enabling individual control of effects pedals with their own footswitches. When "Loop On" is active, the Boost/FX Loop Footswitch only controls the Boost function.

The PZ-Pro Outputs:

• XLR Outputs: Two balanced, mic-level XLR outputs (Pre EQ Out and Post EQ Out) can run up to 100 meters (300ft) without noise. They are active when the Mute Footswitch is not engaged and can be used simultaneously.
  • Pre EQ Out: Provides a 'dry' signal tap immediately after the input Level control, unaffected by EQ, Filter, FX, or Boost. This is often preferred by sound engineers for a clean feed to the PA or recording system.
  • Post EQ Out: Provides a 'wet' signal, affected by EQ, Filter, FX, and Boost settings. Ideal for feeding a monitor mix system or a powered PA monitor.
• 180° and Ground Lift Switches: Each XLR output has a dedicated 180° polarity reverse switch to help phase-align signals (e.g., when mixed with a mic'd stage amplifier) and reduce feedback with acoustic instruments. A Ground Lift switch disconnects pin-1 audio ground to help reduce hum and buzz from ground loops.
• Amp Out: A 1/4" TS instrument-level output for feeding a stage amplifier, amp modelers, or other instrument-level devices. This output mirrors the Post EQ XLR output, including all EQ, Filter, FX Loop, and Boost functions when engaged.
• Tuner Out: A buffered 1/4" output for a tuner pedal. This output is always active, even when the Mute Footswitch is engaged, allowing for quiet on-stage tuning without disrupting performance. It sends Input A or Input B (or both if A+B is engaged) directly to the tuner.

The Tuner Out and Mute Footswitch:

The Mute Footswitch, when engaged, illuminates a red LED and cuts the signal to all PZ-Pro outputs except the Tuner output. This allows for quiet on-stage tuning or silent instrument changeovers without pops through the PA or stage amplifier.

Maintenance Features:

The PZ-Pro is built with a durable 14-gauge steel construction. The manual emphasizes reading through it to fully utilize all functions and encourages visiting the Radial website's FAQ page for common questions and product updates. For further clarification, users can email support@radialeng.com for prompt assistance. The device is designed for indoor use within temperatures of +5°C to +40°C.

Radial Engineering PZ-PRO Specifications