Untitled Document

Radial Introduces the LoopBone™ Class-A guitar effects Loop controller

Short Form (Word count:124):

As part of the growing line of Tonebone foot pedals, Radial introduces the Loopbone, a 100% discreet Class-A guitar effect loop controller with two loops and a built-in Class-A power booster. The Loopbone begins with Radial’s Drag Control™ that allows the guitarist to dial-in the correct pickup load. Two effect loops are foot-switch selected to allow pedal effect chains to be inserted when needed and taken out to eliminate unnecessary loading and noise. A post effect-loop Class-A power booster features variable gain for soloing or loops to be kicked up a notch during performance. To provide greater flexibility, the Loopbone incorporates Radial’s new SlingShot™ remote control output to remotely send a channel, head or cabinet switch command while depressing any of the three switches. Suggested List Price $300 US.

Full release (Word count: 626):

Vancouver BC Canada – In response to the growing demand for pedal board flexibility, Radial Engineering is pleased to add the Tonebone Loopbone™ combination guitar effect loop selector and Class-A power booster to its line of Tonebone guitar effect pedals.

The Tonebone Loopbone is a compact foot pedal with three switches that allows one to turn on two separate effect loop pedal chains and a built-in power booster. Using the Loopbone is easy! The guitar input features Radial’s unique Drag Control™ that allows the musician to dial in the exact amount of pick-up loading he desires for the most natural sound. It is important to note that the Loopbone is in fact an active device that buffers the guitar signal to ensure quiet, natural sounding operation. Drag Control reintroduces the relationship between the pick-up and amplifier that would otherwise be lost.

Borrowing the same Class-A circuitry that we use in the popular Radial JD7 Injector, the Loopbone employs 100% discreet components (no opamps!) for the lowest possible distortion and most natural sound. Class-A circuits are preferred over opamps in audiophile systems as they do not degrade the audio. This is of utmost importance to guitarists.

The Loopbone features two effect loops with standard ¼” send and return jacks for the pedals. This allows the guitarist to set up a clean direct sound, a rhythm setting using effect loop-1, and a crunch or solo setting using effect loop-2. This provides the important benefit of allowing the guitarist to use those older noisy yet interesting effect pedals and remove them from the audio chain when they are not required. Either of the loops may be engaged separately or used in series to create new and exciting effects.

A separate Class-A power booster features variable gain while providing a very natural boost and added front-end saturation for amplifiers to add that extra grind or boost as needed. The power-booster is wired post-loops to allow any of the effect-loops to be boosted when engaged. To eliminate popping, a series of photocells are employed. Unlike relays that cause connection spikes, photocells provide noiseless and colorless switching by ramping up the signal voltage. This provides a smooth no-pop transition even when performing at concert levels. There is also a separate ‘always-on’ tuner output to allow constant monitoring while removing that ‘tone robbing’ tuner from the audio path.

The introduction of the Loopbone coincides with the introduction of a new remote controllable pedal interconnect system called ‘the SlingShot™’. The concept behind Radial’s SlingShot is an easy to use, remote control system that the Loopbone to remotely switch another device such as the CabBone cabinet switcher using a regular ¼” to ¼” guitar cable. The Loopbone’s SlingShot outputs may be assigned to switch the amplifier channel by depressing any of the loop-1, loop-2 or boost foot switches. The SlingShot offers a choice of momentary or latching options to match most guitar manufacturer’s operating systems.

According to company President Peter Janis: “In the 1980s, the trend moved from stock equipment to custom amplifiers and then custom guitars. This gave guitarists individuality. Today, with the myriad of amazing off-the-shelf guitars and amps, the individuality has moved to the pedal board and more complex guitar amp set-ups. The new Loopbone solves many of the problems that guitarists encounter when attempting to incorporate their various effect pedals while attempting to retain the natural tone of the guitar and amplifier that they now have. Furthermore,with the introduction of the SlingShot remote control output, the Loopbone solves another major hurdle by providing a simple method to control basic clean, rhythm and solo set-ups without having to resort to complex MIDI systems. Today’s performing guitarists want simple to the point performance and I believe the Loopbone will bring them one step closer.”

For more information, contact Radial Engineering:1638 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 5W9. Tel: 604-942-1001 Fax 604-942-1010

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