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True to the Music
Radial Engineering Headbone Owner’s Manual
11
FAQ
Q: I heard that tube amps must always see a speaker load or else
they will blow up. Is this true?
A: This is true. To deal with this, the Headbone is equipped to manage
two loads: the speaker for the active amp and a load resistor for the
standby amp. The Headbone transitions between these two loads
when the footswitch is toggled.
Q: Is the Headbone a load-box?
A: No. A load-box is designed to absorb an amplifiers full output and
pass a reduced amount of power to the speaker. The Headbone uses
a much smaller load resistor to provide an idle load for the standby
amplifier.
Q: Why does the Headbone use opto-couplers and relays to
switch the guitar and amp signals?
A: To switch active signals a circuit designer must choose between
voltage controlled amplifiers (VCA’s), opto-couplers, relays, or convert-
ing the signal to digital and then back to the analogue domain. The
type of guitarist that uses a Radial product is generally a purist and is
very concerned about retaining the natural tone of his instrument. VCA
and digital circuits are not acceptable as they change the tone of the
instrument. Tonebone products use opto-couplers on the hi-impedance
circuits to eliminate all switching noise and relays on the speaker level
signals where high voltage is present.
Q: I have heard that using an echo with a head switcher can cause
a problem with the amps. Is this true?
A: It depends on where the delay is positioned in the signal chain. If the
delay is placed before the Headbone, there is no problem. If the delay
device is placed after the Headbone, or in an amplifier’s effects loop,
you can have a problem because the echo may continue to generate
a signal and send it through the “stand-by” amp with no speaker load
connected. It is generally not good to run an amp this way as the out-
put transformer can heat up and ultimately short out. Thus, always put
delay and looping devices before the Headbone in the signal chain.
Q: Can I use the Headbone like an A/B box?
A: It certainly could be done, but you may encounter ground loop
problems as the Headbone is not set up for this function. The Radial
Switchbone would definitely be a better choice.
Q: Can I use the Headbone with a MIDI switcher?
A: Yes. Most MIDI switchers are equipped with a contact closure output
jack. This would be connected to the Headbone’s Slingshot input to
remotely control amp switching.
Q: If I do not want to use the Slingshot remote, how far from the