Radial Phazer™ Owner's Manual

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of a Radial Phazer. The Phazer is a phase adjustment tool that allows you to quickly align the phase response of two audio signals to fatten and create more natural tones. We recommend that you take a few minutes to read through this manual to familiarize yourself with the many innovative features incorporated into the Phazer.

Should you have a question or an idea for an application not covered in this manual, please visit the Radial website at www.radialeng.com to check the Phazer's FAQ section for more information and the latest updates. You can also send an email to info@radialeng.com, and we will do our best to respond promptly. Get your mics, D.I.s, and mixers ready for some real tonal fun!

Overview

The Phazer is a real-time analog phase adjustment tool featuring 100% discrete class-A circuitry for excellent sound quality. It provides a quick and easy way to experiment with the creative use of phase shift, inspiring new sounds when working with microphones and Radial direct boxes.

Its primary purpose is to shape sound by shifting the phase of one signal against another, allowing you to tune the overall phase response of combined signals. The Radial Phazer can shift phase continuously over a full 360° range. You simply adjust the amount of phase shift to your preference.

For example, an engineer might use two microphones to record an acoustic guitar. The first mic is placed close to the sound hole, and a second mic is located further away. Because sound waves take longer to reach the more distant mic, its signal is slightly delayed compared to the close mic. This minute delay creates a phase shift between the two mic signals, coloring the tone through a type of phase cancellation known as comb-filtering. The Phazer utilizes this phenomenon as a simple, fun, and musical tool for audio engineers.

The Phazer can be used to shift the close mic's signal into alignment with the distant mic to create a fuller, richer sound when the two signals are combined. Alternatively, it can be used as an effect to intentionally shift the phase and create unique tones. The more you use the Phazer, the more you will appreciate the creative options it unlocks.

Phazer Features and Functions

The Phazer features several controls and connections:

• 1. PHASE-ON WITH LED: Activates the phase section. The LED illuminates when engaged.
• 2. INVERT SWITCH: Flips the phase range of the SHIFT control from 0° - 180° to the 181° - 360° range at the XLR output.
• 3. SHIFT CONTROL: Analog control used to adjust the phase shift amount.
• 4. BLEND: Allows mixing of the original dry signal and the wet phased signal.
• 5. FILTER-ON WITH LED: Bypass switch for the low-pass filter. The LED illuminates when engaged.
• 6. RANGE SWITCH: Selects between two frequency ranges for the low-pass filter: 300Hz to 3.8kHz or 3kHz to 38kHz.
• 7. CUT-OFF CONTROL: Adjusts the high-frequency cutoff point for the low-pass filter within the selected range.
• 8. POWER SWITCH: Turns on the Phazer. The LED illuminates when the unit is active.
• 9. CABLE LOCK: Secures the power supply cable to prevent accidental disconnection.
• 10. POWER SUPPLY CONNECTION: Connection point for the included Radial 15VDC power supply.
• 11. 1/4" TRS PHONE JACKS: Input and output connections for balanced +4dB and unbalanced -10dB signals.
• 12. GROUND LIFT: Helps eliminate hum and buzz caused by ground loops by disconnecting Pin-1 at the XLR and the sleeve at the 1/4" TRS outputs.
• 13. XLR JACKS: Input and output connections for balanced +4dB signals.
• 14. FULL BOTTOM PAD: A neoprene non-slip pad that protects surfaces.
• 15. 14-GAUGE STEEL ENCLOSURE: A robust enclosure with a bookend shell design for protection of controls and switches.

Connections

Before making connections, ensure all levels are turned down to prevent damage from power-on or connection transients.

Power

The Phazer is powered by the included 15VDC/400mA supply. The power connection features a cable lock to prevent accidental disconnection. To use the cable lock, loosen it with a hex driver, pass the cable through, and re-tighten.

Audio

The Phazer is a line-level device accepting +4dB balanced and -10dB unbalanced signals via its XLR or 1/4" phone jacks. Balanced connections adhere to the AES standard (pin-2 hot).

There are two primary connection methods:

1. Console Insert Connection

This is the most common method, where the Phazer is placed in the signal path using the 'insert' point at the console or studio patchbay.

Most consoles feature an unbalanced single-point insert (-10dB) using a dual 1/4" to TRS connection. The tip carries the 'Send' signal, the ring carries the 'Return' signal, and the sleeve is the common ground.

Larger consoles may use balanced inserts (+4dB) with separate XLR or TRS jacks. The pinouts are as follows:

2. In-line Connection

The Phazer can be connected between line-level devices, such as between a mic preamp and a recorder. An example is a stereo microphone setup where one mic is patched directly, and the other is passed through the Phazer.

Getting Started

1. Set all panel switches to their outward position (LEDs off).
2. Set the SHIFT and BLEND controls fully counter-clockwise. Set the CUT-OFF control fully clockwise.
3. Insert the Phazer into the microphone or direct box channel you wish to phase align. Ensure the Phazer processes the signal that arrives at the mixing console first (e.g., the signal from the closest mic or a direct box, as electricity travels faster than sound).
4. Activate the Phazer by connecting the power supply and pressing the POWER switch. The LED will illuminate.
5. Turn on your audio system at a low volume level. If no sound is heard, turn off the equipment and check connections. If everything is correct, increase the level to a comfortable listening volume. If you hear hum or buzz, try engaging the GROUND LIFT switch. The Phazer is now ready for use.

Adjusting the Phase

The phase section is tuned by ear using the SHIFT and BLEND controls. For best results, set your mixer controls for both signals (one with the Phazer, one without) to equal volume and panned center in your monitors.

Start with the INVERT switch in the outward position, the SHIFT control fully counter-clockwise, and the BLEND control fully clockwise (WET). Engage the PHASE ON switch; its LED will illuminate.

Slowly rotate the SHIFT control clockwise while listening. Tune the control by ear to best suit the program material. The primary goal is to shift the close mic signal until the fundamentals phase-align with the distant mic in a musical and pleasing way. Keep in mind that perfect phase alignment for all frequencies simultaneously is impossible; use your ears to find the best sound.

The Invert Function

The INVERT control reverses the absolute phase of the signal, allowing the SHIFT control to access the 181° to 360° phase range. This switch can also correct polarity between different microphones or direct boxes.

To find the 'sweet spot', it can be easier to listen for maximum phase cancellation. Use the INVERT switch to help tune the SHIFT control for this. Once the point of maximum cancellation is found, engaging the INVERT button again switches from maximum cancellation to maximum reinforcement, which is most effective when tuning to the fundamental frequency.

Using the Phazer as a Creative EQ

Filtering through phase cancellation can help tracks sit better in a mix without competing with other instruments. Experiment by phase shifting a rhythm guitar part while monitoring other instruments to adjust balance without changing fader levels. The BLEND function allows this technique using a single sound and phase 'canceling' for creative effects.

Phase Response Diagrams

The following diagrams illustrate the phase response at different positions of the SHIFT control. The curves show how phase shift (in degrees) increases as the control is turned, demonstrating Radial's unique phase curves and class-A analog electronics for musical sound.

• Bypass: Zero phase shift, linear response.
• SHIFT 0°: At 200Hz, phase is shifted by one or two degrees; at 20kHz, it is shifted by 180°.
• SHIFT 100° (approx.): At 200Hz, phase is shifted by 100°; above 2kHz, it is shifted by 180°.
• SHIFT 180° (near maximum): At 200Hz, phase reaches 180°.

Using the Filter Section

After finding the 'sweet spot' in the phase shift section, adjust the low-pass filter controls to hear their effect. The filter section rolls off high frequencies above a variable cutoff point, focusing the Phazer's effect on fundamental frequencies.

To set up the filter:

1. Depress the FILTER ON switch; the LED will illuminate.
2. Set the RANGE switch to its outward position for the highest frequency range (up to 38kHz).
3. Set the CUT-OFF control to its maximum clockwise position, setting the highest possible cutoff frequency for the selected range.

Slowly turn the CUT-OFF control counter-clockwise while listening. As you turn it, the filter moves down the spectrum, removing frequencies above the cutoff point from the Phazer's output.

The filter offers two cutoff ranges:

• RANGE switch outward (3kHz - 38kHz): Attenuates frequencies between 3kHz and 38kHz, producing a subtle effect.
• RANGE switch inward (300Hz - 3.8kHz): Affects frequencies between 300Hz and 3.8kHz, producing a more pronounced high-frequency roll-off.

Applications

Acoustic Guitar - Mic and Direct Box

A good way to test the Phazer's capabilities is by recording with a direct box and a microphone. Set up a mic and a DI box, connect them to separate console channels, and adjust both signals to an equal level, panned center in the monitors. When the guitar is strummed, the DI sends an electronic signal almost instantaneously, while the mic receives sound waves that travel through the air, creating a time delay and phase shift between the two signals. The Phazer can then be inserted into the DI signal path to align the DI signal with the mic signal, allowing you to find the optimal phase relationship.

Electric Guitar - Mic and Radial JDX Amp DI

The Phazer is particularly effective when used with the Radial JDX amplifier DI. The JDX connects between your amplifier's output and speaker cabinet, tapping and filtering the direct sound of your amp to output a balanced mic-level signal. Combining the JDX with a microphone can yield great results. The Phazer can align the JDX's direct output with the mic signal, allowing for huge guitar tones and consistent, repeatable sound, especially beneficial for touring bands.

Bass Guitar in a Live Venue

In a typical live setup, a bass guitar connects to a DI box for the PA system and the stage amp. The sound from the bass amp and PA speakers is reproduced almost instantaneously, but if the bass amp is positioned further back on stage than the PA speakers, its sound arrives a few milliseconds later, causing a phase offset. This can lead to comb-filtering, making mixing difficult and potentially losing low-frequency definition. Inserting the Phazer on the bass guitar signal going into the PA system can shift the phase to align the PA and bass amp signals.

Kick Drum - A Better Beater Sound

Engineers often use two mics on a kick drum: Mic A (condenser) placed close to the drum head for beater snap, and Mic B (dynamic) positioned further away for low-frequency tone. The distance between the mics creates a phase offset. Inserting the Phazer into the signal path of Mic A can time-align the two mics for a tighter-sounding track.

Upright Bass

When recording an upright acoustic bass, engineers often combine signals from a piezo contact pickup (A) and a microphone (B). The piezo signal arrives instantaneously, followed by the mic's signal a moment later. Shifting the piezo signal into alignment with the microphone will reinforce the fundamental frequencies, creating a bigger and more natural bass sound.

Block Diagram

The Radial Phazer's signal path includes several key stages: Input, a Balanced to Unbalanced Converter, a Variable Low Pass Filter, a Differential Amplifier, a Wet/Dry Blend Control, a Phase Inverter, and the Output. The core phase shifting is handled by an All Pass Filter section, which is part of the overall phase adjustment circuitry.

Specifications

*Subject to change without notice.

Warranty

Radial Engineering Ltd. provides a three (3) year transferable limited warranty for the Phazer, covering defects in material and workmanship. This warranty allows for repair or replacement of defective components free of charge for three years from the original purchase date. To claim warranty service, contact Radial at 604-942-1001 or service@radialeng.com to obtain a Return Authorization (RA) number before the warranty period expires. The product must be returned prepaid in its original packaging, with a copy of the original invoice showing the purchase date and dealer name. This warranty does not cover damage from abuse, misuse, accident, or unauthorized modifications.