Sound Sculpture Switchblade 8B

After a lot of initial question marks and two rounds through the manual, I got the hang of it quickly. The little tutorials in the manual explain step by step what you have to do. I wish everyone would do that in their manuals (Rocktron - thanks for nothing!!!).
After two afternoons of fooling around, it was all pretty clear.

The Switchblade allows me to put my gear in any order in any combination at the flick of a switch or a pedal. Even feedback loops are possible and sound extremely cool. On top of that, it balances the output levels by itself so I don't have to spend days every time leveling my sounds to the same volume. And the fact that I can have immensely processed effect sounds AND the pure one-cable-tone of my guitar into my amp at the same time, while sending signals from other instruments through my guitar rack and back into the mixer or other amps while sweeping between different fx mixes with 2 controllers makes this thing the missing puzzle piece in any (even slightly!) advanced fx setup. In fact, it's a programmable and automatable mixer which I can control with my feet while playing. And it doesn't even have to convert audio signals to digital since it just reconfigures analogue audio paths.
So brilliant! I love it.

So far no problems whatsoever. Yes, I use it without a backup. Looks extremely rugged and reliable.

The guy I bought it from, Frank Post (postjhn@aol.com), was very helpful explaining what exactly it is that the switchblade will do. Since I got it, I haven't needed any help, which is a great plus in itself.

If all my stuff disappeared, this would probably be the very first thing I'd buy again. It is exactly what I was looking for. I play different things from death metal to classical music, experimental electronics, studio work.... and it gives me the flexibility I need to do very different things with the same high-class setup.

I use it mostly in my guitar rig (Eventide Eclipse, Nord Micro Modular, Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier with Axess CFX-4 MIDI switcher, Rocktron All Access controller, Behringer V-amp [don't laugh, it's just a backup]). I use a BC Rich USA custom Warlock 7-string with EMGs and a sustainiac system, but also electric fretless and acoustic guitars. Live, besides the guitar signal, I can send all kinds of signals into my rack thanks to the Switchblade. With this machine, my two processors (Eclipse & Nord) become a frightening arsenal of effects far beyond the furthest reaches of stompbox-land. Congratulations to whoever thought of this machine.

I put this in my rack four days ago, so it is realitively new to me. If your contemplating this unit I'm gonna assume you've had some experience with rack components, tweaking and such. That said, the learning curve is a short one, you'll be up and running within 30 minutes. The manual covers what you need, as long as you have some general level of experience. Editing is simple after the first two or three patches. By then the protocol becomes second nature. I have not used the software as yet because I wanted to become familiar with the hands on aspect of the unit, however the software looks like childs play from a patch creation standpoint.

My rig consists of various Timtone guitars-rocktron all access-switchblade-soldano x99-gforce-edp+-65 bassman head-thd 2x12- dr z 2x12- mackie powered 2way. The rack is very quiet, primarily because of running components in parallel via the switchblade. The mix, level, and subsequent quality of each component is really enhanced by the 8b. For instance my double neck has piezo as well as mags on each neck. Different patches in the same bank allow me to switch from acoustic voices thru the mackie to overdriven (think Warren Haynes) tones thru the 2x12's with one switch on the all access. This is all with any combination and mix of effects your little heart desires.

I don't know yet, but would believe so from other users testimonials.

I called Ken once before the purchase to confirm the unit would do what I needed it to do. He was very accomodating.

I play different styles varying from blues-rock-jazz-even a little country. I have played for over 30 years. This unit, once it was up and running in my rack, allowed me to change the mix and switching possibilities so much, I actually got goose bumps two or three times a session. No kidding. If you have a rack w/ quality components you should check this out. Initially keep a record, a flow chart, of your connections, this will make your first sessions a lot easier.

At first I thought it might be pretty complicated looking at the website but once I got the unit and just started following the
set-up procedures in the manual it was pretty easy.

Once it is set up it is a very easy process to make a new patch.
The beauty of the Switchblade is that it makes experimentation easy and fun. This is just an amazingly powerful unit for anyone with an array of pedal, rack gear and an imagination.

I'm using it with 3 pedals, D-Two, Filter Factory, Spring Reverb rack, and a Roland Keyboard (triggered by a guitar synth) It also switches my amp channels, etc

So by stepping on one preset about 10 different things switch around instantly..... also routed in a away that would not be possible otherwise.

I do wish the manual went a bit more in depth and had more
step by step procedures as examples.

Although it does not have a sound of its own per se, it does have agin adjustment on each channel so your presets can be a uniform volume level even when there are drastic changes in the signal path.

Also you can pan between presets with an expression pedal.

My unit is quiet and clean and I have not heard any crosstalk etc.

It seems like it is built like a tank, No way I could afford a back-up, but I would'nt want to go anywhere without it! I've only had mine for about 2 months now. Solid performance so far.

Ken is simply the most helpful and fast tech support I've ever encountered (and I'm picky) Quick with email and he picks up his own phone, what more can you ask for?

The Switchblade is simply one of the best purchases I've ever made. It's not cheap but it allows me to experiment in ways I would not be able to otherwise (and its easy to use)

I play all sorts of music and this unit really lets me get into a bit of sound design mixing various effects and signals.

This unit is really limited by your own imagination. My one wish is I could have afforded the 16x16 model!

ease depends on how detailed you'd like to get. it's a good idea to get winblade (free download) for more complicated set-ups, but for simple routing, you'll be up and running in under 10 minutes. manual is adequate and doesn't cover the most basic functions which you can figure out on your own. front-panel buttons are limited and therefore each has varying functions, but that's where the winblade comes in handy.

crystal clear! it's in a rack along with the following: alembic preamp, eventide 7K, sherman fb, vht poweramp, echoplex digital. the 'blade is sonically invisible.

can't afford a backup...keeping my fingers crossed.

ken is hands-down the most generous and honest businessman i've dealt with so far. not only is he readily available to answer your questions, but he goes the extra mile (he coached me through building a voltage divider to tame my preamp signal). when you speak with him, he's not trying to sell you one of everything; rather, he aids in finding just the right piece of gear. i can't say enough about how pleased i am with my on-going transactions with ken and sound sculpture.

superb purchase. don't bother with pete cornish and his outlandish prices. why wait for cae to get caught up on production? the features, quality, and price are outstanding. you want the finest and most versatile switching system? go with sound sculpture. you won't be disappointed, i assure you.