Click image to enlarge

Other BigShots:
ABY  •  EFX   •  i/o
MIX  •  PB1  •  SW2

Retail: $139.99, Our Price: $180.00

BigShot MIX - true-bypass effects mixer

• Lets you mix any effect into your signal path
• Class-A circuit retains natural tone of instrument
• Buffered loop to reduce pedal noise
• Compact and rugged for pedalboards
• Bright LED status indicator

At last, a device that allows you to mix the direct sound of an instrument with effects the same way that a professional mixing console lets you add reverb to a dry vocal. The BigShot MIX is designed for the more demanding guitar or bass player that wants to introduce cool effects pedals to the signal path without the noise and artifacts usually caused by their 'less than ideal' circuitry and cheap buffers.

The MIX begins with 100% discreet, pure class-A circuitry to ensure the natural tone of the instrument is maintained. On the connector panel, a simple effects loop with send and return ¼” jacks make connecting easy. A recessed MIX control lets you adjust and set the exact balance between your dry sound and the effect. Best of all, the natural tone of the instrument is maintained.

Like all Radial pedals the MIX is made road tough with 14 gauge steel construction, double sided PC board and a heavy duty footswitch.

The BigShot MIX effects mixer –
an industry first by the mad scientists at Radial.

In this setup:

• Guitar goes to the INPUT jack, effects loop to 'SEND' and 'RETURN'
• Amp connects to the OUTPUT jack
• Adjust the 'LEVEL' effects level control and set polarity to suit

In this setup:

• Guitar connects to the INPUT jack, effects loop to 'SEND' and 'RETURN'
• Amp connects to the OUTPUT jack
• Adjust the fx loop 'LEVEL' control and set the polarity switch to suit

In this setup:

• Bass connects to the INPUT jack, effects loop to 'SEND' and 'RETURN'
• Amp connects to the OUTPUT jack
• Adjust the fx loop 'LEVEL' control and set the polarity switch to suit

Necessity is and always will be the mother of invention! It’s actually quite funny and really frustrating… Guitarists listen to the tone of their guitars, and then connect through a pedal only to immediately notice that the tone has changed. It turns out that the offending pedal is in fact inadequately buffered and therefore quickly discarded. So the search begins to find a substitute. After a futile attempt, the guitarist goes back to the cemetery and digs out that old pedal, forcing himself to use it… even though it compromises his tone.

Because of this story and countless similar ones, all buffers get a bad rap and all true-bypass pedals tend to shine even though the vast majority are so poorly designed that they cause tremendous BANGS each and every time they are engaged.

Truth is – like everything – there are good widgets and many more less than good ones. So what has this got to do with the BigShot MIX?

The BigShot MIX actually solves the problem by allowing you to send your direct signal to your amp and mix in the desired amount of effect from your pedal. This way, the main guitar signal does not go through the pedal, only through the BigShot MIX. But here’s the kicker: The only way you can take two signals and mix them together is by creating a mixer and a mixer is in fact, made up of buffers. And Radial makes great sounding buffers!

The MIX employs the same buffering circuit that is used in the Radial JD7 Injector which is used by artists as diverse as Buddy Guy, Nickelback, Tool and Billy Idol. As a unity gain buffer, whatever signal goes in will come out at the same level.

For guitarists, less than ideal effects pedals that can completely ruin your tone can now be mixed in, while the natural tone of the guitar in all its glory connects to the amp. For bassists, the natural low end that is often ruined when pedals are introduced is now restored and the effects can be mixed in to add color without taking away the fundamental.

With the MIX in your system, noisy tone robbing pedals can now be used without loosing your natural tone.

Features & Specifications

• Class-A active buffered circuit with mixing and true bypass

• 180° polarity reverse switch on fx return

• 0 to 100% mixing level control

• Heavy-duty high-cycle footswitch

• 9 VDC - 40ma center negative power

• 14 gauge steel, baked enamel finish

• Size: 3.6"w x 3.9"d x 2"h (92 x 99 x 51mm)

• Weight: 1.25 lb (0.56 kg)

• Radial 3-year limited warranty

Right out of the box, the MIX is one of the easiest to use pedals ever!

* Note - always turn your amp down before making connections.

Connect a standard 9-volt Boss° compatible power supply to the MIX to turn it on. Connect your guitar to the MIX's input jack and your amp input to the MIX's output jack. Now patch in those great sounding yet highly offensive (noise wise) effects pedals into the MIX by connecting them to the MIX's 'SEND' jack and back in through the MIX's 'RETURN' jack.

Turn the volume on your guitar up just a little bit to test. When the MIX's LED is off, you should hear the guitar going straight through to the amp. When the MIX's footswitch and LED are on, the signal is now routed to the connected pedal or effects and mixed in to your dry signal by adjusting the MIX's 'LEVEL' control.

As many effects devices reverse the polarity (phase) when engaged, the MIX is equipped with a 180° polarity reverse switch. This lets you mix in your dry and wet signals 'in phase' (so they don't cancel each other out). To use, just flip it in and out and listen.

For best results, begin by adjusting your effects pedal for 100% wet (effect full on) and set the MIX to 12 o’clock using a guitar pick as a screw driver. Then mess around till it sounds right to your ears. What could be easier?

WARNING - Possibility of electrical shock hazard exists. Please read the warnings in the user manual before attempting to connect amplifiers to any device.

BigShot MIX - FAQ

Q: Why did you not put a knob on top to adjust the MIX?
A: We felt that most users will set and forget the mix and would prefer to set the precise mix level without worrying that it gets accidentally nudged. A guitar pick is used to make adjustments.

Q: What should I do if my offending pedal is so noisy that it gets me mad?
A: There are signal gates that can be used after the offending pedal that can be used to turn off the residual hiss when the signal going through the pedal drops down below a threshold. This is probably the best way to enjoy the effect and get rid of the hiss & residual noise.

Q: Can I use the MIX with multi-pedal power supplies?
A: The MIX employs a 9V PSU to match those used by Boss pedals. Just make sure your multi-pedal power supply is the correct voltage and polarity.
Q: Can I use the MIX with Bass and Keyboards?
A: Yes but be careful with high output instruments as they can sometimes overload the buffer circuitry in the MIX. If the signal is too hot, simply turn down the instrument and turn up your amp to compensate.

Q: Can I use line level studio effects with the MIX?
A: It is possible depending on the gain structure of the device. Check the manual and if the manufacturer claims that it will work with instruments then you should be set to go. Keep in mind that the BigShot MIX is designed for guitar pedal signals which are much lower than studio effects units.

Q: Can I use the MIX in between my amp’s send and return loop on the back of the head?
A: Yes! Just keep in mind that this should be a guitar level send and return which most amps will be equipped with. Check the amp’s owner’s manual to be sure.

Q: How many pedals can I use in line with the MIX?
A: As many as you like. The MIX is a high quality buffer that lowers the impedance to let you drive many pedals while reducing their susceptibility to noise.

Q: Can you explain please the 180º polarity switch?
A: When a pedal is engaged in the signal path, the polarity, or absolute phase, is often reversed in relation to the input signal. You do not notice this as your total signal is reversed (ie: guitar ad effect). With the MIX you can mix in as much of the effect as you like which means it is possible to mix the direct in-phase guitar signal with an out-of-phase effect pedal signal. Switching the MIX polarity switch solves the problem. Use the switch position where it sounds best.

Q: Can I use the MIX to split a signal to another guitar amp?
A: No. Although the connection would work, because there is no isolation transformer, you may encounter hum and buzz problems and potential for shock. We therefore do not recommend using the MIX for this purpose. For this, we make the Radial BigShot ABY and Switchbone.

Q: What do you mean by unity gain buffer?
A: A unity gain buffer is a buffer that does not increase or boost the level, but simply passes it along from input to output at the same volume level.

Q: Can a professional line level effects unit be plugged into the send/return of the BigShot?
A: The BigShot MIX is designed for instrument level devices. These are
typically between -30dB to -50dB below the 0dB nominal level. Line level
devices generally range from unbalanced -10dB to +4dB balanced. If you plan to use line level devices, you can... you just have to turn the volume way down so that it does not overload the MIX's input stage.

For additional info, press and user manuals, please visit Radial Engineering  (opens in a new window).