Radial Engineering SGI Instrument Line Driver

Presenting the newly updated Radial SGI Instrument Line Driver, custom designed for applications where you need long cable runs (like in a worship environment where your amps are off stage or in an amp closet).

The Radial SGI is a high performance line driver that takes an unbalanced guitar signal and allows you to drive it as far as 100 meters (300ft) without noise. In the studio, it allows the guitarist to sit in the control room and connect to a distant guitar amp. On stage, the SGI can be used to play the guitar amp using off-stage isolation cabinets or be used to manage guitar signals to and from wireless systems, pedalboards and amplifiers.

The SGI consists of two boxes: the SGI-TX transmitter and the SGI-RX receiver. The connection between the TX and RX is made using a standard balanced XLR microphone cable. To use, you simply plug your guitar into the SGI-TX input and connect your amp from the SGI-RX output and you are set to go. The SGI TX uses a discrete buffered circuit to drive your signals over long distances, while the SGI RX captures the signal and converts it to the appropriate impedance to feed your amplifier while retaining the original tone.

The SGI system now proudly sports premium Jensen transformers inside: one in the SGI TX and one in the SGI RX. These transformers aren’t just there to help with isolation to prevent hum and buzz from ground loops – they are a key part of the circuit that converts the signal at each end of the system. Using industry-leading Jensen transformers in the SGI helps achieve a wider, flatter frequency response, lower noise and distortion, improved dynamic range and a greater signal to noise ratio. All of this helps deliver audio cleanly across long distances without any alteration to your original signal.

The SGI ships with an included 15V power supply to power the TX transmit unit, but it can also be used with standard pedalboard power supplies, making it easier to integrate onto a pedalboard. You can use any power supply from 9V to 15V, and both center-pin positive and center-pin negative polarities are accepted. Note that this is only true for the latest model of the SGI (the one with “Jensen Equipped” labeled on the top of the unit).