At the core of this powerful Switchblade 8B system lies the Matrix which rewires your entire rig on the fly according to settings you create and save as presets in user memory. True matrix switching networks are recognized by the industry as the most powerful type of switching arrangement possible. With a 16 input/16 output matrix (8/8 for the Switchblade 8, 8B, and 8F) you can connect any input to any output simultaneously with other inputs and outputs. Full mixing and distribution at each connection. Create series, parallel, or wild interconnected networks in single or multi-amp setups, all without ever touching a patch cord.All this power would be meaningless without quality. That's why the audio signal paths in the Switchblade have been engineered with performance and quality in mind. The frequency response, signal to noise ratio, distortion and phase properties allow crystal clear passage of your instrument sound through your effects. The channels in the Switchblade are so clear it's as if there is no switching system in your signal path at all.Each Switchblade preset includes two built in realtime controllers which can be used to independently control the input or output gain for any number of patches simultaneously. When used in this fashion the results are truly impressive. One controller can be used to crossfade between effects in a network, increasing or decreasing their individual "presence" with respect to other effects in real time, while the other controller can be used to "cross-pan" effects or instruments across a stereo image or to change overall volume. An internal "Auto Sweep" function can be used in place of one of the controllers for hands off automatic sweeping. Several different Auto Sweep functions are available with adjustable times to over 12 seconds. The Switchblade also incorporates an exclusive circuit we call "Seamless Sweeping" to remove zippering noise when used with even low resolution continuous controllers. An intelligent algorithm monitors each input signal and only allows gain changes during zero crossing times, effectively removing the steps that create zipper noise.The Switchblade not only responds to MIDI Program Change and Control Change messages, but can also be set to transmit Program messages to other MIDI gear whenever a preset is selected. This greatly simplifies synchronizing your gear and is a great aid when using the Switchblade with simple MIDI controllers that can only transmit one Program message as a time.