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Attenuator pedals?
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
That's an effects loop attenuator. It's the same as putting a volume pedal in your loop. It's not the kind that goes between your head and cab. That's why it's much less money.green globe burned black by sunn
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
Originally posted by Empty Pockets View PostThat's an effects loop attenuator. It's the same as putting a volume pedal in your loop. It's not the kind that goes between your head and cab. That's why it's much less money.
Here's the thing with Attenuators. There are two type. Resistive and Reactive. Reactive is what you want because it won't squash your signal. Cheaper Resistive Attenuators will make the lower signal sound mushy and really mess with the tone you hear as you lower the volume. Reactive Attenuators won't do that. That's why they are much more expensive. And why more pros use them.
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
Well, as always, the answer is, "it depends" about the Volume pedal. I stand somewhat corrected. Here's a short article:
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
All that is is a volume put in a box. It does NOT go between the amp and cabinet. That's for putting in the effects loop, as mentioned, to crank down the overall volume. I have one (not that brand specifically) and used it with my Marshall when I had it. The best use of them is to allow you to get the master volume past that touchy spot but the amp may be too loud setting. Put this box in the effects loop and dial the it back. I've seen guys use these with Fender HRD amps a lot.
If you want a real attenuator, it's gonna cost a lot more that that thing costs. It even says in the ad, "Note: This device is only intended for amplifiers with an effects loop. Do not place it after the speaker output of any amp."
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
Originally posted by Old Guy View PostNot sure it is just like putting a volume pedal in your loop. Have you tried to do that? The claim this pedal makes is that it will maintain the output of the signal, but lower the volume of the signal so you can crank your pre-amp and OD the tubes, but lower the volume on the power amp side. Maybe that is how it would work by putting a volume pedal in the loop, but I've never heard of that being done that way. I could be wrong.
Here's the thing with Attenuators. There are two type. Resistive and Reactive. Reactive is what you want because it won't squash your signal. Cheaper Resistive Attenuators will make the lower signal sound mushy and really mess with the tone you hear as you lower the volume. Reactive Attenuators won't do that. That's why they are much more expensive. And why more pros use them.
Digital modeling of speakers is yet another way to do this, which does allow to take account all that for closest possible recreation of real speaker, but won't handle the high output of speaker so it still neeeds load box, which changes the respenso of the amp.
Personally I think reasonably rated amp and/or good master volume is just better."So understand/Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years/Face up, make your stand/And realize you're living in the golden years"
Iron Maiden - Wasted Years
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
Originally posted by BloodRose View Post
Only really works with serial loops, parallel loops kinda defeat it. Works best with high-gain preamp designs.... pure genius on 5150/6505/6262, you can make the monstrosities whisper-quiet through a 4x12 on the red gain channel
Diy-able for 5 bucks, though... for the money, ought to have a footswitchLast edited by Adieu; 01-21-2019, 01:58 PM."New stuff always sucks" -Me
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
Originally posted by Old Guy View PostNot sure it is just like putting a volume pedal in your loop. Have you tried to do that? The claim this pedal makes is that it will maintain the output of the signal, but lower the volume of the signal so you can crank your pre-amp and OD the tubes, but lower the volume on the power amp side. Maybe that is how it would work by putting a volume pedal in the loop, but I've never heard of that being done that way. I could be wrong.
Here's the thing with Attenuators. There are two type. Resistive and Reactive. Reactive is what you want because it won't squash your signal. Cheaper Resistive Attenuators will make the lower signal sound mushy and really mess with the tone you hear as you lower the volume. Reactive Attenuators won't do that. That's why they are much more expensive. And why more pros use them.
If you plug this device in between your head and cab, your head and the pedal will break.green globe burned black by sunn
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
Originally posted by Jacew View PostResistive and Reactive is a bit simplified. Resistive attenuator is basically just a resistor providing required load. Reactive is more refined system to that with circuitry to act like inductor coil in speaker. It should also simulate the air pressure and speaker construction effects but I'm not sure if there's any reactive loads that do that.
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
Originally posted by BloodRose View Post
ErikH is spot on with a description of how it works. I've used one for this purpose on a Fender BDRI and it serves that purpose well.Last edited by IM4Tone; 01-21-2019, 06:48 PM.
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
There’s a guy on Reverb that sells attenuators (in between head and cabinet - not in the effects loop).
Julius Music Box 50W 8 Ohm Tube Amp Speaker Attenuator (Power Soak) - Vintage Orange Sparkle https://reverb.com/item/12699531-jul...m_medium=share
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Re: Attenuator pedals?
Originally posted by beaubrummels View PostWeber MASS has a speaker coil with no cone. It’s the closest to a proper speaker load in an attenuator I’ve found."So understand/Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years/Face up, make your stand/And realize you're living in the golden years"
Iron Maiden - Wasted Years
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