Attenuator pedals?

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.
 
Re: Attenuator pedals?

Empty Pockets said:
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.
Click to expand...

Not 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.
 
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."
 
Re: Attenuator pedals?

Old Guy said:
Not 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.
Click to expand...

Resistive 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.

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.
 
Re: Attenuator pedals?

This is the answer (for me anyways) :

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Re: Attenuator pedals?

BloodRose said:
Has anyone tried the attenuator pedals, such as the JHS little black amp box? If so, how well do they work? Just curious if they are effective. They are alot less expensive than regular attenuators.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LittleBAB--jhs-little-black-amp-box-passive-amp-attenuator

Thank you!
Click to expand...

It's a passive volume pot in a box, acts as a sort of master-master volume

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 footswitch
 
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Re: Attenuator pedals?

Old Guy said:
Not 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.
Click to expand...

Heh. Yeah. A volume pedal is a potentiometer attached to a foot pedal used to cut volume. This device is a potentiometer in a pedal housing with a normal knob. Probably $10 in parts total and only for use in the fx loop.

If you plug this device in between your head and cab, your head and the pedal will break.
 
Re: Attenuator pedals?

Jacew said:
Resistive 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.
Click to expand...

Weber MASS has a speaker coil with no cone. It’s the closest to a proper speaker load in an attenuator I’ve found.
 
Re: Attenuator pedals?

BloodRose said:
Has anyone tried the attenuator pedals, such as the JHS little black amp box? If so, how well do they work? Just curious if they are effective. They are alot less expensive than regular attenuators.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LittleBAB--jhs-little-black-amp-box-passive-amp-attenuator

Thank you!
Click to expand...
Way over-priced! THIS is the same thing for <1/2 the $$$.
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.
 
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Re: Attenuator pedals?

Old Guy said:
Not 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.
Click to expand...

Yes, those are just volume pots that you put in a serial effects loop. They let you crank the preamp and master and are basically just another master volume, they don't let you overdrive the output tubes. So, yes, kinda like a volume pedal in the loop, but there are volume pedals for in front of the amp, usually 250K, and lower values for using in the loop or after buffers, I think those are usually 25K (I"m sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong on that value).
 
Re: Attenuator pedals?

IM4Tone said:
Way over-priced! THIS is the same thing for <1/2 the $$$.
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.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Ive been looking at these as well, and have contacted Carls.

And yes, I know the unit I listed is not an actual attenuator and realize the difference. I only stated that in my title because that is what they call the pedal. But thanks to those for taking time to explain. Im just looking for an inexpensive way to keep things tame and cant afford something like a Weber Mass or Hot plate.
 
Re: Attenuator pedals?

devastone said:
If your master volume works well, not sure if you will notice a difference.
Click to expand...

There's really not, IME. The best use, as mentioned in by post, is for those amps that have a touchy MV, either off or OMG it's too loud. Get past that touchy spot to maybe half-way, then cut it back with this box (not a pedal, no footswitch) in the effects loop.
 
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