Attentuators

[the rossness]

I used to use a Tube Cube. Good unit, but it did suck a little tone. On the cheap side too

 

[Anonymous]

Attenuators are for pussy's.....that is all

 

[jmgman69]

Attenuators are for pussy's.....that is all

Ya,no one has complained about the volume I play so why start now

 

[Scumback Speakers]

Attenuators are for pussy's.....that is all

Jeez, don't sugar coat it, tell us what you really think.

Granted some of us can blast our amps at will with them cranked, but not all are as lucky. That's why I went through all of the attenuators I could to advise clients who needed one.

The only one I haven't tried is the Aracom, they wouldn't send me one to review.

But the top three are the Faustine Phantom, Alex Attenuator and the HO/UA. The HO/UA has a version with dual volume via footswitch that would be great for live use. If you've got multiple cabs the Faustine has the ohm switch from 4-8-16. If you've only got one cab, then the obvious choice is the Alex Attenuator with it's single ohm capability for the most bang for your buck with great tone/features.

Keep in mind, I only offer this as my opinion based on what I tested.

 

[Shark Diver]

I know a lot of people don't agree, but I'd rather turn my SLO down than use an attenuator. I've tried them all, but I think it sounds better simply turned down.

 

[stephen sawall]

For me it is not so often not being able to turn up as much as choosing the volume I want. When using more than one amp at a time this can be very important for blending.
Some people have told me they like the extra compression and tone darkening effect or want more power amp grind and less speaker break-up.
As I said before I feel it is very important to adjust the amp when you change the settings on a attenuator to control the results.
Some amps it is very helpful to get what I want, with other amps I feel it is not needed or has negative effects on the sound I am looking for. In the end it is only choosing what tool well do the job I want.

 

[Shark Diver]

For me it is not so often not being able to turn up as much as choosing the volume I want. When using more than one amp at a time this can be very important for blending.
Some people have told me they like the extra compression and tone darkening effect or want more power amp grind and less speaker break-up.
As I said before I feel it is very important to adjust the amp when you change the settings on a attenuator to control the results.
Some amps it is very helpful to get what I want, with other amps I feel it is not needed or has negative effects on the sound I am looking for. In the end it is only choosing what tool well do the job I want.

I have a Faustine. I haven't tried turning the amp down and the attenuator up a little. Maybe I'll play with that. It makes sense, but I want the power tubes at a certain level and if I need to go below that sweet spot then it probably isn't worth it.

 

[wheelman]

I hate attenuators. Hate the tone hate the feel most off all. It doesn't feel in real time for me. I connect with speaker break up and I dont' feel it with an attenuator. Nor do I hear it.

 

[Shark Diver]

I hate attenuators. Hate the tone hate the feel most off all. It doesn't feel in real time for me. I connect with speaker break up and I dont' feel it with an attenuator. Nor do I hear it.

Agreed. It would basically be impossible to get speaker break up at bedroom attenuation. But maybe at gigging playing volume less attenuation, more amp volume (so there would be some speaker break up). Might find a good mix that would hit an amps sweet spot at non ear bleeding levels. Sort of what Stephen was saying. Not my thing right now, but I could see it. Pete Thorn's You Tube video with the Faustine are pretty sweet. But Pete kicks ass no matter what he's doing.

 

[blackba]

What keeps me from getting another attenuator is the price mainly. To really get the most out of it, I would want one that has a variable impedance and that basically leaves the Faustine, Aracom, and Weber Mass. Of the 3 only the Weber Mass is really in my price range.

 

[stephen sawall]

What keeps me from getting another attenuator is the price mainly. To really get the most out of it, I would want one that has a variable impedance and that basically leaves the Faustine, Aracom, and Weber Mass. Of the 3 only the Weber Mass is really in my price range.

You can use the THD Hot Plate with different impedance. The manual is on the THD web site and tells how. The video clip I posted above also discusses this.

 

[blackba]

What keeps me from getting another attenuator is the price mainly. To really get the most out of it, I would want one that has a variable impedance and that basically leaves the Faustine, Aracom, and Weber Mass. Of the 3 only the Weber Mass is really in my price range.

You can use the THD Hot Plate with different impedance. The manual is on the THD web site and tells how. The video clip I posted above also discusses this.

I would still need two, as I have amps running at 4, 8, and 16ohms. I read the THD manual and would always need 2 hotplates, once I am there, I might as well get one of the expensive attenuators....

 

[Greazygeo]

What keeps me from getting another attenuator is the price mainly. To really get the most out of it, I would want one that has a variable impedance and that basically leaves the Faustine, Aracom, and Weber Mass. Of the 3 only the Weber Mass is really in my price range.

You can use the THD Hot Plate with different impedance. The manual is on the THD web site and tells how. The video clip I posted above also discusses this.

I would still need two, as I have amps running at 4, 8, and 16ohms. I read the THD manual and would always need 2 hotplates, once I am there, I might as well get one of the expensive attenuators....

Just buy an 8 ohm.....I use it with everything.

 

[thegame]

I hate attenuators. Hate the tone hate the feel most off all. It doesn't feel in real time for me. I connect with speaker break up and I dont' feel it with an attenuator. Nor do I hear it.

+1. The best attenuator is a good master volume.

No attenuator in the world can overcome a lack of speaker breakup.

 

[dstroud]

I hate attenuators. Hate the tone hate the feel most off all. It doesn't feel in real time for me. I connect with speaker break up and I dont' feel it with an attenuator. Nor do I hear it.

+1. The best attenuator is a good master volume.

No attenuator in the world can overcome a lack of speaker breakup.

that's interesting - when I'm using an attenuator and the power section of the amp is working, I feel like the sound is just jumping out and the amp reacts very fast. And as far as speaker breakup, whatever happens after the preamp, I'd rather hear that being overdriven than the speakers. I like the speakers moving air, but maybe not necessarily breaking up. I guess this is why there are so many different pieces of gear, everone always different perceptions of what they like and what is happening with their sound.

 

[stephen sawall]

I hate attenuators. Hate the tone hate the feel most off all. It doesn't feel in real time for me. I connect with speaker break up and I dont' feel it with an attenuator. Nor do I hear it.

+1. The best attenuator is a good master volume.

No attenuator in the world can overcome a lack of speaker breakup.

A master volume does no allow you to get poweramp distortion and allow you to control the volume in the same way. Preamp and poweramp distortion are very different things.

Speaker breakup has nothing to do with preamp, power-amps or attenuators. It is only about getting enough juice into that speaker to break up. In other words ..... if the volume is not up loud enough the speaker well not break up. That has nothing to do with if you are using a attenuator or not.

 

[thegame]

A master volume does no allow you to get poweramp distortion and allow you to control the volume in the same way. Preamp and poweramp distortion are very different things.

Speaker breakup has nothing to do with preamp, power-amps or attenuators. It is only about getting enough juice into that speaker to break up. In other words ..... if the volume is not up loud enough the speaker well not break up. That has nothing to do with if you are using a attenuator or not.

I'm familiar with those concepts. A good master volume design doesn't sound choked like attenuators do.

Speaker breakup/coloration/pushing air where the speakers are working nicely, but not overly stressed, can only occur at a certain volume. I think many overlook this when discussing poweramp distortion, as if that is a magic key to good tone.

 

[jlbaxe]

If your head is 8 ohm and THD Hotplate is 8 ohm does it matter what your speakers are since you are loading the amp head from the Hotplate? Like into a 16 ohm cab?

 

[stephen sawall]

If your head is 8 ohm and THD Hotplate is 8 ohm does it matter what your speakers are since you are loading the amp head from the Hotplate? Like into a 16 ohm cab?

http://www.thdelectronics.com/pdf/HP%20 ... 060405.pdf

This is from the manual ....

"Q. Can I still use the Hot Plate if it has a different impedance than my amp?

A. ONLY if the impedance of the Hot Plate is EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN that of the amp. However, this will lessen the effectiveness of the Hot Plate’s tone controls.

Q. If I am using just one speaker cabinet, can I still use the Hot Plate if it has a different impedance than my speaker cabinet?

A. ONLY if the impedance of the speakers is equal to or greater than the amplifier, AND
the impedance of the Hot Plate is equal to or greater than the amp. Again, this will lessen
the effectiveness of the Hot Plate’s tone controls."

A master volume does no allow you to get poweramp distortion and allow you to control the volume in the same way. Preamp and poweramp distortion are very different things.

Speaker breakup has nothing to do with preamp, power-amps or attenuators. It is only about getting enough juice into that speaker to break up. In other words ..... if the volume is not up loud enough the speaker well not break up. That has nothing to do with if you are using a attenuator or not.

I'm familiar with those concepts. A good master volume design doesn't sound choked like attenuators do.

Speaker breakup/coloration/pushing air where the speakers are working nicely, but not overly stressed, can only occur at a certain volume. I think many overlook this when discussing poweramp distortion, as if that is a magic key to good tone.

If you are familiar with this you know most people when using a master volume to control the dB's in the room are not getting poweramp distortion or much of it .... and preamp and poweramp distortion are very different things.

What does speaker breakup have to do with poweramp and / or preamp overdrive or attenuators in any way ? I do not understand your statement on this subject, what is a "magic key to good tone" ?

 

[petejt]

I have a 16ohm Hotplate that I'm only reluctant to get rid of because it is useful as a line-level out for post-amp effects. Otherwise I don't really care for its attenuation.