the rossness
Well-known member
I used to use a Tube Cube. Good unit, but it did suck a little tone. On the cheap side too 
A
Anonymous
Guest
Attenuators are for pussy's.....that is all 
jmgman69
New member
kurtsstuff":2ph42kwo said:Attenuators are for pussy's.....that is all
Ya,no one has complained about the volume I play so why start now 
Scumback Speakers
Well-known member
Jeez, don't sugar coat it, tell us what you really think.kurtsstuff":3egy1xpo said:Attenuators are for pussy's.....that is all
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
New member
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
SEMI ERECT MEMBER
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.
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
New member
stephen sawall":2kwx5xg8 said:
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
Member
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
New member
wheelman":18vzknqp said:
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
Well-known member
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
SEMI ERECT MEMBER
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":g4bdqa5o said:
blackba
Well-known member
stephen sawall":8j1k09g6 said:
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
Well-known member
Just buy an 8 ohm.....I use it with everything.blackba":33g1a2e9 said:
thegame
Well-known member
wheelman":19uiiim8 said:
+1. The best attenuator is a good master volume.
No attenuator in the world can overcome a lack of speaker breakup.
dstroud
Well-known member
thegame":8d1ayl3b said:
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
SEMI ERECT MEMBER
thegame":zkbn1ud8 said:
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
Well-known member
stephen sawall":ae58la4b said:
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
Banned
Active member
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
SEMI ERECT MEMBER
jlbaxe":25yaoonu said:
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."
thegame":25yaoonu said:
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
Active member
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.