My new dummy load prototype arrived today!

[eljodon]

This my new prototype dummy load arrived today! I'm going to test it and if it works out I'm having a 4 way dummy load built so I can switch between 4 different amps using a single cabinets. I'll be using a Mesa Boogie 2 90 as the power amp to drive my Marshall. The dummy load has a switch so I can select between using a filter or a full range sound. I'll need a ground switch and a polarity switch on the 4 way unit. I like using a dummy load with my amps because you can eq the amp before going to the power amp for more flexibility and to match the sound with room acoustics.

 

[steve_k]

I could have used one of those a time or two. Let us know how it works out.

Where did you get it? I think manufacturers have been reluctant to market these because of product liability and the result of equipment failure being a dead amp.


Steve

 

[eljodon]

I've been using dummy loads since the early 80's and I never had any problems. You do go through power tubes a bit quicker because you tend to crank your amps higher tha usual. The benefits are great because I like eqing my amp post distortion to adjust for different room acoustics. If the dummy load is transparent it works great, but some of them affect the top end because in some of them the use a filter and called them Speaker Simulators so you can record straight to the board. My friends is planning to have one available. You don't need any filters since the guitar speakers don't go higher than 5.5 kHz to 6 kHz. He put the same components that he uses in his attenuators which I use as a dummy load now. But I wanted one that handles 4 amps so in the studio I can switch amps easily without using a bunch of cabimets and mics. All I use is one cabinet and see what amps works for the track I'm recording and also quickly reamp different amp quickly. I hope this makes sense the way I explained it!

 

[jlbaxe]

Sounds like the same thing as the Egnater SS4

 

[eljodon]

There's a bunch out there, I only tried several of them. but not the Egnater SS4. The first one that I had was built by Lee Jackson and he later built a 2 channel one.

 

[Anonymous]

The SS4 is stellar. Love mine now that I figured out a ground loop problem that had absolutely nothing to do with the unit itself. It is great having four independently adjustable line outs as well!

Steve

 

[eljodon]

I would like to check out the SS4 and see if I can get more ideas out of it.I use a DI box to get rid of ground loops. I have to think of what features I'll need before the 4 way dummy load get built. I need to think were to do the switching. I can have a rotary switch with the option of a footswitch, or switch the amps with an amp selector. I could have one single output coming out of the unit with a volume for each amp or have individual outputs for each amp. With a single output I would only have to use one eq and one DI box, but with 4 outputs I would need 4 Eqs and 4 DI boxes. Having 4 eq per amp will be expensive but each amp might need a different eq curve. Also I will need 4 separete noise reduction! The prototype sounds great, very transparent so I guess we can move forward and build the 4 way unit.