what attenuator?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Devilinside
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Devilinside

Devilinside

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Never even used one but was wondering what RT suggests. I don't want to drop an arm and a leg but the Fortin sounds so incredible at higher volumes but by then my ears are bleeding.
 
I got a Ultimate Attenuator from HO in Canada. I've had it for several years and it's worked great. I know there are some newer ones that might be cheaper that are supposed to work well, but I can't remember their names.
 
I recently picked up an 'Alex's Attenuator' and I like it quite a bit! I have THD Hotplates, and the Ultimate Attenuator as well.
 
Underground":2qt7lup6 said:
I recently picked up an 'Alex's Attenuator' and I like it quite a bit! I have THD Hotplates, and the Ultimate Attenuator as well.
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Which one do you favor out of those? Do they really provide the same tone you would get at high volume
 
Devilinside":mwv2r0oa said:
Never even used one but was wondering what RT suggests. I don't want to drop an arm and a leg but the Fortin sounds so incredible at higher volumes but by then my ears are bleeding.
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:lol: :LOL: Cant help you brother other than turn it up and let it breathe :lol: :LOL:
 
Devilinside":nh9o2kd5 said:
Underground":nh9o2kd5 said:
I recently picked up an 'Alex's Attenuator' and I like it quite a bit! I have THD Hotplates, and the Ultimate Attenuator as well.
Click to expand...
Which one do you favor out of those? Do they really provide the same tone you would get at high volume
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I can chime in on the HO. It for sure adds some color. It cuts off a bit of the low end and a bit of high end. With the plexi switch you get the high end back. That's if you just leave your amp setting the same. I just dial in a bit more low end on the amp when I'm using the Ho. I probably would get the Alex, but for live I like having 2 volume levels so my solos are louder - the Ho has that as an option and I haven't seen any other attenuators that do that. That's actually the only reason I got the Ho.
 
That's interesting dstroud, im scared of tone coloration but jason im also scared of going deaf, LOL! My biggest concern is when my band starts recording and not as much live.
 
Devilinside":2pszbui3 said:
That's interesting dstroud, im scared of tone coloration but jason im also scared of going deaf, LOL! My biggest concern is when my band starts recording and not as much live.
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Actually here's some clips I did I just remembered in case it helps. This was my Ceriatone plexi with a tubescreamer...

http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=27153 - amp with no attenuator

http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=26193 - Plexi with the Ho

Amp/pedal/guitar settings are identical on both clips. Listening now there is more of a difference than I thought - but I still think both tones are good and with a little eq adjustment they can sound very similar. The main thing for me also is the feel is the same.
 
Damn, didn't see that must have been working that day. RIVERA looks very interesting and dstroud thanks for the clips im gonna check them out properly when I get home.
 
"Which one do you favor out of those? Do they really provide the same tone you would get at high volume"
Alex's is my most recent purchase and the median priced unit. I really liked dealing with Alex, as he was very helpful and willing to work with me on any customization needs I have. It's a well made unit and to my ears, the most musical of the three. Of course, as your lower the volume, your perception of relative frequency content changes(less sensitive to lower and higher frequencies at lower volumes), so regardless of how transparent the attenuator is, the tone of your amp will be effected. Steps must be taken to offset this and they should be your choice.
 
I've run my Bones through the Aracom, Faustine, and Alex. None sounded as good as just using the master volume on the Bones.
 
TTripp":1xgrwj7w said:
I've run my Bones through the Aracom, Faustine, and Alex. None sounded as good as just using the master volume on the Bones.
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Good point, amps that get their character from the preamp(like my Herbert) really don't benefit from an attenuator. Amps that sound best when driving the power amp tubes hard(my Twin Reverb) are helped.
 
TTripp":3gsjm2tx said:
I've run my Bones through the Aracom, Faustine, and Alex. None sounded as good as just using the master volume on the Bones.
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Yeah that's what im thinking actually! I just got finished playing and I don't, as anal as I am think I would allow myself to hamper the tone in any way coming from that beast! I will just keep grabbing for some earplugs when Im at close proximity to the cab
 
I don't trust Rivera at all anymore after their Silent Sister debacle!
 
Devilinside
Post subject: Re: what attenuator?

That's interesting dstroud, im scared of tone coloration but jason im also scared of going deaf, LOL! My biggest concern is when my band starts recording and not as much live.
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Thats an interesting statement. I would think it would be the other way around? How are you recording? Are you limited for space? Personally, I crank the shit out of my amp when I record. Of course , you have to isolate the speaker cab in some fashion, but thats generally , a fairly simple thing to do in a number of ways. Then you monitor your sound through a headphone amplifier....your done. Live is a whole other ball game.
 
I wouldn't trust the Rivera simply because he gets basic facts wrong. There are several attenuators with variable ohm switches. How much "research" could he have done?
 
Gooseman":21g28mzc said:
I don't trust Rivera at all anymore after their Silent Sister debacle!
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I always wanted one of those.


what's wrong with it?
 
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