Draelyc
Member
What can they do? What can they *not* do? Best application(s)? Best brands? Most affordable? &c. 
PurposeToMelody
New member
Draelyc":iciuz636 said:What can they do? What can they *not* do? Best application(s)? Best brands? Most affordable? &c.
They are BEST used to bring your 100w Marshall (or whatever overly huge and loud amp) down to a GIGGABLE volume, whatever idiot says they're good for bedroom use. just no. But they are great for gig if you want that cranked sound.
The Weber MASS stuff is good there is also the THD Hot Plate and the Koch Loadbox
Draelyc
Member
What about for taking an 18 watt amp from gigging volume down to pratice volume? (I think I already know the answer to that...)
PurposeToMelody
New member
Draelyc":kreuajom said:
Bedroom? probably not. it'll be quiet but not THAT quiet. also, you need to remember a HUGE part of that "power tube" break up that you love so much has to do with the speakers breaking up a little also. so it isn't going to be perfect.
Draelyc
Member
PurposeToMelody":3mqz935r said:
Understood.
My situation is a little different, though ~ I'm not using a whole lot of power tube breakup. It's just that the master volume seems to go from zero to LOUD just about instantly. So I'm wondering what I could do just to take that down a notch, gnome sane? I suspect an attenuator probably isn't going to do that for me, but that's where my question was coming from, if that makes sense.
I appreciate the replies & info very much, brutha.
PurposeToMelody
New member
Draelyc":1xpmgy5k said:PurposeToMelody":1xpmgy5k said:
Understood.
My situation is a little different, though ~ I'm not using a whole lot of power tube breakup. It's just that the master volume seems to go from zero to LOUD just about instantly. So I'm wondering what I could do just to take that down a notch, gnome sane? I suspect an attenuator probably isn't going to do that for me, but that's where my question was coming from, if that makes sense.
I appreciate the replies & info very much, brutha.
I know exactly what you're saying
. I think that it would work for what you're thinking. but it's kind of a waste it seems unless you're really looking for the cranked sound at a lower volume.from what I understand you're trying to make the volume a little less sensitive. now, I'm no amp tech and only have a small working knowledge of electronics. but maybe you could replace the MV pot with a higher value one so the sweep is longer? I think that might be a MUCH cheaper alternative and do the same thing. so take it to your tech and see what he says
H
H Golf Sport
Member
I use a hotplate or a swart nitelight with my MV amps for late night low vol playing. Vht deliverance and straub cantus, one or two clicks down on the hotplate helps the MV get just above that area where they jump from nothing to a little too loud. That spot where the amp sounds funny and is super touchy on the volume control. The attenuator gets the amp just above that point yet keeps the vol. at around TV volumes. Works for me anyway. More than 2 clicks and I don't like the sound of the hotplate.
If you have a 20w or less amp check out the swart night light. Huge attenuation at even the first click. I leave it on all the time with my bogner duende even when I don't need it. The way that nightlight is voiced it just sounds better with it on to me. Cool light show also.
Aloha, Rob.
If you have a 20w or less amp check out the swart night light. Huge attenuation at even the first click. I leave it on all the time with my bogner duende even when I don't need it. The way that nightlight is voiced it just sounds better with it on to me. Cool light show also.
Aloha, Rob.
FastRedPonyCar
Active member
if your amp has an fx loop, just buy a passive ernie ball volume pedal jr and be done with it. It works much better than attenuators.
The only caveat to this is if you use an old marshall or something that produces power tube distortion that benefits the tone.
Otherwise, 98% of most amps on the market simply rely on a cranked preamp tube section to get the full smooth tone and the volume pedal in the loop accomplishes this.
The only time my hotplates get used are for recording bass DI through my amps where I just use the HP as a dummy load and send the DI signal to the DAW. The volume pedal produces a cleaner attenuated tone and a MUCH better tone at very very low volumes than an actual attenuator does.
The only caveat to this is if you use an old marshall or something that produces power tube distortion that benefits the tone.
Otherwise, 98% of most amps on the market simply rely on a cranked preamp tube section to get the full smooth tone and the volume pedal in the loop accomplishes this.
The only time my hotplates get used are for recording bass DI through my amps where I just use the HP as a dummy load and send the DI signal to the DAW. The volume pedal produces a cleaner attenuated tone and a MUCH better tone at very very low volumes than an actual attenuator does.
H
H Golf Sport
Member
Draelyc":1n49ccf9 said:
You talking a nmv marshall 18 watter? I don't know if the swart is voiced for that amp but it is designed to do just what your asking. If you can find one nearby give it a try. I love that little swart nightlight.
Aloha, Rob.
Draelyc
Member
Naw, this is a Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr. It's got a master volume, but it's exactly like you described, with that point on the dial where it goes from "off" to "too loud" in an instant.
Based on the Ernie Ball suggestion, I just tried using my clean boost in the loop with the boost engaged but turned way down, and that did seem to do the trick!
But am I gonna end up hurting the amp like that?
Based on the Ernie Ball suggestion, I just tried using my clean boost in the loop with the boost engaged but turned way down, and that did seem to do the trick!
But am I gonna end up hurting the amp like that?
S
sg guy
New member
i have been through a bunch of them..and thelastone i bought (HO UNIT)....after experiencing the same ole, same ole tune suckage,..i said never again,.....but then the new batch of attentuators came out,..with new technology,..
1-aracom 150 pro
2-phaustine phantom
3-alex att.
againts my better judgement,..i bought one of these,..(ARACOM 150),..all i can say is WOW!!!,...it is what i thought an attentuator would be,..before i ever had the mis-pleasure of having one!!!,.....completely transparent with my marshalls..(2203x & 2203x),....it'snot often a piece of gear lives up to the hype,...notonly does the ARACOM unit live up to it,..it surpasses it!!,...with out a doubt,..the best piece of gear i have purchased in over 10 years,...i have never tried the phantom,..but people rave about them as well,...i have tried the alex,..and it was head and shoulders above the HO,..HOTPLATE,..& WEBER MASS I had previously,...but to me and my ears,..the ARACROM 150 was an easy choice,...i have gigged with it since i got it,...actualy it has become as important to my rig as the amps,cabs and guitar,..i never play with out it!
*note* do your research,..there was a huge shit fest over at the GEAR PAGE,..there was one dude (dave c.) who didnt have a good experience with his aracom unit,....he said it made some hissy,...scratchy noises on top of his signal,...i read this forum many times,..checked out all the available info on all 3 units,...and decided to role the dice on the aracom anyway,...(theres a waiting list,..and they go for $650!!!),..figuring i could flip it pretty easy,..and probably make a few bucks as well!,.....well,..i am so happy i ignored dave c.'s posts and got it,...it will never leave my rack!,...
1-aracom 150 pro
2-phaustine phantom
3-alex att.
againts my better judgement,..i bought one of these,..(ARACOM 150),..all i can say is WOW!!!,...it is what i thought an attentuator would be,..before i ever had the mis-pleasure of having one!!!,.....completely transparent with my marshalls..(2203x & 2203x),....it'snot often a piece of gear lives up to the hype,...notonly does the ARACOM unit live up to it,..it surpasses it!!,...with out a doubt,..the best piece of gear i have purchased in over 10 years,...i have never tried the phantom,..but people rave about them as well,...i have tried the alex,..and it was head and shoulders above the HO,..HOTPLATE,..& WEBER MASS I had previously,...but to me and my ears,..the ARACROM 150 was an easy choice,...i have gigged with it since i got it,...actualy it has become as important to my rig as the amps,cabs and guitar,..i never play with out it!
*note* do your research,..there was a huge shit fest over at the GEAR PAGE,..there was one dude (dave c.) who didnt have a good experience with his aracom unit,....he said it made some hissy,...scratchy noises on top of his signal,...i read this forum many times,..checked out all the available info on all 3 units,...and decided to role the dice on the aracom anyway,...(theres a waiting list,..and they go for $650!!!),..figuring i could flip it pretty easy,..and probably make a few bucks as well!,.....well,..i am so happy i ignored dave c.'s posts and got it,...it will never leave my rack!,...
S
sg guy
New member
hmmm,..i just tried to upload a pic of my rack with the aracom in it..twice!!..niether worked,..probablu user error!
S
sg guy
New member
FastRedPonyCar
Active member
Draelyc":nddy01yn said:
not at all.
JTyson
Well-known member
Lots of debate on wether or not you can hurt the amp with one. Not just here, but on other forums as well. The general consensus seems to be find the sweet spot on your amp ( not necessarily dimed) and pull it back to a usable spot without clamping all the way down on it. This should be safe in all situations. I know people who have used them for years with no problems, myself included. I've used a SE100 in my rack for over 20 years without a failure. I usually run mine halfway up when using the att. A lot of them shave a bit of high end off, but you can compensate for it. People are very divided when it comes to high end attenuators. Check the impedance rating of the one your interested in, some of them put a strange load on the amp. Ultimate Attenuators run at 32 ohm fixed load, which I dont care for, but people that have them love them 
Most of the problems associated with them come when you have the amp dimed, and the att volume down to bedroom levels. I know ten people are gonna chime in and say they have been doing that for years with no problems, but nontheless, others will say they did that and lost a tranny in the process I know this was not much help 
Most of the problems associated with them come when you have the amp dimed, and the att volume down to bedroom levels. I know ten people are gonna chime in and say they have been doing that for years with no problems, but nontheless, others will say they did that and lost a tranny in the process I know this was not much help
FastRedPonyCar
Active member
JTyson":1s9i8svn said:Lots of debate on wether or not you can hurt the amp with one. Not just here, but on other forums as well. The general consensus seems to be find the sweet spot on your amp ( not necessarily dimed) and pull it back to a usable spot without clamping all the way down on it. This should be safe in all situations. I know people who have used them for years with no problems, myself included. I've used a SE100 in my rack for over 20 years without a failure. I usually run mine halfway up when using the att. A lot of them shave a bit of high end off, but you can compensate for it. People are very divided when it comes to high end attenuators. Check the impedance rating of the one your interested in, some of them put a strange load on the amp. Ultimate Attenuators run at 32 ohm fixed load, which I dont care for, but people that have them love them
I had an ultimate attenuator that killed 2 carvin V3 amps. Had numerous local amp techs all basically confirmed the same thing. Basically fried the OT. They were still under warranty but when they sent me the 3rd one, they basically said if I used an attenuator with this one (me having not told them I used one) that I would be paying for the repair.
That being said, I think that was only a problem with the UA and not the others like the hotplate, weber, Z, etc.
The UA has a bad reputation among guys who know a lot about amps it seems and they all say don't use them. I should have listened.
Shark Diver
New member
I've used the Faustine Phantom for close to a year on all kinds of amps with no issues what so ever. Dimed amps for gigs just to test it. Really works great. Pete Thorn did a video testing one which really shows how well it works.
M
mesanatic
New member
I use a Hotplate one or two clicks and that will do what you want for sure. My favorite though is my Ho/Ultimate attenuator. No tone suckage here and best, my dynamics are preserved.
I got mine with two attenuator volumes built in. So I set one louder for a lead boost; Or on my Marshall if I turn down my guitar volume for clean I switch to the louder Ultimate volume to compensate, so my clean volume is now the same as my distorted volume. No other attenuator does that. No problems for the last couple years of daily use.
Here's a demo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJmUMshx ... re=related
I got mine with two attenuator volumes built in. So I set one louder for a lead boost; Or on my Marshall if I turn down my guitar volume for clean I switch to the louder Ultimate volume to compensate, so my clean volume is now the same as my distorted volume. No other attenuator does that. No problems for the last couple years of daily use.
Here's a demo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJmUMshx ... re=related
stephen sawall
Well-known member
I use my Hot Plate a lot.
Shark Diver
New member
donbarzini":2vu991yu said:
Haven't had the chance to try the Aracom, but would like to.