Attenuators: What's the Point?

This is a non-technical look at what an attenuator does and how you can use one to get a cranked up amp tone but not blow up your eardrums.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• GuitarGear
• attenuators
• Aracom
• Power Rox
• PRX150-Pro

[Brandovibe]

Does the attenuator also help with sustain at low volumes or just tone? Thanks :)

[GoofyDawg]

@Brandovibe No. But that particular attenuator, the Aracom PRX150-Pro retains whatever dynamics you already have, whatever the volume. For instance, I play my 40 Watt DV Mark Little 40 through the attenuator. When I crank that amp up, it sustains nicely, and that is retained, all the way down to bedroom levels. It's a great investment, and allows me to play even higher wattage amps in any setting.

[MiniMousePoo2]

Does this wear your valves quicker? as they are actually cranked

[GoofyDawg]

@MiniMousePoo2 Conceivably, yes. But it's not as if you'd be playing with the amp always fully cranked. I've been playing with the same power tubes in that amp for almost three years now, and I even had them biased pretty hot, and haven't had them wear out. Granted, they're NOS 1959 6V6's so their reliability is very good. Plus, with the Aracom unit's impedance matching, the amp isn't being hit with an impedance load and that could help in saving the tubes as well.

[clintpoonae]

would a powered or non powered mixer between the head and cabinet work to control the high volume?

[GoofyDawg]

@clintpoonae If you can match impedances, then it might, but I'd be worried about the mixer handling the power.

[dancingdays88]

I like it how at 0:33 you can hear the guy whisper "hey, say thank you"

[pleximanic]

I also have a PRX150-pro but i kicked out the bitch anyway!!

[clintpoonae]

@GoofyDawg maybe a non powered mixer to handle the power?

[OzziePete1]

Thank you for the demo it does show the way the attenuators work. A couple of things tho: 1) There is a 3rd component to the total sound of a cranked amp - the speakers. So when you engage an attenuator you are lightening the load to the speaker and it won't react the same way as when it sees the full load, at full volume. 2) There is a view too that attenuators aid wear in the power tubes and other components within the amp - Weber has a good info page on their Website about the issues.

[warriorxtman]

your tone is crap, sorry

[rw5791]

a 15 watt amp requires only an attenuator but the 50 watters sound best with an attenuator AND a master volume.