Attenuators

devouredelysium · 01-10-2008, 12:17 AM

Well, I'd like to know how this things really work. How much can they reduce the incoming potency? To what specification should I look to know this?

I'd like to know particulary for this one:
JAMS Audio - Nashville, TN

Thanks

Metal Ken · 01-10-2008, 12:22 AM

Well, i don't know about the specific model, but basically, a attenuator provides a load for the amp so it doesnt damage the amp, and you can then adjust the ammount of volume that actually travels to teh speaker.

Many are solid state, but some, like a weber mass use an actual speaker motor to bleed off excess energy.

Cool name, btw \m/

devouredelysium · 01-10-2008, 12:30 AM

hmm but i'd like to know for that model(for example) if it would reduce the volume that's coming for example from a 100W head into for example 15W cab.

Metal Ken · 01-10-2008, 12:35 AM

It should, if its rated for it. it says it supports up to 120 watts, 8ohm. So if you plug your head's 8 ohm output in there, it should be able to quiet it up sufficiently.

devouredelysium · 01-10-2008, 12:50 AM

so it all depends just in the ohms? not in the watts?

do attenuators while reducing the volume change the sound?

noodles · 01-10-2008, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devouredelysium

hmm but i'd like to know for that model(for example) if it would reduce the volume that's coming for example from a 100W head into for example 15W cab.

That's not exactly how speakers work. Just because a cab is rated for less wattage, doesn't mean it will produce a proportionately lower amount of volume. In actuality, some speakers rated for higher wattage actually put out less volume than some lower wattage speakers!

What you're looking for is a reduction in volume, expressed as decibels. I use a THD Hot Plate, which has settings for -2, -4, -8, -16, and -16 to infinite decibel attenuation levels.

So, to modify your example, you're looking for the amount of attenuation required to reduce the output of a 100w amp to that of a 15w amp, assuming the same cab is used for both amps.

So, I found this on

Amplifiers - Power & Volume

It appears that you require around -8db of attenuation. You'd also be surprised at just how loud a 15w amp can get! You actually need to jump to the -16db setting to seriously crank the amp at bedroom volume.

devouredelysium · 01-10-2008, 01:18 AM

thanks!!!

so does that mean that that attenuator from the link that says:
"Level unbalanced OdBu, balanced-10dBu at 25W input"

can only do attenuations up to -10db? Or they can do it up to infinite, meaning to 0W, but not just as good?

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01-10-2008, 12:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
devouredelysium ss.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: lisboa Posts: 19 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Attenuators Well, I'd like to know how this things really work. How much can they reduce the incoming potency? To what specification should I look to know this? I'd like to know particulary for this one: JAMS Audio - Nashville, TN Thanks

01-10-2008, 12:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Metal Ken Sanctity In Blasphemous Ruin • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 22,505 Real Name: Legion Main Seven: Loomis, C7HR, Giannini 7 Rig: Mesa Rectoverb 50 Thanked: 83	Well, i don't know about the specific model, but basically, a attenuator provides a load for the amp so it doesnt damage the amp, and you can then adjust the ammount of volume that actually travels to teh speaker. Many are solid state, but some, like a weber mass use an actual speaker motor to bleed off excess energy. Cool name, btw \m/ Glory and praise to Thee, Satan, on high, Where Thou didst reign, in Hell where Thou dost lie, Vanquished, silent, dreaming eternally. Grant that my soul some day rest close to Thee Under the Tree of Knowledge which shall spread Its branches like a Temple overhead. ~Charles Baudelaire http://www.myspace.com/impurity Brutal Skullfucking Death Metal

01-10-2008, 12:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
devouredelysium ss.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: lisboa Posts: 19 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	so it all depends just in the ohms? not in the watts? do attenuators while reducing the volume change the sound? Last edited by devouredelysium; 01-10-2008 at 12:54 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

01-10-2008, 01:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
devouredelysium ss.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: lisboa Posts: 19 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	thanks!!! so does that mean that that attenuator from the link that says: "Level unbalanced OdBu, balanced-10dBu at 25W input" can only do attenuations up to -10db? Or they can do it up to infinite, meaning to 0W, but not just as good? Last edited by devouredelysium; 01-10-2008 at 01:29 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

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01-10-2008, 12:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
devouredelysium ss.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: lisboa Posts: 19 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	hmm but i'd like to know for that model(for example) if it would reduce the volume that's coming for example from a 100W head into for example 15W cab.

01-10-2008, 12:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Metal Ken Sanctity In Blasphemous Ruin • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 22,505 Real Name: Legion Main Seven: Loomis, C7HR, Giannini 7 Rig: Mesa Rectoverb 50 Thanked: 83	It should, if its rated for it. it says it supports up to 120 watts, 8ohm. So if you plug your head's 8 ohm output in there, it should be able to quiet it up sufficiently.

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Attenuators