That Pedal Show – Introduction To Guitar Amp Attenuators

Life too short for long YouTube videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.

In this episode we venture tentatively onto the thin ice of attenuators for guitar amps. It is a contentious subject, so here we are simply discussing the common approaches as an introduction to the concept.
THIS VIDEO IS NOT ABOUT IRs AND DIRECT SIGNALS. It’s simply about making your really loud amp a bit quieter through your cabinet/speakers.

We discuss the concepts of active and passive attenuation, reactive and non-reactive loads, resistive power soaks and voltage attenuation. We’re not particularly scientific about any of the technical stuff, so if you want to understand the physics, please hit up any number of websites, not least Wikipedia. Many of those pages will go into massive technical detail and you won't hear a single guitar tone. We're trying to do the opposite.

“But why didn’t you include //insert every attenuator ever available here// because I think it sounds much better.”
Good for you. Please make a video about it and educate us with sound.

• An explanation about the mic preamp volume changes you’re hearing in this video…
A sound needs to be at a certain level in your ears for you to hear it, enjoy it, and sound ‘good’ for want of a better word. That’s why mic preamps exist: to bring the level of the source to an appropriate level.
For example, a Marshall Plexi may be putting out 118dB (as a random number). Then you stick a mic in front of that, and set your mic gain accordingly.
Now turn the amp (or attenuate it) down to, say, 95dB, and you will perceive the sound to be weak, thin and quiet if the mic gain remains the same. Increase the mic gain, and it gets louder, fatter and fuller in the recording. With apologies for the technically basic explanation, that’s what Mick is doing in this video. As the amps get quieter and louder from the speaker, Mick is turning the mic preamp gain up and down accordingly to try to level out what the recorder is seeing in terms of input level.
To balance that, there is a visual guide to the volume in the room with the dB meter on the pedalboard. It’s not accurate - this isn’t science, but it’s at least a guide.

Enjoy the video!

Attenuation devices used today…

• Palmer PDI06 - Please check you ave the correct impedance model

• Fryette Power Station

• Lazy J20

• Victory Sheriff 22

Pedals in this episode…

• TheGigRig QuarterMaster QMX4

• JAM Pedals Delay Fuzz Phrase

• Keeley D&M Drive

• Hudson Broadcast Dual Footswitch

• Boss MD-500

• TC Electronic PolyTune Mini - No longer made, link to latest version

• Kingsley Page DS

• Free The Tone Flight Time

Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Introduction & background: 00:00
- What’s that click? 2:00
- What are we doing today? 2:40
- Palmer PDI06 MkII and brief info on a passive, resistive loads: 4:50
- Fryette Power Station and brief info on active/reactive loads: 8:30
- Power scaling? 11:20
- A summary so far: 13:00
- Our 50-watt Marshall 1987x: 13:40
- Palmer PDI06 sounds and functions: 17:45
- Reactions so far? 21:45
- Fryette Power Station sounds and functions: 24:03
- What is Mick doing with the mic preamp gain? 29:00
- The Fryette’s FX loop: 30:40
- …and with a Kingsley Page DS in the loop? 32:20
- Lazy J20 Attenuation: 38:50
- Attenuation? All you’re doing is playing really loud: 50:00
- Victory Sheriff 22 and 0.3 watts: 52:00 (54:15)
- Round up and closing thoughts: 58:20

Guitars in this episode

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[cnelsonmusic]

I worked in a music shop for 5-6 years, while going to college for music and teaching way more guitar lessons a week than I probably should have. On top of that, I got into a band that, for a few years, played around 10+ gigs a month, (plus all rehearsals, recording, etc), and I eventually got so burned out that I quite everything, got a normal job and sold quite a bit of my gear to help support the family that my wife and I made. A few years on now, That Pedal Show has completely revitalized my obsession and love with music and gear, and brought all the wonderful things about guitar and playing music back...thanks guys! Can't get enough of it!

[dv]

I've learned more in the past 2 weeks of watching TPS episodes then in 21 years of playing, reading, googling and figuring things out. This show is hands down the best information on electric guitar rigs ever. Period. Thank you and please don't stop doing what you do!

[hammyjammies]

Before I watch the video, I have a potentially fun idea for a video similar to the impractical board vs practical one: lots of knobs vs not very many. Basically pedals with the most fiddling options, against no knob, single knob etc,

[JackstandJohnny]

THANK YOU I am one of if not the only guy who kept bugging yall to make a video about this. I love you both, a massive thank you from Virginia,

[stringjoe]

I took a 4.5 year break from playing while I was at school. I made a New Year's Resolution (ya, I'm 1 of those people :P) to really get back at it. Watching you guys the past 10 months or so has helped jump-start my return to guitar! Pedals, tone, tricks, interviews with pros, etc. I've learned more the past year than I even knew was out there. Just wanted to let you guys know that I personally love the channel, and this has officially become part of my weekly Friday morning routine! Happy playing and as you gents across the Atlantic say...cheers!

[whiskersb]

What you mentioned around 8:54, about perceived differences in eq is so interesting and so important. Today I mentioned to my wife I was going to buy some musician's earplugs to use while playing at home. She asked why don't I just play softer. I tried to explain that it just wouldn't be the same. And here there's a scientific term for it.

[davidwoods]

Another great video...but while a Sheriff 22 is the sensible choice, rock should never be sensible. I'm at that age where soon enough some nurse in a 'home' is going to be telling me it's time for my pills. My hearing is shot from doing sensible things, like earning a living for 40 years. I've never had the pleasure of owning a big Marshall stack, but by God I'm going to have one, and damn the attenuation. I want my internal organs shaking, the windows cracking, and the neighbours pounding (fruitlessly) on my door. The music that was born the same year I was shall not be compromised. I WILL NOT GO QUIETLY!

[OriginEffectsUK]

Inspiring tone in the intro, Mick. And of course superb playing!

[idonotexist]

That first 14 minutes taught me many things. 1. After playing for a week Mick is especially rippin. 2. Dan is wonderfully knowledgeable about sound and amplification. Thanks!

[jake-jkrg]

I know this isn’t TPS’s reason for being but it’s good that you guys are addressing this in some form, thanks.
Not everybody is a gigging guitarist playing flat out on stage. I think there are many low volume, home players that need help and advice.
Not sure if starting loud and turning down is the best way to test this ? In my experience if you start low and get a good sound at a certain db level the perception is much better than going high to low.
If you go from low to high the louder output often sounds compromised IMO which probably shows that your ears will attune to the starting point and any change isn’t perceived particularly well unless you have a long time to adjust to it.
The speakers can also make a difference, (type, output and configuration), I get great results with a 0.5 power scaled Laney head (at around 80-85db) through a 2 x 12 cab with 1 x Celestion Type’ V’ 1 x Type’ A’ (I’d love to demonstrate this to the world but don’t have any recording equipment !).
Manufacturers seem to match low power ‘practise’ amps with single 8 or 10 inch speakers when the breadth and depth afforded by a 2 x 12 produces such a positive effect the volume becomes less of an issue.
There’s also no guarantee that a rig tailored for low volume will work as well at full tilt !
Apologies for the long (and a bit off topic post !)

[trickyrjb]

There are other videos on this subject, but I just trust you guys. Your pedal recording setups plus playing styles and opinions make you the go to place for everything pedal/amp/guitar, so many thanks!

[GuitarsAndSynths]

The best explanation I have ever heard about how attenuators work with amps. Great channel guys! Love it. Probably my favorite guitar gear channel online.

[JwMcLaughlin]

I know i am going to learn something when Dan says "so what happens

[leifmorrismusic]

you guys are currently my morning start to the day routine, geeking out, making my rig, learning sounds..thanks fellas!

[bradallen]

Yet another stellar video. Just keeps getting better. Dan, don't forget us on the G2/pedal switch vid. And thank you for your response to my last comment on it. It truly is IMO a needed video and no one (in their right mind) could possibly accuse anyone of grandstanding. I'm sure I'm not the first to ask and it's been a couple of years now since the show started. You'e had TC, JHS, Kingsley and others on. Time for some G2!! (and others if you must)

[rugbynut]

Another great video guys!! And I'm so glad it steered towards just rolling off that top 30% as opposed to squashing a loud amp for bedroom use. My main amp at the moment is a DIY Tweed Champ-esque amp, single-knob, running at about 15w with a 6L6WGC-STR in the output. I since installed a VCB (VVC) into it for the sole purpose of having the ability to roll that top 30% off live without affecting the gain in pre & post-amp sections (much) - keeping both the sound guy and myself happy!

P.S. - your playing is on FIRE!!

[ericventers]

I see a new coffee mug: That Pedal Show - "Be the man you were meant to be."

[Jmyers]

After a late night visit from my neighbor asking me to turn down my amp...which was literally at room volume...I purchased a Rivera Rockcrusher Recorder for "bedroom" volume from my Mesa MV paired with an AC 30 and sometime the Rivera 100. I liked the idea of working with my gigging rig to practice what I specifically want on stage (thanks for the idea from your previous vid).
I was skeptical about tone but the Rockcrusher shines with its graphic EQ and multi switches. I like it so much I now gig with it as a part of my rig to brush some of the harsh from a cranked amp in some room applications.
Thanks guys for the quality info you deliver week in and week out! I'm a better player because of you!

[musicbox]

"I want to grow a mustache, buy a mustang, and be the man I was meant to be"

[imcttunome]

Love your channel, guys. I use an old Tom Schulz Power Soak that I bought a few years ago. The seller "interviewed" potential buyers. I didn't know that until he told me it was mine. He was so attached to it since '79, and wanted to be sure I wouldn't flip it next day.

I find that even an 18 watt TMB Marshall clone/head into 1960A needs attenuation sometimes. I had made an attenuator from a RadioShack in-wall volume control. Good up to 20 watts and 8 ohm impedance. Keep up the good work. I love it when you two go into the weeds and try to get back!