May I Have Your Attenuation Please

[crestwood1972]

I live in an apartment. I want to enjoy the benefits of playing great amps without compromising on sound quality by trying to keep the volume at an appropriate level.

How effective would an attenuator be on a RK II? a MK IV?

I hear that some are not so good (affect tone) like Marshall. I hear HotPlate is good. Others?

The main question is, can I achieve tube saturation and draw out the full tonal capability of the amp and still keep volume at a reasonable level by using an attenuator? Just how effective are they?

Assume running these amps at a 50 watt power setting and using a 1x12 cab.

Thanks!

 

[JPIndustrie]

All attenuators will affect the tone. Any amp not operating at full capacity will not give you the tone from full capacity.

That being said, it's a good tradeoff, if you MUST use your amp at bedroom levels. I'd recommend the THD hotplate.

 

[cvansickle]

I would not recommend a Mesa or a Marshall if you are living in an apartment. You can attenuate down to safe levels, but you'll hate the sound.

 

[Joel]

It may not be enough attenuation. I lived in one apartment where the sound of my modeling preamp coming through the little computer speakers was too much for the apartment manager living downstairs. However, if your neighbors are cool, the hot plate may be alright, but it's still a compromise. Nothing is the same as being able to turn up.

 

[Cleekster]

Once you hit about -8 you'll start degrading your tone......if you only need "breakup"....that is the volume of about 11:00 or less it could work for you....MAYBE but you won't get it down to ultra low volumes without turning the amp itself down in my opinion.

 

[crestwood1972]

Great feedback guys, thanks.

I guess the key is dropping the power output then. I wonder if using a Mesa 20/20 paired with a Triaxis or Studio preamp would do the trick.

Then attenuate as required.

What do you think? Best of both worlds?

Or is there a more effective solution?

The goal is best tone at quietest level. Cleans and lead. I'll sacrifice heavy gain rhythm for the time being if necessary.

 

[Russ]

An 18 watt amp is even loud. You might go check out the new Express. You can take that down to 5 watts. 5 watts is still more than enough for apartment jamming. Then you just switch it over to 25 or 50 watts (whichever you bought) and it is gig ready. It is tube tone too. You'll be surprised how loud 5 watts is. Something to consider when you try it out at your guitar shop is that in your apartment it will be even louder because typically rooms in apartments are smaller than guitar shops.

If you want smaller than Mesa's Express, you could try the Zvex nano. That is 1 watt I think (might be 1/2 a watt). That little bugger screams and it is the size of an effects pedal. It is light like one too.

 

[crestwood1972]

I'll check it out Russ thanks.

Ever hear of the Emery Sound Superbaby?

If not, check out the .mp3 clips on their site. The clean is especially nice. 6 - 12 watts I believe.

 

[jbird]

I've been relegated to condo dwelling for the past 10 years or so, and it has never dictated which amp I've wanted! What's important is an amp with a useable master volume! Which, IMHO, Mesa's are more than capable! And with a few 50 watters, and some 100 watters switchable to 50, you have many options! Then, you just wait till all the neighbors are gone, and re-arrange all the pictures on their walls! :twisted:

 

[crestwood1972]

Well the issue remains jbird, you have to push the tubes to get great tone and at even 50 watts that's a whole lot of sound coming out of your speakers.

Like the man said, even 5 watts can be too loud.

If Mesa engineered a 5 watt amp that could deliver Express 5:50 cleans, Mark IIC+ leads, and Road King II chunk, hell, it would be easier than printing the money.

I mean do you know that every wife of every guitar player would GLADLY pony up $1000 for a peaceful night at home watching TV while hubby is in the other room doing his thing (I mean playing guitar, what did you think I meant?)!

Mesa would sell a gazillion of 'em.

 

[Charlie]

I have a 1 watt all-tube amp and even that thing is too loud for most apartment situations. I can get away with cranking it up during the day on the weekend but that's about it. If I want to use it at night I still need to attenuate it (keep in mind it doesn't have a master volume).

I use a THD hotplate with all of my amps so I can use them at home. It's a compromise but for me it's worth it. And everybody can roll their eyes at me if they want but I think the Line6 stuff is great for home practice w/headphones.

 

[crestwood1972]

I have a Pod XT Charlie and I can get a great Mesa clean tone but I have so far been unable to dial in a decent lead sound. The Pod XT's distortion effects suck. Their very harsh. I'm looking for that warm, smooth Mark IIC+ lead tone. If I could get that on my Pod XT, then no worries.

 

[jbird]

What about a speaker sim. w/headphone out?

 

[domct203]

Best $170 I spent for home pratice at night.

Don't laugh..............

Behringer V-Amp Pro (rackmount). The Modern High Gain setting is supposed to be modeled after a SLO but to me it sounds more like a Recto :shock: :lol:

That thing through some good headphones sounds huge. More effects than I need for praticing, and MIDI controllable. There is free editing software so it's alot of fun hooked up to the PC, and it doesn't sound all that bad through a SS power amp into a 4X12 either. I use it for scratch tracking as well.

Did I mention it's half the $ of any "name brand" competition?

But, there is absolutly no substitute for my Roadster !!

Dom

 

[Russ]

Have you thought about using a computer? They have some nice virtual rigs now. You could use that anytime with headphones or even through a nice speaker set.

 

[CoG]

re: 20/20

Still way too loud for an apartment. Each channel is, like, the loudest 20 watts ever made.

For strictly bedroom, +1 on software if you have the computer setup for it. Amplitube 2 is loads of fun; I find GuitarRig to sound a little too processed, it already sounds like it's been turned into an MP3. If you don't already have an I/O device or good soundcard, good headphones, and a decent computer, a used amp is probably cheaper.

Check out the "Ultimate Practice Amp" thread, too. Don't knock Marshall Valvestate stuff, it's no Holy Grail of Tone but used VS amps are cheap and sound decent at really low volume.

 

[crestwood1972]

all good suggestions. thanks!

 

[Joel]

Best $170 I spent for home pratice at night.

Don't laugh..............

Behringer V-Amp Pro (rackmount). The Modern High Gain setting is supposed to be modeled after a SLO but to me it sounds more like a Recto :shock: :lol:

That thing through some good headphones sounds huge. More effects than I need for praticing, and MIDI controllable. There is free editing software so it's alot of fun hooked up to the PC, and it doesn't sound all that bad through a SS power amp into a 4X12 either. I use it for scratch tracking as well.

Did I mention it's half the $ of any "name brand" competition?

But, there is absolutly no substitute for my Roadster !!

Dom

Yep, that's the modeling pre I was referring to. I also really, really like the Jose Arrendando modded marshall model. I have found that with any of the gainier presets, I attenuate the bass and gain controls slightly and let it rip. As an aside, it's pretty comical how many of the Line 6 guys try to slander the Vamp, as if they're comparing it to a boutique tube amp.

 

[caddie]

I live in an apartment. I want to enjoy the benefits of playing great amps without compromising on sound quality by trying to keep the volume at an appropriate level.

How effective would an attenuator be on a RK II? a MK IV?

I hear that some are not so good (affect tone) like Marshall. I hear HotPlate is good. Others?

The main question is, can I achieve tube saturation and draw out the full tonal capability of the amp and still keep volume at a reasonable level by using an attenuator? Just how effective are they?

Assume running these amps at a 50 watt power setting and using a 1x12 cab.

Thanks!

Seriously, it depends on the thickness of your walls and your neighbor's taste in music. There are neighbors that will complain that your headphones are too loud. :roll:
The Caddie

The Caddie

 

[Russ]

I had an apartment once that I couldn't even play acoustic in. That sucked.