DR Z Airbrake

saborthw · Post by **saborthw** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:53 pm

I may have to purchase an attenuator UA or MASS in the not so distant future and Crank My stiletto up to see what happens. I also need a direct recording solution for this amp as well, Now use a Neumann TLM 193 or TLM 103 condenser mic to record, and risking that telephone ringing or the wife or daughter smashing aroung the house that can really blow a great take.

the only problem is I want to focus my funds towards an amp kit
and then play with a attenuator its easier to justiy to the wife " this thing is too dam loud I need one of those attenuator things" women can't live with em cant .... well you know the rest

Regards

Scott

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:20 am

If your thinking about direct recording that mother load thing does look great for that. Its a load-to-line-out-to-speaker-simulator in one and listening to the recordings done its pretty impressive. The only problem is its like $800

The only alternative is an attenuator with a line out you can use a direct box/speaker sim on. Theyre usually in the $100 range.

saborthw · Post by **saborthw** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:45 pm

Because of all the great ideas posted on this thred Im sure that I will be able to find something that will work thanks, Dan & SB Monster for the different possibilities... whent I am ready to purchase my attenuator / and or Direct recording solution I will refer back to this thread.

Thanks for all your input,

Scott

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:12 pm

So much to buy, so little cash...

saborthw · Post by **saborthw** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:37 pm

You have that problem too ?

bluefuzzguitar · Post by **bluefuzzguitar** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:41 pm

[quote="Billy Batz"]I have a clear simple load with a line out that I run to a SS poweramp which is what the UA is all in one package. Its about the best low volume cranked sound youll get. A normal attenuator cant touch it. Though I had reservations about how it sounds at stage volumes. It seems from these guys it is a real concern. SS amps sound flat at loud volumes but I dont know that it cant sound good.[/quote]

Dan,

That's not what I said. My point was that the SUA actually does sound great at extremely low volumes (even with pedals, I might add!) but anything under 11 o'clock volume-wise sounds like ass on stage because the speakers aren't pushed enough for the amp to hold its own in a band setting. Which is not to say that with the volume anywhere past 11 o'clock the SUA sounds like ass too. It doesn't, it sounds great, especially with the plexi switch. The SS amp makes it sound slightly cleaner than the bypassed signal but that could also be down to the speakers being pushed significantly less when the amp is attenuated. Either way, the SUA is THE most transparent, natural-sounding attenuator I have ever come across and, as I said, I haven't looked back since. In summary, yes the SUA sounds great at low volumes, but only at home in a stand-alone situation, and yes, it sounds great at manageable stage volumes too.

Mike

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 7:23 pm

Ohhhhhh. OK. Well that certainly does show it in a better light.

texwest · Post by **texwest** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 2:12 pm

Hey Sabor

I have an Airbrake and I love it. But it isn't so good at the "bedroom levels" It has two knobs. One is named "attenuator" the other is "bedroom level" The attenuator control clicks into 6 different positions. 0 is full on. Then there are 1-4 levels of attenuation and an extra click takes you to a setting that says bedroom. The Bedroom control is like a rheostat that lowers the signal even more when the attenuator knob is on Bedroom. The "bedroom" knob goes from max to min. Min is actually louder because it means minimum attenuation. The thing sounds great with my 100 and 50 watt marshalls or my old fenders. But with one caveate. Once you start attenuating more with the bedroom rheostat it doesn't sound nearly as good. Its incredibly transparent on all the clicks of the attenuator knob as long as you stick with "min" on the bedroom knob. I don't like the way it sounds when I start using the bedroom knob. Unfortunately even with a cranked 50 watt marshall, attenuation with the bedroom knob maxed is still not a Bedroom level of volume.

So, its great for stage use and I bought it because I can use it with any amp and since I'm running a Super Reverb at 2 ohms, a twin at 4 ohms, a deluxe at 8 ohms and a marshall at 16, its a great tool and sounds great when you don't use the bedroom knob. By the way putting the attenuation knob on "bedroom" with the "bedroom" knob on the least amount of attenuation still sounds great. Its still loud.

I'm very interested in this thread because my ears are suffering. I have a hearing loss. I have trouble understanding people in restaurants where there is background noise. As I understand this is the first sign of a problem. I have two different tinnitis pitches in my left ear, one low and one high, and one high tone in my right ear. I'm 40 and am a little worried about this. I'm very interested in how to get a great tone at very reasonable volumes. Its a bummer because I love the sound and feel of a 100 marshall. Nothing like it really. But I think Ive decided I need to find a new and more reasonable great tone.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:37 pm

sub · Post by **sub** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 6:26 pm

I don't know what the problem with Powerbrake..
My PB works fine! Everybody trashed the PB but i love it.
In 70% i using this on bedroom level -> sound raspy? maybe a little bit
I think perfect attenuator don't exist
Why should to compensate bass, bright...etc (what does other attenuator)
less loudness = less bass....etc. i think it's all right! If i turn down my hi-fi i don't compensate tone
Of course it's always a compromise using attenuator

Sub

saborthw · Post by **saborthw** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:58 am

Texwest,

Ever since My buddy got a 1959HW I had to have a plexi, This is the sound I never knew was on every record I that I really love.
this thread really has helped me to understand all the options that are available to me in attenuators, once I take the plunge into non master volume amps. of course it will be one of Georges Kits. I already got my SOZO caps. If you are going to leave non master volume amps check out the MESA Stiletto not the usual MESA recto crap, this amp was made for rock not metal, all EL 34 mine has 6 of em, both tube and diode rectifiers(switchable) and a built in variac switch, this is a master volume amp it sounds amazing it can come really close to a plexi sound but lacks a little of the bite of a Marshall. I got rid of a TSL to get this amp and I will never look back this amp is great. the Plexi kit I get from George will be an addition to my MESA rig. Personally I am leaning toward a super UA or a Motherload speaker emulator (I also need a direct recording solution.) I couldnt be more impressed with the great suggestions that the guys on this forum have provided.

Scott

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 7:17 am

thats funny sabor the way your like 'I already have the sozos.'

Its like '$20 down. Only a $1000 more to go.'

bluefuzzguitar · Post by **bluefuzzguitar** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 9:47 am

Scott, the SUA absolutely ROCKS, I can well recommend it although it does hurt your wallet. I recommend you choose the plexi switch option as well if you decide to go for the SUA.

Paul, I think I understand what you're saying about the plexi switch's shrillness. I tried going just into just the high treble channel with the SUA's plexi switch on and it's waaaaaaayyy too trebly then. I also tried both channels using a stereo pedal. Again, too much treble with the switch on. I then went back to my old setup of jumpering the channels the old-fashioned way, i.e. plugging into the upper input of the treble channel and then going from the treble channel's lower input into the upper input of the normal channel using a small patch cable. With the plexi switch on it sounds perfect! The experiment also taught me that although you get slightly more compression using a patch cable to daisychain the two channels it gives you warmth back and just the right balance between lows and highs. So much warmth, in fact, that the plexi switch is almost a necessity to bring back some high-end definition lost in the attenuation process. This, of course, is no problem when going full blast but then the amp is louder than shit

.

I also experimented with a 5751 in V1 instead of a 12AX7/ECC83. I find I prefer the 5751. As I play very hard, my strategy has been the less pickup output the better and I could even do with slightly less preamp input. That way the amp sounds warmer, more open and more defined. So with the two channels using a short cable, a 5751 in first position and the SUA's plexi switch on I'm a happy camper!

Mike

saborthw · Post by **saborthw** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:53 pm

Dan, a little bit at a time

I am still trying to decide what year circuit to make

Scott