Weber MASS

[rgalpin]

I am looking into getting a Weber MiniMASS to use as a dummy load for my jcm 800 2204 (50W) rig. Anyone out there have experience they can share about the Weber MASS product?

I am currently using a combination of an H&K RedBox Pro and a Marshall PowerBrake - but I am thinking I would like to consolidate the 2 by going with the Weber MASS.

Two specific questions:

1. There is a mention of "treble compensation" on their product. What does this mean? I want to have the raw tap without any "help" from a modeling / coloring device. That said, there is a need to chill out the highs on a tap like that - so it would be nice if the treble compensation were adjustable. Is it?

2. The attenuator can be turned on FULL and then there is no need to include a dummy speaker cab to create any load - correct? Anyone tried this? Anyone blown anything up trying this? I need this to act as a load on a fully cranked jcm 800 for a 90+ minute set - don't want to blow anything.

Thanks!

[Flames1950]

I've used my full-size MASS'es as a load to bias with, and as a parallel load to a cabinet with no problem (meaning set the head to eight ohms, and plug a 16-ohm cab in one speaker jack and a 16-ohm MASS into the other.)
I'm not terribly familiar with the mini version. My full size MASS's have complete controls for the DI -- volume, treble, middle, bass. You can get a treble boost option I believe as well (I think one of mine has that.)
I go with the 100watt MASS'es on 50 watt Marshalls for a little safety margin, some people say that Marshalls can cook an equally-rated MASS so going upwards in power rating is a good precaution.

[Billy Batz]

1. There is a mention of "treble compensation" on their product. What does this mean? I want to have the raw tap without any "help" from a modeling / coloring device. That said, there is a need to chill out the highs on a tap like that - so it would be nice if the treble compensation were adjustable. Is it?

The treble comp is something that the THD unit has too and its there for psycho-acoustic perception. In all these different forums including webers forums Ive never heard anyone say their MASS blew up or blew their amp up. In other words even if the amp stayed 100% clear and sounded the same at the lower volume as it did cranked you still percieve different frequncies as louder and softer at certain volumes relative to each other. Its a human quality so the treble boost is on there. It may also be usefull to add some highs when running it as a load box since the load-slave amp setup does somewhat darken the tone a bit. Not an all together bad thing for most marshalls.

2. The attenuator can be turned on FULL and then there is no need to include a dummy speaker cab to create any load - correct?

Yes. Thats more or less how I always use mine.

Anyone tried this? Anyone blown anything up trying this? I need this to act as a load on a fully cranked jcm 800 for a 90+ minute set - don't want to blow anything.

I think the instances of amps or MASSs blowing up is very inflated by internet experts and talk. Mine has always been just fine with all my amps. Even so were talking about amps that in reality put out closer to 150W then 100W. So weber can basically fault Marshall for giving false specs when we all know theyre false and if anything gets damaged its on you. So if your feeling nervous Id go with Webers 150W MASS. Ive been interested to get that MASS because it has a seperate attenuator for the high frequencies and low frequencies. Im curious what thats about.

[Flames1950]

I meant to check Weber's site because I thought he'd started making higher power MASS units. Is 150 watts as high as they go or do they have a 200?

[Billy Batz]

I only see the 150W as of today. I thought he had 200s before?

[rgalpin]

Looking at the site - I get the feeling that the EQ control is for the attenuated signal going to the speaker. ?? I don't need that. I want to get some EQ control on the tap - but I want to be able to bypass it if I don't like what their EQ is doing.

[Billy Batz]

I wouldnt worry about the EQ on the Line Out. The treble boost is just on the attenuated signal if Im not mistaken. Mine was before this standard MASS when you got a plain MASS and ordered everything else as an option for extra $$$. I guess its nice to have a little treble boost and I bet if you email Weber he'll price a 150 watter with a bypassable DI tone stack if you want one. I never felt that much need for one and my MASS does have one.

[Trem Abuser]

Maybe out of place on a MASS discussion, but my hotplate also has a switch to increase bass and treble. This is more important at lower volumes, as Dan was discussing, as it has to do with how the human ear "hears" the sound. (If I have this straight) The louder the sound, the more the human ear suppresses the midrange tones. Thus the exact same frequency sound, heard at a lower volume, would have more midrange to human ears. Therefore part of the "cranked" sound would have less midrange, so these guys wisely put these switches on the attenuators to compensate for that.

Gotta wonder what that treble switch does to dog ears?

[Eoin]

(If I have this straight) The louder the sound, the more the human ear suppresses the midrange tones.

Actually, it's kind of the opposite. The lower the volume the more your ear accentuates the midrange (centred around 4-6k). As the volume increases, the perceived frequency response tends towards linearity.

It's worth noting that the effect is entirely psychoacoustic - if you crank an amp and record it, it will sound different when you play back at a lower volume (assuming that the mic, recording system, and playback system colouration are negligable... although they aren't ). If you use an attenuator with Equal Loudness compensation, it should theoretically sound "louder" after recording than the same amp in exactly the same config but without the attenuator.