DR Z Airbrake

GUEST · Post by **GUEST** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 12:59 am

Any one use use one of these ?

daniel · Post by **daniel** » Tue Nov 01, 2005 2:46 pm

the worship leader at my church uses one with an orange ad30 or whatever those are called. It sounds pretty good and its cool that they can work with whatever ohm load.

saborthw · Post by **saborthw** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:45 am

Thanks for the info, Guitar Player gave this an Editors pick but I cant seem to find much feedback on this attenuator it seems like most people on this board use the weber or hotplate

Scott

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:04 am

I havent used one but I looked into it pretty deeply at one point. Realistically itll be no better then any good attenuator. Works great at gentle attenuation to stage volumes but extreme attenuation sucks. Out of the 4 attenuators Ive tried my MASS150 is by far the best but even that isnt great at extreme attenuation. Nature of the beast. I forget why I never bought a DrZ. I think it was more expensive at the time. Dont expect any attenuator to sound goog at more then -8dbs and lower. Just not possible. The Ultimate Attenuator is not an attenuator. Its a load with a small SS power amp inside.

SB Monster · Post by **SB Monster** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 9:57 am

Billy Batz wrote:I havent used one but I looked into it pretty deeply at one point. Realistically itll be no better then any good attenuator. Works great at gentle attenuation to stage volumes but extreme attenuation sucks. Out of the 4 attenuators Ive tried my MASS150 is by far the best but even that isnt great at extreme attenuation. Nature of the beast. I forget why I never bought a DrZ. I think it was more expensive at the time. Dont expect any attenuator to sound goog at more then -8dbs and lower. Just not possible. The Ultimate Attenuator is not an attenuator. Its a load with a small SS power amp inside.

Dan, I'm using a UA, is the mass really that much better?

Paul

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 10:28 am

Not at all. The mass is a totaly different thing. Its a reactive load attenuator. The UA is a resistive load and a SS poweramp. Now I can use my MASS as a load and run it out to a poweramp which sounds great but its a lot more to haul then a UA. The guy who builds the UAs probably dialed the SS amp in to be perfect for the application. To be clear but in reality it will probably color a certain amount on all the settings level up to full volume (as I understand it thats what the plexi switch is for even.) But it sounds pretty similar all the way down Im sure but for the speaker breakup (which is a problem with attenuators to and the London Power PSK.) I think the UA is probably best for playing at really low stage volumes and home. I never owned one but Ive used a similar setup with the poweramp. If I had money Id probably get one. Im not a fan of DBII (I dont dislike him Im just not that familiar with him) but I think his rig is one that Id shoot for myself. Super Bass or my new 67-68 clone. 1936 with Greenbacks and maybe G12H30s. MASS for loud volumes and UA for low volumes or just UA depending on how it sounds to me at gentle attenuation compared to my MASS. With a 1936 at 55W handling Id say Id probably need to attenuate it decently at all times regardless so...

SB Monster · Post by **SB Monster** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:20 am

[quote="Billy Batz"] I think the UA is probably best for playing at really low stage volumes and home. [quote]

Dan,

I find the reason the UA beats the hotplate hands down is that it doesn't clip like the hotplate does. I used a hotplate for a couple of years before getting the UA ( had to wait 6 months for it! )The more you drive the amp at a particular attenuation setting on the hotplate, it noticeably compresses the signal going to the cab, like it's topped out which in turn totally kills your tone. When you knock the attenuation back a click, say -8db to -4db, you effectively halve it, so the volume doubles and then you've got to reset amp/pedals etc which is a real pain in the ass.
The UA doesn't have that problem cos it's got a continious rotary control, which makes it great for home and any stage volume. The only thing I ever have to adjust from gig to gig is the UA, the MASS is the same, right?

Paul

SB Monster · Post by **SB Monster** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 11:21 am

I've got V30's waiting to be fitted in place of the greenbacks, just can't get the time

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:06 pm

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 12:07 pm

SB Monster wrote:I've got V30's waiting to be fitted in place of the greenbacks, just can't get the time

Is that what DBII uses?

SB Monster · Post by **SB Monster** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:29 pm

Dan

Plexi switch stinks on the UA, 100V thing is not an option on the 240v version. I'm always interested in different opinions on attenuators cos I never get to hear anything other than a hotplate over here.
I haven't a clue what dbii uses, I've tried G12 vintage 80w, and V30's in other 4x12's and the V30's kick the ass off the greenbacks that I've got in mine. The greenbacks just blur up too much at higher vols

Paul

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 3:42 pm

But the UA sounds great in general right? Your using it with a Marshall?

rjgtr · Post by **rjgtr** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:06 pm

I wonder if using a MASS into a compensated DI and into a small powered PA speaker might be a good really low powered rig.

I have both a MASS and HP and overall I prefer the MASS. It just responds a little more naturally.

Billy Batz · Post by **Billy Batz** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 4:15 pm

I misunderstood you when I posted earlier rjgtr. Ive thought about that. Id like to try it. My theory is it wouldnt sound right because your taking the Line Out signal and using a set of filters to roll off the highs and lows. Just like modeling it seems too complicated to simulate real life (cab wood, dimensions, position, speakers etc..) with a set of filters. I think thats kind of what teh PB and HP do. Hell it may just sound better then extreme attenuation though.

saborthw · Post by **saborthw** » Wed Nov 02, 2005 9:22 pm

Thanks Billy, I have read your other posts on this board and you seem really up on your game as far as PLEXIs, you convinced me I will probably get the Weber mass 100 or 150, not sure which one yet the 100 has a speaker emulator, have you ever tried to Direct record with the line out on the weber mass ?

the reason I am interested in attenuators is bonus time is coming and I was thinking about getting one of George's kits or a 1959 HW

Thanks

Scott