Reyes Audio Output Tamer

[benjammin420]

This little guy came today in the mail, I hooked it up right away and started rocking. I was immediately impressed by how killer it sounds with my Marshall Class 5. Full blown tube saturation as bedroom levels, its just surreal. There are no negative effects on the tone of the amp as far as I can tell so far. The "Hi boost" doesn't make a huge difference, but does sound a bit nicer (according to the manual, the more you increase the output, the less effect the boost has)

You can see in the picture that the output level is pretty low, with the amps volume at max, that is the safe practice level. The gain is so juicy, I couldnt put my guitars down. Ill put up some clips when I get a chance

If you're looking for an attenuator for not too much money ($55) I would recommend this one. I dont have alot of attenuator experience to compare, but this thing has met my expectations and desires

[Grey]

That looks like it sits in-line between your guitar cable, I thought those usually sat between the head and the speaker?

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by Spike-

That looks like it sits in-line between your guitar cable, I thought those usually sat between the head and the speaker?

it is between the amp and the cab

[benjammin420]

This is a little blues jam, the lead track is my Les Paul (SD 59 neck and JB bridge) straight into the Class 5 (vol 9, treb 10, mid 8.5, bass 5) into the Output Tamer (same settings as the photo) into 2 G12T75 celestion speakers
Class 5 attenuator demo Sound Bite

[Quill]

Wow, Ben, sounds really great. And the track's groovin', too!

... I want to hear that set-up with the Metalbranes sometime ... and with some P-90s!

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by Quill

Wow, Ben, sounds really great. And the track's groovin', too!

... I want to hear that set-up with the Metalbranes sometime ... and with some P-90s!

will do I just wanted to put up some audio for the sake of the thread. I'm still working with settings (I rolled back the volume to tame the gain, but it was still a bit muddy) and Ive got several peices en route to me (wiring rigs, pickups) and I'll be doing demos for those (maybe a thread or 2 as well) but I think all my recordings from now on will be with the aid of the Tamer.

[Strikerfox]

I gotta admit, thats one of the nicest L-pad Attenuators ive seen around in a while. Normally they just look like a box with cheese holes.

L-pad's are great for amps under 50 watts and I had one similar to yours a while back for my Vox, but now I use a Weber mass 100 so i sold it to my friend. Regardless, they sound good and im glad you found one you like.

Dont use simple L-pad attenuators with high wattage amps as it will suck the tone out of them. Too much power dont play nice with em.

[benjammin420]

Heres another clip with my new strat (w/ Hot Noiseless pickups), thru a Keeley Fuzz Head (germanium mode, vol max, gain around 8 o'clock) into the Class 5 (same approx settings at the first clip)
red house blues Sound Bite

[benjammin420]

[sonique_angel]

I bought one of these about a year ago and for the price I can't complain much,
BUT- it is not perfect. I bought it for a Fender prosonic (up to 30/50/60 watt rectifier switchable). I used it a little for in home practice, but when I actually put it to the test with my amp cranked it sounded like poop. I did see someone say that they weren't any good for above 50 watts, I'll have to play around again in 30 watt mode. It was just muddy, when I unplugged it- bam - right back to pure liquid distortion. So I guess my point is that it dose effect your tone, I havn't tried any other attenuators, but I suspect you get what you pay for. It will smoke a little when you first use it - the instructions state that, it dose stop after the first couple hours of playing through it though.

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by sonique_angel

I bought one of these about a year ago and for the price I can't complain much,
BUT- it is not perfect. I bought it for a Fender prosonic (up to 30/50/60 watt rectifier switchable). I used it a little for in home practice, but when I actually put it to the test with my amp cranked it sounded like poop. I did see someone say that they weren't any good for above 50 watts, I'll have to play around again in 30 watt mode. It was just muddy, when I unplugged it- bam - right back to pure liquid distortion. So I guess my point is that it dose effect your tone, I havn't tried any other attenuators, but I suspect you get what you pay for. It will smoke a little when you first use it - the instructions state that, it dose stop after the first couple hours of playing through it though.

yeah, I would expect different results from a 30/50/60 watt amp compared to the 5 watt amp I'm using it with.

[snaredrum]

can't believe i missed this thread - i've been using the output tamer for maybe a year and a half now - i love them - i have two.

i got a 50w Ashton Viper, and got the output tamer to run the power tubes hot, and it was awesome. recently i've got a Peavey Windsor head, which i always run at 50w class A, and (valve problems aside) it sounds AWSEOME.

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by snaredrum

can't believe i missed this thread - i've been using the output tamer for maybe a year and a half now - i love them - i have two.

i got a 50w Ashton Viper, and got the output tamer to run the power tubes hot, and it was awesome. recently i've got a Peavey Windsor head, which i always run at 50w class A, and (valve problems aside) it sounds AWSEOME.

cool, I'm glad I'm not alone here

Do you usually run the amps on full? I'm curious about how much power it can take, if it really can handle a full 50W load. Sonique Angel is having some issues, but I've never used anything with more than 5-6 watts (though I have a 60w Deville that could desperately use attenuation, I may try to commission a 100w model)

[snaredrum]

Originally Posted by benjammin420

cool, I'm glad I'm not alone here

Do you usually run the amps on full? I'm curious about how much power it can take, if it really can handle a full 50W load. Sonique Angel is having some issues, but I've never used anything with more than 5-6 watts (though I have a 60w Deville that could desperately use attenuation, I may try to commission a 100w model)

not totally full, but usually not far off. with the Windsor in Class A mode, i'm usually three quarters full on the power amp section.

[snaredrum]

Originally Posted by benjammin420

cool, I'm glad I'm not alone here

Do you usually run the amps on full? I'm curious about how much power it can take, if it really can handle a full 50W load. Sonique Angel is having some issues, but I've never used anything with more than 5-6 watts (though I have a 60w Deville that could desperately use attenuation, I may try to commission a 100w model)

you could run the deville at over half and use the attenuator, couldn't you? as long as the speaker impedances were matched, of course?

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by snaredrum

you could run the deville at over half and use the attenuator, couldn't you? as long as the speaker impedances were matched, of course?

I could try it, but the impedances dont match, and the amp is still pretty clean at 1/2 power, though I guess the valve compression and enriched harmonic response might be nice enough

[snaredrum]

Originally Posted by benjammin420

I could try it, but the impedances dont match, and the amp is still pretty clean at 1/2 power, though I guess the valve compression and enriched harmonic response might be nice enough

yeah, don't mix your impedances.

it causes pregnancy.

in you.

seriously.

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by snaredrum

yeah, don't mix your impedances.

it causes pregnancy.

in you.

seriously.

thats what I figured, eventually I'd like to have one made for 100w (I imagine it would just take 2 circuits wired in series ) that would be cool. But for now, the ont unit for my Class 5 is all I need, that amp is me dirt, and I have a Fender Champ for my cleans.

[777]

Where can these things be ordered? How is installation? I haven't developed much in the way of soldering skills.

[benjammin420]

Originally Posted by 777

Where can these things be ordered? How is installation? I haven't developed much in the way of soldering skills.

I bought mine off ebay. there is no installation, you plug it in between the amp and the cab

[theodor]

hello to the forum!

I am posting here because i can't find out much about this device, contacted seller without response.

I'm looking to use it so i can play without the speaker, then plug into a recording desk from its output. Some other attenuators do this not just the ones with a specific output for it, but have no idea whether this one does.
would i need a box for matching with my inputs on the desk as well (i have balanced line, mic, hiZ) or is it completely no go?

[benjammin420]

sorry, couldn't help you, I never tried hooking it up like that. I don't see why it wouldnt work, so long as the signal were attenuated enough

[Slick]

Originally Posted by theodor

hello to the forum!

I am posting here because i can't find out much about this device, contacted seller without response.

I'm looking to use it so i can play without the speaker, then plug into a recording desk from its output. Some other attenuators do this not just the ones with a specific output for it, but have no idea whether this one does.
would i need a box for matching with my inputs on the desk as well (i have balanced line, mic, hiZ) or is it completely no go?

You need a DI box, something like a Sansamp

[Pagefan]

Hi, was checking out a output tamer.. And, a weber mini-mass 25W for my class 5 head.. Was wondering if anybody knew if the 'actual speaker motor' in the wber can amke a difference compared to the output tamer? Thanks..

[snaredrum]

having grown up and encountered problems in this department, just save yourself tears and get the Weber.

[Pagefan]

Still have not got one yet .. Was leaning towards the output tamer.. But, I think I'll try the weber. Thanks.