attenuation, why no love?

[cybermgk]

I remember Johns posts, but he admits to not being an engineer. From the manual:



So they could say that you didn't follow the manual instructions for setup because it clearly states connect speakers. Even if it doesn't specifically say running without speakers will damage the unleash. He also said its safe to run an old superlead putting out in excess of 120w but in the manual it says:


So personally I wouldn't. But I run it with my 100w all the time.

But it does what it does very well. I found there are a couple of tricks to getting the best out of it. With a small amp (5w), turning the input all the way up actually creates more headroom and brings back any lost fidelity. That is kind of opposite to what the manual states. But they do say experiment with input trim.

I don't either. I use a cheap resistive load to hook the unleash out to. It was cheap and does the job, no risk at all. But, in theory a class D amp like that really shouldn't need a load.

 

[cybermgk]

I remember Johns posts, but he admits to not being an engineer. From the manual:



So they could say that you didn't follow the manual instructions for setup because it clearly states connect speakers. Even if it doesn't specifically say running without speakers will damage the unleash. He also said its safe to run an old superlead putting out in excess of 120w but in the manual it says:


So personally I wouldn't. But I run it with my 100w all the time.

But it does what it does very well. I found there are a couple of tricks to getting the best out of it. With a small amp (5w), turning the input all the way up actually creates more headroom and brings back any lost fidelity. That is kind of opposite to what the manual states. But they do say experiment with input trim.

For grins and chuckles I emailed them asking the question of needing a load AND referring to those threads. Here is the response I just got back:


From: "John Thompson" <[email protected]>
To: "Txxxxxxxxx" <xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "General Inquiry" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2014 12:19:02 PM
Subject: Re: BadCat Customer Service Request &#8211; From [email protected]


Yes it will work





Thanks and Best Regards,


John Thompson
Bad Cat Amps - President
1.800.730.0966
[email protected]
www.badcatamps.com



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On Aug 7, 2014, at 8:16 PM, Customer Service Request &#8211; From xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<[email protected]> wrote:

New Contact Form Submit from BadCat site

From: Txxxxxxxxx (xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Country: US
Inquiry: General Inquiry
Newsletter Opt in - No
Seems like the latest from one of your people on The Gear Page forums says it is okay to run an Unleash without a speaker load, aka for silent recording with the lineout. Thread http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=1281434 Is this absolutely true? Can you do this as long as you don't unplug, or plug a speaker in while the unleash is on?
​

 

[LPV]

For grins and chuckles I emailed them asking the question of needing a load AND referring to those threads. Here is the response I just got back:

Still not quite the same as "we will cover any damages incurred through that type of usage under warranty".

 

[Ed hunter]

I absolutely agree with all that said the speakers have to be pushed!
A old marshall plexi on ten is just not the same if you are not overdriving the celestions in your cab.
those overdriving celestions are a big part of the mojo in the tone.
case in point, eddie van halen he dimed his marshall 1000 watt 68 plexi and a part of his tone was the celestion G12H's breaking up.
if he had played on a attenuator it would never have sounded as good period.

 

[hamerfan1]

Another Bad Cat Unleash supporter here. I picked up a used one (mint condition) on eBay for $335 shipped. I've been using it in my setup for a couple of months now and absolutely love it. Works great in my band environment.

Guitar(s) > Carvin Legacy I head > Unleash > Carvin V3 Vintage 30 4x12 cab

So many features available (effects loop; I am still running my effects through the Legacy head), two volume channels (I just purchased a TC Electronic Spark Booster boost, so I continue to use it for my lead boosts), direct out, cooling fan, thick leather handle (was reading on another forum about how hot their attenuators were and you had to order handles at an extra charge - ???). Another overlooked "feature" is the supplied Speakon cable - helps to prevent incorrect wiring.

Sound - to my ears it's very, very transparent. Anyone who has owned/played/heard a Carvin Legacy - it gets LOUD really quick but I love the tone of this head. I can run the Master between 5-6 (sweet spot) and it sounds incredible using the Unleash. I personally hear almost no difference in tone; the only difference is the feel of the speakers really driving/pushing the sound. So, to me, it's more of a controlled head now - great tone and I get to control the amount of output to accommodate our venues.

We sometimes play small church's - imagine wheeling in a Carvin Legacy 1/2 stack and watching the expression on their faces . With the Unleash, I now have control of this beast.

For me - well worth the $$$.

Bodie

bloodwater-2014
www.facebook.com/bloodwaterband
BloodWater Music, Lyrics, Songs, and Videos

Guitars:
2012 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
2011 Gibson Les Paul Studio Deluxe
1995 Hamer Diablo
1992 Ibanez RG-550
2003 Carvin Bolt-T
2004 Alvarez AC/EL

Amps
Carvin Legacy I Half Stack
Peavey VTM-60 Head
Peavey Bandit
Crate GFX-120

 

[colchar]

That is beyond a post. Now I really want one. The uses sound so flexible that even if it was not perfect it would just be an ultimate tool.

The tone Nazis are gonna be all over you

 

[colchar]

I absolutely agree with all that said the speakers have to be pushed!
A old marshall plexi on ten is just not the same if you are not overdriving the celestions in your cab.
those overdriving celestions are a big part of the mojo in the tone.
case in point, eddie van halen he dimed his marshall 1000 watt 68 plexi and a part of his tone was the celestion G12H's breaking up.
if he had played on a attenuator it would never have sounded as good period.

You meant 100 watt right?

And didn't Eddie use a Variac?

 

[Ed hunter]

You meant 100 watt right?

And didn't Eddie use a Variac?

yeah i did but it kind of did sound like a 1000 watter
and yes he did use a variac set for 85-90 volts
it was a big factor for allowing him to crank to 10 and have the volume drop a bit but not alter the original tone at all
A variac unlike most anttenuators does not suck the tone just volts
and the volume does drop a little but not enough to play in a a apartment