Master Volume Control in a Box?

[Rob.A.12]

Hello,

In another post on here, I mentioned getting an Orange Dark Terror, and I started thinking about the fact I want to use a 7 watt amp in mainly bedroom conditions, so I won't be able to crank it to get a 'full' tone. That got me thinking, is there something that you can stick between your amp and guitar that works as a master volume? I'm not talking about a Hot Plate attenuator but a real master volume, just in a box. I know there are things like the EHX Signal Pad and EWS Subtle Volume Control which are similar but they work to clean up tube saturation, don't they? I'm talking about something that merely lowers the volume and doesn't clean the signal at all. How about a 'Glow Baby'?

 

[hipofutura]

The volume control on your guitar.

 

[rocknhorse1]

A pedal. There are some gadgets that you put into an effect loop as well, but I don't know how well they work. All you need for a 7 watt amp is an Lpad attenuator. You could make one for around $20.

 

[Rob.A.12]

I'm talking about something which only lowers the actual volume without changing the overall sound characteristics, like the level of distortion. Using the guitar volume would start to clean up the signal, not what I want. I'm not too clued up on all the correct terms but that's basically what I mean.

This is the sort of thing I'm talking about
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRAc_uPdonM&feature=related

This isn't
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC3twvskKEw&feature=related

 

[onioner]

Short answer is no. a MV is a MV because of where it is. Anything you put in front of the amp will influence the sound. You can put a volume pedal in the loop, which will cut or boost the signal between preamp and power amp, which is basically a MV. But, gotta ask, doesn't that amp already have a MV?

 

[cynic79]

The Glow Baby doesn't look like anything more than a volume pot that you run through your effects loop. I can't see how it's going to do anything that you wouldn't already be doing by just lowering the master volume on your amp.

If you want to run the power section hard, get an attenuator to run between your amp and speaker cabinet. If you're just playing at home, consider a smaller amp.

 

[Rob.A.12]

I don't think it's a master volume, just a volume but even on 7 watts it has to remain low, so to get distortion I have to rely on the gain knob, so I'm missing out on the power valve saturation. I worry all I'm typing is just making me look silly but I'll admit I don't know much as this is my first venture into 'proper tube-amp' territory.

 

[River]

I don't think it's a master volume, just a volume but even on 7 watts it has to remain low, so to get distortion I have to rely on the gain knob, so I'm missing out on the power valve saturation. I worry all I'm typing is just making me look silly but I'll admit I don't know much as this is my first venture into 'proper tube-amp' territory.

There's no free lunch. If you don't like the way your amp sounds at the volume you need to play it, you need another amp or to become a pedal hound.

My twin-20watter sounds fine down where I often need to play it. Sounds better turned up, of course, but with the power up and the guitar down, it does just fine at speaking volumes.

 

[rocknhorse1]

A master volume isn't going to get you powertube saturation. Only an attenuator will, or cranking the amp. A master volume allows you to tun the power section down (power tubes) and the gain up (preamp) to get distortion.
That said, you really are not missing a whole lot, and without driving the speaker as hard as an amp that is into power tube break up, is...well, less than exciting.

 

[Rob.A.12]

Well, at least I've learnt a bit about master volume. Fortunately, the Dark Terror still sounds great even when just running on pre-amp gain, to my ears anyway, thanks all.

 

[StratGT]

I don't think it's a master volume, just a volume but even on 7 watts it has to remain low, so to get distortion I have to rely on the gain knob, so I'm missing out on the power valve saturation. I worry all I'm typing is just making me look silly but I'll admit I don't know much as this is my first venture into 'proper tube-amp' territory.

For the record...you don't look silly and they're are no dumb questions. You're on a website to share your experiences and to learn from others. Many many years ago I was looking to achieve the same as what you're asking.

Some of the answers here just saved you some money on purchasing the wrong piece of gear....the answer is you're looking for an attenuator. If not, consider soundproofing your room. Lol

 

[Batman]

Rob - You've been given some good advice here. I build one of the volume boxes you mentioned in your OP and it is nothing more than a volume pot and two 1/4" jacks. If you place that in front of your amp and turn it down, it is exactly the same as turning the volume control on your guitar down. I built mine as an additional master volume control for an amp that had an overly sensitive volume control. It simply allowed for fine adjustment of the master volume which like River and rocknhorse1 have pointed out, will not allow the amp to perform in its sweet spot with all of the tubes saturated and the speaker on the verge of breakup.

 

[Rob.A.12]

I like the DT sound too much to consider a different amp so an attenuator it is. I knew attenuators were a solution but they're £300 a pop (I don't know whether they're that expensive over your side)

rocknhorse1, is this what you meant by an L-Pad attenuator?

--|AT-60ST|HIGH POWER L-PAD - STEREO | CPC

 

[rocknhorse1]

Thats way more than you need.

Is your speaker cab 8ohms? How many watts is the amp? If it's only 7 watts, a 50 watt Lpad will work. If the amp is over 15 watts, I do not recommend an Lpad.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/L-Pad-50W-Mono-Rated-Shaft/dp/B0002KR1EQ]Amazon.com: L-Pad 50W Mono, 8 Ohm Rated, 3/8" Shaft: Electronics[/ame]

 

[Rob.A.12]

The max output is 15W (switchable between 15 and 7). I'll be using the 7W mode for most of the time though. Speakers are 8 ohms but I shall be using 2, does that matter?

 

[rocknhorse1]

The max output is 15W (switchable between 15 and 7). I'll be using the 7W mode for most of the time though. Speakers are 8 ohms but I shall be using 2, does that matter?

Yes, the ohms matters. How are you wiring the cab?

You could also go with a 100 watt Lpad, as they will get hot, but 50 should work fine for a 15 watt amp, especially if you are running it on half power.
The ohms of the Lpad, needs to match the ohms of the cab.

 

[Rob.A.12]

Sorry, I meant does the fact that I'm using 2 matter? The cabs are separate from each other, the arrangement will be one 8" cab going into one amp output and the other 8" cab into the second amp output.

 

[thexmadxtopxhatter]

that my friend is why they invented the attenuator

 

[rocknhorse1]

Sorry, I meant does the fact that I'm using 2 matter? The cabs are separate from each other, the arrangement will be one 8" cab going into one amp output and the other 8" cab into the second amp output.

You would need an Lpad for each speaker for that. If you were to daisy chain the cabs together in parallel, you could use one Lpad, but it would have to be 4ohms.

 

[Rob.A.12]

Thanks for the directions rocknhorse1, I'm amazed how cheap those l-pads are. Beats £300 for a Hot Plate. Have you used l-pads yourself?