Ho/Ultimate Attenuator Effects Loop?

[437]

I'm just curious if anyone here has had anything like this done or attempted it themselves. To my understanding, this attenuator basically re-amplifies the signal with a solid-state amplifier, so why couldn't it be modified to introduce effects prior to the signal being re-amplified? I'm no electronics guru, so if my logic is missing a few key puzzle pieces, I apologize.

And yes, I've read where someone had a similar modification done, but it was basically a wet/dry rig which required a stereo cab, to my understanding. I'm running a 1x12 JCM 800 combo, so I'm looking for a more simple alternative--and while I know adding a loop to the amp itself can be done, I'm not serious enough about it to modify a very clean 24 year old amp.

 

[BMS]

I'm sure this can be done. I can ask Ho if this is possible. I will be meeting with him in the coming weeks to become an exclusive distributor of his products.

 

[437]

Nice, that would be great if you can remember to. Seems like it would be a great way to get some quality reverb and delay out of my 800.

 

[rocknhorse1]

If you have a direct out on your amp, and you have a smaller amp, you could do the "Slave" method of running effects. Direct out>>>>effects>>>>guitar input on smaller amp. You have a completely separate effect loop, with its own power. You also have the ability to blend the effect with your dry sound as much, or little as you want...works great.

 

[437]

Right on. I actually gave that a shot last night and it works pretty nicely as a bedroom setup. I used an old Lead 12 head as a preamp, direct out to reverb and delay, to the low input of my 800. That works pretty well for low volume, but cranked, I would definitely want to be using more of the 800's sound of course. In that scenario, is the direct out signal from the 800 going to be too strong to push through pedals or a Lead 12 mini-stack? I guess I don't understand much about the direct out since I haven't used it much to this point. The direct out on my single channel 800 is not adjustable by any other means than the amp's volume, so is there a point where the signal becomes too much for pedals or additional amps like a smaller Lead 12? What can I connect it to and what should I stay away from? I definitely don't want to damage any gear.

 

[Big John]

...The direct out on my single channel 800 is not adjustable...What can I connect it to...

25k volume pedal

 

[rocknhorse1]

Nope, your direct out is like a guitar signal...maybe just a little hotter. You should be fine. If the signal gets hotter with the volume, you can adjust the pedal output to control the signal to the slave amp. If that doesn't work, for about 20 bucks you can get a line pad that can plug into your direct out. That will knock 15 to 30 db off the signal. I use them for PA stuff.

 

[Big John]

Nope, your direct out is like a guitar signal...maybe just a little hotter...

Interesting. Every Marshall that I've owned had line level D.I.'s

 

[437]

25k volume pedal

True. I guess when I asked that question, I meant what things were safe to run the direct out signal to... but that is a good idea for someone like myself who has no other way to adjust the DO's output other than by the master volume.

Either way, sounds like a great way to get close to what I'm looking for with my current gear.

 

[rocknhorse1]

A DI is usually line level. I just explained it like that so he would understand it better. Some DI's do increase in strength with the volume. Some even have a level control. Depends on the amp. I was also going on what he said about the DI signal getting hotter with the volume, and if that's the case a line pad that has an adjustable pad would work.
Shure makes them.

You can get them for 1/4 inch cable as well.

 

[437]

A DI is usually line level. I just explained it like that so he would understand it better. Some DI's do increase in strength with the volume. Some even have a level control. Depends on the amp. I was also going on what he said about the DI signal getting hotter with the volume, and if that's the case a line pad that has an adjustable pad would work.

I actually just tried the 800's DI to effects, and then to another amp... and yep, works great. However, I could imagine that the volume may end up being too much for the other, much smaller, amp when really cranking the 800 without some of the volume reducing solutions you guys have mentioned. All in all, though, very nice suggestion fellas. Always great to learn about some new ways to use my gear.

 

[rocknhorse1]

Glad you liked it!