What does an audio attenuator do?

An attenuator is an electronic device that reduces the power of a signal without appreciably distorting its waveform.

Is a potentiometer an attenuator?

A potentiometer uses some type of strip of resistive material, and then a wiper slides across it to provide variable levels. A stepped attenuator, on the other hand, is basically a series of switches, with each position having a specific value of resistor tied across it.

Will an attenuator damage my amp?

Electrically speaking, it would make no real sense for an attenuator to damage an amplifier considering these devices come after the amp in the signal chain. Problems do arise when players implement attenuators, but more often than not it is a result of having the amp pushed to its limits for hours at a time.

What does a 20 dB attenuator do?

This 20 dB power passing attenuator is used for adjusting signals in 75 ohm networks that carry satellite radio,and are also required to pass DC voltage for powering in-line amplifiers and antennas and reduces the amount of signal carried within coaxial cables.

Are attenuators bad for your amp?

What is a stepped attenuator?

Share. By Sweetwater on Nov 18, 2003, 12:00 AM. A type of variable attenuation device using a switch with two or more (sometimes many more) contact positions, each with different amounts of resistance applied.

Can I use a potentiometer to control speaker volume?

And with the potentiometer, you can change the volume of the speakers to suit your listening needs. This is how all speaker devices operate that have adjustable volume control. All it is is a speaker hooked up to an audio taper potentiometer. Once you have this, you can have volume change.

Does an attenuator affect tone?

Tone changes In an ideal world, attenuators would allow you to use any amp at any volume level without any adverse effect on sound quality or reliability. In practice, the use of attenuation does change tone, but blaming the attenuator isn’t always justified.

What does a 3db attenuator do?

Product Description. The FAM-3 in-line attenuator can be inserted to coaxial cable feeds to reduce signal levels. Combinations of attenuators may be used together to create the exact signal loss needed.

What is ladder attenuator?

In a ladder type stepped attenuator, the rotary switch is used to select an input-to-output resistor and an output-to-ground resistor, forming a set voltage divider for each switch position. The total series resistance of each two resistor set is equal, so the signal source always sees the same impedance.

What is a stepped attenuator volume control?

A stepped attenuator is geeky audio term for a complex multi-pole mechanical switch with a ton of resistors attached. It uses a big rotary switch to select discrete resistor pairs usually corresponding to a few dB change in volume per step.

Which type of potentiometer is used for volume control?

Volume control is often performed with a (motorized) potentiometer in audio applications. For balance control a dual-gang potentiometer can be used, where on gang has a logarithmic taper and the other gang has an inverse logarithmic taper. In professional audio equipment, faders are often used.

Where do you put the attenuator?

An attenuator sits between your guitar amp head and your speaker, and serves as a post-power amplifier master volume.

How do I choose an attenuator?

Attenuators should be able to handle required power safely. In best practice, it is recommended to pick one with higher power handling capability than your required power. It is good to have an attenuator with better heat dissipation if the application requires handling high power especially in hot environments.

What does a 6 dB attenuator do?

6 dB F type In-line attenuator can be inserted in coaxial cable feeds to reduce signal levels up to 3 GHz. in Frequency. Reduce UHF/VHF/FM and Digital signal sources such as TV Antennas, Cable TV, Broadband Internet, FM Antenna and Satellite TV (without DC Voltage being present).