Fixed Attenuator

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JammyDodger
Posts: 120
Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:44 pm
Location: Hangtown, CA

Fixed Attenuator

Post by JammyDodger »

Hey All,

I am thinking about building a fixed attenuator into my 2x12 cabinet. I thought I would do one jack in the back at 0 dB and the other at 10-12 dB. Does anyone know the resistor values that I should use. Or - can you direct me to how to calculate what I will need?

Cheers, Mike
The Jammy Dodger
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Aurora
Posts: 765
Joined: Mon May 26, 2008 7:51 am
Location: Norway - north of the moral circle!

Re: Fixed Attenuator

Post by Aurora »

What kind of power level are you talking about..????
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Aurora
Posts: 765
Joined: Mon May 26, 2008 7:51 am
Location: Norway - north of the moral circle!

Re: Fixed Attenuator

Post by Aurora »

Link here:
http://www.m0ukd.com/Calculators/Attenuator_Calculator/

Pi or T - never mind, - also that this is deisigned for RF - just put in the correct impedance values. Input / output is prob'ly the sam ein you case.
Take care that the first resistor will see almost the full power level.
PCollen
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:47 pm

Re: Fixed Attenuator

Post by PCollen »

JammyDodger wrote:Hey All,

I am thinking about building a fixed attenuator into my 2x12 cabinet. I thought I would do one jack in the back at 0 dB and the other at 10-12 dB. Does anyone know the resistor values that I should use. Or - can you direct me to how to calculate what I will need?

Cheers, Mike
I think keeping the attenuation variable and external would be more practical, versatile, and adaptable to different playing environments.
tonewood
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:42 pm

Re: Fixed Attenuator

Post by tonewood »

This works:

http://www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Calculator/LPad/

I tried it today with a few different dB cuts. More than -9dB started sounding a bit funky for my single 12Ax7-6V6. Also, I used 2x the wattage that was calculated & the R1 resistor still got plenty warm.

For my 8 Ohm spkr to get a 6dB attenuation, I used R1=4 Ohms/10 watts, R2=8 Ohms at 5 watts. It sounded pretty good but not exactly like the too loud unattenuated version.
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