Attenuator for MESA/Boogie Subway TT-800

[wonitta]

Hello!

My chain goes from my Mesa Subway amp to an X32 and then to FOH. I'm also plugging into a Mesa Subway 2x15 cab. I want to be able to control the cab volume without affecting the level that goes out to FOH. The issue is that the amp master volume (both pre and post) affect what goes out to FOH.

I've read that attenuators could be a solution to tame the cab volume without messing with the amp master level. What attenuators would you guys recommend that are suitable for this situation? Thanks!

 

[basscooker]

A 1x12 or 1x15

 

[wonitta]

Thanks for the reply! I'm gigging large venues and the 2x15 has worked great for me. At times I just need to increase/decrease the stage volume depending on the venue. I'm trying to avoid messing with FOH and stage, thus I want to independently control the cab volume.

 

[basscooker]

I don't know if there's an outboard attenuator for this.
Can you send FOH before the amp?

 

[wonitta]

I guess I could try that.
I read on here the Weber Mass attenuators could do the job, but I'm not too sure if they would pair well with my amp. Mesa also has the MESA/Boogie PowerHouse Reactive Load Attenuator which seems to do the job.

 

[basscooker]

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/official-mesa-boogie-subway-series-club.1181245/

 

[agedhorse]

No, not a good idea, and there are no commercial attenuators capable of handling anywhere near the power of the amp.

Also, do NOT connect the speaker output to anything but a speaker. The speaker output is not ground referenced and any device that is ground referenced, either through a pin 1 connection on the XLR output, the sleeve connection of a 1/4 jack or through the power supply. Connecting to such a device may damage the amplifier and this is not covered under warranty.

The post DI output has to be post master volume controls in order to track relative levels for the channel switching. If it’s that important to you, there’s the pre DI output that’s also tube driven and pre master volume.

 

[agedhorse]

I guess I could try that.
I read on here the Weber Mass attenuators could do the job, but I'm not too sure if they would pair well with my amp. Mesa also has the MESA/Boogie PowerHouse Reactive Load Attenuator which seems to do the job.

No, none of these products are suitable, both for power handling and ground isolation.

 

[Janforth]

I could be wrong, but maybe take the signal from the effects send into a separate DI to FOH.

 

[6thplanet]

Agedhorse just said the PRE DI signal isn't effected by the master volume control.

 

[bwildt]

Isn't this what the input gain control on the mixer is for-- to attenuate or boost the incoming signal to a level that works for the mixer?

 

[Grahams Groove]

Page 12 on the manual explains that the pre-eq DI does what you’re asking. It’s not effected by the channel volume.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

“Hey sound guy - I’m turning up the bass feed a bit, m’kay?” This shouldn’t be any kind of problem, esp if the tech is your guy. Guitar players do this ALL THE TIME, but of course wo saying anything!

otherwise this illustrates why pre everything DI is oft preferred.

 

[stevensivak]

Gig Rig Wetter box to separate the signal?

 

[agedhorse]

I could be wrong, but maybe take the signal from the effects send into a separate DI to FOH.

If the OP is using the channel switching and 2 channels, he would need 2 channels to the board and hen mute and unmute the desired channel at the board which is a bigger pain.

“Hey sound guy - I’m turning up the bass feed a bit, m’kay?” This shouldn’t be any kind of problem, esp if the tech is your guy. Guitar players do this ALL THE TIME, but of course wo saying anything!

otherwise this illustrates why pre everything DI is oft preferred.

Yes, this same issue arises when micing the cabinet of course.

 

[jdjk7]

“Hey sound guy - I’m turning up the bass feed a bit, m’kay?” This shouldn’t be any kind of problem, esp if the tech is your guy. Guitar players do this ALL THE TIME, but of course wo saying anything!

God forbid you be a bassist who actually uses the volume control, because then even the pre-everything DI is screwed. IMO it's better to just communicate the needed change and make it.

Idea: pre-bass DI. Just plug the XLR directly into your head.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Live sound is about herding cats and solving problems quickly. The "set and forget" model doesn't scale past the small system/disciplined band level.

 

[wonitta]

Thanks for the replies everyone! This is more complicated I thought it would be. I just wanted to be able to control the cab volume on stage without messing with DI volume. Another easy thing to do is just to get a head that has an independent speaker output volume control. The MarkBass and GK RB heads have an independent speaker output knobs.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Thanks for the replies everyone! This is more complicated I thought it would be. I just wanted to be able to control the cab volume on stage without messing with DI volume. Another easy thing to do is just to get a head that has an independent speaker output volume control. The MarkBass and GK RB heads have an independent speaker output knobs.

It seems like you're over-thinking it. Use the pre-EQ DI out on your TT-800. Per the manual:

Pre-EQ Direct Output: This output is pre-channel gain stages, but is a little unique due to some enhanced features that make it more useful for many practical applications. The signal take-off point for this output is post front end gain, post deep and post bright switches as well as being tube driven by the very first tube stage. This brings additional character to the signal, while remaining pre channel gain control, pre eq and pre channel volume controls. This allows the basic character of the amp's neutral voicing to be setup and sent to this direct output.
​

Once you've got the gain/deep/bright switches set, have FOH dial in their levels/EQ at the board. Then anything you do in terms of adjusting the gain/eq/volume on the channel you're using is solely going to your cabs - not the FOH. So they shouldn't be fighting with volume changes...

 

[agedhorse]

Thanks for the replies everyone! This is more complicated I thought it would be. I just wanted to be able to control the cab volume on stage without messing with DI volume. Another easy thing to do is just to get a head that has an independent speaker output volume control. The MarkBass and GK RB heads have an independent speaker output knobs.

The TT-800 model is the exception to the rule of the post DI also being post master volume due to the need to track relative levels for channel switching applications.

If this is a deal breaker, then you chose the wrong model.