walterw said:
i'm afraid passive in-line speaker attenuators and "pro sound" don't really go together. you'd see them on ancient little peavey monitors, and you see them as L-pads just on horns in multi-way cabs (i.e., 50 watts or less), but for real amps, i think it just isn't done.
that one amp may just need to be moved to the other room if it has to be controlled separately, or some kind of zone mixer set up to control it.
Agreed 100%!
Having done this type of work for over 30 years....you just have to learn to not "F" around and do it half ass to make the owners budget. If he can't afford it, he can't have it. Plain and simple. In line speaker level pads always burn out far too quickly. Then you have to warranty them. Are you making enough on this project to warranty them? If so, then force the client to do it right, he can afford it. Another option would be to use 70v two ways in the other rooms, either use a good 70v amp or toss a couple QSC OT-300 auto formers on your current amps outputs. Then use a Lowell 200 watt 70V volume control, again from like Full Compass or B&H on the feed to each room. Attenuating 70v works well. Don't worry about the "loss of frequency or performance", the client has no clue, the atron surely has no clue, it will sound fine and be controllable. All big venues use 70v to drive auxiliary areas. Community has some great sounding outdoor 70v in their contracting series, so does JBL, EV....save the great sound for the entertainment space. While the transformers or transformerized speakers may cost more up front, it is still cheaper than having to run back and forth buying this guy new "L-pads" every other week. In the meantime, all he tells other people is that these guys'll don't know what they're doing...they're back all the time fixing....blah! Screw him, you just "turned into a hack" because he didn't want to spend the money up front. The argument can be made that you could have upgraded to a good quality DSP for the additional expense. I mean seriously, one 8x8 DSP that would run you around $1,200 to provide all the system processing you need with matrixing to feed aux areas, all the EQ and dynamics is much more practical than buying crap loads of EQ,s and stereo comp/limiters and a butt load of 8ohm L-pads.
Don't let the clients checkbook put you in a spot that will cause you grief. The job ain't worth it. No matter how much you need the work or money. I know....I have been there before and it has cost me dearly. Being a good guy and spending the time trying to figure out how to do things on the cheap for this owner is also wasting your time and reducing your bottom line. Opportunity is a wonderful thing, but giving your time away for nothing is a bad investment. Either do it right, or don't do it. Your name and cred as a knowledgeable pro contractor hinges on doing it right not half assed. Why am I considered one of the most respected guys In the industry locally or nationally? Because I stopped trying to do what you are trying to do. I only do it the right way. I get much more work today because of that!
But again, I really recommend doing this at the processor level, and you will someday thank me for the recommendation to use a Jupiter with WEB-ARC. I stopped working with clubs and bars years ago for a very good reason. Sooner or later you will be too trusting and wish you had the ability to force a client to whip out the secret cash stash. And just because it is 2012 and not 1992 doesn't mean club owners are any more honest or reliable to pay. Yes, there are exceptions.....but they are far and few. I have Ben in on many amazing changes in the industry to this point. But the one thing you have to learn is when to know is that their ARE phone calls you shouldn't have answered!
Good luck on your install!.
