7
Volume and Attenuation
Volume and Attenuation
Volume and Attenuation
Volume and Attenuation
The Majesty is a non-master-volume amp, just like an old JTM45. This means that
the volume control alone determines the signal level through the amplifier. This makes
it simple to dial in. You turn the volume control down for clean tones, and turn it up to
overdrive the amp and achieve distortion. Easy enough, but there is a limitation. In
this kind of design, overdrive and distortion are only possible when the amp is
generating its maximum output power (just like an old JTM45).
For most non-master-volume amps, this is a problem. It will only start to break up at
ear-splitting volume, which makes it less than useful at small clubs and at home. This
is why the Majesty includes the Ironman power attenuator. You can think of the
Ironman as being functionally equivalent to an external power attenuator connected
between the amplifier output and the speaker. It’s purpose is to allow the amplifier to
operate at full output power, while sending only a fraction of that power to the speaker.
By operating this way, the tone and feel of the amplifier is retained quite well even at
very low volume.
It’s important to understand how to use the Volume and Attenuation control in order
to get the sound you want at the volume level you need. In general, you can think of
them as serving two different functions. You would use the Volume control to adjust
the amount of overdrive and distortion you want, and then adjust the attenuator to get
the volume level you want.
For clean tones, there are some additional things to consider. You might start out by
setting the attenuator to 0db (bypassed), and dialing in the volume level you want with
the Volume control. This will certainly give you the most headroom. However, if you
are playing in a very small room, or need to keep the volume level down very low, you
might want to turn the attenuator down a few clicks so that you can turn the volume
control up a bit more for a slightly warmer, fatter sound.
Notes on using the attenuator
Notes on using the attenuator
Notes on using the attenuator
Notes on using the attenuator
In the 0db position, the attenuator is completely bypassed, and the speaker is
connected directly to the output transformer secondary, with no additional circuitry
touching the signal path.
Although the Ironman attenuator does an excellent job of reducing output power
without changing the tone of the amp’s circuitry, there are other variables in play at
lower volume which do result in some apparent tone change. Here are a few factors
that you should be aware of -
Speaker breakup and compression is a big part of the tone and feel of the amp when
played at high volume. At low power settings, the speaker responds differently, and
does not break up and compress as it does at high power.
The ear’s natural response curve varies at different volume levels, which changes the
way you perceive sounds at different volume levels. Quieter sounds tend to give the
impression of having less bass content.
At lower volume, there is a tendency to hit the guitar strings harder and play more
aggressively than you would if the amp were tuned up very loud. It may take some time
to get used to maintaining your playing style at reduced volume.
