Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => AmpTools/Tech Tips => Topic started by: smackoj on April 01, 2014, 09:47:29 am

Title: Tech advice sought: adding volume control to monitor speaker?
Post by: smackoj on April 01, 2014, 09:47:29 am
Problem: the drummer for our worship group at church is wanting better control of the sound mix monitor by his kit (he sits behind plexiglass). I have a better speaker that I want to use for him, but he would like to be able to adjust the volume on it. the speaker cable to his monitor is already 40' long and is at something like 8 ohms from the monitor amp through a distribution jack. I have a nice vintage Peavey attenuator from a large PA speaker. Would this be what I need to put in the speaker to match up to the 8 ohm feed or do I need some kind of audio transformer and a booster/buffer with a volume pot? Maybe there are other 'modern' ways via an IC chip or ??? Note: It should be a simple thing to have the sound tech put it right each Sunday but they are rank volunteers that get too overwhelmed with all the 'buttons' and they rotate running the board which creates too much inconsistency.

thanks amigos.

jack d   :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Tech advice sought: adding volume control to monitor speaker?
Post by: eleventeen on April 01, 2014, 10:18:04 am
The Peavey attenuator sounds promising....is it a box or something with a model number you can post so we/I can look it up?...that would make me feel better about giving errr, my blessing. 
Title: Re: Tech advice sought: adding volume control to monitor speaker?
Post by: jjasilli on April 01, 2014, 11:10:01 am
You don't say if the drummer wants the vol higher or lower.  An attenuator will only drop vol. 

The attenuator must meet both impedance & wattage requirements.  The Peavey attenuator you mention might work.  Up to a 2:1 impedance mismatch should be OK.  Wattage probably OK too, from your description.

This was my solution to a similar issue:  http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=16161.0
you won't need the bypass option.

You might find a monitor speaker with its own vol control.
Title: Re: Tech advice sought: adding volume control to monitor speaker?
Post by: smackoj on April 01, 2014, 01:41:56 pm
thanks friends; I will have to post the model of the Peavey attenuator later today when I get home from work. I know it's large enough that it must have come from one of their larger PA spkrs for the 'house' mix.

I do have a 'piggyback' amp I could use. Are you saying take a separate monitor feed off the board to just the drummer's amp/speaker?

 :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Tech advice sought: adding volume control to monitor speaker?
Post by: smackoj on April 01, 2014, 04:57:47 pm
well, I'm a little miffed. what I have is a Rauland Xover with a high freq attenuator. I must have sold the Peavey attenuator a while back and forgot about it?

I'll go over and take a look at the mixing board so I can see if there are any open monitor send jacks? It sets way at the back of the chapel so running new wires is something I will avoid if possible.

jack d

 :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Tech advice sought: adding volume control to monitor speaker?
Post by: HotBluePlates on April 02, 2014, 08:56:25 am
Problem: the drummer for our worship group at church is wanting better control of the sound mix monitor by his kit ...

Headphones/earphones?