The Weber attenuator is defined as an electronic device designed to reduce a signal's amplitude and power with minimum or no distortion to that signal's waveform. In comparison with other attenuators such as the Ultimate Attenuator and the digital attenuator, this kind of attenuator uses rheostats. The rheostats are use to control attenuation and to distribute power to the speaker motor or other load. The two types of this kind of attenuator are the speaker motor model and the resistive or resistor-based model. The speaker motor model uses an actual speaker motor to generate a reactive load on the amplifier. The resistive model of Weber attenuator creates a purely resistive load on the amplifier using power resistors.

One advantage of the speaker motor model over the resistive model is that it provides a more interactive, natural sound. This Weber power attenuator also has less impact on the tone as compared to the resistor-based model. There are several types of speaker motor-based attenuators. They are the Mobility Analog System Simulator (MASS), MiniMASS, MicroMASS, MASS 150, Power Tap, MASS Lite and Stereo MASS. The MASS type utilizes a speaker motor so that the load will give a realistic interaction between the output circuit of the amplifier and the attenuator. The MASS unit contains a line out connection with front panel controls for mids, bass, volume and treble. These control panels are useful for consumers who plan to run simple direct out signals. Consumers interested in the wet-dry approach also find these control panels effective. The MicroMASS and the MASS Lite models consist of two power level controls. One control is utilized for the bass-mid frequencies and the other one is for the upper mids-treble frequencies. Meanwhile, attenuation is continuously adjustable from zero to over -50 db in the MiniMASS model. The MASS 150 unit features extra output jack, MASS bypass, line out and range switch. The Stereo MASS does not contain a line out but it has treble compensation built in. The Power Tap unit features treble compensation, range switch, and a -20 db fixed line out.

The resistive model of Weber attenuator includes the Low Power Load Dump, High Power Load Dump, Mega Dump and Headphone Tap. As compared to the motor speaker-based MASS, the Low Power Load Dump unit is smoother and not as interactive. Its attenuation is continuously adjustable from zero to over -50 db. The High Power Load Dump model with 200 watt power uses power resistors and capacitors. This model uses 11 steps of output control on a rotary switch. The Headphone Tap unit is referred to as a 50 watt dummy load which consists of a headphone output jack. Lastly, the Mega Dump model comprises system bypass, range switch, adjustable line out, and 0, 3, and 6 db treble boosts.

According to product review and manufacturer's claim, this attenuator is mostly hand-built. This ensures customers that they are buying products of highest quality. Some of the accessories available for Weber attenuator include 1 feet RCA phone plug to ΒΌ phone plug, 59 Bassman Attenuator Harness, Rackmount Wings for the Mega Dump and MASS 200 units, and attenuator harness for Peavey amplifiers.



Source by Gavin Cruise