• vino
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2022-08-21
  • Posts: 12

Topic: Can an attenuator break?

Hi,

I have a question about using attenuators, more specific like mentioned in the forum thread "Level mismatch solutions - fixed and variable attenuators".

If I connect for example an attenuator, well two (JTS Mic attenuator MA-123) between the RME Babyface Pro FS and my monitors to reduce the volume. Is there any possibility that an attenuator can "break" so the volume all of a sudden gets very loud again? Would not want to risk my ears...

Or how do they work? Are the built/wired so they can't "break" like that?

Sorry about the possible stupid question, and for the grammar. English is not my first language...

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-10-07 09:02:28)

  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 4,522

Re: Can an attenuator break?

AFAIK it's a fix Resistor inside, hardwired, if something would break inside, the result would be silence.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • vino
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2022-08-21
  • Posts: 12

Re: Can an attenuator break?

waedi wrote:

AFAIK it's a fix Resistor inside, hardwired, if something would break inside, the result would be silence.

That sounds promising. So then I would not need be afraid of damaging my ears if it "breaks". Just sweet silence if it breaks smile.
Thanks for taking the time to answer.

4 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-10-07 11:29:28)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Online
  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 13,182

Re: Can an attenuator break?

I got information from internet that it could depend on the circuit design how this is exactly implemented.

It sounded like this: if the attenuation is delivered by a resistor against ground and if this one would be damaged,
then it could become loud again.

Also interesting this link with different circuit layouts:
http://www.uneeda-audio.com/pads/

My personal opinion from gut feeling, low risk, because there is not much waste, a preamp doesn't produce high voltages.

But I am not sure, so I wanted to wait for somebody with good knowledge about such designs to comment on it.

Maybe even better to ask directly the support of the vendor as he wants to be sure and safe.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • vino
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2022-08-21
  • Posts: 12

Re: Can an attenuator break?

ramses wrote:

I got information from internet that it could depend on the circuit design how this is exactly implemented.

It sounded like this: if the attenuation is delivered by a resistor against ground and if this one would be damaged,
then it could become loud again.

Also interesting this link with different circuit layouts:
http://www.uneeda-audio.com/pads/

My personal opinion from gut feeling, low risk, because there is not much waste, a preamp doesn't produce high voltages.

But I am not sure, so I wanted to wait for somebody with good knowledge about such designs to comment on it.

Maybe even better to ask directly the support of the vendor as he wants to be sure and safe.


Thank you again. I did send an email to the JTS support. And got this answer...

"Hello,

it is a passive attenuator in which several voltage dividers are installed. The resistors and the input and output impedance are designed for microphone signals. When used with a line signal, the impedances do not match and distortion may occur under certain circumstances.
If resistors burn out, the volume may change depending on which resistor burns out.
In the worst case, the output signal corresponds to the input signal, i.e. it comes out without attenuation. The chance of a resistor causing a short circuit, on the other hand, is very unlikely.
Under no circumstances should this adapter be used for a loudspeaker signal coming from an amplifier."

Seems like what's recommended here are not recommended by them. And that would make it really hard to attenuate the RME to the monitors.

6 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,582

Re: Can an attenuator break?

You misunderstood. The resistors in the JTS are bigger SMD ones (compared to tiny standard SMD ones), and will never break when used with Line I/Os. The JTS support talked about putting them between amp output and loudspeaker. Obviously these are not designed for high Watt numbers. Then again passive loudspeakers do not use XLR anymore for many years...

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • vino
  • ADAT user
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2022-08-21
  • Posts: 12

Re: Can an attenuator break?

MC wrote:

You misunderstood. The resistors in the JTS are bigger SMD ones (compared to tiny standard SMD ones), and will never break when used with Line I/Os. The JTS support talked about putting them between amp output and loudspeaker. Obviously these are not designed for high Watt numbers. Then again passive loudspeakers do not use XLR anymore for many years...

Oh, I see. I misunderstood indeed smile. So it would be totally safe to use a JTS with an audio interface?

Thanks