ok,
let‘s get into details :
If you want to play in your bedroom at low volume, through a cabinet,
a power attentuator that can be reduced stepless to your desired volume level would be the easiest. check out the TAD silencer for that
https://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/tad-silencer-power-attenuator
there are similar devices from other companies.
you can also record with it, sounds like this:
https://open.spotify.com/track/7MuBMkG1eSHCai7OrhNcGa?si=sZI3cevJRSCk9BIXUiiT6g
( 60s Jaguar, BF Deluxe, Tube Reverb into the Silencer)
if you want to use a DAW/ recording situation you can use a loadbox like the Suhr . you hook up your amp to the loadbox, then go into your interface and put a digital simulation ( IR) of a certain cabinet (4 x12 miked with an SM 57 for example on it. you can either listen via headphones or through studio monitors. the reactive load doesn‘t offer power attenuation ... if you connect a speaker, it puts out the regular volume, if not it‘s 100 % silent.
this song was recorded that way:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1inPMXj9Ei1UQD4gOqYGQq?si=BbF0hS6MQdePoeb7S0Zm6g
(60s jazzmaster, tube reverb, echoplex, lovepedal les lius and a TAD Jmp 45 into the Suhr reactive load with an IR of a 4x12)
the ox box combines both concepts. it is a power attenuator ( sadly without stepless reduction), so amps over 40 watt can only be used on position 1 of the attenuation, otherwise it‘s still loud in an apartment - you can use headphones though and make the amp completely silent..
it also has a nice simulation of a studio situation, with different cabinets, microphones, room mics plus a plate reverb and delay.
basically it‘s like sitting in the control room of a studio with your cab in a separate room - a pro studio setup. you can record or play a cranked 100 w amp at hifi volume and listen through your monitors or headphones.
for me it sounds very realistic and the results made me happier then some studio productions i did...and i can record in my own room. the ox box is pricey, but if you compare it to two studio days and an expensive collection of cabs and mics, it is very cheap.
since most people don‘t have rooms to record/ practice where a cranked tube amp is a possibility for longer time periods, this really helps to get good studio sounds at home.
i recorded this album with the ox box:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5ClNiZYjvryPiuMoA8uBEn?si=ptO3M0RwTQm4Jr4IXR8y-g
this one was done with a grossman box, but it‘s harder to handle and still loud in your bedroom
https://open.spotify.com/album/460vSIa1iwAFIvOqqNvT4t?si=Xrs9XOa2S6y0jVKDr3H0QA
hope that helps!
Last edited: Jan 24, 2021 05:55:03