View Full Version : Question time , Volume controls ?
Audio Al
15-11-2018, 23:28
OK learned ones
Whats the difference between a volume control and a attenuated volume control :scratch:
Beobloke
16-11-2018, 00:31
OK learned ones
Whats the difference between a volume control and a attenuated volume control :scratch:
Nothing. A volume control of any sort attenuates.
The only thing I can think of is an "attenuated" volume control does not reduce the volume to zero at its minimum setting. A bit like some balance controls only provide a 5 or 6dB adjustment range, rather than full left or right.
Where did you come across this term Al?
It could be a misprint of "attenuator".
Audio Al
16-11-2018, 04:04
Attenuate is a verb that means to make or become weaker. The versatile word attenuate denotes a weakening in amount, intensity, or value.
I have a Nikko pre amp that has " What I have refered to as attenuated , maybe the wrong word volume control " 32-detent attenuator 24678 ( Click on photo it gets bigger )
It starts at -70db lowests volume and rotates clockwise around to 0 highest volume in click stop graduations
Other amps I have just have ordinary volume controls no click stops just smooth rotation , no db scale either :scratch:
OK learned ones
Whats the difference between a volume control and a attenuated volume control :scratch:
HI Are you refering to a stepped attenuator?
If you are they use fixed value resistors (which give steps) compared, to a carbon track to adjust the signal level.
Some tracked potentiometers have a device to give stepped positions (Clicks), some just rotate and stop where you leave them.
Beobloke
16-11-2018, 08:19
Attenuate is a verb that means to make or become weaker. The versatile word attenuate denotes a weakening in amount, intensity, or value.
I have a Nikko pre amp that has " What I have refered to as attenuated , maybe the wrong word volume control " 32-detent attenuator 24678 ( Click on photo it gets bigger )
It starts at -70db lowests volume and rotates clockwise around to 0 highest volume in click stop graduations
Other amps I have just have ordinary volume controls no click stops just smooth rotation , no db scale either :scratch:
Thats a very elegant way of describing a volume control!
Some have click-stops, some don’t and most of these are not stepped attenuators, but a normal pot with a knobbly metal ring behind them.
Most are labelled 0-10 or 0-[a number] but the Japanese had a spate of labelling them from minus infinity (or, as in your case, minus 70) up to 0 during the 80s. It’s all just styling and packaging and is largely irrelevant!
Audio Al
16-11-2018, 09:45
It’s all just styling and packaging and is largely irrelevant!
OK thanks , its just a volume control :);)
:christmas: soon
paulf-2007
16-11-2018, 12:46
I have a stepped attenuator which is covered with resistors, looked to be a fiddly job to solder all those resistors in place.
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