Question time , Volume controls ?

[Audio Al]

OK learned ones

Whats the difference between a volume control and a attenuated volume control

[Beobloke]

OK learned ones

Whats the difference between a volume control and a attenuated volume control

Nothing. A volume control of any sort attenuates.

[Barry]

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]

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 IMG_3718.jpg ( 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

[Mixc]

OK learned ones

Whats the difference between a volume control and a attenuated volume control

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]

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 IMG_3718.jpg ( 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

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]

It’s all just styling and packaging and is largely irrelevant!

OK thanks , its just a volume control

soon

[paulf-2007]

I have a stepped attenuator which is covered with resistors, looked to be a fiddly job to solder all those resistors in place.