to get my ss140c head sounding right, i have to crank the master level to at least half. i'm not sure why (it's solid state) but that seems to be the way it is. so... at half, it's way too loud for bedroom practice.

i looked into attenuators, but at 140 watts they're as expensive as the amp itself. so i was considering options and messing around with what i have, and i was able to find a solution.

this entails using my mic preamp (m-audio 'audio buddy'). i'm hoping someone can suggest a better device that would suit this purpose. i'm not sure exactly how this works ...

ampeg preamp out --> audio buddy (volume just barely on) --> ampeg poweramp in ---> ampeg speaker outs to cab

so i'm looping the head back into itself with an added volume control.

the audio buddy now controls the master volume. the problem is, it's way too powerful. i can turn it just a hair above 0. so i need something less sensitive or powerful that could do this same job. ideally it would have 2 ins and 2 outs, to match with the ampeg.

thoughts on this? i have no idea what i'm doing.

sounds like you like the sound of the speakers breaking up.
maybe get lower wattage speakers?

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