Recording w/o speaker load

[tresmarshallz]

Has anyone struggled to find an inexpensive way to record silently into a console etc without a speaker/cabinet attached?
I stumbled upon a very cheap method and thought I'd share in case anyone else was looking to do the same.

I found a 100W non-inductive dummy load resistor from an online web site for 15 bucks. I just wired that up to a male mono plug and plug it into the speaker output and wa-la, then I can use the recording output on my tube amp for silent recording with no speaker cab attached!

If your amp doesn't have a recording out jack then you would obviously also have to get a DI box or something similar also which could be had for about 40 bucks I think.

 

[Frodebro]

If you're running a 100w amp into it you'll want to be VERY careful with the volume. A 100w tube amp, when pushed hard, can put out almost double its rated wattage. Remember-just because it's loaded down and you can't actually hear the volume doesn't mean that the amp isn't generating a lot of power.

 

[tresmarshallz]

That's a great point, I had a tech mention that to me when I was inquiring about that type of dummy load. They do also sell a 200W dummy load resistor for twice the price to be safe.
Instead of buying the 200W one I just use the 1/2 power switch on my head, most 100W heads have that type of power reduction option. And obviously if its a 50W head you would likely be fine also if you didn't completely crank it wide open.

 

[blues_n_cues]

not sure I would trust a $15.00 load box w/ my amp for long.

 

[keennay]

If you value your 100W amp, I wouldn't go inexpensive.

The Suhr Reactive load is an excellent tool for this application.

 

[tresmarshallz]

I understand the skepticism, I mean for something that is 15 bucks seems crazy.
I found a ton of articles online where people are making their own load for this purpose by putting heavy resistors in series. It seems to be a matter of math to me, techs use those all the time servicing amps don't they?.
I think as longs your amp wattage is about half of the wattage as it will handle I think it would be safe. I mean if it starts heating up then I would be worried, but it ran cool as a cucumber when hooked up to my Bugera running in 60W mode into that 100W dummy load.

 

[Frodebro]

The earliest commercial attenuators (Sholz Power Soak, Marshall Power Brake, and THD Hot Plate) were basically banks of resistors with a few extra bells and whistles added on.