What is a stepped attenuator?

Share. By Sweetwater on Nov 18, 2003, 12:00 AM. A type of variable attenuation device using a switch with two or more (sometimes many more) contact positions, each with different amounts of resistance applied.

What is a stepped attenuator volume control?

A stepped attenuator is geeky audio term for a complex multi-pole mechanical switch with a ton of resistors attached. It uses a big rotary switch to select discrete resistor pairs usually corresponding to a few dB change in volume per step.

What is a stereo attenuator?

The SAT-2 is a passive stereo audio device that provides you with attenuation and control over your signal level wherever you may need it, either at the output of a pair of high-gain mic preamps, or before your studio speakers as a compact desktop monitor controller.

What is a shunt attenuator?

A shunt stepped attenuator is a simple design where the signal is fed through a fixed series resistor (Rin) and the shunt resistor (Rg), is selected from 48 values ranging from zero to infinity by means of a selector switch. That is up to the design of the piece of equipment.

Is a potentiometer an attenuator?

Components Needed For this circuit, we can use a resistor or potentiometer to act as the attenuator. A resistor will act as a fixed attenuator, while a potentiometer will act as an adjustable attenuator.

What is the purpose of attenuator?

An attenuator is an electric device that reduces the power of a signal without degrading its integrity. Simply put, an electrical/electronic attenuation device is one that reduces the electrical/electronic energy passing through by diverting some of the energy to either heat or ground.

What does a attenuator do?

Attenuators are electrical components designed to reduce the amplitude of a signal passing through the component, without significantly degrading the integrity of that signal. They are used in RF and optical applications.

Why are stepped attenuators used in audio mixing boards?

For many years almost all broadcast audio mixing boards used stepped attenuators for reasons of reliability.

What is the size of the audio attenuator?

Hewlett Packard audio attenuator. 500 ohms in / out impedance. 5 watts. 0 – 110 dB in 1 dB steps. Non-inductive. 115v, 50 / 60 Hz max voltage. 5″ x 8″ x 4-1/2″ deep.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a step attenuator?

The advantages of a stepped attenuator are the possibility of better sound because of the parts quality. The downside of this arrangement is the volume is controlled in a series of fixed steps and you may or may not like the step level. There are pots that can come close to the performance of a stepped attenuator, but rarely do they.

What size attenuator do I need for my L pad?

Workman L Pad audio attenuator. 8 ohm, 15 watts, 60 watts music power. Includes knob and dial. 1.6″D x 0.87″ behind panel depth. Mounts in 3/8″D hole. IRC ladder step attenuator. 50 ohm. 2-1/2 dB/step to 45dB.