One of the ONLY review videos on this where you compare the amp volume side by side with tone demonstrations as you crank the amp and level out the ps1 to balance the volume. THANK YOU.
You’ll never leave home without one after you try it. This is the secret ingredient to good tone. I have one on my deluxe reverb. It’s like switching from am radio to xm radio. A whole new world of tone for your ears to feast on.
@@RobertCassard That would be Ok if the reverb was of decent quality. But that one is horrible. I owned a bunch of fender amps and that's the worst fender reverb I've ever heard.
@@kmcnair123 It was the first reverb circuit Fender ever put in an amp...historic, but obviously not to your liking. As an old guy, it's the sound of my youth.
Thx for the demo. I just picked one of these up for $110 and free shipping on Reverb. I am now CRANKING my Bassman head and getting those sweet tube tones sans the divorce papers. I can’t say enough good things about this device. I have all the amp modelers and cab sims and while they good and I will continue to use them, NOTHING beats hot tubes and speakers pushing air. Love it!
Mas Machina - so happy you're cranking away happily. Exactly how I felt when I first used it to gets my tubes humming. Hot tubes and speakers pushing air, yes!
thank you so much for a legitimate demonstration. Ive seen so many review and videos of this where they dont seem to understand exactly how this works. However, you clearly showed me what I needed to know: the more power you want to push out of the head, the further to the left you need to scroll the big knob on there. If you sort of keep that relationship between the two knobs the same as you adjust them, the actual noise level from the amp wont change but your tone will as you begin to overdrive the tubes. Thank you so much and Bugera should send you a commission check for selling me one lol
Just got one for my Diezel VH4 (which is INSANELY) loud... and wow does it sound good. I have a Z Airbrake which I am now selling because this thing IMO sounds so much better at TV volumes. Dial in your tone with it cranked when you want....lower it to taste and it still really sounds good at low volumes. Love it.
I have a 40 watt fender hot rod deluxe I couldn't even get it to one in my house until this little baby came around. It is flat out amazing to go from a whisper to a roar with the turn of a dial and no more house p.a. guy telling me to turn down when I know my tubes are glowing bright!
Hey Robert, was checking into attenuators I then watched this video and purchased one and decided for the cost ( $140.00 including tax & free shipping from Amazon ) better than buying any more amps wife said 3 is enough lol. I have a 68 Deluxe Reverb re-issue & a 68 Princeton re-issue that are way too loud at anything past 2.5 in the dwelling that we are living so I haven't used them. Received the Power Soak this week tried it out today on the Princeton ...WOW ! Game Changer ! Absolutely love it works like a charm ! Finally can crank it up to get that natural tube crunch and beyond ! Thanks for making this video ! Rock on Brother ! Cheers :)
For the price, there is no competition. Really had to add it to my collection as I need it to tame my EVH 5150 Stealth, I recommend it with both hands, and super cool video from you mister!
I just bought one of these for my Marshall dsl20cr and it is amazing. I live in an apartment and can get the full tube sound at a level where my boy is sleeping and the neighbors don't even notice. Well worth it.
Attenuators are great for getting natural tube breakup at bedroom levels, but running your amp at full burn like that also drastically lowers the lifespan of all of your tubes (especially the power tubes which already only last about 1/4 of the lifespan of preamp tubes), so if you're going to attenuate your amp, you may want to make sure you're not using expensive NOS tubes (unless you're rich). Some cheap Russian or Chinese tubes should suffice and will still sound pretty good when you're running them that hot.
Thanks, Michael. Totally correct that "full burn" operation will noticeably shorten tube life. In general, though, most guitarists hopefully won't ever run with the tubes at max power. I generally push the tubes to a maximum of 50-60% and they've been cranking away for hours and hours and months and months.
I have a vintage amp I could keep it turned down and never great the great tones out of it by not turning it up and never have to buy tubes .............. having this lets me get the great tones out of it without rattling the windows out of the house. When you have a tube amp and use it the way it is supposed to be used you have to buy tubes every few years. its just part of owning a tube amp
I just bought a Marshall DLS40CR (my first tube amp!), and I'm loving it, but I haven't been able to crank it yet (and probably will never get it loud enough with a house full of kids). This looks like the perfect way for me to truly get those Marshall tones out of my amp without destroying my hearing! Thanks for the great demo!
just for the hell of it, I once took my Randy Rhoads yellowed '82 Les Paul Custom to the guitar shop that had at the time a white Randy Rhoads head and single cabinet. It sounded like shit (brittle) until I got the volume up to six, at which point it started to warm up and thump a bit. Oh what I would have given for a Power Soak....lol.... it would have been fun to get it closer to ten and have the power tubes really working. A wildly impractical amp unless you're playing arenas and the cabinets have a huge room to bleed into.
@@michaelzilkowsky2936 imagine how much more tolerable big guitar stores would be with Power Soaks on every amp that doesn’t have both Master Vol and Gain controls! LOL
Thank you for the quick reply. So I'll try it. I originally wanted an ironman from Tone King but they don't have it right now and they won't stock it until 8 weeks from now. Thank you for your video. Good luck
The Bugera is such a reasonable (low!) price, that it's a great way to test how you like using an attenuator with your amp. You can always "graduate" to a higher quality and higher cost attenuator later if you want or need to.
Attenuators are a great tone tool in allowing one to get to ultimate sweet spots on a guitar. I use a Rivera RockCrusher with an LP going into a Marshall 100 watt Plexi as they are a must for a Plexi, would be unusable without it. The difference in attenuators is tone. I believe that this Bugera is a resistive attenuator and the more costly ones are generally a reactive (preferred) attenuator, which, in short, means they have a kind-of speaker set up in them but without the sound or speaker cone. The important thing to note is that with any attenuator one buys it should match the wattage output as well as the ohm output. That is, put a 100 watt amp dimed amp into an attenuator made for a 50 watt output and you could do some real damage to the amp, and amps that say 100 watts can easily go well over that wattage. Ohm matching is really important as well, it's not the speakers that will go, it's the amp itself, transformer specifically. Used properly they are a godsend to get that organic and dynamic over driven breakup that tubes do when cranked. EL 34 tubes are quicker to break up than 6L6s that are generally found in Fenders (I have an old Dual Showman as well), but when they are really driven that breakup tone in a Fender can be sublime. Another cool thing is dime that attenuated Fender, and then roll back the volume knob on the guitar itself, it's just a library of tones and, to your point, without using a pedal. Makes for just great dynamics in playing. Set one pick up with the volume rolled down to half on the neck pickup for a quieter tone in a fully cranked amp, and then the bridge pick up fully cranked for lead or over driven sound, throw the PU selector switch on any guitar and you go from clean to screaming lead without ever stepping on a overdrive pedal. And there's more, so many options come into play with being able to fully crank an amp and it natural overdrive is in play...pick and hand attack come into play as well...dynamics. Beautiful. Nice amp.
Thank you for the review. I just ordered mine and will be using it with a tweed blues junior - this amp is so much better with the master volume wide open and I'll plan on using it that way. I'm not aiming to get natural overdrive but want to tame the volume with the master dimed. Turning the master volume down and the volume up just isn't the same. We'll see if this Bugera PS1 allows the amp to sound better with master at 12 and volume around 3-4 rather than having my master at 6 and volume between 2 and 3. I think the people that are having issues with this unit might be using instrument cables to go from their amp to the unit or from the speaker to the unit. It is important that you use a REAL speaker cable and not an instrument cable. I'll give an update here when I receive mine and start using it.
I got the Bugera PS1 and I think it is great for what it does. I couldn’t tell a big difference in using it with the master dimed and then controlling the overall volume with it. I wasn’t convinced it was worth keeping in my situation so I ended up returning it. I think it could be really helpful for amps that don’t have a master volume. I don’t care for the blues junior power tube overdrive - diming the master is to achieve more responsiveness and dynamics from the amp. It enhances the dynamic range you can get based on how hard you hit/dig into the strings. I also tried the Weber mini mass 50w with my blues junior. It was a similar situation though - I wasn’t convinced it was worth it. I think for the money it would be more worth it to buy the Weber mini mass 50w or the Weber mass 100w than this Bugera PS1. The Weber ones are closer to a reactive load box because they employ an actual speaker motor for realistic interaction between the attenuator and the output circuit of the amplifier. I also would trust a hand built unit from Weber rather than the Bugera PS1. You can get the Weber mini mass direct from them and they hand build them to order or you can get them from Chicago music exchange on reverb. One note on attenuators as a whole - If you are going to dime your amp out and attenuate it down to very quiet volumes then you should be using an attenuator that is rated for twice the power of your amp's rated output.
@@gnarbucks_inc Glad you liked it, but with your amp and in your situation, you're likely better off having returned it. I get nervous about "diming" any amp under any circumstances. Sorta like cooking with the gas on max. Just more flame than anyone should need. The Webers look interesting - definitely a cool approach - moving mass - but I've never tried or heard one. Was the sound substantially different/better than the Bugera? Incidentally, my best tones with the Bugera come from my Vibroverb at about 5 or 6. Super crunchy but but not obnoxious. Beyond that, there's a low-midrange buildup that doesn't appeal to me.
@@RobertCassard I don't think the weber was much better than the Bugera but maybe my amp was the limiting factor, but I doubt it. I think there are a few things that make the Weber better. 1. There is a switch to bypass it so you can go full power without having to unhook or mess with cables. 2. It has a treble boost switch that you can use to compensate for the change in tone (if needed). I used the treble knob on my blues junior with the Bugera and that worked. It did seem to lose some treble with both of the attenuators. 3. The Weber seems to be of better quality and its hand built. I don't like to judge products by the company that made them and in the case of the Bugera PS1 - it was not engineered by them and there are several companies selling this same design. I think it was created by Soldano and its being sold and re-branded. I think the Bugera PS1 is still good quality and if someone judges it because its Bugera that is not rational because they don't engineer it or build them - they just put a new label on it and sell it.
Hey LS. Even when an amp is rated higher than 100W, the Bugera still works as an attenuator. The key is not to pump too much of the total wattage into the unit. (A user can't play a high-wattage amp on 10, but CAN play it around 1/2 volume or a little higher, getting attenuated output at the speakers, and making room volume more listenable. That said, your Heritage VTX has a sophisticated Gain section designed to make an attenuator unnecessary. Using your Pre-Gain, Saturation and Post-Gain controls, you should be able to get all the "crunchy attenuated goodness" a Bugera would give you. Save your money, pull out your operating guide and play with those knobs!
Living in a Paris appartement. I've bought it for a Pro Junior (which only has Volume & Tone knobs). Super great. You can crunch with volume not loud using the Bugera as Master. Today I used it on my Blues Junior for the first time. As the Blues Junior has both Volume and Master I did not try to plug it before. I just re discoverd my BJ ;-)
Hello Heka. Thanks for the suggestion. Go to page 7 of the user manual here: www.manualshelf.com/manual/bugera/ps1-power-soak/user-manual-english-french-german-portuguese-spanish/page-7.html
So, the second little knob is only for line out to record direct ? Basically, for playing through the amp and attenuating the sound we just use the big knob? And…sorry, but, if you turn the big knob all the way “up” is it no attenuation at all?..meaning you can leave this unit always connected but use it only if you want ? If turned “all the way up” do you hear any difference to your tone compared to no unit at all in the chain? Thanks for any thoughts on this. Very cool, and I dig your amp. Lucky you. 😊
Hey Roxy Roo. Yes, the second knob is to control the recording line out. I haven't even used it. And yes, you use one big knob for attenuation. The manual says that when the knob is turned "all the way up," there is 50% attentuation, so it's already significantly quieter. The tone is pretty much unchanged, at least with my amp. I think this unit sounds great until you start pushing an amp too hard. When you get up to an amp vol of 9 or 10, the Bugera has to squash the signal, which compresses it and rolls off the high end. Sounds killer with my amp around 5 or 6.
@@RobertCassard Thank you for that perfect answer and help ! I bought one and have yet to really give it a good try, I plan to this weekend ! Thanks again. Your video really helped.
Thanks for the review. Bought a Blackstar 6l6 MKII and I'd like to run it at 40 watts instead of the built in attenuator. This should work nicely. 70 bucks on Sweetwater right now
Hi artdecco. Do you mean a Fender Blues Jr? Any amp that has both a Volume control and a Master control shouldn’t need an attenuator like a Bugera to achieve tube distortion at low volume. For example, on a Blues Jr., use MASTER to adjust the room volume of the amp after you set VOLUME for the desired level of preamp distortion.
@@RobertCassard Hi,,, No......Mine is a : Fender Pro Junior. Just a Volume & Tone control and one input - All on top. The speaker can be disconnected, and a speaker cable run to the Bugera 8ohm. input, like you mentioned...........But, what happens with Speaker Out on the Bugera? There are no other inputs on the amp. thanks for your reply.
@@artdecco8617 it’s awkward, but you connect the amp’s short speaker cable to the Bugera’s Speaker out jack. You’ll need to position the Bugera behind the amp so that short cable is long enough to work…OR, you’ll also need to get a speaker extension cable to add length so you can put the Bugera wherever you want. Make sense?
@@RobertCassard Yes....after taking the back off.....I see that now, and an extension cable would really help. Thank you very much,,,,,,,,and enjoy your videos!
So, using this with my SG into a Tube amp will give me an Angus Young tone without blowing my windows out? Angus never used any pedals, just an SG into a cranked Marshall head.
I think we need a little more cowbell... I mean reverb!!! Actually, I have this Bugera soaker and I use it on 3 differant amps with great success. It's a lot of bang for the buck and is very nicely made. 2 years later I still love it. I've been playing for over 4 decades and would have killed for this in the old days. You kids have it so easy :)
Thanks for the video, Mate. It was really helpful to see the little beast in action. Probably I'm going to get one in the next week. Also, reverb is great. Never mind the complaints about that. Reverb: the more, the merrier. Cheers form Brazil.
I'm gonna get one mostly because it's a great thing to have in your back pocket for tube amps. I hate lugging around cabs to jam practice. It's perfect for when you wanna go Cab-less but don't want to lose your tube tone.
I'm looking for an affordable good attenuator, how does it work for you? I've been hearing the best and the worst about bugera and just can't make my mind
Yes, as long as you don't turn the amp up too high. If you set the amp volume over 8 or so, the Bugera compresses the signal and starts to cut off the high frequencies.
Hi, Robert! 1. I have a 1983 Fender Concert ll 60w 4x10 combo amplifier. My Burgera PS1 just arrived. Of the three different impedance amp inputs on the back of the PS1, which input port/jack do I use for this setup? 2. Also, I have a Fender Ultimate Chorus 2x10 combo amplifier. Of the three different impedance amp inputs on the back of the PS1, which input port/jack do I use for that setup? Thanks for all you do, Kris
I don’t think it’s designed to be used with the Ultimate Chorus. That amp should already have Volume and Gain and the speakers are internally wired, right? I don’t think there’s an easy to put the PS1 in line between the amp and speakers... hope this info helps!
How did you hook it up using a combo amp? Most combos just have pos and negative wires running from amp to speakers. I understand how it works with separate head and cab.
How do you actually have this connected to your amp? I have read some conflicting info. Could you post a quick video of the back and how it's connected, and if you're using a daw and ir?
Here's the user guide from Bugera. You can see how to hook it up on Page 7. www.manualshelf.com/manual/bugera/ps1-power-soak/user-manual-english-french-german-portuguese-spanish.html
Hi Yannick. I’m playing a Jay Turser JT-220GT. A fantastic guitar that costs less than $250. Here’s a video about it: ruclips.net/video/liiRSAprGQ0/видео.html
Sweet video! I’ve had my eye on this product. I’ve been kinda doing this with a TS or SD1 but...not the same. I’ve had a Bugera V5 for three years and works and sounds great! Gonna pull the trigger on this unit! Bugera seems to have good quality and excellent price point. Attenuator and amp is all I need for gigs!
I heard attenuators can get very hot. What about the Bugara and where would you place it e.g. during a gig in a smaller venue (behind the amp, on top of the amp)? Thanks.
It's true that attenuators can get very hot, but it all depends on how hard you push them. Too many people think you need to dime the amp into the attenuator. If you do, you'll not only run hot, you'll probably burn it out. Not to mention you'll heavily compress the signal which will trim of the high frequencies. I set my amp volume at 6 or less, which gives me plenty of natural tube distortion. It sounds great and never overheats. If you need to go for "animal" distortion, just add a pedal! The Bugera can go wherever you want as long as there's nothing above it to trap heat. I put it on top of the amp so I can make adjustments whenever I want. Cheers!
Mine has held up great. But I never drive it super hard. I think people who have issues either have very high-wattage amps or dime their amps into the Bugera assuming it will sound "better," when all it does is compress the sound and shave off high frequencies.
@@mdwvt Sweet! Because it goes between your amp and speaker, make sure you use speaker cable and not guitar cable. Come back and tell me how it works for you!
@RobertCassard yup I bought an extra speaker cable. Thanks for that though because it isn’t obvious for everyone! I’ve had heads and cabs before and made sure to use speaker cables 😉
Ajaz - Does your amp have a master Volume AND a Gain knob (or equivalent)? If so, you should be able to control tube distortion via Gain (how hard you push the tubes). And you control Volume (how loud the whole signal sounds) independently. That's what an attenuator does for amps that only have a Volume knob with no Gain knob.
Thank you very much for this demonstration. I’ve got a supra amp and stage volume is an important thing to try to control. This seems to be such an amazing value. Again thank you for this demonstration.
I chuckle when people use the term "bedroom volume". What exactly is that? Is that where you play so quiet that you can hear the guitar acoustically? I can already play my 60 watt tube amp at that volume. Wouldn't worry too much about ideal tone at such a low volume. Why not buy a 1 or 5 watt amp instead?
Agreed, Mike. But the reality is that many guitarists buy amps based on their reputation, with no regard for the wattage rating, volume sweet spot, or whether or not it has Master Volume and Gain built-in. For those folks, the Bugera is a $99 solution to a major problem. A good low-wattage amp will likely cost quite a bit more...
I experience minimal coloration if I don't push it too hard. My amp is 40 Watts. I can raise the amp volume to 6 or 7, a dial down the speaker volume on the Bugera, getting a lot of tube crunch with little coloration. (It sounds a little darker only everything naturally sounds darker at lower volume.) It's only when you push the Bugera hard that you'll notice compression and high-frequency roll-off. IMHO, it's a bad idea for your amp, the Bugera and your tone to play with everything dimed.
You shouldn't need an outboard attenuator. Your amp has separate Clean and Overdrive channels that you can push to get the tone you want, then you have a Master Volume, which serves the same purpose as an attenuator. (That said, yes, you could get even more attenuation using the Bugera.)
@@RobertCassard yes but its too loud in the gig. i want the master volume cranked to get that sweet spot of the power tube distortion but its too loud.
@@vovokidx9691 Interesting...you should be able to crank up your Overdrive Channel Volume to get the tube crunch you want, then set the Master Volume at a comfortable listening level. If the Master needs to be set higher for the tone you want, then yes, the Bugera could be placed between the Blackstar's output and the speakers as a final stage attenuator.
@@vovokidx9691 A volume pedal serves a different purpose than an attenuator for me. I often use a volume pedal for "swells," i.e., playing a note or chord with the volume off or low, then "swelling in" the sound. Another common use is when switching from rhythm guitar (strumming) to lead (single notes). I like using a volume pedal with the heel position set at my preferred rhythm volume and the toe position set at my preferred (higher) lead volume. I can change the volume while both hands are occupied playing the guitar without reaching for any knobs.
Hi Clint. The “Line” knob doesn’t affect sound. It determines only the volume to the unbalanced Line out (1/4”) or the balanced Emulated Mic out (XLR).
Needed an attenuator for my blues deluxe and was on the shelf between this and a few other more expensive ones, the cost seemed to be too good to be true but after watching this vid I'm sold, a bugera is on its way to me as I type
@@marcusfsproductions really good, didn't color the tone as much as the tweedy bird and speakersoak attenuators I had though it is a little on the bulky side
@@mathewdavies6472 Hey, glad to hear u like it. I have a BDR myself. Just a "dumb" question. How did you connect this to the amp? and can u still use pedals? I've never used one of these things
@@thulle85 you need a speaker cable, same 3/4 connection as the guitar cable but for speakers Stagg do a good one. The cable from the speaker plugs into the bugera and then you use the new cable to plug from the bugera into the speaker socker on the amp, it goes between the actual amp with all the circuitry and tube and the speaker. So you can turn the amp all the way to 12 but control the volume coming through the speaker. Eminence do a similar thing with an attenuator actually built in to the speaker. And yes you can still use pedals as this goes into the speaker socket, leaving the FX loop free
Honestly I wonder how people like Hendrix, Sabbath etc played their stacks and near full volume. Did they ever damage their hearing? Also quick question if I were to use a fuzz pedal will it still keep its sound?
Yes, MidnightStorm, I'm confident that many of the rockers did MAJOR damage to their hearing with their amps cranked so loud (of course, way before the advent of in-ear monitors). Pete Townshend of The Who is the poster boy for tinnitus (constant ear-ringing) from overexposure to loud music.
I am afraid that I have absolutely no experience with effects loops or any of the options at the back of my amp. All I have ever done is just plug my guitar in and play. I have a 40 Watt Fender Hotrod Deluxe and, after watching this great video, I bought a bugera Powersoak PS 1. Unfortunately, the quick start guide that came with it refers to an amp with a separate speaker, not a combo amp. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me what cable goes where when setting this up on a Hotrod Deluxe. It has taken me years to save for the amp and I am terrified of ruining it because of my ignorance. Cheers.
Hi Fred. I've never used a Hotrod Deluxe, but I just looked up the user manual online. Because you have both a Volume and a Drive/Gain control, you basically have a built-in attenuator and shouldn't need a Bugera to get tube distortion while playing at low volume. Just turn down the Volume and turn up the Drive/Gain. Some Hotrod Deluxe models have push/pull knobs to give you even more drive, no matter what the Volume is set at. Good luck with it!
You shouldn't need it, Bruce. Your Marshall already has Gain and Volume controls. Raising your Gain and lowering your volume is accomplishing the same thing as turning up Volume (Gain) on a tube amp and lowering the Volume, as heard through the speakers, via the Bugera.
You should definitely get this. The volume affects the tone on DSL20, unlike DSL40cr, which has two extra master volume to reduce the signal thats going into power amp. DSL20 does not have master for power amp so when you crank the preamp volume, it gets way too loud for indoor. You can either can a simple passive signal reducer that goes between FX loop so you can crank the preamp. With power soaker like this, you can crank the power amp in addition to the preamp to get both cooking, to get that marshall distortion tone. So the asnwer is Yes. In fact I have DSL40cr I can get great tone by cranking up the preamp and reduce the master volume on poweramp, its already very good. But i can't get the poweramp cooking to get that compressed tone. So i'm actually thinking to get one of these.
@@RobertCassard DSL20CR is way too loud to to crank up and home, the volume controls the preamp only which affects the tone. This should definitely help where you can crank up both preamp and poweramp for natural overdrive sound.
@@RobertCassard hi Robert, I tried my ps1 but got no sound at all. Probably connected it wrong. I have a evh 5150 15w head and a evh 2×12 cab. 16ohn. Do I go from the head to the 16ohm input on the ps1 and connect line to the cab?
@@davelawrence8488 Hi Dave. I took a look at the manual for that head. You already have separate Gain and Volume controls, so you should be able to get similar benefits to the PS1 by in creasing Gain and decreasing Volume. In terms of connections, set the impedence on the EVH, then connect the speaker output from the EVH to the matching ohm input on the PS1. Then the speaker out of the PS1 to your cab. Cheers! I hope this helps...
Hi Robert. I have this same amp and useing it for live performances. But unfortunately I barely get past volume 3 and I'm already loud.Since I know that the most beautiful goodness begins only after volume 5, I want to ask if you also use the Bugera during a live performance and if it preserves the dynamics of the amp. Thank you so far
The Bugera is perfect for live gigs, Jan. As long as you keep the amp volume under 7, you should still have have great dynamics. I never recommend diming the amp on 10, both because of the wear and tear on the tubes, and because it compresses the sound and kills some of the high end.
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching! Yeah, that Bitmoji is sweet, right?! My daughter customized it for me…made it smile and replaced the guitar with my prized Harmony 🚀 Rocket!
I wouldn't suggest using the Bugera without a speaker cabinet (and load) attached. I've read about people who did it, cranked their amp to 10 and fried the Bugera.
This sounds like it's EXACTLY what I need - the attenuator I'm using just has 4 clicks and the 4th one is nowhere near quiet enough for hime use (Vox AC15), so I have one of these on back order (12 WEEKS wait 😳) but it should be worth it 👍
Try taming a Mesa 50w enough to get into the sweet spot and not be heard all through the house. Not happening. I can only play that amp when everyone else is outta the house and even then only about 10-15 min because it is just too freakin loud for a 12x14 bedroom and my ears can't take it.
Hi Steve. Thanks for watching! Sorry, but I haven't tried the Rockcrusher, which is about 5X the cost of the Bugera. Some folks swear by them and love their flexibility and bypass switch. Philip McKnight did a direct comparison between them: ruclips.net/video/J-K9H-X8wd8/видео.html
Thanks for this. I am thinking of getting an attenuator after watching your video. I have a Vibroverb reissue too with stock everything. I may be able to get rid of some overdrive pedals in the process. The reverb and tremolo on that thing are great. And once you get the used to the tap tone controls, it is a versatile amp.
It's a great pairing, Andrew. As long as you don't push TOO hard, the amp retains most of it's richness and high end. FYI - Given how short the built-in speaker cable is on the Vibroverb, you may want to buy a short speaker cable extension cord so you have flexibility regarding placement of the Bugera. (And don't forget another short speaker cable to get from the amp to the Bugera's input.) Have fun!
It odes just what it's supposed to and I still love mine almost 4 years later. The secret is not to crank your amp TOO hot into the Bugera. If your purpose is only to max out distortion, get a pedal, but if your purpose is to run your amp hot enough to get tube crunch with the ability to lower the volume to enjoy it in the room, you should LOVE this box.
@@RobertCassard I spent a little more on a used Spl reducer. I know it’s the same technology as the bugera (resistors) but this got so many positive reviews for being transparent
Help! I just got one today and tried it with my orange micro terror 20w amp head and tried both the mic emulated for and the line out separately with out a cab and get no sound into my daw
I’m not an expert on using the PS-1 without a speaker load, but there’s a good discussion here. The final answer may help. community.musictribe.com/t5/Musician/PS1-as-dummy-load/td-p/133815
Hey Jason. I think it depends on how you use it. If you plan to dial up your amp to 10 (or 11) and run the tubes at max, I'd imagine it might kill your tubes and/or amp. I never do that, because running them at max never gives the best tone to my ear; it attenuates the high frequencies. I love "tube crunch" which I can easily achieve at volumes of 6 and below. If I want the kind of distortion you get from max'ing out, I just add a pedal...
@@RobertCassard I have a 135W 1981 Silverface Twin Reverb. Input 1 is full power. Input two is half power. It has a Master volume and Channel volume. Wondering if the Bugera can handle it?
@@JasonsGuitarJams That's a lot of power! If you have Master and Channel volume, you may not need a Bugera. If you turn UP the channel volume and DOWN the master volume (or vice versa), do you get crunchy distorted tube sound but at a manageable room volume? That's basically what an attenuator like the Bugera does. Not sure about an '81, but does it have an Output Hi and Output Low switch on the back? If there's a Speaker Out jack on the back, and you still want to connect an attenuator inline between the amp's speaker out and the speakers, you'd have to be careful not to run the volume too hot. Pretty sure the PS1 is rated for 100 watts, but I wouldn't load it with 100 watts continuous.
@@JasonsGuitarJams just read that your 81 has a push pull Master Volume knob for distortion. The user manual says you can get distortion by turning Vibrato channel up to 10 and using Master volume to set room level. For more distortion, pull out the Master volume knob. Hope this helps!!
It can be confusing, and I'm not an expert. A Power Soaker is not an effect and it doesn't go in the effects loop. Also, it won't work (or will be unnecessary) on some amps. If you have both a Master Volume and a Gain control, the "power attenuation" feature is built-in, so you don't need an external power soaker. For this to work, the power section (or "head") of your amp needs a Speaker Out jack. This will feed full power to the Bugera. Then you connect the Speaker Output of the Bugera to your speakers (all using speaker cable, not guitar cable). I hope this makes sense!
@@RobertCassard excellent demo. The difference is so audible 👍. Question for you. I have the Marshall dsl 1 watt head going into a 1x12 , bought for home use but believe me even the 1 watt is too loud for home use if I want to try to get the rich tunes by cranking the amp volume and really firing the tubes ( amp has no master volume). Can I use this attenuator with an amp of such small wattage? Is it safe? Thanks
@@allboutthemojo Yes! Connect the Marshall's Speaker Output to the 16 Ohm input of the Bugera and the output of the Bugera to your speakers (both connections using speaker cable, not instrument cable). Low wattage should never be a problem for an attenuator, only high wattage poses any safety risk.
Hello, i just bought a bugera power soak PS1. I use it with a princeton reverb 65 (15W amp). i am surprised that i have to set the soak button at very low level in order to play at bedroom level (say tv level). For exemple when my amp is at volume 7 or 8, if i want tv level i have to set the bugera PS1 soak button at not more than about 5%. So a lot of attenuation. Do you think it is normal since my amp is only 15W?
Hi Lorenzo. It's probably normal if you're running the amp volume that hot and trying to get the room volume to TV level. There can be a big difference between an amp's wattage rating and its peak output. Also, some low-wattage amps can push very high sound pressure levels. (Try unplugging the Bugera and see how loud the amp is as a volume of 7 or 8. It will probably be deafening and you'll realize how much it's being attenuated!) Just make sure you are using speaker cable (not instrument cable) to connect the amp's speaker output into the Bugera's 8 ohm input, which should be the correct input for your Princeton. My Vibroverb amp is 40W and I rarely run it hotter than volume 6 or 7. In that position, I also need a lot of attenuation like you're describing.
@@RobertCassard Thank you Robert for your answer. Yes i use the 8 ohm and a speaker cable. I think everything is doing normal, i was just surprised a 100W capable attenuator has to work at 5% to make a 15W amp sound quiet. But you are right, princeton at 7/8 volume is very loud. I could test it at this volume in a store with isolated room. Still, i can have the break up of my tubes at home and that's nice. I hope i do not denaturate to much the sound with such attenuation.
Some people say it does, but that’s not my experience. I think those who complain are the same people who push their amps to 9 or 10 and then through the Bugera. That’s never been my approach. For me, the sweet spot of crunchiness for my VibroVerb is around 6. If I want more distortion than that, I add a pedal
Hey, Jake. It’s smart to ask! You connect the Int. Speaker output of the amp into the input of the Bugera, then the 4 ohm output of the Bugera to your speakers. Be aware, though, I’m not an expert on Twins, and there may be a difference dependent on the specific Twin and what year it was made. In general, a Twin has two 12 inch speakers wired in parallel (8ohms each, 4 ohms total load). In any case, the total impedance of the internal plus external speaker outs should be 4 ohms...in this case you’re using only the Int. Speaker out of the Twin. Hope this helps!
A bit much on the reverb but...it actually shows how the power tube section really affects the reverb tank in the best way, really gets those springs moving. I hear it's not safe to use on anything above 50 watts because it's rated 100 watts ?
Hey Cy...I don't technically know about "safety." But from my perspective, the wattage rating is just measuring how much sustained power you push into the Bugera. My amp is 40 watts and even when I crank it pretty hard, the Bugera doesn't even feel hot. A 100W amp pushed to 10 might make it run too hot. But at a nice crunchy level, like a 6 or 7, my guess is it would work really well. Just a guess...but hey, you can always return it if it doesn't do the job.
@@RobertCassard Thanks for the reply. Since I commented I've learned that even though they're rated 100W they work best with 50W amps and below. In other words, you need twice the power from the attenuator to the amps peak power. Mine is a Carvin Nomad 50W, so it should be just fine. Keep on rockin'.
Interesting to find this right now... I'm considering a new Fender Deluxe Reverb 65 but I was concerned that since it did not have a Master volume or any way of bringing down the volume for home use, I'd be dissapointed I'd not be able to enjoy the true tones of the amp as these babies always sound so good pushed. This seems to be a SOLVE. Thanks!!
So glad you found this video, Ross. I think a new Fender Deluxe Reverb 65 would be amazing teamed with the Bugera! If you get 'em, please come back and tell me how you like the combo.
Can you use it for playing at zero volume i.e. using in ears on a silent stage? You'd just take your amp head, no cab. Then plug the Bugera PS into the PA via a DI box.
Hi Dawut and thanks for watching. What you’re describing is a cool idea, but I don’t think it’s the INTENDED use of the PS1. That said, it may work fine, depending on the power output of your amp head, how hot you plan to run it, and for how long. From what I understand, the PS1 is a pure resistive load, and it’s designed to have a speaker load attached at the proper ohm rating for your amp. In practice, though, I and others I’ve read about, have played it at near-zero volume without any problems. Do some online searches, because there are plenty of people out there who are using the PS1 in interesting ways and reporting the results in forums, etc. Also, it has 1/4” and XLR outputs for the express purpose of running to a PA or recording system, so you probably wouldn’t need a DI box. FYI, my amp is 40W. I have read about some people running 100W amps wide open and smelling burning parts - that’s a LOT of resistance.
Hello Jorge. I think it compares surprisingly well considering how much less it costs. The only difference I hear with most of the more expensive ones is that it may roll off some high frequencies. I’ve had no trouble getting them back with a little EQ.
@@RobertCassard cool thx, I have Blackstar HT5 Metal tube amp that I cannot even crank past 10 o'clock without pissing off neighbors. Best sound I get out of it is around 2 o'clock...but that is on currently overkill.
How does this connect to a combo amp that doesn't have a separate speaker jack and cable? Can it connect to the effects loop of a Fender Hot Rod Deville?
Not sure it will do anything for you, td... It's not an "effect" and there's nothing in the manual about using it in an effects loop. (I don't even have an amp with an effects loop or I'd give it a try.)
I never run my amp full volume into the Bugera and mine is only 40 watts. 100 watts into the Bugera will probably get hot fast. I use it to get “tube crunch” not full distortion. I add a pedal if I want that much edge. Hope this helps!
Thanks Robert it’s a monster of an amp but it’s looks amazing sounds amazing. I’m running the volume at 6 and the bugera limit is 100w. You can select 4 or 8 ohms on the amp do you reckon 4 ohms will knock back the power /heat
Glad the video helped, Dana. A Peavey 6505 is a 120-watt lion - very fierce. You'll definitely need a way to tame it so you can live with it and not have it eat your ears!
Dana Boyd pull two power tubes so it’s putting out 60 watts. I’ve done this with my original 5150 head for years. Leave in the two middle tubes or the two end tubes.
I just got one and I;m looking at the rear panel ~ upper bank has 1 jack out to "speaker" and lower bank has 3 input labels ( 4, 8 & 16 Ohm ) ~ is this what speaker needs are feed by ???? So is it that simple ~ output designated by Amp source into your Speaker needs ??? I was hoping it was more universal, in that I could choose what Ohm rating I wish to use - or is this 1 and the same ?????? Just wondering ~ don't want to risk any accidental damage to speakers !!
Use the same ohm rating as your amp. Each amp is optimized for a specific amount of resistance, and you could damage the amp if it’s pushing power and encountering too much or too little...
OK, . . what I meant by universal, is I hoped you could choose the Ohm for the speaker I wanted to try, and it would allow you to use it with an 8 Ohm amp. Tube Head amps will still be locked into using 8 Ohm, so I can live with that, but with newer SS heads like Quilter can take on at least 2 Ohm variations, sometimes all 3 !!! I have 2 Organ Donor tube amps, low watt ~ charming sounds at about 16 to 18 Watts max output, that get quite loud with pedals in front, and I can use this for those needs as well !!!! COOL !!!!!! (( My purchase was a used item & it came without any instructions ~ so I was unsure of the limitations of matching output to speaker choice ))
James Vandenberg check the Bugera website. If it’s like a Torpedo Captor, plug the same Ohm rating out into the same value jack, e.g. 16 Ohm out to 16 Ohm on box. Then it should let you use any Ohm cab. It’s the load the amp sees which is important. But double check the online manual www.bugera-amps.com/Categories/Bugera/Guitar/Accessories/PS1/p/P0BV1#googtrans(en|en)
I bought one but it’s literally on back order everywhere!!! It’ll be a little while before sweetwater can send it out to me! For now I bought a JHS “little black box” which goes through the effects loop in my Mini Silver Jubilee 2525h and at least it let’s me crank my pre-amp although not my power-amp. So damn sad but it’s better than nothing.
Yes it will. You connect the speaker output on the back of the Pro Jr. to the 8 ohm input of the Bugera (using speaker cable, not instrument cable), then the plug the Pro Jr's speaker wire (1/4" male) into the Speaker Output of the Bugera. That wire may be pretty short, so you may have to position the Bugera behind the amp.
How's the overall fidelity of the Bugera power soak? I used to have a Bugera tube amp but it was the most digital-sounding tube amp I'd ever heard. So I've been a little wary of their products since then.
Hi Dichroic. I’d say the overall fidelity is a B+. It trims a bit of high-end off the top, but that’s easy to compensate for at the guitar or with some post EQ.
@@RobertCassard The loss of high-end frequencies wouldn't hurt my feelings. I prefer a darker tone anyways. It's probably my best bet for a budget attenuator. Some of these devices can cost $1000 used, and I really don't see why they have to be so expensive.
Wish I could, Sterling. The Vibroverb is my only amp... I've spent the bulk of my musical career of the last 10 years streamlining and simplifying my gear to the essentials. The exception is guitars and other stringed instruments. For some reason THAT collection keeps growing, in part because I have some generous subscribers!!
@@RobertCassard That's cool. Just an idea. I thought you might be one of those guys that does, Gear Reviews. I'm fixing to Buy one, anyway. Perhaps I will. I've been contemplating, HOW TO, Get Into That...? Thanks, I appreciate your review on the Bugera PS 1, as I'm looking around for one, for the Blackstar. I live in a Extended Stay Motel Room, mostly use Headphones, but I'm ready for an Amp, again. It has a Headphone Out, as well. All, The Best!!
@@RobertCassard Check out, Carl's Custom Guitars, The VOLUME BOX, When you have time to. You put it in your EFFECTS LOOP, and you can Crank Up, your Amp for those TONES, but at tolerable Levels, and Yes, you can still Use your EFFECTS, such as Modulation, Delay and Reverb, in Your Effects Loop, just Place, The VOLUME BOX, at the End of those Effects, This, AFTER the, PREAMP SEND, But BEFORE, the Effects RETURN, into the Power Amp SECTION. I'm going to try this Unit FIRST, and if I still Need an ATTENUATOR, he has one, for around, $50, specifically for, Blackstar Tube Combo Amps. If I'm not Happy with it, then I'll try the Bugera. You can find these Units on. REVERB.COM, or his website. Take care.
@@sterlingmcvay2469 That sounds like a great find, Sterling. The Blackstar is a "modern" amp with an effects loop. My old Vibroverb is of the more primitive variety. No effects loop.
With most Fender Deluxes, there is an output labeled SPEAKER. It normally has a 1/4" male cable plugged in that carries the amp signal directly to the speakers. You need to unplug that factory speaker cable and plug it into the Speaker Output jack on the Bugera. Now, to get sound from the amp to the Bugera requires a short length of male-to-male speaker cable - one than can carry high wattage (different than a guitar cable, which carries low wattage). Plug the new speaker cable into the SPEAKER jack on the Deluxe on one end and into the 8 Ohm Amp Input jack on the Bugera. (A Deluxe Reverb is designed for an 8 ohm load, so that inout should work best. My Vibroverb is designed for 4 Ohm loads.) In other words, the Bugera goes in between the SPEAKER out of the amp and the cord that goes to the speakers. I hope this helps!
Hi, great video! What is the usage of the line out? Is it controlling the volume of the signal that is sent to the audio interface? Also, may I ask what equipment you use for the video? All the best!
George Gorbs Yes, line out and line volume knob control volume to your audio interface or mixing board. Video was shot on Canon EOS 70D camera. Audio recorded on a Zoom H1. Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro on a MacBook Pro.
@@RobertCassard - no, it's nothing I'm feeling, it's actually a fairly loud metal-rubbing-on-metal type of sound that you can hear pretty easily at a distance, even from across the room. What you're describing sounds normal, like very fine increments of the attenuating dial, as might be expected, and aside from a slight, subtle feel of the various "stops" inherent to the dial's internal mechanism is otherwise silent. So, with that bit of insight, I think I can safely assume the one I was sent is mechanically defective, and am now in hopes of ending up with one that behaves better after it's returned and the new one I just ordered arrives... thanks for the help... ;-)
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One of the ONLY review videos on this where you compare the amp volume side by side with tone demonstrations as you crank the amp and level out the ps1 to balance the volume. THANK YOU.
My pleasure. I'm glad it was helpful, Austin. Most viewers complain about too much reverb, but you actually cared about the same thing I did! LOL
You’ll never leave home without one after you try it. This is the secret ingredient to good tone. I have one on my deluxe reverb. It’s like switching from am radio to xm radio. A whole new world of tone for your ears to feast on.
And all with the real tube sound of the amp!
You have what appears to be a dynamite sound. But I'll tell ya... I could have used a little more reverb.
Thanks for the kudos and the well-deserved irony! I like my reverb dripping wet!
@@RobertCassard That would be Ok if the reverb was of decent quality. But that one is horrible. I owned a bunch of fender amps and that's the worst fender reverb I've ever heard.
@@kmcnair123 It was the first reverb circuit Fender ever put in an amp...historic, but obviously not to your liking. As an old guy, it's the sound of my youth.
Definitely more reverb!
If Rather By Flying thinks we should have more reverb...I think we should give him have more reverb...don't blow this for us Bob!
Thx for the demo. I just picked one of these up for $110 and free shipping on Reverb. I am now CRANKING my Bassman head and getting those sweet tube tones sans the divorce papers. I can’t say enough good things about this device. I have all the amp modelers and cab sims and while they good and I will continue to use them, NOTHING beats hot tubes and speakers pushing air. Love it!
Mas Machina - so happy you're cranking away happily. Exactly how I felt when I first used it to gets my tubes humming. Hot tubes and speakers pushing air, yes!
thank you so much for a legitimate demonstration. Ive seen so many review and videos of this where they dont seem to understand exactly how this works. However, you clearly showed me what I needed to know: the more power you want to push out of the head, the further to the left you need to scroll the big knob on there. If you sort of keep that relationship between the two knobs the same as you adjust them, the actual noise level from the amp wont change but your tone will as you begin to overdrive the tubes. Thank you so much and Bugera should send you a commission check for selling me one lol
Thanks Seamus! Really happy it helped you make a decision.
A tad too much reverb maybe ?
telecaster fanatic The reverb intensity was set to “5”. I could have doubled it, but it was already dripping wet, so I should have worn a raincoat.
just a tad.... omg...
@@Maxmauser924 What can I say? Feet were still wet from surfing...
WAY too much
Reverb never is too much kkkk
Just got one for my Diezel VH4 (which is INSANELY) loud... and wow does it sound good. I have a Z Airbrake which I am now selling because this thing IMO sounds so much better at TV volumes. Dial in your tone with it cranked when you want....lower it to taste and it still really sounds good at low volumes. Love it.
Glad you love it, Mesa Dean. Mine works flawlessly, too.
I have a 40 watt fender hot rod deluxe I couldn't even get it to one in my house until this little baby came around. It is flat out amazing to go from a whisper to a roar with the turn of a dial and no more house p.a. guy telling me to turn down when I know my tubes are glowing bright!
That’s fantastic, Mike! Yep...40 watts unattenuated can blow your ears off when it’s turned up enough to get deliciously crunchy breakup.
I had one of those...the worst part of that amp was the volume pot. Zero to 3 was an insane jump in volume.
Hey Robert, was checking into attenuators I then watched this video and purchased one and decided for the cost ( $140.00 including tax & free shipping from Amazon ) better than buying any more amps wife said 3 is enough lol. I have a 68 Deluxe Reverb re-issue & a 68 Princeton re-issue that are way too loud at anything past 2.5 in the dwelling that we are living so I haven't used them. Received the Power Soak this week tried it out today on the Princeton ...WOW ! Game Changer ! Absolutely love it works like a charm ! Finally can crank it up to get that natural tube crunch and beyond ! Thanks for making this video ! Rock on Brother ! Cheers :)
Fantastic news, Paul! Exactly how I felt when I got the wonderfully crunchy vintage tome from my Vibroverb!
For the price, there is no competition. Really had to add it to my collection as I need it to tame my EVH 5150 Stealth, I recommend it with both hands, and super cool video from you mister!
Thank you, H. Valkanov! I appreciate the + feedback. I'm happy you got a Bugera and are enjoying it.
thanks for the review, this thing is on sale right now for $50 and your vid sealed the deal for me
$50 is a smokin’ deal, H. Grab it!
I just bought one of these for my Marshall dsl20cr and it is amazing. I live in an apartment and can get the full tube sound at a level where my boy is sleeping and the neighbors don't even notice. Well worth it.
Great to hear, Steve. I love mine, too.
Thanks for this comment. I will give this PS-1 a try to bring my 50 watt Mesa Boogie down to "not waking the kids sleeping down the hall" volume.
Attenuators are great for getting natural tube breakup at bedroom levels, but running your amp at full burn like that also drastically lowers the lifespan of all of your tubes (especially the power tubes which already only last about 1/4 of the lifespan of preamp tubes), so if you're going to attenuate your amp, you may want to make sure you're not using expensive NOS tubes (unless you're rich). Some cheap Russian or Chinese tubes should suffice and will still sound pretty good when you're running them that hot.
Thanks, Michael. Totally correct that "full burn" operation will noticeably shorten tube life. In general, though, most guitarists hopefully won't ever run with the tubes at max power. I generally push the tubes to a maximum of 50-60% and they've been cranking away for hours and hours and months and months.
I have a vintage amp I could keep it turned down and never great the great tones out of it by not turning it up and never have to buy tubes .............. having this lets me get the great tones out of it without rattling the windows out of the house. When you have a tube amp and use it the way it is supposed to be used you have to buy tubes every few years. its just part of owning a tube amp
How does it reduce the life of your tubes? It’s no different then if you play your amp cranked all the time.
I just bought a Marshall DLS40CR (my first tube amp!), and I'm loving it, but I haven't been able to crank it yet (and probably will never get it loud enough with a house full of kids). This looks like the perfect way for me to truly get those Marshall tones out of my amp without destroying my hearing! Thanks for the great demo!
Yes, Sean. This cheap little box changed my life. And eliminated complaints from everyone around me (and my own ears!).
just for the hell of it, I once took my Randy Rhoads yellowed '82 Les Paul Custom to the guitar shop that had at the time a white Randy Rhoads head and single cabinet. It sounded like shit (brittle) until I got the volume up to six, at which point it started to warm up and thump a bit. Oh what I would have given for a Power Soak....lol.... it would have been fun to get it closer to ten and have the power tubes really working.
A wildly impractical amp unless you're playing arenas and the cabinets have a huge room to bleed into.
@@michaelzilkowsky2936 imagine how much more tolerable big guitar stores would be with Power Soaks on every amp that doesn’t have both Master Vol and Gain controls! LOL
@@RobertCassard ruclips.net/video/8f13FY94BKI/видео.html
Thank you for the quick reply. So I'll try it. I originally wanted an ironman from Tone King but they don't have it right now and they won't stock it until 8 weeks from now. Thank you for your video. Good luck
The Bugera is such a reasonable (low!) price, that it's a great way to test how you like using an attenuator with your amp. You can always "graduate" to a higher quality and higher cost attenuator later if you want or need to.
Attenuators are a great tone tool in allowing one to get to ultimate sweet spots on a guitar. I use a Rivera RockCrusher with an LP going into a Marshall 100 watt Plexi as they are a must for a Plexi, would be unusable without it. The difference in attenuators is tone. I believe that this Bugera is a resistive attenuator and the more costly ones are generally a reactive (preferred) attenuator, which, in short, means they have a kind-of speaker set up in them but without the sound or speaker cone. The important thing to note is that with any attenuator one buys it should match the wattage output as well as the ohm output. That is, put a 100 watt amp dimed amp into an attenuator made for a 50 watt output and you could do some real damage to the amp, and amps that say 100 watts can easily go well over that wattage. Ohm matching is really important as well, it's not the speakers that will go, it's the amp itself, transformer specifically. Used properly they are a godsend to get that organic and dynamic over driven breakup that tubes do when cranked. EL 34 tubes are quicker to break up than 6L6s that are generally found in Fenders (I have an old Dual Showman as well), but when they are really driven that breakup tone in a Fender can be sublime. Another cool thing is dime that attenuated Fender, and then roll back the volume knob on the guitar itself, it's just a library of tones and, to your point, without using a pedal. Makes for just great dynamics in playing. Set one pick up with the volume rolled down to half on the neck pickup for a quieter tone in a fully cranked amp, and then the bridge pick up fully cranked for lead or over driven sound, throw the PU selector switch on any guitar and you go from clean to screaming lead without ever stepping on a overdrive pedal. And there's more, so many options come into play with being able to fully crank an amp and it natural overdrive is in play...pick and hand attack come into play as well...dynamics. Beautiful. Nice amp.
Thanks for watching and sharing the insights, bbbro!
What about 120w into 100w? Close enough or too much of a risk?
Thank you for the review. I just ordered mine and will be using it with a tweed blues junior - this amp is so much better with the master volume wide open and I'll plan on using it that way. I'm not aiming to get natural overdrive but want to tame the volume with the master dimed. Turning the master volume down and the volume up just isn't the same. We'll see if this Bugera PS1 allows the amp to sound better with master at 12 and volume around 3-4 rather than having my master at 6 and volume between 2 and 3.
I think the people that are having issues with this unit might be using instrument cables to go from their amp to the unit or from the speaker to the unit. It is important that you use a REAL speaker cable and not an instrument cable.
I'll give an update here when I receive mine and start using it.
Awesome, Ross! Eager to hear how it works for you.
I got the Bugera PS1 and I think it is great for what it does. I couldn’t tell a big difference in using it with the master dimed and then controlling the overall volume with it. I wasn’t convinced it was worth keeping in my situation so I ended up returning it. I think it could be really helpful for amps that don’t have a master volume. I don’t care for the blues junior power tube overdrive - diming the master is to achieve more responsiveness and dynamics from the amp. It enhances the dynamic range you can get based on how hard you hit/dig into the strings.
I also tried the Weber mini mass 50w with my blues junior. It was a similar situation though - I wasn’t convinced it was worth it. I think for the money it would be more worth it to buy the Weber mini mass 50w or the Weber mass 100w than this Bugera PS1. The Weber ones are closer to a reactive load box because they employ an actual speaker motor for realistic interaction between the attenuator and the output circuit of the amplifier. I also would trust a hand built unit from Weber rather than the Bugera PS1. You can get the Weber mini mass direct from them and they hand build them to order or you can get them from Chicago music exchange on reverb.
One note on attenuators as a whole - If you are going to dime your amp out and attenuate it down to very quiet volumes then you should be using an attenuator that is rated for twice the power of your amp's rated output.
@@gnarbucks_inc Glad you liked it, but with your amp and in your situation, you're likely better off having returned it. I get nervous about "diming" any amp under any circumstances. Sorta like cooking with the gas on max. Just more flame than anyone should need. The Webers look interesting - definitely a cool approach - moving mass - but I've never tried or heard one. Was the sound substantially different/better than the Bugera? Incidentally, my best tones with the Bugera come from my Vibroverb at about 5 or 6. Super crunchy but but not obnoxious. Beyond that, there's a low-midrange buildup that doesn't appeal to me.
@@RobertCassard I don't think the weber was much better than the Bugera but maybe my amp was the limiting factor, but I doubt it. I think there are a few things that make the Weber better.
1. There is a switch to bypass it so you can go full power without having to unhook or mess with cables.
2. It has a treble boost switch that you can use to compensate for the change in tone (if needed). I used the treble knob on my blues junior with the Bugera and that worked. It did seem to lose some treble with both of the attenuators.
3. The Weber seems to be of better quality and its hand built. I don't like to judge products by the company that made them and in the case of the Bugera PS1 - it was not engineered by them and there are several companies selling this same design. I think it was created by Soldano and its being sold and re-branded. I think the Bugera PS1 is still good quality and if someone judges it because its Bugera that is not rational because they don't engineer it or build them - they just put a new label on it and sell it.
Just got my PS1 for my Princeton Reverb. Now I can turn up to 11 and not go deaf. Thanks, Rob!
Love to hear that you’re preserving your hearing, Brian!
great video! i'm sold!
Hard not to get excited for such a low price, right Daniel?
This is exactly what I have been looking for. Thanks!
I'd like to get one but my Peavey Heriatge VTX is 130W and the Bugera is rated for 100W max. I'm tempted to try anyway.
Hey LS. Even when an amp is rated higher than 100W, the Bugera still works as an attenuator. The key is not to pump too much of the total wattage into the unit. (A user can't play a high-wattage amp on 10, but CAN play it around 1/2 volume or a little higher, getting attenuated output at the speakers, and making room volume more listenable. That said, your Heritage VTX has a sophisticated Gain section designed to make an attenuator unnecessary. Using your Pre-Gain, Saturation and Post-Gain controls, you should be able to get all the "crunchy attenuated goodness" a Bugera would give you. Save your money, pull out your operating guide and play with those knobs!
Living in a Paris appartement. I've bought it for a Pro Junior (which only has Volume & Tone knobs). Super great. You can crunch with volume not loud using the Bugera as Master. Today I used it on my Blues Junior for the first time. As the Blues Junior has both Volume and Master I did not try to plug it before. I just re discoverd my BJ ;-)
I’m happy it’s working for you, Domi! Great to rediscover your Blessings Junior, too!
Thanks, really useful video. Exactly what I needed to see.
Glad it was helpful, Maine Bluesman!
Great demo!!!! Thanks!
Glad you liked it, Alex!
I think you should have shown us how to set up the Bugera into the amp, cables and connections etc.
Hello Heka. Thanks for the suggestion. Go to page 7 of the user manual here: www.manualshelf.com/manual/bugera/ps1-power-soak/user-manual-english-french-german-portuguese-spanish/page-7.html
@@RobertCassard Cheers Robert. ; )
So, the second little knob is only for line out to record direct ? Basically, for playing through the amp and attenuating the sound we just use the big knob? And…sorry, but, if you turn the big knob all the way “up” is it no attenuation at all?..meaning you can leave this unit always connected but use it only if you want ? If turned “all the way up” do you hear any difference to your tone compared to no unit at all in the chain? Thanks for any thoughts on this. Very cool, and I dig your amp. Lucky you. 😊
Hey Roxy Roo. Yes, the second knob is to control the recording line out. I haven't even used it. And yes, you use one big knob for attenuation. The manual says that when the knob is turned "all the way up," there is 50% attentuation, so it's already significantly quieter. The tone is pretty much unchanged, at least with my amp. I think this unit sounds great until you start pushing an amp too hard. When you get up to an amp vol of 9 or 10, the Bugera has to squash the signal, which compresses it and rolls off the high end. Sounds killer with my amp around 5 or 6.
@@RobertCassard Thank you for that perfect answer and help ! I bought one and have yet to really give it a good try, I plan to this weekend ! Thanks again. Your video really helped.
Rock on, Roxy Roo!
@@roxyroo7042 Did you try it yet, RR? How's it working?
@@RobertCassard Hi ! Yes, it is great. I am still experimenting but overall I am very happy. Thank you !
Thanks for the review. Bought a Blackstar 6l6 MKII and I'd like to run it at 40 watts instead of the built in attenuator. This should work nicely. 70 bucks on Sweetwater right now
Great deal at $70!!
I just bought one for my Fender Pro Junior.......So, a speaker cable Out of Bugera to an unplugged Speaker jack in the amp.......Is the Setup?
Hi artdecco. Do you mean a Fender Blues Jr? Any amp that has both a Volume control and a Master control shouldn’t need an attenuator like a Bugera to achieve tube distortion at low volume. For example, on a Blues Jr., use MASTER to adjust the room volume of the amp after you set VOLUME for the desired level of preamp distortion.
@@RobertCassard Hi,,, No......Mine is a : Fender Pro Junior. Just a Volume & Tone control and one input - All on top. The speaker can be disconnected, and a speaker cable run to the Bugera 8ohm. input, like you mentioned...........But, what happens with Speaker Out on the Bugera? There are no other inputs on the amp. thanks for your reply.
@@artdecco8617 it’s awkward, but you connect the amp’s short speaker cable to the Bugera’s Speaker out jack. You’ll need to position the Bugera behind the amp so that short cable is long enough to work…OR, you’ll also need to get a speaker extension cable to add length so you can put the Bugera wherever you want. Make sense?
@@RobertCassard Yes....after taking the back off.....I see that now, and an extension cable would really help. Thank you very much,,,,,,,,and enjoy your videos!
@@artdecco8617 yep. Fender is always stingy with the length of their speaker cables!!
So, using this with my SG into a Tube amp will give me an Angus Young tone without blowing my windows out? Angus never used any pedals, just an SG into a cranked Marshall head.
No guarantees, but it only costs $99 to try! It gave me a Blind-Faith-era Clapton tone...at least that’s what I tell myself!
@@RobertCassard thanks for taking the time to reply👍🏻🤘🏻
I think we need a little more cowbell... I mean reverb!!! Actually, I have this Bugera soaker and I use it on 3 differant amps with great success. It's a lot of bang for the buck and is very nicely made. 2 years later I still love it. I've been playing for over 4 decades and would have killed for this in the old days. You kids have it so easy :)
Agreed, Clinton! However...I’m hardly a kid, although I do my best to act like one!
Just bought one today, a Black Friday deal at Sweetwater for $49.00! What a deal.
Wow! That IS a deal, Larry. have fun with it!
Thanks for the video, Mate. It was really helpful to see the little beast in action. Probably I'm going to get one in the next week. Also, reverb is great. Never mind the complaints about that. Reverb: the more, the merrier. Cheers form Brazil.
You’re very welcome, Bruno. Nice to meet someone who enjoys reverb as much as I do. Brazil has rainforest, so you must like things wet! LOL
@@RobertCassard Yep. I'd say in many aspects of life one can't go wrong with a wetter option!
@@brunoliamat LOL
I'm gonna get one mostly because it's a great thing to have in your back pocket for tube amps. I hate lugging around cabs to jam practice. It's perfect for when you wanna go Cab-less but don't want to lose your tube tone.
Right on, Stony.
volume is reduced when using a cab ?
Ordered mine today. I play through a 68 Fender Twin Reverb reissue. Cant wait to hear it!
Awesome, Grant. Great amp. Please come back and tell me how it works for you!
I'm looking for an affordable good attenuator, how does it work for you? I've been hearing the best and the worst about bugera and just can't make my mind
Hey...great demo!! Thanks.
Just to make sure, this attuneator keep the real tone of the amp?
Yes, as long as you don't turn the amp up too high. If you set the amp volume over 8 or so, the Bugera compresses the signal and starts to cut off the high frequencies.
Hi, Robert!
1. I have a 1983 Fender Concert ll 60w 4x10 combo amplifier. My Burgera PS1 just arrived. Of the three different impedance amp inputs on the back of the PS1, which input port/jack do I use for this setup?
2. Also, I have a Fender Ultimate Chorus 2x10 combo amplifier. Of the three different impedance amp inputs on the back of the PS1, which input port/jack do I use for that setup?
Thanks for all you do,
Kris
Pretty sure the Concert 4x10 amp’s internal speaker jack is optimized for 8 ohms.
I don’t think it’s designed to be used with the Ultimate Chorus. That amp should already have Volume and Gain and the speakers are internally wired, right? I don’t think there’s an easy to put the PS1 in line between the amp and speakers... hope this info helps!
How did you hook it up using a combo amp? Most combos just have pos and negative wires running from amp to speakers. I understand how it works with separate head and cab.
As long as the amp has a 1/4” speaker output that the speakers are plugged into it, you can put the Bugera in between.
How do you actually have this connected to your amp? I have read some conflicting info. Could you post a quick video of the back and how it's connected, and if you're using a daw and ir?
Here's the user guide from Bugera. You can see how to hook it up on Page 7. www.manualshelf.com/manual/bugera/ps1-power-soak/user-manual-english-french-german-portuguese-spanish.html
How would I run a couple pedals along with the power soak? Probably a TS mini, noise gate, and tuner.
Hey Nathan. Pedals would go in front of the amp, as usual (unless your amp has an effects loop). The PS1 goes between the amp and speakers.
Hi! Ty for the great video!!! What is the guitar youre playing on?
Hi Yannick. I’m playing a Jay Turser JT-220GT. A fantastic guitar that costs less than $250. Here’s a video about it: ruclips.net/video/liiRSAprGQ0/видео.html
Sweet video! I’ve had my eye on this product. I’ve been kinda doing this with a TS or SD1 but...not the same. I’ve had a Bugera V5 for three years and works and sounds great! Gonna pull the trigger on this unit! Bugera seems to have good quality and excellent price point. Attenuator and amp is all I need for gigs!
Sounds like a plan, Ben. Come back and tell me how you like it!
Perfect vid, appreciated.
You're so welcome, @clutchrobinson358.
I heard attenuators can get very hot. What about the Bugara and where would you place it e.g. during a gig in a smaller venue (behind the amp, on top of the amp)? Thanks.
It's true that attenuators can get very hot, but it all depends on how hard you push them. Too many people think you need to dime the amp into the attenuator. If you do, you'll not only run hot, you'll probably burn it out. Not to mention you'll heavily compress the signal which will trim of the high frequencies.
I set my amp volume at 6 or less, which gives me plenty of natural tube distortion. It sounds great and never overheats. If you need to go for "animal" distortion, just add a pedal!
The Bugera can go wherever you want as long as there's nothing above it to trap heat. I put it on top of the amp so I can make adjustments whenever I want. Cheers!
@@RobertCassard Thanks so much!
@@andyscherer5896 my pleasure!
How has the Bugera held up for you? I’ve read some reviews saying it died on people. Does yours still work great?
Mine has held up great. But I never drive it super hard. I think people who have issues either have very high-wattage amps or dime their amps into the Bugera assuming it will sound "better," when all it does is compress the sound and shave off high frequencies.
@ ordered it tonight so we’ll see! 😅
@@mdwvt Sweet! Because it goes between your amp and speaker, make sure you use speaker cable and not guitar cable. Come back and tell me how it works for you!
@RobertCassard yup I bought an extra speaker cable. Thanks for that though because it isn’t obvious for everyone! I’ve had heads and cabs before and made sure to use speaker cables 😉
@@mdwvt Awesome. Using guitar cable is probably another reason some people have issues with this unit!
The Altair PW-5 was the first commercial power attenuator for amps. The Bugera is doing a nice job and is very affordable .
Thanks for that info, Myles.
Do you still need this if the amp has a master volume section?
Ajaz - Does your amp have a master Volume AND a Gain knob (or equivalent)? If so, you should be able to control tube distortion via Gain (how hard you push the tubes). And you control Volume (how loud the whole signal sounds) independently. That's what an attenuator does for amps that only have a Volume knob with no Gain knob.
@@RobertCassard I have a pre-amp section with volume, gain, EQ and then I have a separate master volume. Its a Marshall 410HJS.
@@ajazahmed111 Dude, that's the Satriani amp, right? Controls galore!!
@@RobertCassard Yup Satriani.
Thank you very much for this demonstration. I’ve got a supra amp and stage volume is an important thing to try to control.
This seems to be such an amazing value. Again thank you for this demonstration.
SUPRO amp is what I meant to say.
Glad it was helpful, John.
I knew EXACTLY what you meant. Supro is putting out some VERY cool little amps these days...and, of course, the vintage ones are beauties, too!
Very good video straight to the point thanks
Glad you enjoyed it, Bob. I hope you find more to enjoy on my channel!
that amp has a great reverb tank and the gain sounds great attenuated
Glad you hear what I hear, septemberfire!
Great demo. Thanks👍
You're welcome, Scott. Thanks for checking out my videos!
I chuckle when people use the term "bedroom volume". What exactly is that? Is that where you play so quiet that you can hear the guitar acoustically? I can already play my 60 watt tube amp at that volume. Wouldn't worry too much about ideal tone at such a low volume. Why not buy a 1 or 5 watt amp instead?
Agreed, Mike. But the reality is that many guitarists buy amps based on their reputation, with no regard for the wattage rating, volume sweet spot, or whether or not it has Master Volume and Gain built-in. For those folks, the Bugera is a $99 solution to a major problem. A good low-wattage amp will likely cost quite a bit more...
This is great info. Thanks!
Thanks, electropentatonic!
How to set it up. Everyone demo but no one show how to conect
Thanks for watching, Lymarie. You can download the user manual for those details. Here’s a link: www.manualslib.com/products/Bugera-Ps1-8696686.html
Does the bugera ps-1 colour the tone at all?
I experience minimal coloration if I don't push it too hard. My amp is 40 Watts. I can raise the amp volume to 6 or 7, a dial down the speaker volume on the Bugera, getting a lot of tube crunch with little coloration. (It sounds a little darker only everything naturally sounds darker at lower volume.) It's only when you push the Bugera hard that you'll notice compression and high-frequency roll-off. IMHO, it's a bad idea for your amp, the Bugera and your tone to play with everything dimed.
@@RobertCassard thank you very much for the info, it is very much appreciated
@@chickenbites8877 my pleasure
can i use this on my blackstar ht club40 mk2 6L6?
You shouldn't need an outboard attenuator. Your amp has separate Clean and Overdrive channels that you can push to get the tone you want, then you have a Master Volume, which serves the same purpose as an attenuator. (That said, yes, you could get even more attenuation using the Bugera.)
@@RobertCassard yes but its too loud in the gig. i want the master volume cranked to get that sweet spot of the power tube distortion but its too loud.
@@RobertCassard and 1 more question. do i need volume pedal if i have attenuator?
@@vovokidx9691 Interesting...you should be able to crank up your Overdrive Channel Volume to get the tube crunch you want, then set the Master Volume at a comfortable listening level. If the Master needs to be set higher for the tone you want, then yes, the Bugera could be placed between the Blackstar's output and the speakers as a final stage attenuator.
@@vovokidx9691 A volume pedal serves a different purpose than an attenuator for me. I often use a volume pedal for "swells," i.e., playing a note or chord with the volume off or low, then "swelling in" the sound. Another common use is when switching from rhythm guitar (strumming) to lead (single notes). I like using a volume pedal with the heel position set at my preferred rhythm volume and the toe position set at my preferred (higher) lead volume. I can change the volume while both hands are occupied playing the guitar without reaching for any knobs.
What does the "line" knob do? How does it effect sound?
Hi Clint. The “Line” knob doesn’t affect sound. It determines only the volume to the unbalanced Line out (1/4”) or the balanced Emulated Mic out (XLR).
@@RobertCassard ok great thank you!
Thats a lot of reverb?
Yes it is!
Needed an attenuator for my blues deluxe and was on the shelf between this and a few other more expensive ones, the cost seemed to be too good to be true but after watching this vid I'm sold, a bugera is on its way to me as I type
Awesome, Mathew. How do you like it?
how did you like it?
@@marcusfsproductions really good, didn't color the tone as much as the tweedy bird and speakersoak attenuators I had though it is a little on the bulky side
@@mathewdavies6472 Hey, glad to hear u like it. I have a BDR myself. Just a "dumb" question. How did you connect this to the amp? and can u still use pedals? I've never used one of these things
@@thulle85 you need a speaker cable, same 3/4 connection as the guitar cable but for speakers Stagg do a good one. The cable from the speaker plugs into the bugera and then you use the new cable to plug from the bugera into the speaker socker on the amp, it goes between the actual amp with all the circuitry and tube and the speaker. So you can turn the amp all the way to 12 but control the volume coming through the speaker. Eminence do a similar thing with an attenuator actually built in to the speaker. And yes you can still use pedals as this goes into the speaker socket, leaving the FX loop free
Honestly I wonder how people like Hendrix, Sabbath etc played their stacks and near full volume. Did they ever damage their hearing? Also quick question if I were to use a fuzz pedal will it still keep its sound?
Yes, MidnightStorm, I'm confident that many of the rockers did MAJOR damage to their hearing with their amps cranked so loud (of course, way before the advent of in-ear monitors). Pete Townshend of The Who is the poster boy for tinnitus (constant ear-ringing) from overexposure to loud music.
I am afraid that I have absolutely no experience with effects loops or any of the options at the back of my amp. All I have ever done is just plug my guitar in and play. I have a 40 Watt Fender Hotrod Deluxe and, after watching this great video, I bought a bugera Powersoak PS 1. Unfortunately, the quick start guide that came with it refers to an amp with a separate speaker, not a combo amp. I would appreciate it if someone could tell me what cable goes where when setting this up on a Hotrod Deluxe. It has taken me years to save for the amp and I am terrified of ruining it because of my ignorance. Cheers.
Hi Fred. I've never used a Hotrod Deluxe, but I just looked up the user manual online. Because you have both a Volume and a Drive/Gain control, you basically have a built-in attenuator and shouldn't need a Bugera to get tube distortion while playing at low volume. Just turn down the Volume and turn up the Drive/Gain. Some Hotrod Deluxe models have push/pull knobs to give you even more drive, no matter what the Volume is set at. Good luck with it!
@@RobertCassard Thank you for responding. I appreciate it.
@@fred3893 My pleasure. I hope you can get your dream tube distortion tone while giving your ears a break!
@@RobertCassard Actually, I primarily bought the Bugera to use as an attenuator on the CLEAN channel.
Would you recommend this on a Marshall DSL 20...Thanks
You shouldn't need it, Bruce. Your Marshall already has Gain and Volume controls. Raising your Gain and lowering your volume is accomplishing the same thing as turning up Volume (Gain) on a tube amp and lowering the Volume, as heard through the speakers, via the Bugera.
Thanks!
You should definitely get this. The volume affects the tone on DSL20, unlike DSL40cr, which has two extra master volume to reduce the signal thats going into power amp. DSL20 does not have master for power amp so when you crank the preamp volume, it gets way too loud for indoor. You can either can a simple passive signal reducer that goes between FX loop so you can crank the preamp. With power soaker like this, you can crank the power amp in addition to the preamp to get both cooking, to get that marshall distortion tone. So the asnwer is Yes. In fact I have DSL40cr I can get great tone by cranking up the preamp and reduce the master volume on poweramp, its already very good. But i can't get the poweramp cooking to get that compressed tone. So i'm actually thinking to get one of these.
@@RobertCassard DSL20CR is way too loud to to crank up and home, the volume controls the preamp only which affects the tone. This should definitely help where you can crank up both preamp and poweramp for natural overdrive sound.
@@madcarrot2022 Thanks for your advice, Steven
Do you have to use speaker cables or insterment cables to connect that?
Hi Dave. Speaker cables for sure. (Instrument cables before the amp.)
@@RobertCassard ok thanks. I just got one of those and I'm gonna hook it up today and try it out.
@@RobertCassard hi Robert, I tried my ps1 but got no sound at all. Probably connected it wrong. I have a evh 5150 15w head and a evh 2×12 cab. 16ohn. Do I go from the head to the 16ohm input on the ps1 and connect line to the cab?
@@davelawrence8488 Hi Dave. I took a look at the manual for that head. You already have separate Gain and Volume controls, so you should be able to get similar benefits to the PS1 by in creasing Gain and decreasing Volume. In terms of connections, set the impedence on the EVH, then connect the speaker output from the EVH to the matching ohm input on the PS1. Then the speaker out of the PS1 to your cab. Cheers! I hope this helps...
@@RobertCassard thanks I tried everything but still no sound. I think I'll send it back and get another one
Hi Robert. I have this same amp and useing it for live performances. But unfortunately I barely get past volume 3 and I'm already loud.Since I know that the most beautiful goodness begins only after volume 5, I want to ask if you also use the Bugera during a live performance and if it preserves the dynamics of the amp. Thank you so far
The Bugera is perfect for live gigs, Jan. As long as you keep the amp volume under 7, you should still have have great dynamics. I never recommend diming the amp on 10, both because of the wear and tear on the tubes, and because it compresses the sound and kills some of the high end.
Thanks a lot! Great video. Nice channel logo btw 🤣
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching! Yeah, that Bitmoji is sweet, right?! My daughter customized it for me…made it smile and replaced the guitar with my prized Harmony 🚀 Rocket!
Been looking at these for a while. Mp on mentions if you can use it just on an amp, not a speaker or stack attached
I wouldn't suggest using the Bugera without a speaker cabinet (and load) attached. I've read about people who did it, cranked their amp to 10 and fried the Bugera.
This sounds like it's EXACTLY what I need - the attenuator I'm using just has 4 clicks and the 4th one is nowhere near quiet enough for hime use (Vox AC15), so I have one of these on back order (12 WEEKS wait 😳) but it should be worth it 👍
I hope it works great for you, Peter. My VibroVerb is a 40 W amp so it should handle an SC15 with no problem.
Try taming a Mesa 50w enough to get into the sweet spot and not be heard all through the house.
Not happening.
I can only play that amp when everyone else is outta the house and even then only about 10-15 min because it is just too freakin loud for a 12x14 bedroom and my ears can't take it.
What a great difference between clean and distortion.
I like the sound and I will try my Palmer Fat 50 with this Power Soak
I totally agree, joerg! Come back and tell me how it works for you.
Have you ever tried the Rockcrusher Rivera Attenuator ? I have a Fender Super Sonic 60 Watt Tube Amplifier. Thanks!
Hi Steve. Thanks for watching! Sorry, but I haven't tried the Rockcrusher, which is about 5X the cost of the Bugera. Some folks swear by them and love their flexibility and bypass switch. Philip McKnight did a direct comparison between them: ruclips.net/video/J-K9H-X8wd8/видео.html
Thanks for this. I am thinking of getting an attenuator after watching your video. I have a Vibroverb reissue too with stock everything. I may be able to get rid of some overdrive pedals in the process. The reverb and tremolo on that thing are great. And once you get the used to the tap tone controls, it is a versatile amp.
It's a great pairing, Andrew. As long as you don't push TOO hard, the amp retains most of it's richness and high end. FYI - Given how short the built-in speaker cable is on the Vibroverb, you may want to buy a short speaker cable extension cord so you have flexibility regarding placement of the Bugera. (And don't forget another short speaker cable to get from the amp to the Bugera's input.) Have fun!
@@RobertCassard thanks for the heads up!
Man I’m on the fence - every time I go for a budget piece of gear I’m let down and end up having to repurchase- js this to good to be true?
It odes just what it's supposed to and I still love mine almost 4 years later. The secret is not to crank your amp TOO hot into the Bugera. If your purpose is only to max out distortion, get a pedal, but if your purpose is to run your amp hot enough to get tube crunch with the ability to lower the volume to enjoy it in the room, you should LOVE this box.
@@RobertCassard I spent a little more on a used Spl reducer. I know it’s the same technology as the bugera (resistors) but this got so many positive reviews for being transparent
@@alexnuzzi4780 Your ears will thank you!
Help! I just got one today and tried it with my orange micro terror 20w amp head and tried both the mic emulated for and the line out separately with out a cab and get no sound into my daw
I’m not an expert on using the PS-1 without a speaker load, but there’s a good discussion here. The final answer may help. community.musictribe.com/t5/Musician/PS1-as-dummy-load/td-p/133815
I heard this unit kills the tubes and amp..? Any thoughts Robert? I am looking to pick one up..
Hey Jason. I think it depends on how you use it. If you plan to dial up your amp to 10 (or 11) and run the tubes at max, I'd imagine it might kill your tubes and/or amp. I never do that, because running them at max never gives the best tone to my ear; it attenuates the high frequencies. I love "tube crunch" which I can easily achieve at volumes of 6 and below. If I want the kind of distortion you get from max'ing out, I just add a pedal...
@@RobertCassard I have a 135W 1981 Silverface Twin Reverb. Input 1 is full power. Input two is half power. It has a Master volume and Channel volume. Wondering if the Bugera can handle it?
@@JasonsGuitarJams That's a lot of power! If you have Master and Channel volume, you may not need a Bugera. If you turn UP the channel volume and DOWN the master volume (or vice versa), do you get crunchy distorted tube sound but at a manageable room volume? That's basically what an attenuator like the Bugera does. Not sure about an '81, but does it have an Output Hi and Output Low switch on the back? If there's a Speaker Out jack on the back, and you still want to connect an attenuator inline between the amp's speaker out and the speakers, you'd have to be careful not to run the volume too hot. Pretty sure the PS1 is rated for 100 watts, but I wouldn't load it with 100 watts continuous.
@@JasonsGuitarJams just read that your 81 has a push pull Master Volume knob for distortion. The user manual says you can get distortion by turning Vibrato channel up to 10 and using Master volume to set room level. For more distortion, pull out the Master volume knob. Hope this helps!!
@@RobertCassard thanks for all the reply’s. Much appreciated!!
I've been looking for a good attenuator that I can afford. May have to grab one of these.
It certainly works for me, Missy. I hope you like it...kinda can't go wrong for the price.
I’m confused. Can I run it in my effects loop? I have a combo amp…
It can be confusing, and I'm not an expert. A Power Soaker is not an effect and it doesn't go in the effects loop. Also, it won't work (or will be unnecessary) on some amps. If you have both a Master Volume and a Gain control, the "power attenuation" feature is built-in, so you don't need an external power soaker. For this to work, the power section (or "head") of your amp needs a Speaker Out jack. This will feed full power to the Bugera. Then you connect the Speaker Output of the Bugera to your speakers (all using speaker cable, not guitar cable). I hope this makes sense!
@@RobertCassard thank you. I appreciate the response!
So I can use a twin reverb indoors without going deaf? 😩
Yes, JavaoftheLava! That’s the idea...
@@RobertCassard excellent demo. The difference is so audible 👍.
Question for you. I have the Marshall dsl 1 watt head going into a 1x12 , bought for home use but believe me even the 1 watt is too loud for home use if I want to try to get the rich tunes by cranking the amp volume and really firing the tubes ( amp has no master volume). Can I use this attenuator with an amp of such small wattage? Is it safe? Thanks
@@allboutthemojo Yes! Connect the Marshall's Speaker Output to the 16 Ohm input of the Bugera and the output of the Bugera to your speakers (both connections using speaker cable, not instrument cable). Low wattage should never be a problem for an attenuator, only high wattage poses any safety risk.
@@RobertCassard thanks a lot!
Hello, i just bought a bugera power soak PS1. I use it with a princeton reverb 65 (15W amp). i am surprised that i have to set the soak button at very low level in order to play at bedroom level (say tv level). For exemple when my amp is at volume 7 or 8, if i want tv level i have to set the bugera PS1 soak button at not more than about 5%. So a lot of attenuation. Do you think it is normal since my amp is only 15W?
Hi Lorenzo. It's probably normal if you're running the amp volume that hot and trying to get the room volume to TV level. There can be a big difference between an amp's wattage rating and its peak output. Also, some low-wattage amps can push very high sound pressure levels. (Try unplugging the Bugera and see how loud the amp is as a volume of 7 or 8. It will probably be deafening and you'll realize how much it's being attenuated!) Just make sure you are using speaker cable (not instrument cable) to connect the amp's speaker output into the Bugera's 8 ohm input, which should be the correct input for your Princeton. My Vibroverb amp is 40W and I rarely run it hotter than volume 6 or 7. In that position, I also need a lot of attenuation like you're describing.
@@RobertCassard Thank you Robert for your answer. Yes i use the 8 ohm and a speaker cable. I think everything is doing normal, i was just surprised a 100W capable attenuator has to work at 5% to make a 15W amp sound quiet. But you are right, princeton at 7/8 volume is very loud. I could test it at this volume in a store with isolated room. Still, i can have the break up of my tubes at home and that's nice. I hope i do not denaturate to much the sound with such attenuation.
Does it change the “tone?”
Some people say it does, but that’s not my experience. I think those who complain are the same people who push their amps to 9 or 10 and then through the Bugera. That’s never been my approach. For me, the sweet spot of crunchiness for my VibroVerb is around 6. If I want more distortion than that, I add a pedal
How would you hook this up to a twin reverb? I don't want to blow anything up haha
Hey, Jake. It’s smart to ask! You connect the Int. Speaker output of the amp into the input of the Bugera, then the 4 ohm output of the Bugera to your speakers. Be aware, though, I’m not an expert on Twins, and there may be a difference dependent on the specific Twin and what year it was made. In general, a Twin has two 12 inch speakers wired in parallel (8ohms each, 4 ohms total load). In any case, the total impedance of the internal plus external speaker outs should be 4 ohms...in this case you’re using only the Int. Speaker out of the Twin. Hope this helps!
A bit much on the reverb but...it actually shows how the power tube section really affects the reverb tank in the best way, really gets those springs moving. I hear it's not safe to use on anything above 50 watts because it's rated 100 watts ?
Hey Cy...I don't technically know about "safety." But from my perspective, the wattage rating is just measuring how much sustained power you push into the Bugera. My amp is 40 watts and even when I crank it pretty hard, the Bugera doesn't even feel hot. A 100W amp pushed to 10 might make it run too hot. But at a nice crunchy level, like a 6 or 7, my guess is it would work really well. Just a guess...but hey, you can always return it if it doesn't do the job.
@@RobertCassard Thanks for the reply. Since I commented I've learned that even though they're rated 100W they work best with 50W amps and below. In other words, you need twice the power from the attenuator to the amps peak power. Mine is a Carvin Nomad 50W, so it should be just fine. Keep on rockin'.
@@cybrunel1016 You, too!
I don't use reverb ... am I missing something?
LOL. You’re only missing getting drenched without a raincoat.
Interesting to find this right now... I'm considering a new Fender Deluxe Reverb 65 but I was concerned that since it did not have a Master volume or any way of bringing down the volume for home use, I'd be dissapointed I'd not be able to enjoy the true tones of the amp as these babies always sound so good pushed. This seems to be a SOLVE. Thanks!!
So glad you found this video, Ross. I think a new Fender Deluxe Reverb 65 would be amazing teamed with the Bugera! If you get 'em, please come back and tell me how you like the combo.
Can you use it for playing at zero volume i.e. using in ears on a silent stage? You'd just take your amp head, no cab. Then plug the Bugera PS into the PA via a DI box.
Hi Dawut and thanks for watching. What you’re describing is a cool idea, but I don’t think it’s the INTENDED use of the PS1. That said, it may work fine, depending on the power output of your amp head, how hot you plan to run it, and for how long. From what I understand, the PS1 is a pure resistive load, and it’s designed to have a speaker load attached at the proper ohm rating for your amp. In practice, though, I and others I’ve read about, have played it at near-zero volume without any problems. Do some online searches, because there are plenty of people out there who are using the PS1 in interesting ways and reporting the results in forums, etc. Also, it has 1/4” and XLR outputs for the express purpose of running to a PA or recording system, so you probably wouldn’t need a DI box. FYI, my amp is 40W. I have read about some people running 100W amps wide open and smelling burning parts - that’s a LOT of resistance.
I like what I heard. How does this power soak compares to expensive ones?
Hello Jorge. I think it compares surprisingly well considering how much less it costs. The only difference I hear with most of the more expensive ones is that it may roll off some high frequencies. I’ve had no trouble getting them back with a little EQ.
@@RobertCassard Ok. Thank you Robert.
jorge fernandes you’re welcome. Thanks for watching my videos!
So does it go amplifier>>>Bugera>>>speaker without using effects loop? I use pedals, but just delay and chorus.
Dantrag28 With a vintage tube amp, yes. Of course, you can add pedals before the amp input...
@@RobertCassard cool thx, I have Blackstar HT5 Metal tube amp that I cannot even crank past 10 o'clock without pissing off neighbors. Best sound I get out of it is around 2 o'clock...but that is on currently overkill.
Dantrag28 The HT5 is a very efficient 5 watt amp. Any power soaker will let you enjoy the amp’s glories at lower volumes. Have fun!!!
How’d I miss this one? I got lots of old Fender amps, so this will be handy!
Add another to the collection? Nice, Johnny!
How does this connect to a combo amp that doesn't have a separate speaker jack and cable?
Can it connect to the effects loop of a Fender Hot Rod Deville?
Not sure it will do anything for you, td... It's not an "effect" and there's nothing in the manual about using it in an effects loop. (I don't even have an amp with an effects loop or I'd give it a try.)
just bought one for my tone king galaxy 100 and it works great, but got hot pretty quickly - did you find that? do you set the line up to the max?
I never run my amp full volume into the Bugera and mine is only 40 watts. 100 watts into the Bugera will probably get hot fast. I use it to get “tube crunch” not full distortion. I add a pedal if I want that much edge. Hope this helps!
Thanks Robert it’s a monster of an amp but it’s looks amazing sounds amazing. I’m running the volume at 6 and the bugera limit is 100w. You can select 4 or 8 ohms on the amp do you reckon 4 ohms will knock back the power /heat
BY the way, there is no such thing as too much reverb!
LOL I AGREE
Might as well give it a try. My gut says it won’t make a difference since you’re theoretically impedance-matched on either the 4 or 8 ohm settings…
Thanks for the video man! About to buy a 6505 and thought I would never be able to play it!
Glad the video helped, Dana. A Peavey 6505 is a 120-watt lion - very fierce. You'll definitely need a way to tame it so you can live with it and not have it eat your ears!
Dana Boyd pull two power tubes so it’s putting out 60 watts. I’ve done this with my original 5150 head for years. Leave in the two middle tubes or the two end tubes.
I just got one and I;m looking at the rear panel ~ upper bank has 1 jack out to "speaker" and lower bank has 3 input labels ( 4, 8 & 16 Ohm ) ~ is this what speaker needs are feed by ???? So is it that simple ~ output designated by Amp source into your Speaker needs ??? I was hoping it was more universal, in that I could choose what Ohm rating I wish to use - or is this 1 and the same ?????? Just wondering ~ don't want to risk any accidental damage to speakers !!
Use the same ohm rating as your amp. Each amp is optimized for a specific amount of resistance, and you could damage the amp if it’s pushing power and encountering too much or too little...
OK, . . what I meant by universal, is I hoped you could choose the Ohm for the speaker I wanted to try, and it would allow you to use it with an 8 Ohm amp. Tube Head amps will still be locked into using 8 Ohm, so I can live with that, but with newer SS heads like Quilter can take on at least 2 Ohm variations, sometimes all 3 !!! I have 2 Organ Donor tube amps, low watt ~ charming sounds at about 16 to 18 Watts max output, that get quite loud with pedals in front, and I can use this for those needs as well !!!! COOL !!!!!! (( My purchase was a used item & it came without any instructions ~ so I was unsure of the limitations of matching output to speaker choice ))
James Vandenberg check the Bugera website. If it’s like a Torpedo Captor, plug the same Ohm rating out into the same value jack, e.g. 16 Ohm out to 16 Ohm on box. Then it should let you use any Ohm cab. It’s the load the amp sees which is important. But double check the online manual www.bugera-amps.com/Categories/Bugera/Guitar/Accessories/PS1/p/P0BV1#googtrans(en|en)
Do they make anything to attenuate the reverb? Oh yeah that's right your hand!
True, Bob! It’s funny, I had set ALL the controls except Volume to 5 and never thought about how wet it was!
I bought one but it’s literally on back order everywhere!!! It’ll be a little while before sweetwater can send it out to me! For now I bought a JHS “little black box” which goes through the effects loop in my Mini Silver Jubilee 2525h and at least it let’s me crank my pre-amp although not my power-amp. So damn sad but it’s better than nothing.
Hey Jorgie. Glad you have one on order. Haven’t used a JHS... Thanks for watching my videos!
Zzounds has them in stock.
would this work with a Fender Pro Jr amp? It only has one input. Guessing it works like a pedal? Maybe use those inputs? Thx!
Yes it will. You connect the speaker output on the back of the Pro Jr. to the 8 ohm input of the Bugera (using speaker cable, not instrument cable), then the plug the Pro Jr's speaker wire (1/4" male) into the Speaker Output of the Bugera. That wire may be pretty short, so you may have to position the Bugera behind the amp.
How's the overall fidelity of the Bugera power soak? I used to have a Bugera tube amp but it was the most digital-sounding tube amp I'd ever heard. So I've been a little wary of their products since then.
Hi Dichroic. I’d say the overall fidelity is a B+. It trims a bit of high-end off the top, but that’s easy to compensate for at the guitar or with some post EQ.
@@RobertCassard The loss of high-end frequencies wouldn't hurt my feelings. I prefer a darker tone anyways. It's probably my best bet for a budget attenuator. Some of these devices can cost $1000 used, and I really don't see why they have to be so expensive.
Exactly. This one’s a comparative steal!
Liked it a lot!
Thanks for checking it out, H G O. Attenuators are life (and ear) savers for many guitarists.
@@RobertCassard I'm getting one this Christmas. I need to protect whatever hearing I have left and be able to use my valve amps. Thanks!
@@hgostos Come back with a Ho Ho Ho and tell me how you like it!
Do a Review on the Blackstar Studio 10 KT 88 Combo Amp and Use the Bugera PS 1, on it as well. 😉
Wish I could, Sterling. The Vibroverb is my only amp... I've spent the bulk of my musical career of the last 10 years streamlining and simplifying my gear to the essentials. The exception is guitars and other stringed instruments. For some reason THAT collection keeps growing, in part because I have some generous subscribers!!
@@RobertCassard That's cool. Just an idea. I thought you might be one of those guys that does, Gear Reviews. I'm fixing to Buy one, anyway. Perhaps I will. I've been contemplating, HOW TO, Get Into That...? Thanks, I appreciate your review on the Bugera PS 1, as I'm looking around for one, for the Blackstar. I live in a Extended Stay Motel Room, mostly use Headphones, but I'm ready for an Amp, again. It has a Headphone Out, as well. All, The Best!!
@@sterlingmcvay2469 Good luck, man. It's really fun to be able to play a high gain amp sound at a typical acoustic guitar volume!
@@RobertCassard Check out, Carl's Custom Guitars, The VOLUME BOX, When you have time to. You put it in your EFFECTS LOOP, and you can Crank Up, your Amp for those TONES, but at tolerable Levels, and Yes, you can still Use your EFFECTS, such as Modulation, Delay and Reverb, in Your Effects Loop, just Place, The VOLUME BOX, at the End of those Effects, This, AFTER the, PREAMP SEND, But BEFORE, the Effects RETURN, into the Power Amp SECTION. I'm going to try this Unit FIRST, and if I still Need an ATTENUATOR, he has one, for around, $50, specifically for, Blackstar Tube Combo Amps. If I'm not Happy with it, then I'll try the Bugera. You can find these Units on. REVERB.COM, or his website. Take care.
@@sterlingmcvay2469 That sounds like a great find, Sterling. The Blackstar is a "modern" amp with an effects loop. My old Vibroverb is of the more primitive variety. No effects loop.
Duck me how does it connect to my fender deluxe amp FFS!!!!!!!!!
Help
With most Fender Deluxes, there is an output labeled SPEAKER. It normally has a 1/4" male cable plugged in that carries the amp signal directly to the speakers. You need to unplug that factory speaker cable and plug it into the Speaker Output jack on the Bugera. Now, to get sound from the amp to the Bugera requires a short length of male-to-male speaker cable - one than can carry high wattage (different than a guitar cable, which carries low wattage). Plug the new speaker cable into the SPEAKER jack on the Deluxe on one end and into the 8 Ohm Amp Input jack on the Bugera. (A Deluxe Reverb is designed for an 8 ohm load, so that inout should work best. My Vibroverb is designed for 4 Ohm loads.) In other words, the Bugera goes in between the SPEAKER out of the amp and the cord that goes to the speakers. I hope this helps!
Is this necessary with on a Vox AC15 and a master volume?
Nope, your amp basically has a built-in attenuator.
@@RobertCassard master volume isnt a substitute for an attenuator, as master volume wont allow you to get the power section working.
Mh question is can it be used on a100watt head wit 2 25watt speakers
The power ratings shouldn’t be an issue, Dan. As long as your amp has a female 1/4” output and your speakers have a male 1/4” input...
@@RobertCassard thanks it has 1/4 inputs
@@danortiz8220 Good to go, then. Have fun saving your ears!
Hi, great video! What is the usage of the line out? Is it controlling the volume of the signal that is sent to the audio interface?
Also, may I ask what equipment you use for the video? All the best!
George Gorbs Yes, line out and line volume knob control volume to your audio interface or mixing board. Video was shot on Canon EOS 70D camera. Audio recorded on a Zoom H1. Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro on a MacBook Pro.
Does your PS-1 have a metallic grinding noise when the attenuator knob is turned, or is it smooth and silent...?
It’s not loud, but there is a subtle “grinding,” like a bunch of tiny ridges. Is that what you’re feeling?
@@RobertCassard - no, it's nothing I'm feeling, it's actually a fairly loud metal-rubbing-on-metal type of sound that you can hear pretty easily at a distance, even from across the room. What you're describing sounds normal, like very fine increments of the attenuating dial, as might be expected, and aside from a slight, subtle feel of the various "stops" inherent to the dial's internal mechanism is otherwise silent. So, with that bit of insight, I think I can safely assume the one I was sent is mechanically defective, and am now in hopes of ending up with one that behaves better after it's returned and the new one I just ordered arrives... thanks for the help... ;-)
GlennMarshallRocks Based on that info, return it!