Bottlehead Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: InnerTube on March 21, 2018, 03:22:39 PM

Title: Left/Right Volume Controls
Post by: InnerTube on March 21, 2018, 03:22:39 PM

Has anyone configured the Crack with two volume controls - one for left channel and one for right channel.  Is it possible to buy an single attenuation device that will perform both functions.  Does anyone have a source for this type of device.  (high quality)  Thanks in advance, IT

PS - Some people have a listening imbalance and need corrective balance.

Title: Re: Left/Right Volume Controls
Post by: Paul Joppa on March 21, 2018, 05:51:20 PM

Google "concentric volume control" - they are used in guitar amps, and fairly widely available.

Title: Re: Left/Right Volume Controls
Post by: Paul Birkeland on March 22, 2018, 04:11:21 AM

If you have a fixed imbalance in your hearing, you could pad down one channel in the Crack to account for it.  Do you know how many dB it is? (and which ear?)

Dual mono volume pots can be a bit annoying to adjust, though the concentric ones make things a bit easier.

Title: Re: Left/Right Volume Controls
Post by: Karl5150 on March 22, 2018, 05:48:55 AM

I use dual mono Alps pots (not concentric) on both SEX and Crack amps. As PB points out, bit of a pia.
I used the balance/volume scheme from the Stereomour II on my Quickie, now that's the ticket.
I believe AN and TKD (?) offer boutique products that will work for either of the above.
Karl 

Title: Re: Left/Right Volume Controls
Post by: Paul Birkeland on March 22, 2018, 06:05:37 AM

And I suppose the most obvious choice is the Crack-a-two-a, which has a balance control from the factory.

Title: Re: Left/Right Volume Controls
Post by: fullheadofnothing on March 22, 2018, 07:07:41 AM

Quote from: Caucasian Blackplate on March 22, 2018, 06:05:37 AM

And I suppose the most obvious choice is the Crack-a-two-a, which has a balance control from the factory.

And is on sale through Sunday (https://bottlehead.com/product/crack-a-two-a/).

Title: Re: Left/Right Volume Controls
Post by: 4krow on March 25, 2018, 11:08:34 AM

 May I take the idea a step further and ask if there are concentric stepped attenuators, creating the possibility of ganging them in the same way as the coarse/fine attentuators offered some models? 

Title: Re: Left/Right Volume Controls
Post by: Paul Birkeland on March 25, 2018, 01:28:07 PM

I have never run into a concentric stepped switch (at least one that's currently manufactured and available for sale).

What we have done on some special projects is to have a stereo coarse and individual fine controls.

Title: Re: Left/Right Volume Controls
Post by: 4krow on March 25, 2018, 05:50:58 PM

  The idea of coarse and fine volume works so well in my headphone amp. Should have done this years ago. Mine is a bit different in the way that the coarse volume controls both channels, where as there are two other knobs (fine volume), one for each channel. Try explaining THAT to someone. I just say, "Let me do it."