Gear / Technical Help > Cables

1/4" attenuator

(1/1)

jefflester:
I only did some cursory looking, but it doesn't seem like a 1/4" attenuator (either barrel or cable) is a common product. I was feeding the 1/4" line out from a Fender Passport PA (unbalanced) that the keyboardist in my band uses and the signal was really hot for my Zoom F8, 1/4" to 1/4" cable so it was line-in at the recorder. I had to turn the level down pretty much to zero. I'd rather not use multiple adapters (1/4" > XLR > attenuator > XLR > 1/4" or some such) so was thinking a simple 1/4" in-line attenuator. There's an SP one on eBay for $71 but I think that's pretty ridiculous (should be maybe $20) and the cable looks really flimsy. They don't have one on their website.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/124949056361

Just needs to be mono TS and doesn't need to be adjustable. Any suggestions?

GLouie:
Maybe a passive direct box? That's the go-to solution, since you can isolate with a transformer and ground lift. The low cost ones may color the sound with the transformer, especially at higher input levels (line or speaker). Should be durable and you provide the cables. Good ones are expensive, but I see one for $20 at B&H (their house brand, Kopul).
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/998350-REG/kopul_pdi_40_high_performance_passive_direct_box.html

Cheaper than building yourself.

I recommend having some DIs, mic splitters and line level transformer isolators in the location recording kit.

if_then_else:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/fentronix?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5337614275&customid=&toolid=10001

jefflester:
I've got direct boxes, that didn't really occur to me but should work. But I was trying to keep more inline connector size, like an XLR attenuator or basically a back-to-back female 1/4" or short F-M cable.

GLouie:
I suppose if you can't find what you want, you have to build it! Here's a guide to building attenuators:
http://www.uneeda-audio.com/pads/

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