Add volume control to stage monitor. L Pad?

[nelsonjarvis]

I have a Fender 1270 stage monitor I want to add a volume control to.
http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0711270100

Can I use this L Pad to do it?
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=260-262

If I use the L Pad, will the volume go any higher than without the L Pad, or does the L Pad just take the volume down from the max volume?

Is there a better way to add a volume control?

Thanks.

[billfitzmaurice]

That pad will work, but 100 watt rated or not don't turn it down to less than halfway or it may burn out. The preferred method for volume control is to use a dedicated power amp channel for monitors.

[emilime75]

I also have a pair of cheap Fender floor wedges, and I am pretty sure they were 1270 models as well although they look totally different than the ones you provided a link to...I will have to check later to verify. Mine actually have adjustable L-Pads which I am pretty certain are original, unless my father(original owner) added them at some point. These things have been in use for 10-12 years now and while the tweeters have been replaced for better performance, the L-Pads have remained functional since new. I agree with Mr. billfitzmaurice's comments on the possibility of an L-Pad going up in smoke if turned down past half way because it can over heat, but these have been fine for a long time and I know they have been turned down past half way many times.

To answer your questions, yes, you can use that L-Pad to attenuate the volume of your monitor. No, it will not make the speaker play any louder than without the L-pad, it can only attenuate(lower volume) from the what ever the maximum output of your amp is capable of. Yes, there is a much better way, although costly unless you have extra amps not being used or you can source one easily. As Mr. billfitzmaurice already stated, having a dedicated amplifier channel per monitor is ideal, this allows individual volume control of each monitor either at the amp's gain controls, or better yet, at the mixer(I assume you are using a mixer).

Since we don't know your actual system setup, I assume you need to control the volume of more than one speaker on a single channel of an amp??? That's really the only time I can see a need for an L-Pad. If that is your only option, you can certainly try the L-Pad and it should work, but I would keep the tools and parts necessary to pull it out and replace or bypass it if you are using and depending on these for gigs. it would be uncool if they died in the middle of a show.

[bondsam123]

Hi,
Thanks for sharing such a nice information.These information are very useful to my future projects.
Thanks.