[NAMM] Radial Headload Guitar Amplifier Attenuator

Radial Engineering has premiered at NAMM 2014 a new guitar amplifier attenuator named Headload, which is supposed to reduce volume levels, and thus SPL on stage while driving the amp for maximum tone.

The idea for the Headload was born from combining a Radial JDX direct box with a Phazer phase adjustment tool.

The 100% discrete design features a 6-position Grayhill rotary switch to dissipate the power generated by the amp, while a variable range control allows incremental power reduction at low levels. Power going to the 8 ohm speaker cabinet outputs may also be turned off for quiet recording or to eliminate the speaker cabinet on stage. Plus, there’s a front-panel ¼" headphone jack with level control for quiet practicing.

The built-in Radial JDX direct box is coupled with a 6-position voicing switch to choose the desired amp and cabinet emulation, while the Radial Phazer phase alignment tool serves to align the direct feed with the mic in order to dial-in the ideal mix on stage, or it can be used for creative equalization n the studio.

Other features include a 2-band EQ, two JDX direct outputs (with pre- or post-EQ settings option), separate high and low resonance switches to compensate high and low frequencies, and a second set of ¼" line outputs.

The Headload will start shipping in spring 2014 with an estimated retail price of $600 USD.