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Average Price: $400
Standard/Professional
$299
$600+
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High-end
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Description
Elevate your guitar's tone with the Bad Cat Unleash Attenuator and Re-amplifier, a robust solution for guitarists seeking both control and power in their sound. This device serves as a dynamic attenuator and a powerful re-amplifier, offering versatility for both practice sessions and live performances. It allows you to maintain the rich, full sound of your tube amplifier while playing at lower volumes, thanks to its innovative design that preserves your tone's integrity.
The Bad Cat Unleash goes beyond typical attenuators by incorporating a unique re-amplification feature. This allows you to add amplification back into your signal for a consistent and powerful output, regardless of your playing environment. The unit is equipped with an effects loop, ensuring your pedalboard integrates seamlessly with your setup. Whether you're taming a high-wattage beast or wanting to push a small amp to its limits, this device provides the flexibility you need without sacrificing your sound quality.
Perfect for both stage and studio, the Bad Cat Unleash offers precision control over your sound, making it an indispensable tool for any guitarist looking to optimize their rig. Its intuitive design ensures ease of use, letting you focus on what's most important: your music.
Key Features:
- Dynamic attenuation and re-amplification capabilities
- Preserves tone integrity at lower volumes
- Integrated effects loop for seamless pedalboard integration
- Provides consistent sound output in various environments
- Suitable for both practice and professional performances
Videos
Bad Cat Amps
Bad Cat Amps Unleash Demo
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent for taming high-volume amps without losing tone
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Retains amp's natural feel and dynamics even when attenuated
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Two-channel attenuation allows for versatile tone crafting and volume control
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Effective for both live performances and expanding low watt amp usability at gigs
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Includes useful features like an effects loop and footswitchable output levels
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Transparent sound, potentially more so than other attenuators
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Can be used to play a cranked amp silently through headphones
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Responsive and helpful support directly from Bad Cat
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Does not overheat, thanks to the built-in fan
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Encourages tone and amp experimentation, especially with non-master volume amps
CONS
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Slightly alters the high-end frequencies, requiring EQ adjustment
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Fan noise, although not louder than typical amp fan noise, may be noticeable to some
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Requires external power, which could be a minor inconvenience
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Headphone tone might not exceed that of high-quality modeling units
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Bad Cat Unleash Attenuator and Re-amplifier.
Features and functionality
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The Bad Cat Unleash serves as both an attenuator and a re-amplifier, offering versatility beyond traditional attenuators.
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The re-amplifier feature allows players to push their amps at lower, more manageable volumes, which is crucial for achieving saturated tube tones in small spaces.
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The Unleash's ability to adjust volume independently of amp settings is ideal for retaining tone in small venues or recording environments.
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Setup and maintenance
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Proper speaker cables are essential to avoid damage; standard instrument cables are insufficient for connecting the attenuator to the amp.
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User experience
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Some owners note that the Unleash can maintain the amp's tonal integrity better at lower volumes compared to traditional attenuators.
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Many users highlight the Bad Cat Unleash's ability to maintain natural amp response and dynamics at reduced volumes without altering pedal settings, especially useful during performances.
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Some users prefer the Bad Cat Unleash for maintaining amp character at various volumes, especially for high-gain amps, as it prevents fizziness.
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Comparisons
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Unlike other attenuators, the Unleash offers re-amplification, potentially increasing the amp's power output, making it distinct from purely resistive or reactive units.
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The Unleash is noted for outperforming traditional attenuators in preserving tonal quality, with some preferring it over the Weber Minimass 50 for its transparency.
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The Bad Cat Unleash re-amplification feature is likened to the Fryette Power Station, offering similar control over output levels without compromising on tone.
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Unlike the UA Ox Box, the Bad Cat Unleash allows for more user-defined control over tone and volume, whereas the Ox Box limits users to proprietary settings.
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Use cases and applications
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The Unleash allows for driving power tubes without excessive volume, preserving dynamics and achieving saturated tones at manageable levels.
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The Unleash is particularly favored for high-gain amps, where traditional attenuators often result in a fizzy tone when used excessively.
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The Bad Cat Unleash is beneficial in situations where power tube distortion is desired without excessive volume, making it suitable for home practice.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
200
Essential
I got this originally to solve the age old "how do I boost for leads" issue but this ended up expanding my amp and tone experimentation in an enormous way. I now, with the exception of one practice amp with master volume (Peavey Classic 20) exclusively use non-master volume amps. This allows me to dial in the absolute best tone from all my amps on the volume knob, then control "actual" volume. Opened up tons of possibilities as we now live in a time where cranking up a vintage amp is simply too loud for many situations. I set the first channel for rhythm volume and second for a lead/boosted level. What I've found really works for me, is I have my Klon KTR right next to the channel foot-switch and often step on both together with the Klon set for a clean boost. Is it transparent? Awfully darn close if not 100% and certainly more transparent than pulling down the amps volume and using a pedal.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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