Warwick ROCKBOARD RPA 100 - User Manual

Thank you for choosing the new Rockboard® RPA 100 Power Attenuator.
With this handy box, you can set your amp to your favorite sound - including high-gain and power amp
distortion - and then reduce the volume on the speaker to acceptable levels for stage or rehearsal room
without aecting the sound of the amp. This is particularly useful if you play a tube amp. The Rockboard®
RPA 100 Power Attenuator can be used to “tame” ampliers with a power output of up to 100 watts.
With a choice of 4, 8, and 16 ohm connections, your amp will always “see” the correct speaker imped-
ance, regardless of the type of speakers actually connected to the attenuator. You can even use the
amp without speakers and listen to the signal through headphones.
In addition, the RPA 100 Power Attenuator gives you the option of routing the output from your
power amp via DI OUT or LINE OUT to mixers or audio interface applications, or to practice with the
amp’s original sound using the headphone output. For a more realistic sound, cab simulations can be
applied to these additional outputs. For practice, you can mix in backing tracks or drum tracks from
external audio devices via the AUX IN connection.
Manual
for RockBoard®
RPA 100
Power Attenuator
1. CAB SIM BYPASS: Activates / deactivates the internal 2 x 12" or 4 x 12" cab simulation module.
2. LINE OUT LEVEL: Adjusts the output level for the LINE OUT output.
3. OVERLOAD LED: Clipping indicator - If this LED illuminates, the signal level at the SPEAKER INPUT
FROM AMP connections should be reduced (reduce the amp’s output volume).
4. SPEAKER LEVEL: Controls attenuation / volume between about 5% and 100% of power stage output.
Note: If the signal strength at the SPEAKER FROM AMP input is very high, some of the signal may
still be audible in the speaker even if this control is set to „0“. For complete „muting“ (e.g. when using
headphones), you can disconnect the speakers from the OUTPUT sockets and only use signal from
the HEADPHONES / DI OUT / LINE OUT outputs. When set to „100“, the signal output to the speakers
corresponds to the same level as if no attenuator had been connected in between.
Caution: When the SPEAKER LEVEL control is set to „100“, the connected speakers must be able to
handle at least the output power of the amplier. Speakers with lower rating may be damaged.
5. - 7. SPEAKER INPUT FROM AMP
Only use high-quality speaker cables for the connection between the speaker output on the amplier
and these inputs on the RPA 100 Power Attenuator. Never use instrument or audio cables for these
connections. The maximum output power of the connected amplier must not exceed 100 watts.
5. 4 OHM: ¼" (6.3 mm) mono jack, 4 Ohm speaker input – Connect this to the 4 Ohm speaker output
on your amp.
6. 8 OHM: ¼" (6.3 mm) mono jack, 8 Ohm speaker input – Connect this to the 8 Ohm speaker output
on your amp.
7. 16 OHM: ¼" (6.3 mm) mono jack, 16 Ohm speaker input – Connect this to the 16 Ohm speaker output
on your amp.
8. – 9. PARALLEL OUTPUT TO SPEAKER
Only use high-quality speaker cables for the connection between these outputs on the RPA 100 Power
Attenuator and the speaker cabinet. Never use instrument or audio cables for these connections.
Caution: When the SPEAKER LEVEL control is set to „100“, the connected speakers must be able
to handle at least the output power of the amplier.
8. SPEAKER OUT 1: ¼" (6.3 mm) mono jack, parallel output (parallel to SPEAKER OUT 2 / 9.) for con-
nection to a passive speaker. Attenuation / volume is adjusted with the SPEAKER LEVEL (4) control
on the front panel.
9. SPEAKER OUT 2: ¼" (6.3 mm) mono jack, parallel output (parallel to SPEAKER OUT 1 / 8.) for con-
nection to a passive speaker. Attenuation / volume is adjusted with the SPEAKER LEVEL (4) control
on the front panel.
10. 9V DC IN: 9V DC connector for 2.1 x 5.5 mm barrel plug, center negative. Regular pedalboard power
supply units are well suited for this purpose. This is necessary for using the AUX-IN / LINE OUT / DI
OUT or HEADPHONES features. No power supply is required, if the RPA 100 Power Attenuator is
used with the SPEAKER OUT connections only.
11. AUX INPUT: ⁄" (3.5 mm) stereo audio jack. Input for external audio devices (Tablet, Smartphone
etc.). The volume must be controlled on the connected device.
12. HEADPHONES: ⁄" (3.5 mm) stereo audio jack for connection to headphones. This outputs the
signals from AUX INPUT and SPEAKER INPUT FROM AMP. The volume ratio between the signals can
be adjusted using the volume control on the connected AUX IN device.
13. CAB SIM: cabinet simulation, switchable between 2 x 12" and 4 x 12". Activated / deactivated with
the BYPASS switch on the front panel and aects the HEADPHONE / DI OUT / LINE OUT outputs.
14. DI OUT: XLR connector for DI output. This outputs the signals from the AUX INPUT and SPEAKER
INPUT FROM AMP. The volume ratio between the signals can be adjusted using the volume control
on the connected AUX IN device.
15. LINE OUT: ¼" (6.3 mm) mono jack. Line level signal output. This outputs the signals from AUX IN-
PUT and SPEAKER INPUT FROM AMP. The volume ratio between the signals can be adjusted using the
volume control on the connected AUX IN device and the LINE OUT LEVEL control on the front panel.
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Front Panel Description:
Back Panel Description:
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Front and Back Panel Description

Warwick ROCKBOARD RPA 100 Specifications