EHX: Signal pad

A power attenuator is a device which reduces the power of your monster wattage amp by way of volume manifestation (yes, your monster wattage amp is still running in full monster wattage, just that it's now more courteous volume-wise). Electro Harmonix's Signal Pad pedal is a power attenuator, a simple one indeed.

Why would you want to choke the full capacity of an amp when it was conceived to be menacing in the first instance? That's because you want that power amp saturation when the volume levels are pumped up but you can't live with such excessive volume levels at home. The law of your country says: Be considerate to thy neighbours (not to mention thy babies, wives, in-laws, etc.), hence the need to put this audio issue within acceptable constraints.

Unlike the traditional power attenuator (think: Marshall Power Brake, THD Hotplate, et al), the Signal Pad can be connected in 2 ways: in the player's signal chain or through the amp's looping feature.

1. The signal chain application allows the Signal Pad to function as the second volume control. It reduces the volume so when you have it activated, you'd be enjoying some pseudo-clean tones to work with. Deactivating it would mean allowing the signals to pass through to the amp unhindered so you have your full-on distortion to be happy with. It's a neat addition to small tube amps with a single channel only feature. 
2. Hooking it up through the looping feature means it functions as a sapper, taming volumes down while allowing the amp's dynamics to go through as it is, undisturbed.

To be continued...