RockCrusher Power Attenuator

The RockCrusher is invaluable and unbeatably versatile because you can place it between your amp and speaker cab as a power attenuator, or use it in place of your speaker cabinet as a load box while sending its balanced XLR or unbalanced 1/4" line out to another amp as a slave, or even send its output to a mixer for recording or live performance!

Taking a preamp output or turning down your volume doesn't give you all of your amp's tone, because getting your favorite tube amp to perform and sound like it does when it is turned up means that you need the power-amp section to add that rich overdrive character. Unfortunately, there are not enough venues that allow for high levels that come from an amp running at full tone and power through speakers.

Rivera designed and built the RockCrusher to maintain your tone. Built into the RockCrusher is a reactive load network for proper speaker-amplifier interaction. Rather than a purely resistive load like many other power attenuators, the Rock Crusher ensures that the amplifier and speaker see each other in a proper relationship of impedance and inductive/capacitive reactance. This translates to a superior tone, regardless of level. To enhance tonal balance, warmth, and shimmer, there are Edge and Warm switches that put you in total control of the final output.

In addition to providing superior tone, impedance matching is critical for your tube amp's health and longevity. Rivera gave the RockCrusher an 8/16-ohm selector switch so you can use either value to accurately match your cabinets and amplifiers.

Additional features that ensure the Rock Crusher is easy to use both onstage and in the studio include a front-panel bypass switch that lets you use the amp with a speaker cabinet when full output level is desired.

When low speaker volume is desired, there is a Studio position of the Attenuator Level Selector that enables the Studio Level control to adjust from low to quiet output”perfect for home, project, and studio recording.

Balanced XLR and unbalanced 1/4" phone jacks with a convenient front-panel level control allow interfacing with practically any audio equipment. Two speaker jacks allow easy connection with up to two speaker enclosures.

Bullet-proof construction, a standard feature of Rivera equipment, is also engineered into the RockCrusher: Within the 16-gauge welded steel chassis of the RockCrusher are heavy-duty and rugged industrial-grade components designed to give you years of reliable, cool-running service. In addition, both sides of the RockCrusher chassis facilitate mounting rack ears or other brackets for professional road case installation.