Bugera PS1 Power Soak Attenuator Load Box

Bugera PS1 Power Soak — Cranked Tube Tone at Any Volume

The Bugera PS1 Power Soak is a passive 100-watt attenuator for guitarists who want their tube amp's full overdriven character without the volume. Plug the amp's speaker output into the unit, run a second speaker cable to the cabinet, and the device absorbs excess power so the tubes keep cooking at any listening level. It works with virtually any tube amp up to 100 watts, making it practical for bedroom practice, late-night studio sessions, and small venue gigs.

Three Impedance Inputs Plus a Built-In Cab Emulation

What sets this model apart is the combination of multi-impedance compatibility and built-in direct recording outputs. Three rear-panel 1/4" inputs cover 4, 8, and 16-ohm tube amps, while the emulated XLR mic output mimics a microphone in front of a speaker cabinet — no mic or cabinet required for direct recording or front-of-house sends.

Power Handling and Compatibility

Rated to handle tube amplifiers up to 100 watts, the unit matches the connected amp's output impedance via dedicated 4, 8, and 16-ohm inputs, keeping the amp-to-cabinet signal path safe.

• Type: Attenuator — passive design, no power supply required
• Power Handling: 100 W — covers most common tube amp headroom ratings
• Impedance Inputs: 4 / 8 / 16 ohms — three dedicated 1/4" jacks

Signal Outputs — Speaker, Line, and Emulated Mic

Three outputs handle every common attenuation workflow. The speaker output feeds the connected cabinet, the 1/4" line output sends an uncompensated signal to an external power amp or impulse response loader, and the balanced XLR emulated mic output delivers a cab-voiced signal to a console or interface.

• Speaker Output: 1 x 1/4" — feeds the connected cabinet
• Line Output: 1 x 1/4" with Level control — for impulse responses
• Emulated Mic Output: 1 x XLR — cab-voiced direct signal

Controls and Physical Design

A large front-panel Soak knob sets the speaker output attenuation level, while a separate Line knob controls the 1/4" line output independently. The chassis is fully vented for passive heat dissipation, and the unit weighs 1.32 kg.

• Soak Control: 0–100 attenuation range — sets speaker output volume
• Line Control: dedicated level knob — independent of speaker output level
• Dimensions: 12.7 cm × 17.2 cm × 9.1 cm — compact desktop footprint
• Weight: 1.32 kg — light enough to sit on top of a combo amp

Who Should Use This Attenuator

This attenuator is the right choice for tube amp owners who need cranked-amp tone at controlled volumes — bedroom players, apartment dwellers, home recordists, and gigging guitarists in smaller venues. It suits players using 15W to 100W tube combos and heads from Marshall, Fender, Mesa/Boogie, Vox, and EVH who want the natural compression of a pushed power section.

Bugera — Accessible Tube Tone Tools

Bugera designs valve amplifiers and amp-related tools aimed at making tube tone accessible to working players. The PS1 continues that approach with a passive 100-watt attenuator featuring multi-impedance support and built-in cabinet emulation at a price well below boutique alternatives.