Hughes & Kettner Attax Guitar Preamp

The Hughes & Kettner Attax Preamp is a classic 3-channel guitar preamplifier in a 19-inch rack format (1 U) from the early 1990s. It combines an analog solid-state circuit for clean sounds with a real tube stage for overdrive and high-gain tones.Here is a breakdown of its key features and architecture:🎸 Channels & Sound Architecture

• Clean (Solid-State): Utilizes a solid-state circuit featuring Hughes & Kettner's "Soft Click" technology. This simulates the gentle clipping of a cranked tube power amp, delivering warm, dynamic vintage and modern clean tones.
• Crunch (Tube): Powered by an internal 12AX7A / ECC83 tube. It provides dynamic overdrive ranging from bluesy crunch to classic rock rhythms, responding well to the guitar's volume knob.
• Lead (Tube): Uses the same tube but engages a modern high-gain structure with significantly more compression and sustain, tailored for singing solos and heavier riffs.

🎛️ Connectivity & Features

• Dual Effects Loops: Features both a standard Mono FX Loop and a Stereo FX Loop (1x Send, 2x Return L/R). This makes it ideal for complex rack setups with stereo power amps.
• Recording Out: Equipped with two frequency-corrected outputs that simulate the sound of a miked 4x12" cabinet (similar to the legendary Hughes & Kettner Red Box). Perfect for direct home recording or running straight into a mixing console.
• MIDI Expansion:Includes a slot for the optional MSM-1 MIDI Module, allowing channels to be switched via a MIDI pedalboard.