Elan SoundBakery Reactive Load Box, Attenuator & DI

100W | 4Ω / 8Ω / 16Ω | Balanced XLR DI | Fully Passive | Handmade in the USA

Get the Best Sound From Your Tube Amp at a Volume You Can Control

Tube amplifiers sound great when they're pushed hard, but that often means playing much louder than you want.

The Elan SoundBakery Reactive Load Box, Attenuator & DI lets you drive your tube amplifier while controlling the actual volume coming from your speaker cabinet.

Designed by Elan Memran, founder of MetalHead Electronics and the engineer behind the original MetalHead Marshall amplifier modifications, SoundBakery combines three useful functions in one compact unit:

• Reactive load box for silent operation
• Speaker attenuator with a dedicated bypass switch
• Balanced XLR DI and unbalanced line output for recording and live sound

Whether you're practicing at home, recording in the studio, or performing live, SoundBakery gives you more control over your tube amplifier.

True Reactive Load Technology

SoundBakery uses a reactive load designed to simulate the changing impedance of a real guitar speaker cabinet.

This allows your amplifier to respond more naturally under load, helping maintain its dynamics, harmonic content, pick attack, and playing feel.

The reactive circuit is designed to work with the amplifier's output stage while allowing you to reduce the volume reaching the speaker cabinet.

Adjustable Speaker Attenuation

Turn up your amplifier to get the tone you want, then use SoundBakery to reduce the speaker volume.

The attenuation control provides:

• Maximum attenuated speaker output of approximately 25% of full level
• Continuous adjustment down to silence
• Control over speaker volume while driving the amplifier harder
• A dedicated Attenuator Bypass switch

Dedicated Attenuator Bypass Switch

The Attenuator Bypass switch connects your amplifier directly to your speaker cabinet, bypassing the attenuation circuit and restoring full speaker output.

The balanced XLR and 1/4-inch line outputs remain active even when the attenuator is bypassed.

This allows you to use the full output of your amplifier while still sending its signal to recording or live sound equipment.

A properly matched speaker cabinet or suitable load must be connected when using bypass mode.

Silent Reactive Load Box Operation

SoundBakery can also operate as a standalone reactive load box.

With the reactive load properly engaged, you can operate your tube amplifier without connecting a speaker cabinet.

This is useful for:

• Silent guitar recording
• Home studio recording
• Direct-to-PA setups
• In-ear monitoring systems
• Live performances without a guitar speaker cabinet
• Sending your amplifier's signal to additional equipment or another amplifier

Your tube amplifier can be driven without producing sound through a speaker cabinet, while its signal remains available through the line outputs.

Balanced XLR DI and 1/4-Inch Line Outputs

SoundBakery includes two line outputs:

Balanced XLR Output

Connect to a recording interface, mixer, PA system, or other compatible professional audio equipment.

Unbalanced 1/4-Inch Line Output

Connect to recording equipment, external processing equipment, or a suitable input on another amplifier.

Both outputs remain connected and available in all operating modes:

• Speaker attenuation
• Attenuator bypass
• Silent reactive load-box operation

One Line Out Level control adjusts both outputs together.

This makes it easy to control the signal sent to your recording or live sound equipment independently of the speaker attenuation setting.

Record With Your Favorite Cabinet Simulation

The SoundBakery line outputs deliver your amplifier's signal without built-in speaker cabinet simulation or EQ.

You can use your preferred:

• Impulse responses (IRs)
• Speaker cabinet simulation software
• Recording plug-ins
• External speaker simulation equipment

SoundBakery works with recording systems using Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, REAPER, and other digital audio workstations.

You choose the cabinet sound and recording setup that works for you.

Three Dedicated Impedance Inputs

SoundBakery provides three separate amplifier input jacks:

• 4Ω
• 8Ω
• 16Ω

Simply connect your amplifier's speaker output to the SoundBakery input that matches its output impedance.

There is no impedance selector switch.

This makes SoundBakery compatible with a wide range of tube amplifiers, subject to the amplifier's output power rating and connection requirements.

Fully Passive Operation

SoundBakery operates without batteries or an external power supply.

Its aluminum chassis and internal component heat sinks provide passive heat dissipation.

Handmade in the USA, SoundBakery is designed for guitarists who want a practical way to control their amplifier's volume, record silently, or connect directly to live sound equipment.

Technical SpecificationsFeatureSpecificationProductReactive Load Box, Attenuator & DIAmplifier ratingUp to 100 wattsAmplifier inputsThree 1/4-inch inputsImpedance4Ω, 8Ω, 16ΩSpeaker outputOne 1/4-inch jackAttenuationApproximately 25% of full level down to silenceBypassDedicated Attenuator Bypass switchBalanced DI outputXLRUnbalanced line output1/4-inchLine output controlShared level controlLine outputs active in bypassYesSilent load operationYesCabinet simulationNone, allows external IR or cab simulationPower supplyNot requiredConstructionAluminum chassis with internal heat sinksDimensions5.9" x 7.9" x 2.75"WeightUnder 4 lbManufacturingHandmade in the USAPrice: $479

Designed and built by Elan Audio Lab.

Crank Your Amp. Control the Volume. Keep the Tone.