Hughes&Kettner ATTAX 100: Four Channels and Maximum Versatility in a “Smart” Amplifier

This is a fantastic proposition, in terms of versatility, from Hughes&Kettner. An all-inclusive package that offers power, clean tones, crunch and metal (Warp) sounds, plus a powerful arsenal of modulation effects. This is a good-looking, well-finished amplifier, just as the Hughes&Kettner company has accustomed us to. From an overview, we have a tool loaded with tools. It could be considered an “everything you need” amp. From four channels that run from crystalline to infernal (in saturation), to effects such as delay, chorus, flanger, tremolo, etc.

It also features Autostore FX Matrix technology, which lets you save independent effect settings for each channel. Let's analyze it piece by piece.

FOUR CHANNELS
As I announced at the outset, this amplifier is characterized, among other things, by its versatility. Within a manageable weight and size (combo), we find an enormous variety of tonal possibilities. To a large extent, this flexibility is due to its four channels.

CLEAN CHANNEL. A clean channel with transparent sounds. It has independent EQ and volume, so we can adjust to taste, depending on the needs or the type of pickups on our guitar.

CRUNCH CHANNEL. As you can imagine, it offers a range from nearly clean to moderately saturated sounds. It has an individual gain knob and a volume knob. That way we can dial in perfectly the level of saturation and volume we want for this channel. The EQ is shared by the Crunch, Lead and Warp channels.

LEAD CHANNEL. This is a harder channel, which delivers the characteristic sounds of British rock. As with the Crunch channel, it shares the EQ. We also share gain levels for the Lead and Warp channels, while keeping an individual knob for each of them.

WARP CHANNEL. For fans of Nu Metal, Death and Gothic. An adrenaline explosion in a wild ride. Boost the bass, crank the gain and devour it.

Thanks to small LEDs at the top of the control panel, we can tell which channel we're playing through at any given moment. We can have volume and gain levels well set for each of them. Now, with the footswitch, we can move comfortably, by foot, among all our preset sounds.

THE EFFECTS
It's common to find reverb in an amplifier. What's not as normal is having a full arsenal of effects in the combo itself. The ATTAX 100 offers added effects such as: CHORUS, FLANGER, TREMOLO, DELAY and REVERB.

Thanks to its effective controls, we can select the effect we want to add. We'll use the “time” and “vol” knobs to control the mode (repeats and volume of the effect). It also includes a separate Reverb control. For easy handling live, the manufacturer has provided control of the whole system via footswitch, for both channel changes and effect changes without taking your hands off the guitar.

As I said at the start, this amplifier has an effects programming system. Another feature that adds precise control over the whole arsenal the amp offers.

CONNECTIONS
The rear panel offers various connectivity options in ¼" TRS format (conventional jack). We can connect external speakers (8 OHMS) and headphones, send the sound to a source through the LINE OUT, feed in CD or line signals through the LINE INPUT, and handle the effects and footswitch through FX SEND, FOOTSWITCH and FX ON/OFF.

THE SOUND
We must consider that this is a very versatile amplifier, loaded with options. It has clean, mid-gain, semi-saturated and British sounds, plus extremely punchy distortions. It also gives us flexibility through its whole range of effects. In that sense, then, we find an amp that's up to any challenge, context and situation. Although it doesn't have a tube sound, having four channels and so many possibilities makes it relatively easy to find any sound you need, within its own build and price limitations.

CONCLUSIONS
If you stop to analyze its price, €650, and everything it offers (four channels, chorus, tremolo, delay, flanger, etc.), you'll see it's an interesting option. Buying a multi-effects unit, plus the distortion pedals, plus a 100-watt amplifier itself, would cost quite a bit more if bought separately.

An amplifier that, in our view, is very interesting for anyone who wants to experiment and have all kinds of sounds at a moderate price. With enough power to play a club, and even a gig, and a sound thick enough to get punchy, round tones. Best of all, if you think the amp profile suits you, stop by your usual store and see for yourself everything it can do.