Balanced out = DI? Problems

[Rowka]

I have an old Carvin 300 watt head (1986), that is really pretty decent. Carvin was making some nice stuff back then.

Only weakness is its DI output, if it is even a DI output.

I've tried to connect this to a PA board with poor results. It is a standard 3-pin XLR labled "Balanced Output." The signal level to this output is controlled by the front panel volume knob that also controls the speaker output.
The problem is that this signal is very hot for the PA.
With the PA input gain at minimum it clips long before the speaker volume is at an acceptable level.
Any ideas on a work around or modification? I'd love a buffered DI with an independant level control. I'd buld it if I knew how to design it.

 

[Esquillama]

I used the Carvin PB500 head for many years going directly
from the balanced out(xlr) to the board in live situations
with no trouble at all.

Maybe it needs to be checked out by a tech? After so many
years, I had to have mine serviced, but for other reasons.

Just a thought. Maybe you could go xlr out to another DI?
One with a level control?

 

[Rowka]

Maybe you could go xlr out to another DI? One with a level control?

I did a little searching for this but couldn't find anything like that.

 

[Funkengrooven]

Check out Rod Elliot's webpage
he has a ton of useful info, attenuators among them
here is his articles page
Link Removed

 

[johnvice]

I don't do a lot of DIing. Everytime I do, the amp's built in DI produces too much hum.

A lot of TalkBassers rant and rave about the SansAmp DI (which is also considered as an effect unit).

I use to have a Countryman DI ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]) which was great.

 

[bassicinstinct]

Is there no "pad" facility on your desk whereby you can "cool" the incoming signal from your Carvin by the usual 10 or 20 db? I don't recall seeing a desk that didn't do that - at least not in recent years.

 

[Rowka]

Is there no "pad" facility on your desk whereby you can "cool" the incoming signal from your Carvin by the usual 10 or 20 db? I don't recall seeing a desk that didn't do that - at least not in recent years.

No. There is an input gain that is set on minimum. It seems that what I have is NOT a DI, but a balanced preamp out. What's the use in that? Unless I'm gonna feed another power amp?

 

[Passinwind]

Any ideas on a work around or modification? I'd love a buffered DI with an independent level control. I'd build it if I knew how to design it.

Start here: Invalid Link Removed

The folks at Jensen are famous for helping out with further info, should you need any.