Session DI output levels?

[Brad S]

Demo-ing Session DI this week and noticed substantially more level from XLR output vs. 1/4". MY PARA DIs have no noticeable difference between the two. Expected similar from Session. What are the Session DI XLR and 1/4" output signals supposed to be? Line/mic/+4?
Thanks

[Brad S]

Why the difference in output between the xlr and 1/4"?

Demo-ing Session DI this week and noticed substantially more level from XLR output vs. 1/4". MY PARA DIs have no noticeable difference between the two. Expected similar from Session. What are the Session DI XLR and 1/4" output signals supposed to be? Line/mic/+4?
Thanks

???
Why the difference in output between the xlr and 1/4"?

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey Brad,
The difference you are hearing in output from the 1/4" to the XLR is completely normal. The fact that you are not hearing the same difference on the Para DI is actually the strange part.

Since the XLR output is balanced, and the two hot pins add back together at the input of what you plug into (mixer, amp, etc.), giving you 6dB to 10dB of additional amplitude, without an additional gain stage. You can read articles on this from Wikipedia or Portland Music Co. if you want more information.

An unbalanced signal is only a hot and a ground, so it will not have the same additive effect.

On top of that, most mixers, amps, and other inputs are set up differently for 1/4" and XLR signals. So that may play a part in the difference you are hearing as well.

I hope that helps.

[Brad S]

Hey Brad,
The difference you are hearing in output from the 1/4" to the XLR is completely normal. The fact that you are not hearing the same difference on the Para DI is actually the strange part.

Since the XLR output is balanced, and the two hot pins add back together at the input of what you plug into (mixer, amp, etc.), giving you 6dB to 10dB of additional amplitude, without an additional gain stage. You can read articles on this from Wikipedia or Portland Music Co. if you want more information.

An unbalanced signal is only a hot and a ground, so it will not have the same additive effect.

On top of that, most mixers, amps, and other inputs are set up differently for 1/4" and XLR signals. So that may play a part in the difference you are hearing as well.

I hope that helps.

Hi Caleb - Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the confusion, but it turns out I have not one, but two bad channels that I was using to test the two PARA DIs that I have. Btw, the Session DI works nicely to warm up the sound of my National Reso, especially in tandem with one of the PARA DIs. Again, sorry for the confusion!

[Caleb_Elling]

No problem! Thanks for letting me know.

Also, thanks for the Session/Reso info. That seems like a really cool match up.