How to wire a balance control

[Bama Slamma]

How does one wire a balance control? Since I now know where to get a dual-gang log pot, I'm thinking of getting rid of the dual volume controls on my amp and having a volume and a balance control. Is a balance control done with a dual or a single gang pot and how do you wire one?

[gmphadte]

A linear pot is needed to be used. U have to ground the wiper, and connect the other extremes to the two channels through a resistor per channel, so that the signal does not get shorted to ground. This has to be fitted before the volume control IIRC.

Gajanan Phadte

[Nordic]

From ESP Audio



Because of potential ground loop issues.. I will next time use a dual pot as a master volume, and 2 single pots for level adjustments.

[richie00boy]

Just use a dual pot and forget about balance controls. They are a waste of time.

[Nordic]

Originally posted by richie00boy
They are a waste of time.

What a nice listening room you must have.....

[richie00boy]

It's nothing special.

Balance controls are a waste of time because they only change the level not the phase, i.e. they don't compensate for distance differences. They are a gimmick leftover from the 1960s. The less pots in the signal path the better.

[AndrewT]

Originally posted by richie00boy
It's nothing special.

Balance controls are a waste of time because they only change the level not the phase, i.e. they don't compensate for distance differences. They are a gimmick leftover from the 1960s. The less pots in the signal path the better.

The less any/everything in the signal path the better.
Just keep the bits the circuit really needs.

[Bama Slamma]

What value should the resistors and pot be? My dual volumes are 10k apiece.

[Bonsai]

Bamma Slamma, when you go to a live show, you do not have the option of a balance control.

Take some good advice from the guys above that suggest you do not use it, and rather spend your money on the best quality dual volume pot you can afford.