Diy balanced line level attenuator

I’m looking to build a unit with balanced XLR input and output that can attenuate the volume with a trs expression pedal jack. I would like the box to have a single knob on it as well to set a minimum volume. I know practically nothing about circuits, but from what I’ve been reading I think I wanna make it based on a vca so that the expression pedal is just a voltage divider and can be 20+ ft away from the unit within my rack. I’d like to be able to set the minimum volume so for example, I could make it -6db and control the volume from -6 to 0db remotely. I’d love to know if this is doable and if someone could help me with what parts / wiring could accomplish this. Thanks in advance!