SAFETY INFORMATION
1. Please read these instructions carefully.
2. Keep all information and instructions in a safe place.
3. Follow the instructions.
4. Observe all safety warnings. Never remove safety warnings or other information from the equip-
ment.
5. Use the equipment only in the intended manner and for the intended purpose.
6. Use only sufficiently stable and compatible stands and/or mounts (for fixed installations). Make
certain that wall mounts are properly installed and secured. Make certain that the equipment is
installed securely and cannot fall down.
7. During installation, observe the applicable safety regulations for your country.
8. Never install and operate the equipment near radiators, heat registers, ovens or other sources of
heat. Make certain that the equipment is always installed so that is cooled sufficiently and cannot
overheat.
9. Never place sources of ignition, e.g., burning candles, on the equipment.
10. Ventilation slits must not be blocked.
11. Do not use this equipment in the immediate vicinity of water (does not apply to special outdoor
equipment - in this case, observe the special instructions noted below. Do not expose this equip-
ment to flammable materials, fluids or gases.
12. Make certain that dripping or splashed water cannot enter the equipment. Do not place containers
filled with liquids, such as vases or drinking vessels, on the equipment.
13. Make certain that objects cannot fall into the device.
14. Use this equipment only with the accessories recommended and intended by the manufacturer.
15. Open the device for changing the battery, do not modify this equipment.
16. After connecting the equipment, check all cables in order to prevent damage or accidents, e.g.,
due to tripping hazards.
17. During transport, make certain that the equipment cannot fall down and possibly cause property
damage and personal injuries.
18. If your equipment is no longer functioning properly, if fluids or objects have gotten inside the equip-
ment or if it has been damaged in another way, switch it off immediately and unplug it from the
mains outlet (if it is a powered device). This equipment may only be repaired by authorized, qualified
personnel.
19. Clean the equipment using a dry cloth.
20. Comply with all applicable disposal laws in your country. During disposal of packaging, please
separate plastic and paper/cardboard.
21. Plastic bags must be kept out of reach of children.
22. If the equipment has been exposed to strong fluctuations in temperature (for example, after trans-
port), do not switch it on immediately. Moisture and condensation could damage the equipment. Do
not switch on the equipment until it has reached room temperature.
23. Do not step on the power cord. Make certain that the power cable does not become kinked, espe-
cially at the mains outlet and/or power adapter and the equipment connector.
24. When connecting the equipment, make certain that the power cord or power adapter is always
freely accessible. Always disconnect the equipment from the power supply if the equipment is not
in use or if you want to clean the equipment. Always unplug the power cord and power adapter from
the power outlet at the plug or adapter and not by pulling on the cord. Never touch the power cord
and power adapter with wet hands.
25. To disconnect the equipment from the power mains completely, unplug the power cord or power
adapter from the power outlet.
26. Unplug the power cord and power adapter from the power outlet if there is a risk of a lightning strike
or before extended periods of disuse.
CAUTION:
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
There are no user serviceable parts inside. Have repairs carried out only by qualified service personnel.
CAUTION – HIGH VOLUME LEVELS WITH AUDIO PRODUCTS!
This equipment is intended for professional use. Therefore, commercial use of this equipment is subject
to the respectively applicable national accident prevention rules and regulations. As a manufacturer,
Adam Hall is obligated to notify you formally about the existence of potential health risks. Hearing dam-
age due to high volume and prolonged exposure: When in use, this product is capable of producing high
sound-pressure levels (SPL) that can lead to irreversible hearing damage in performers, employees, and
audience members. For this reason, avoid prolonged exposure to volumes in excess of 90 dB.
MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY & LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
You can find our current warranty conditions and limitation of liability at: http://www.adamhall.com/
media/shop/downloads/documents/manufacturersdeclarations.pdf
To request warranty service for a product, please contact Adam Hall GmbH, Daimler Straße 9, 61267 Neu
Anspach / Email Info@adamhall.com / 49 (0) 6081 / 9419-0
PROPER DISPOSAL OF THIS PRODUCT
(WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT)
(Valid in the European Union and other European countries with waste separation)
This symbol on the product, or the documents accompanying the product, indicates that this appliance
may not be treated as household waste. This is to avoid environmental damage or personal injury due to
uncontrolled waste disposal. Please dispose of this product separately from other waste and have it
recycled to promote sustainable economic activity.
CONCEPT
For many guitarists, the optimal distorted guitar sound is still that of an overdriven tube amp power stage
producing especially harmonious sounding overtones. The problem: in high-powered amplifiers, this is
often connected with an unbearable, even unhealthy volume level until one finds the “sweet spot”. When
using a lower powered amplifier, on the other hand, the threshold is quickly reached at which the clean
sounds are not loud enough and unwanted distortion occurs too soon. Now the Palmer Power Pad offers
a solution to the problem. When connected between the amplifier and the speaker cabinet, it can con-
vert more than 80 % of the delivered output power into heat. Thus the volume is reduced dramatically.
The PDI06 is a power attenuator for live applications. This permits practical volume reduction in five
increments from 70 % to 18 % for stage and practice room situations. An additional level makes the
speaker completely mute; the PDI06 then functions as a LOAD BOX and absorbs the entire output power
of the amplifier. On the other hand, a bypass switch can be used to send the full output power to the
speaker cabinet. We have good reasons for designing the device so that the volume cannot be reduced
to a “whisper”. Guitar speakers are supposed to amplify the quiet acoustic instrument signal. In order
to deliver the desired sound, they require a minimum power to set the membrane in motion. However,
this is typically more than the aforementioned “whisper”. However, if your application only permits this
low volume level, we recommend using the “load box” setting and reproducing the signal via a home or
studio monitoring system with the additional help of a Palmer PDI09. For more information: see below.
In a manner comparable to that of a speaker, the PDI06 loads the amplifier as an impedance and not just
as a purely ohmic resistance. The PDI06 is completely passive in operation and thus does not require
a power connection.
SETUP
The PDI06 MkII should be set up in a location with unimpeded air access. The ventilation slits in the
cover must never be covered. Because the device generates heat, avoid placing it next to other sources
of heat. A good location, for example, would be next to the guitar amplifier, since this also results in short
cable distances. All connecting cables to the PDI06 must be speaker cables with TRS mono plugs. A ca-
ble from the amplifier to the PDI06 and a cable to the speaker cabinet are required. Because it is possible
to connect two cabinets to the device, an additional cable may also be necessary. The connectors of the
PDI 06 are self-explanatory. The cable from the amplifier output is connected to the “FROM AMPLIFIER”
socket. There are two “TO SPEAKER” sockets as outputs for speakers. Both sockets are wired in parallel
and thus are equivalent and can be used in any order. It is important to select the correct impedance
for the connected equipment. On the amplifier, the impedance must be selected in accordance with the
version of the PDI 06. Thus for an 8 ohm PDI06, the amplifier must also be set to 8 Ohms, and/or the
corresponding output must be used. The same applies for the speakers. Because there are two sockets,
it is possible to connect either one 8 Ohm or two 1 Ohm cabinets. With a 4 Ohm PDI06, one can connect
one 4 Ohm cabinet or two 8 Ohm cabinets.
NOTE: The 16 Ohms Version only has one speaker output as two outputs would require 32 Ohms
OPERATION
Once the cables have been connected, the amplifier can be turned on. To attenuate the output power, the
rocker switch labelled “BYPASS/ATTENUATOR” must be set to the ATTENUATOR position. The indicator
knob is used to attain a stepwise reduction in volume. The 70 % setting results in the minimum reduction
and the 18 % setting in the maximum reduction of the speaker level. An additional level labelled “LOAD-
BOX” mutes the connected speakers. The output power delivered by the amplifier is entirely absorbed
by the PDI06. In combination with a Palmer PDI09, “The Junction”, this provides an outstanding way to
record the guitar tone you want without being a nuisance to others. The PDI09 is a special DI box that
simulates the sound of guitar speakers. The PDI09 is connected between the amplifier output and the
input of the PDI 06. Then a realistic sounding signal can be sent from the balanced XLR output of the
PDI09 to, for example, a mixing desk. This capability can also be used live to transmit the guitar sound
to the PA system without using a microphone. The PDI06 is used to adjust the stage volume of the guitar
speakers without affecting the signal sent to the engineer at the mixing desk. The “BYPASS” position of
the rocker switch completely removes the PDI06 as a load from the signal path, so that the full amplifier
output power reaches the connected speakers.
SAFETY INFORMATION
The PDI06 converts the unwanted volume into heat. The maximum output power of the connected
amplifier should not exceed 120 W RMS. Always make absolutely certain that good air circulation is pro-
vided for to avoid dangerous accumulation of heat. Please remember that the useful life of your power
amplifier tubes is directly dependent on the power output generated. This means that your power stage
tubes will probably not last as long if you always run your amplifier at full power.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model name:
PDI06
Product type:
power attenuator
Type:
passiv
Channels:
1
Input type:
unbalanced
Inputs:
1
Input connectors:
6.3 mm Jack
Output type:
unbalanced
Outputs:
2
Output connectors:
6.3 mm Jack
Controls:
rotary attenuation switch, bypass
Dummy load:
yes
Dummy load impedance:
8 or 16 Ohm
Max. load:
120 W
Voicing fi lter:
no
Power attenuator:
yes
Transformer isolated outputs:
no
Cabinet material:
sheet steel / aluminium
Cabinet surface:
powder coated / anodized
Width:
120 mm
Depth:
120 mm
Heigth:
50 mm
Weight:
2.4 kg
PDI06
POWER ATTENUATOR 8 or 16 OHM - Manual
© Palmer Musical Instruments, Adam Hall GmbH, D-61267 Neu-Anspach, Daimlerstr. 9, Germany TEL: ++49 (0)6081 94190
FAX: ++49 (0)6081 43280 WEB: www.adamhall.com, www.palmer-germany.com EMAIL: info@palmer-germany.com
