recording DI guitar - how can i control the levels?

[only1patty]

hello RR,
thank you in advance for helping me!

I have been using logic for the past couple years but am still very troubled with the levels of my tracks when i record DI electric guitar parts. I have 10.4.11 Mac OSX, with Logic Pro 7 (yes i know everybody is using 8 now ).

I have been using an M-Audio Firewire Solo with one XLR and one 1/4 inch guitar in to record electric bass guitars. All of my tracks sound overblown, even after applying compression, but they don't clip; they're just painfully loud. When I turn down the fader, I obviously lose clarity of the part. This is probably more of a mixing issue, but does anyone know what I can do in the future to avoid these overly robust levels? Should I simply turn down the gain on my interface?

Thank you so much in advance and sorry for posting such an elementary question!!!!

[Vulconizer]

Have you tried turning down the gain on your interface? If so, what was the effect on your sound? Experiment.

[only1patty]

It's helped a little. Thanks!