How to set gain on the mixing console
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ม.ค. 2012
- A short video showing how to set the channel gain control using the Pre-Fade Listen button in conjunction with the meters. Mixer shown is a Soundcraft Spirit Live 4/2 but the general principle can be applied to any mixing console.
A couple of questions that come up quite a lot in the comments:
Q: Where should the channel fader be during this process?
A: I recommend keeping the channel fader all the way down whilst setting gain just in case the input level is higher than expected.
Q: Where should the master fader be during this process?
A: I recommend keeping the master fader at 0dB/unity.
Part of the St George's Church PA training series of videos.
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Good explanation.
One question: when you set gain. What level we have to set our fader.
There you go: th-cam.com/video/U54_AyR9SQk/w-d-xo.html
I'm a new soundboard tech at my church and was taught this wrong. My church uses gain as a last resort and the sound barely has any green and definatelly no yellow and red. Tomorrow at church I want to try it your way! ;)
How did that work out?
10 years after and still te best tuto on the subject! Cheers Bruno.
You're welcome Kiosko, amazing how time flies.
Absolutely fantastic explanation. English elocution and enunciation is perfect to boot. Thank you sir!
+Scott Rader You're welcome, thanks for watching.
I just got a little mixer and encountered a little distortion on a recording earlier today. I looked up videos on TH-cam about the proper way to set Gain and Levels. Thank goodness I watched yours first. I watched about 6 others after and 4 of them were recommending absolute garbage. You really outline the terminology and principles so well. Thank you. I'm getting perfect pristine sound now.
Thanks Craig, very glad the video was helpful!
Wow ! BRUNO IS STILL THE BEST. He never ceases to amaze me with his very well spoken and easy to understand way of explaining things. Thank you Bruno! Keep rockin' steady my brother.
Always appreciate your encouragement my friend! 😊
Definitely can hear the noise floor slowly disappear when you reach unity gain. Great tutorial. Live audio isn't as forgiving as the noise floor in a digital virtual mixer. But too low a signal level causes many big problems in the digital world also. Thanks for the refreshment of this very important procedure in setting up the input gain sensitivity!
Anyone who is serious about wishing to learn the correct methodology of mixing desk and sound configurations should definitely subscribe to this most excellent channel!
I bought my soundcraft from my job in downtown Orlando. It is a piece of history! Kid Rock, Supervillains, Backstreet Boys any one who ever played the Social. I need to learn this Board and I appreciate your video ! Thanks and God Bless you !!
Awesome! Hope it serves you well for many years to come!
I've said it before, and I'm saying it again. Someone who is so good and clear I have so far never found, completely world class.
All electronics manufacturers should bombard you with offers. Many thanks, a pure joy to watch listen and learn from you.
Thanks again my friend, you're the best! 🥰
This is a VERY good explanation! The best I've found so far.
My Soundcraft Notepad 124 requires me to have the gain set to FULL up to get any level from a dynamic, low-impedance mic. I can't even get to 0db, much less into the yellow.
You know your stuff man. I do more studio stuff (mixing, tracking, etc...) and I can absolutely reaffirm your statement that proper gain staging is probably THE MOST important aspect of audio. It drives me INSANE sometimes when I get raw tracks to mix that have the levels completely jacked up. Gain staging cannot be stressed enough. Well done.
Clear as crystal, a lot of potential arguments can be avoided using correct technique.
Am a novice when it comes to properly setting up equipment. Out of all the many videos on the web addressing gain, your video leads the pack with your straightforward instructions and explanations. Well done. Two thumbs up.
Bill Leonard Thanks for watching, your vote of confidence is much appreciated :)
I get my ideas here and it is very handy for a starter like myself, understanding the basics and applying them is fun, but thank you GLB and Bruno for putting this together no BS just straight up sharing of each important piece about sound management, God bless and more power Sir!
Glad to hear that, thanks for supporting the channel and all the best with your business!
Another ace vid, Bruno. You explain things very well, fella. Thanks again 👍👍
Probably the best audio advice on youtube .... Cheers man, Excellent comprehensive explanation.
You're welcome, thanks for watching :)
- You're welcome, glad they've been helpful. Yes it's fine to use both sets of outputs at the main time - in fact it is ok to use *all* of the outputs of a mixer at any time :)
I like how you explain gain it was very good and you kept me interested
You really helped me a lot. You're a good teacher
Btw you've been a TREMENDOUS help in answering my questions. Thank you so much Bruno.
- Thank you. The jazz was one of the stock pieces available in my video editing software, nothing in particular :)
Great console btw, I worked on Soundcraft Spirit mixers myself numerous times and never had a problem!
***** Yes, this particular console lasted 10 years at our church and is currently still in service at another location. Thanks for watching!
Thanks, that was very helpful. Esp. the background information why you actually do what and how it is supposed to work was very helpful for understanding the concept. This should be a 1o1 for everyone diving into sound works of any kind (podcasts, music recording, music production whatever)
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
- Thanks for the question, this is an interesting issue! I would begin by turning your amps down by 6dB - if your amp level controls are not marked in dB, turn them down to the 12 o'clock mark, and adjust from there. The chances of feedback will not increase as long as you do not increase your channel gain more than the amount by which you have turned down your power amps.
- Thank you for the positive feedback :)
Thank you Bruno keep up your good work
Thank you Bruno!
Your explanation was crystal clear.
The Lord bless you!!!
You're most welcome, God Bless you too!
Very easy to understand. Excellent. Thank you
Thanks so much sir. I truly appreciate your tutorials.
You're welcome Godwin!
Thank You, Very, Very Much!! I've been hampered by improper gain structure for years. I've watched several long videos on this topic that leave me feeling that I've missed something. Your demonstration was short, clear and insightful. We have an event coming up next week and I'm planning on implementing your lesson then. Thanks again!!
That's great news Chuck, thanks for getting in touch! Gain structure is both very simple and very complex at the same time but end users can get 80% of the way there just by setting that knob at the top of the channel strip correctly! How did your event go?
Bruno, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. We produce the Worthy Music Ministries'
Family Stage at the Orting Pumpkin Festival. The event is run by the Tacoma Events Commission www.tacomaevents.com/pumpkin-festival.html . This year the sound was better than ever and that was Greatly due to your very helpful presentations!! Thanks again from myself and the Tacoma Events Commission. Now I'm looking forward to rather then dreading next years Freedom Fair 4th of July event www.freedomfair.com/. Thanks again Bruno!!
Great news Chuck, very glad your event went well. Feel free to contact me in future if you have any more questions.
I have now watched several of your tutorials, they are best out there, bought a mixer couple of months ago and with your videos learned to use it correctly, thanks
That's awesome, all the best with your music!
Learned to mix on an X32 console, each channel strip has it's on input meter, so no PFL is required. But it's cool to learn that in case I ever have to mix on an analog board at some point. We do have a couple in use for karaoke at our venue, but I haven't spent much time to fully learn them, as that's not my primary job. I'm the event engineer for the venue room mixing bands, so I spend most of my time learning more about the Behringer X32.
This video covers gain very well so that even a novice could understand and implement that. Gain structure is the very foundation, and as you said, the most important knob on your mixer!
Thank you so much. I was having a bad feedback problem. I'm not tech savvy at all and this trick fixed the problems. God bless you.
You're most welcome Myra. Too much gain is definitely a recipe for feedback! Glad your problem is solved, and feel free to contact me any time you have more questions.
Best video ever on gain principle. Thank you!! Never knew volume vs gain difference i thought it was the same thing! Bravo!
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
WOW! I never knew that! I would always fiddle with the Gain knob to get the best sound.
Thanks a lot!
Kevin
+1crazynordlander You're welcome, thanks for watching!
THE BEST TUTORIAL !!!!)
Me too.....and not just with the "Gain"...
- You're most welcome, glad it was helpful. The volume knob on the back of the receiver is normally set to 100%, i.e. fully clockwise. This should yield a gain setting on your console of somewhere between 10 and 2 o'clock if you are running into a microphone input. The reason for this is mainly consistency between channels, and to achieve the best signal to noise ratio.
Very good video. I learned a lot. Thank you for this.
THAT was one of the most easily understood demo that I have experienced. Thanks a ton!
Napoleon Haney You're welcome, thanks for watching!
Excellent tutorial. Mandatory viewing for anyone interested in pro audio. Thank you for sharing!
Just recommended this video to a Friend that's starting /restarting his home studio. Great Reference Video!!
Best explanation on the whole youtube !!! You are a good teacher and I will keep watching your videos . Thanks
+MikeMirror88 Thanks very much for watching, your support is much appreciated :)
+GLB Productions I agree with +MikeMirror88 this most practical explanation, will be sure to share with my team. Thanks for the tutorial!
Wow this video finally makes me understand how to set gain. Thank you very much
You're welcome!
I always find this guy to be pleasant, concise and very helpful indeed !
Thank you
You're welcome Julian :)
- You're welcome, glad to hear that!
I needed that, thanks for sharing
- You're welcome, glad it was helpful. All the best with your music!
Thank you for this Sir, I have been looking for such a concise explanation and you hit the nail on the head. Cheers and please keep up the great work!
Thanks for watching Michael!
Thee best video on setting gain control out there!
Finally it's clear to me, how to set the gain.
Thank you so much!
I am a subscriber now.
You're most welcome, thanks for watching and subscribing!
Of course, PFL I over looked that part of your tutorial! Well done.
- You're most welcome. All the best with your music!
Bruno, you are such a blessing, thank you and may GOD bless you for being a blessing to the music industry.
You're most welcome Elroy.
Sincere thanks for you informative sessions they have been valuable in helping me understand many aspects of mixing
You're most welcome Brian, very glad the videos have been helpful.
Another excellent video/teaching aid, learning as I go sort of thing. Mic set ups for ukulele/banjolele band. Thank you very much. Take care.
You're welcome, all the best with your music :)
Thank you very much for this very clear instruction. You're an excellent instructor.
You're welcome, thanks for watching :)
Thanks for the lesson.
Excellent explanation. Thanks
I really love your videos. The way you explain things is very clear. Thanks so much. GBY :)
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
Thank you sir, great demo, our church desk definitely needs adjusting.
You're welcome :)
Very nice - This is the best explanation I've found. Well thought out, great video.
Thanks for watching :)
thank you so simple and easy way of learning for church mixing
Lazarus Joseph You're welcome, thanks for watching :)
RE-teaching this to our volunteer staff week after week after week after week... then the paid consultant comes in and teaches the same thing... Thank you for confirmation, I will pass this on. Sound check with full band, and setting 0db input gain. Can't skip step 1, or else everything else is a mess...
Glad you have the patience :) With volunteers who are running the same console with the same musicians week after week it is often best to give them a starting point for setting the gain eg 2 o'clock for vocals and 11 o'clock for instruments (depending on your console). I find that this greatly speeds up the soundcheck because they are already in the ballpark so only need to check the gain rather than set every single channel from zero.
This is an excellent video..clear and concise..a great help..Many thanks
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
Thank you so much! Very useful and helpful... :D
Nice! Thank you for share this knowledge.
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
Luckily I just assumed this when I started mixing. Glad to see I've been following the correct procedures. :)
Great video! Very professional made! Thanks so much.
You're most welcome, thanks for watching.
excellent very simple and informative thanks
this is really very helpful. it's like going to an actual seminar. atleast with your videos i don't have to to go actual seminars and pay. all i need to do is watch your videos and try to apply them. thanks so much. all this time i thought that its only limited to setting your gain input to 12 o clock..
Glad to hear that! Yes gain is designed to be continuously variable just like the gas pedal on your car - more gain for lower level signals, less gain for higher level signals.
thanks so much again sir. now atleast i know. i couldn't set my gain to more than 12 o clock cause i thought it would destroy my speakers...hahahaha...wow..thanks so much again. i've been watching your different videos. really helpful
very Informative, thank you
Bruno is the man!. i love your videos, very informative and you have a great way of explaining everything so well... thank you
You're most welcome.
How can I understand crossover and how does it work
You are evidently a born sound engineer :)
Great video brother GB
...
Very Helpful!! Clearly presented and articulate explanation of the importance of setting gain levels first! Thank You from Key West Florida!!
- You're most welcome, thanks for watching!
PS: My father is from St Petersburg ;)
Russia?
Ian Ritchie Stewart
No, St Petersburg Florida :)
I needed this, thanx for sharing!
You're welcome, thanks for watching :)
What a very nice and informative tutorial. Very clearly demonstrated. :)
Thanks for watching :)
Absolutely GREAT explanation!!!!!.. I will support the Channel
Thanks for your support!
I see. Thank you for the help so far!
Great demonstration!😁
Thank you for taking time to explain things in a clear and concise way. Gathering help/information with regards mic ing up my wife's banjolele group for play-outs (they like to call them gigs) at various venus, usually rest homes and care home( captive audience(?)) bit naughty I know :-). Limited budget so running with Behringer power amp/mixer and xm1800s mics, we have Shure SM 58 when we perform. Thanks, please keep up the valiant work.
You're welcome, hope the play-outs are going well!
Amazing tutorial.
love your channel
This was quite clear (with no distortion :-) ) Thx!
- You're most welcome, glad it was helpful :)
Thanks buddy providing the very good information. God bless you.
You're most welcome :)
Very Clear and a very Good Job my Friend... Thanks!!
Blayde Stone You're welcome, thanks for watching!
finally one done right! thanks so much
Thank you very much for the fantastic clear explanation sir 🙏
You're most welcome :D
Thank you so much. Will follow your advice :)
You're welcome Rick :)
Thank you this helped a lot!
bro! nice vid..love all your vids. lots of help and knowlege~!!!
- Glad you're finding them helpful, thanks again for your support!
Wonderful Big Brother I got that problem all the time thanks for the tip
Glad the video was helpful, Uncle Larry!
Very helpful, thank You!
You're welcome!
thanks bro, i'll do it today... and keep in touch.. cheers...
thank you for this video man....... really helped out!
You're welcome, thanks for watching!
I’ve watched so many of these tutorials that I feel as though I know Bruno personally 🤜
More videos like these needed
Thanks for watching!
excellent information
this video is helpful thanks for uploading
You're welcome :)