Setting Gain Levels
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Posted on May 09, 2008 08:16 am
mclir9
www.witchsmark.com
Member Since: Aug 13, 2006
I have been told 2 ways of Maximizing my gain structure with my PA system. My meter has LED's[not including the - ones] of 0,2,4,7,10 and LIM which is Red.
1.) Using PFL per channel, have each musician sound check and watch the meter... with your Channel strip all the way down, start dialing in your Gain knob when it just clips in the Red[LIM] back off a touch so that the 10yellow is solid for the most part and thats it.
2.) Same process as above except Meter should only register to between 4 & 7 so that I leave overall headroom when the Sum of everyone is playing.
For live sound which is correct??
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May 09, 2008 03:42 pm Neither. Gain structure is an organic process in the live field. In some rooms you may not want everything at full on. This is the best way that I know.
1.) Set the fader at unity. (0)
2.) With the musician playing, singing, whatever. Turn the gain up for that channel.
3.) Never try to exceed unity (0 dB) on the input.
For live sound, this is one of the beat ways to get a good over all gain structure. some mic's maybe below unity. Which is fine. Just try not to go above. Going above will rob you of your over all headroom. The kick drum is the prime example of that. most guys will run the kick around +7 or even +10 dB. Not leaving any room for vocals.
mclir9www.witchsmark.comMember
Since: Aug 13, 2006
May 12, 2008 08:05 am Quote:
3.) Never try to exceed unity (0 dB) on the input.
Thanks Rob. So when I start turning the Gain knob Clockwise and I am watching my PFL LED Meter for that channel, I should make sure that the LED doesn't bounce past the -0- into the + range??
May 12, 2008 02:47 pm Yup! Just remember that this is only for live. Recording is a different story. For live, we don't want to destroy any amps, or drivers. That's why you run a slightly less gain structure.
