Gain staging is the proper level setting of each section of the signal path so that none of them overload.…Let's look at how to do just that.…Since you may have several signal processors in your signal path while recording, it's…important that any one of them isn't being overdriven.…This may result in anything from the tone changing slightly to some outright hard sounding distortion.…In most cases the signal path is going to be rather simple, which is the mic preamp into your DAW.…In this case make sure that the overload LED isn't being lit on the mic preamp, if it is,…back off on the input gain.…
If it's still overloading engage the attenuator pad and readjust the input gain control.…The next thing to check is your DAW. Is the level too hot?…If so, back off to Trim control if there is one until a level reads about -10 dB.…If your DAW doesn't have a Trim control then decrease the output level of the microphone…preamp until the DAW level reads about -10.…In this example, we've added an outboard EQ to the signal chain.…
Author
Released
10/24/2012- Optimizing your listening environment
- Listening to how different microphone types affect recording
- Choosing the right microphone for the right recording application
- Positioning microphones for a wide variety of recording scenarios
- Utilizing proper gain staging, preamps, and direct boxes
- Avoiding phase cancellation
- Using a compressor, equalizer, and high-pass filter during recording
- Setting up a headphone mix
- Adding the right amount of compression or equalization
- Capturing great sounds from drums, guitars, basses, keyboards, pianos, strings, and vocals
- Creating a great drum set sound
- Getting the best out of any singer
- Dealing with microphone leakage
- Utilizing a variety of stereo miking techniques
- Setting up and producing a recording session
- Creating a rough mix in any digital audio workstation (DAW)
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
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Introduction
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Welcome2m 7s
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Using the exercise files1m 29s
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1. Monitoring
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Setting up your monitors4m 17s
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2. Microphone Basics
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Exploring direct boxes1m 9s
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3. Recording Basics
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Choosing a preamp1m 35s
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Setting up the mic preamp1m 39s
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Setting the record level2m 29s
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Using proper gain staging1m 46s
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Avoiding latency3m 51s
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4. Microphone Placement Basics
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Choosing the right mic2m 24s
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The secret to mic placement2m 12s
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Checking polarity3m 9s
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5. Recording the Drums
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Tuning the drums2m 19s
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Tuning tips and tricks2m 26s
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Using a subkick microphone1m 31s
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Adding a bottom snare mic1m 45s
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Miking the hi-hat2m 14s
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Miking the toms2m 24s
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Miking the cymbals3m 14s
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Miking the overall kit1m 25s
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Using room mics2m 2s
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Getting the drum sound2m 47s
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Checking the drum phase2m 18s
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Panning the drums2m 25s
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Tracking a solo drum part1m 10s
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6. Recording the Guitar
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Tracking the guitar part1m 11s
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7. Recording the Bass
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Miking the bass amplifier2m 13s
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Tracking the bass part1m 11s
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8. Recording Vocals
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Recording a scratch vocal1m 24s
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Doubling the vocal2m 52s
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9. Recording the Acoustic Piano
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Recording the piano part1m 13s
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10. Recording Horns
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11. Recording Acoustic String Instruments
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Recording a dobro1m 36s
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Recording the dobro part1m 13s
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Recording the string section1m 13s
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12. Recording Percussion
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Recording drum percussion1m 19s
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Recording hand percussion1m 17s
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13. Recording Electric Instruments
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Recording electric keyboards1m 58s
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Recording the synth part1m 14s
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14. Recording in Stereo
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Using the X/Y configuration3m 21s
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Using the ORTF configuration2m 27s
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Using a stereo mic1m 46s
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15. The Recording Session
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Setting up a talkback mic1m 27s
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Setting up the headphone mix2m 31s
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Setting up a click track2m 11s
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Setting up for overdubs2m 17s
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16. Setting Up a Rough Mix
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Setting up the effects3m 47s
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The rough mix of Simply Falling35m 35s
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Conclusion
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Goodbye1m 2s
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Video: Using proper gain staging