From the course: Audio Recording Techniques
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Using proper gain staging
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…
Practice while you learn with exercise files
Download the files the instructor uses to teach the course. Follow along and learn by watching, listening and practicing.
- Ch_02_Microphones_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_02_Microphones_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_03_Preamps_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_03_Preamps_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_04_Microphone_Placement_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_04_Microphone_Placement_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_05_Drums_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_05_Drums_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_06_Guitar_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_06_Guitar_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_07_Bass_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_07_Bass_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_08_Vocals_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_08_Vocals_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_09_Piano_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_09_Piano_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_10_Horns_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_10_Horns_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_11_Strings_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_11_Strings_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_12_Percussion_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_12_Percussion_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_14_Stereo_Techniques_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_14_Stereo_Techniques_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_15_Recording_The_Session_PT_Sessions.zip
- Ch_15_Recording_The_Session_Raw_WAVs.zip
- Ch_16_Simply_Falling_PT_Mix_Session.zip
- Ch_16_Simply_Falling_Raw_WAVs.zip
Contents
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Explaining the microphone preamplifier3m 59s
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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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Knowing what to do if distortion occurs2m
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Using the compressor during recording2m 58s
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Using the equalizer (EQ) during recording2m 24s
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Using the high-pass filter during recording1m 4s
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Exploring the principles of EQ47s
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Avoiding latency3m 51s
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