Gain staging

Before EQ, before compression, before plugins: gain staging. It is the setting that decides whether everything after it is easy or a struggle.

Where to set the dial

Aim for peaks around -12 to -6 dB on the meter, never touching red. Loud passages need headroom, and digital clipping is unfixable. Set gain with the performer at their loudest, then leave it.

Common mistakes

Recording too hot "for warmth" (digital has no warmth to gain), setting gain during soundcheck and getting surprised by the take, and chaining multiple gain stages so noise compounds. One clean gain stage beats three sloppy ones.

Frequently asked questions