Gain Staging | 3 Things You Need To Know | HomeRecordingMadeEasy.com

[@stupidusername38]

my approach is to use Event gain for each track. I add the VU meter on each track, and aim to get each track at about -18VU. I always keep the faders at 0 so that once each track is leveled i can then start on the static mix.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

That will work as well.

[@richi_envoy]

How do you start the static mix? the first sound would be the most important sound at 0?

[@GTaquarian]

Thanks for the simple explanation! The principal is simple, regardless of how you choose to do it. The important part is knowing what’s needed at each stage and knowing how to get there fast. I’ve been looking for a simplified explanation like this for far too long. Thanks for your support with these videos David - it’s appreciated.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Anytime! Thanks for watching

[@miscellanyman263]

Simply outstanding! After viewing endless videos here on KZbin addressing this essential subject matter of Gain Staging, you, Sir, have explained this concept as concisely and comprehensively as can be. Kudos to you and thank you kindly. You’ve got a new subscriber in me.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks Wayne! Be sure to check out the 50% off sale today on my website. TONS of training on recording, mixing and mastering. www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com

[@michaelbonanno7476]

Thank you David! You’ve really helped me out a lot with your videos. I’m used to doing the creative/writing side and thought that it would be too difficult to learn about all of these Gizmos. But the way you go about it is awesome!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thank you Michael, I really appreciate that

[@michaelbonanno7476]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy You’re very welcome! One question I might have for you is when you’re wanting to set up gain staging… but you’re saying it would be without all the plugins/ effects. But what if you’re recording your guitar (through a DI) that needs an amp emulation. In Studio One those emulations are considered an “effect”. Do I include the amp emulation volume as part of the gain staging or leave it off and just look at the dry DI signal for the -10 to -12? Thanks again in advance :)

[@musicman-bq2bf]

Great video and tips for mixing.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Glad you liked it!

[@HTDav01]

Finally a guy who remembers that we don't get audio from our own engineering or our own engineers all the time. It would also be a good idea to note that any rack effects should be gainstaged, and plugins should have some notes somewhere about their gain structure.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!

[@yomoney2871]

Thanks for helping me,You the Man💪

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Happy to help

[@kennyslate3351]

Thanks David, this is important stuff for all of us to know. Watch and learn!!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching Kenny!

[@thadirtyabbott33]

Nice presentation!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thank you!

[@affy537]

fantastic info.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

You're very welcome! Thanks for your support! Home Recording Podcast - www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com/Podcast Get 5 FREE Training Courses - www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com

[@katmamajams]

Thank you! This has helped SO much!!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

You are so welcome!

[@davidcamarda8723]

Excellent

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

You're very welcome! Thanks for your support! Home Recording Podcast - www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com/Podcast Get 5 FREE Training Courses - www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com

[@brandoncaicedo5424]

Much appreciated!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Anytime! Thanks for watching!

[@yankalesegal5800]

Thanks for this man!! Very clear!!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Glad it helped!

[@MrEnagee]

Thanks for the vid i tend to gain stage with vu meters on mainly instrument with low end. But will now keep an eye on the master fader too. Would have been great if you example track was mainly vst instruments and samples .

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com

[@BrentIraEnman]

Good stuff!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks!

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

I tried adjusting a "snaps" track that was just below digital zero clip at -0.1db, but only -9vu. Also a tambourine was -30db peak meter but not even reading on the vu meter at below -20vu. How to you set these types?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I have no idea what you are speak of here....LOl sorry.

[@djukafox]

oh my, i finally understood something from the videos,it's actually pretty easy. I was always confused what is the difference between the fader and just adjusting the track volume on the track itself,I finally get it xD So I presume you don't really make one instrument sound "louder" than another by volume,you use compressor to do that? And this is just gain staging so that you can start mixing well?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

correct.

[@preciseaudioblog]

Hi! Do you have a similar video but in the recording process? I’m very new to gain staging. I used to record everything at -3db 🤦‍♂️

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes I do! It called "Recording in Studio One Artist Made Easy" Its a basic recording course for beginners. www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com/presonus-studio-one-training

[@aretoocrazy]

The STUDIO ONE 4.5 update, May 2019, added an INPUT GAIN knob to each mixer channel, now you don't need to use the MIX TOOL for that function. By default it is not visible. To make them visible you need to click on the Mixer's Wrench for Options. Then choose "Channel Components" "Input Controls". I know this is available in the Pro version, I am not sure about Prime or Artist. At this time the INPUT GAIN can't be automated, so the MIX TOOL is still valuable for many other uses.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

you are correct. thanks for watching

[@Birchblaze]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy So, with the update in mind, would it now be preferable to set the gain via the channel input gain control?

[@bilik4902]

Why you don' do this in trim input level?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

You can. its all a matter of workflow

[@toolondaboards]

Have you heard of the HoRNet VU meter plugin? It can automatically gain stage for you and even groups can made if you want certain tracks to be a different peak DB

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

I have not....thanks for the tip!

[@toolondaboards]

Home Recording Made Easy no problem. It'll save you a lot of time!

[@IamQuintin]

So informative 👍🏻

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thank you so much for watching! I really appreciate your support! Be sure to check out my website for even more training. www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com

[@tyraeomo8572]

Wow u really just helped I was having problems getting a strong enough signal into my autotune for pitch correct what do u think the sweet spot is for vocals going into plugins

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

about -10db

[@wakeforldmusic]

Nice👂

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks

[@borjamuro7745]

Nice track!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

You're very welcome! Thanks for your support! Home Recording Podcast - www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com/Podcast Get 5 FREE Training Courses - www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com

[@ruudjansen2412]

great video!

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thank you

[@edouardphilippe5271]

Hi David! Great video. I know you talk about to leave some head room so that when we add plugin but I am a little bit confuse when it comes to "level matching the plugin" because I always try to keep that same level from my gain-staging even after a add plugins. so my question is if I have to compensate for each time when I use eq/ compressor or anything what would be the possibility to come from -12 to -6 db since I make sure my out put it the same?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thats the point.....with your method you will end up at -12db at the end of the mix and that will work for a mastering engineer as he/she can make up the level with limiting.

[@hdocguy4883]

So to make sure i gain stage them...then pull faders down until it hits -12 db on the master...do i then pull all faders down start my static mix and go on to compression,eq and so on?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

yes....you got it

[@MrBeblis]

Hello, my question is couldn't you just highlight each track on the edit screen and drag them down from there to gain stage? Or it has to be done using faders? Thank you as always

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Yes, watch the entire video and I show exactly that.....LOL

[@traviswilliamsohio]

Do you gain stagr busses as well as you move along and add plug ins?

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

it depends on the session but typically yes

[@muhamedaliismaili]

Hi, David! I need to ask you something. What I can see on this track all your faders are on the same levels. Did you bounce the tracks before? I mean it could be a way to gain staging then looking on the individual track.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

no I did not bounce the tracks prior - Thanks for watching www.homerecordingmadeeasy.com

[@brucepierce8459]

Hi David, quick question...are you doing this pre or post fader? thx

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

doing what pre or post fader?

[@brucepierce8459]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy the gain staging, do you mix pre or post fader I've seen folks doing things both way.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Usually post fader

[@brucepierce8459]

@@HomeRecordingMadeEasy Thanks David !

[@malcolmpalm]

Kung Fu, one of Connecticut's finest

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Thanks for watching!