What you need to know about GAIN STAGING

[@HelpMeDevvon]

MAKE SURE TO STOP BY www.helpmedevvon.info

[@melchisedekj]

fam, thankyou.

[@THETROUBLEMAKERSGANG]

devvon can you do a video on how to use automation on reverb and delays to hooks

[@HelpMeDevvon]

TROUBLEMAKERS GANG absolutely!

[@THETROUBLEMAKERSGANG]

@@HelpMeDevvon looking forward to it thanks for replying.

[@youngkey3051]

Help Me Devvon so when you bypass the compressor for the vocals, are you checking to have relatively the same loudness or the same gain???

[@gucciguzmane]

I go to the Los Angeles Recording School and this man teaches me more in 15 minutes than I learn from a week of class lmao

[@pronavsandhu]

thats the difference between job and passion

[@savkalipez]

@@pronavsandhu Facts

[@pastorkspeaks]

I literally just applied for LA School for music production. Would you say it's still worth it or no?

[@gucciguzmane]

Karey Heyward Hell No man they just want your money

[@nickyscorpio5066]

@@pastorkspeaks please don’t do it! I went and graduated with honors. What a waste of money

[@donokon8850]

Hands down the best on KZbin when it comes to teaching and explaining. Never stop bro !!!!!!

[@jonahmiller3551]

Foorrr rreeeallll!!!

[@archixmusic]

2 mins in, and I already realized I've been gain-staging wrong. No wonder Mixing gives me hell

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Archix glad it’s helping!

[@ELLIOT8209]

@@HelpMeDevvon how does clip gaining work in terms of plugin calibration to 0db? I heard somewhere that 0db in analog is - 18db in digital. Do you know anything about this?

[@Boysoundtechniques]

@@ELLIOT8209 i agree, i couldn't get it right tho

[@Canyoubuildlegos]

@@ELLIOT8209 Analog metering is VU. Gain staging only really matters if you use analog modeled plugins in the chain which sound at their best at 0 VU (-18db). Search "mvMeter 2" for a nice free meter.

[@minicaudio124]

finally someone breaks down just stage gaining i feel this is a topic that gets over look a lot and never gets discussed so thank you for this!!!

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Minic Audio no problem!!

[@donnytheflow]

For my Ableton users: the trim tool is called "Utility" and it's found in the audio effects folder.

[@HelpMeDevvon]

donfons thank you friend !! This is going to help a lot of people!

[@drulamane]

donfons protools>ableton 😎

[@mrpickenz7760]

@@drulamane nope

[@taliaah]

You're right but i'd say you dont even have to use the Utility audio effect for that.. Just turn it down in the clip view settings. And for instance, if you're using an instrument vst and you want to gainstage, turn down the volume on the vst and not the fader on your DAW.

[@jackhammer8061]

Nah actually Ableton’s Utility plug-in doesn’t do any clipping, it’s just for controlling the gain, width, M/S balance, panning & the phase - but it doesn’t actually clip any peaks.

[@kellv3n]

For FL Studio, my idea is to do the following: - If recording vocals, have the Hornet VU Meter set at -18DB with max peak of -12DB for 0VU. Run a few live takes and see how the gain is adjusted automatically. Set the gain on your microphone or interface to adjust so you are close to this mark. This way you won't be recording too hot or too cold. - On the mixer, put the Hornet VU meter on the first insert of each channel. Run the Hornet VU meter again so it adjusts and sits at that target volume range. - Now you are ready to mix. - An additional step is to put the Hornet on the Master and bump up the volume to whatever level you are looking for (to have the loudest possible mix). I'm new to this so this is all based on logical thinking. Not sure if it will work or not. -

[@dtfluker1617]

That first example was perfect for understanding the signal you need to gsinstage

[@Jmusiquex]

My man...... I just did this today! TODAY! I’ve been mixing for YEARS!!!! I struggled SOOOO much with mastering. You should hear my mix today, CRAZYYYYYY. SSL is crazyyyyy. Thanks.

[@yawnjones]

I know that feeling bro this was a great tutorial !!! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿🏆

[@theinfamousches1258]

I've been engineering for 3 years. I work at a studio. I make money freelancing. You literally taught me more about gain staging in this video than anyone else that has taught me how to engineer lol

[@johncaccioppo1142]

Maybe you can explain something for me. I suspect that the engineering principle behind this has everything to do with the power quality of each link in the signal chain. If that's true, you would drive your signal from the perspective of not just "how everyone does it", or from one end of the chain versus the other, but rather in terms of the quality of your equipment and its power supplies. Does that make sense to you, and has anyone ever posed gain-staging to you in this context before?

[@xiro4395]

@@johncaccioppo1142 that doesnt even make sense, hes an audio engineer nto a rocket scientest

[@ZZPiranhaZZ]

@@johncaccioppo1142 this is the original purpose of gain staging. the point is to minimize noise at each link (which is why people question its efficacy in a daw)

[@ZZPiranhaZZ]

@@xiro4395 it completely makes sense, audio engineers should know why gain staging is important, its a fundamental of good mixing

[@xiro4395]

@@ZZPiranhaZZ i think i was trolling

[@brycemcdonald6621]

I know that this is an old video, but man, I have to tell you that you have an amazing ability to break down complex processes and ideas into simple, easily-to-digest content. Your videos have been tremendously helpful.

[@Johnnykarate216]

Thanks man, I’ve watched this video like 5 times and i finally feel like I have a grasp on gain staging

[@LeiDontPlay]

Homeboy oughta be a professor. I don’t know anyone who can explain things how he does. Super simple and straight to the point. Thanks again brodie!

[@Melvin7727]

Finally someone explains this in a way that makes sense. Devvon, you have a gift. I've watched a million videos on this topic over the past couple years and not one of them had the explanation you did with how it matters what's going through the inputs of the plugins. Thank you!

[@TheEncouragementKid]

You're so good at engaging the audience, had me hooked!

[@enriquejamesmusic]

I love that you explain things so simply and avoid using jargon/vocabulary that people might not know

[@Difference8X8]

In FL u can use for this the "Fruity dB meter" and adjust the gain on the channel rack on the fader between the channel panning and the target mixer track to your target value hitting on the dB meter

[@beatluxx]

but it's best to use Fruity Balance a native fl studio plugin to make a good gain Stagging

[@ohhiesse]

I'd like to know in which case this technique should be used. Is gain staging only applied when importing tracks? or can it be used when mixing a beat song in a session?

[@breezyoakk]

or just turn the sample down with the volume knob

[@ohhiesse]

@@breezyoakk That's what I do. I usually lower my kicks and 808's at around -6db and then move other samples around until the whole mix sits at around -3db -2db. I'm always trying to learn new mixing techniques, I'm asking so I can properly use gain staging. Sorry if my question seemed stupid

[@jackhammer8061]

That’s useful but what he’s talking about in the video is using a hard clipper, I’m not in FL so I’m not sure if it has one but I know there’s a dope free one called G-clip you can find in KVR. The thing is if you’re not using a true clipper on your bus/groups then you’re just balancing the plain volume and your limiter will be overworked in the master and you’ll get a more unsteady result whenever there’s high peaks and you won’t be able to push the limiter levels as high as you could otherwise. It’s how producers are getting those insane +6dB masters these days haha

[@itsmesnooze23]

I've been producing 14+ years & I actually learned something. Good stuff. 🙏🏼💪🏼🎯

[@CORPSEGVNG]

This basically serves as an affirmation to what I was doing, and corrected a coupled of my mistakes. I appreciate these videos bro, thank you!

[@dat1beats]

I’m glad someone explained this correctly. There’s a lot of false gain staging videos out there. Some people say that it’s not necessary but it works for me. The only time these rules don’t apply is when you are purposely clipping tracks through an analog plugin and turning the output down on the plugin.

[@sirvaant]

In Reapee you don’t have to worry about that if the signal is too hot just turn the fader down, and it turns down the signal as well. Thanks for the great explanation though!

[@darkadore]

I have seen mad videos on gain staging and this is the first time I actually understand what it is and how to do it, thank you Devvon. You a blessing

[@Izac1]

Man you are a living GENIUS with that tip i can call myself a professional

[@HARSHRIVASTAVA]

My biggest confusion for distortion is cleared today 😭 Thanks a lot man 🙏🏼💯❤️

[@komet1536]

You really have the talent to teach essential things very clearly.

[@iamjustrobert]

Truly appreciate this video, bro! Thank you for your awesome work and sharing this information with us! God bless, brother!

[@rufusdoofusmcgoofus]

Clear, concise, and relevant. Nice to watch a video where someone gets right to the point and stays on it! More, please!

[@Jsoundz]

damn, ive been dropping the faders down for years lol!! glad i reached the channel

[@Y05H420]

I love your passion for this profession, it really makes learning this craft more enjoyable and it anchors the concepts more...dude, I've learned more from you then i have from any professor, teachings is your thing man

[@Thajet2]

Bro, you’re very concise. Good job.

[@frodarola]

Devon, I use Machine and I went about gain staging the way you explained and man my sounds are outstanding. my before music was all cloudy and distorted and then u brought the light. Thanks Devon

[@ridgio_]

This man love what he do. That helps with learning fasho

[@Albozofficial]

You actually explained this even better than anyone here on youtube, the funny thing is I don't even use protools. I use logic pro x and I understood your explanation perfect. Thank you for this Devvon, much appreciation!!!

[@kjtheproof]

Thanks again Devvon!!!

[@KaosEngineering]

Very smart guy and very well explained. Thanks

[@MrAbeck1]

I've been checking this topic out and watching loads of videos on this topic, and Devvon is the only one who takes it right to basics and explains it in perfect simplicity. Thanks so much! I finally got gain staging after this video!

[@Jakepagere]

Devvon could you please consider making a toturial video about properly routing of apollo Interfaces on pro tools? It would be a such a great help, i didn't find any specific complete video about it on youtube. Thanks

[@dburnmusic]

Your video's have been a huge blessing, man! Much love from Brisbane/Australia

[@patbeats2669]

Bro seriously you are the truth, everyone can gain so much from these videos. I encourage everyone to keep coming back to these videos, every time I come back to one I learn something new, EVERY TIME.

[@graysongreen9853]

Wow, Ive been mixing my own stuff for years and this video just changed my life

[@MelodiousEtude]

this has by far been the most helpful video on gain staging/signal flow in general I've ever watched. THANK YOU

[@jessiethomas7964]

Yo this demo song is literally the best I've ever heard. Love ur vids they're straight to the point and explained well! Thank you!!

[@visionarystevo]

appreciate you for breaking that down bro

[@radumarcu3457]

I was always wondering why I was still getting digital distortion even though I dropped the volume in the meter channels. Thank you so much I literally could not get my head around this!

[@hail_hydroh]

what is the difference between volume and signal??

[@omarrshabazz3172]

Wow! 🤩 great video! 💯 thanks!

[@leorain6561]

This was A1. Good stuff bro

[@frodarola]

Love it man!!! U put that just as plain as i need it. great teaching

[@frodarola]

I use maschine but that still straightened alot out thanks man

[@TooruOfficial]

I'm taking a music production master while reinforcing with your videos and it's just majestic. Everything I'm learning makes twice the sense after watching your videos. Thank you Devvon!

[@MuzeInspiration]

Do we gain stage the beat too?

[@DanielThompson-vz3jc]

Thanks Devon! You're videos have taken my amateur mixes to the next level!

[@Stratoouttathisworld]

man thank you for the break down! everyone else skims through gains-staging and doesn't give any details! love the channel homie ill definitely be learning more!!!

[@prodbyhushed4712]

Bruv the patience you had to explain these concepts deserve mad respect !!!

[@lastsaiyanleft]

this is the best video on gain staging. straight to the point no shennaningans. thank you

[@GhostsInSpace_]

Watched probably 10 other videos from credible and well known sources, and this was the best. You're talking at my level and its awesome. Subbed!

[@ZIMA.RECORDS]

Even after years of producing still had so much to learn thank you for making such good and understandable tutorials!!

[@shubham_bahadur_21]

Thanks brother......this is amazing......God Bless You Brother.......

[@drewsmudemyoozik]

Watched many other videos on gain staging, and it never totally made sense until I watched this one. I have the new Logic Pro for iPad and you helped me to figure out how to gain stage in it. It was under utility, like you said! Thanks! Trying to get a better mix for my beat store.

[@kevinacemusic]

Man, I know nothing about mixing but you explained this so well. You’re an excellent teacher and an amazing producer from what I hear. Very rare combo.

[@thenotablestranger]

Finally, someone who explains this in a way that is easy to understand! Top marks.

[@jakehettinger1087]

I am a beginner producer in this is the best tutorial I've found on gain staging. Thanks for this!

[@PhilMao]

dude, perfect timing. i was literally researching this topic and just saw a notification about this very topic. thank you

[@CIABU]

Phil Mao lol me too

[@mattcordasco]

I feel like understanding and utilizing gain staging really is the most important thing to improving your mixes

[@sonnybrasco9735]

Cool video. I learned this and implemented this technique last year. Game changer. My mixes definitely was sounding smoother in a way. Cant really explain it but definitely have a better sound now. Thanks for dropping these jewels. So much to learn about mixing but the basic fundamentals will have you winning 💪

[@kwavs7879]

ive been producing for 2 years through mainly youtube, you explain what's needed to be explained as good as anybody on KZbin. Thanks man.

[@kidhouse23]

I have watched 4 videos on Gain Staging and only this video explained why I should be doing it.Subscribed!!!

[@Bengioofficial]

Super dope Videos, shout out from Germany!

[@2OfficialFON]

Great job explaining.

[@franzkano8851]

That was a crystal clear explanation Devvon. Great job! Keep them mixing tutorials coming!

[@Learning863]

The most important question Do the fader stay at zero and use gain knob to mix or do you mix using fader knows after it’s gainstaged. All KZbin videos are missing that part including this one.

[@jackhammer8061]

Absolutely! For newer producers one of the biggest pitfalls with mixing I think is leveling the dB on/in/from the synth or sampler or the plugins in processing chain of that channel and not on the channel fader level itself - but it’s ALL about the RMS dB level of the channel it’s self POST processing. My shit was jacked up for the longest time until I realized that lol. Hard clipping on the group/bus level is also a amazing “secret” that allows you to get absurdly loud (like +4dB lmfao!) tracks in the mastering stage because the limiters aren’t over-worked with taming a bunch of high peaks all over the place and it’s all perfectly leveled off. It’s how all the pros at the top of the industry are getting such a loud masters right now. This video should be considered a mandatory public service announcement for all producers. Excellent shit.

[@xnnyboi7237]

Every time I watch one of your videos I get a better understanding of music production and improve my skills, thank you!

[@RidgeBaker2615]

You’re videos are helping me out so much! Can you talk more about EQ? I’ve seen some of your videos, but I’m still struggling with mud because of it where I’m recording. Like a narrow small closet with a ton of acoustic treatment.

[@theiriscen]

Cut 3-4 db at 350 hz see if it sounds good. Matter of fact, do an EQ sweep from 200 hz to 500 hz and cut where it sounds bad. Matter of fact, if you can’t decide and your songs are just demos or practice tracks, cut 3 db with a wide Q at everything from 200-500 hz. Lol

[@RidgeBaker2615]

jacques Adiang I normally cut a lot more than that. I get this massive amount of buildup there. The space is like a 2ft by like 15ft closet. So a lot of times I feel there isn’t enough space for the sound to travel. Like recording in a bigger room that’s sound treated

[@theiriscen]

Torch's Music Yeah treated room would be ideal but if you cant find a proper studio atm, then dont worry and work with what you have. If you mix on close-back headphone, youll definitely feel a buildup. You can try open back headphone and see if they help.

[@t.r.e4482]

What kind of acoustic treatment are you using?

[@RidgeBaker2615]

T.R.E like 3 inch. I forget what kind of pattern it’s called but looks like stairs. I got it throughout the entire closet. I just feel when I speak because the spot is so small it’s literally just enough room for the mic so I feel like there’s no where for the sound to move even tho it’s sound treated so it kinda has this dead sound

[@LosFicosMusic]

Greta explanation bro!! Quick question should we shoot for that -18 uv meter sweet spot in all instrument them turn the volume knob down? Each one?

[@aBerryBro]

Shout out to Devvon for posting the tutorials that matter!

[@zian3694]

it's shout out, I thought It was shut up. How dumb I am, My english is very bad,

I've been mixing for years and never used gain staging smh ready to implement this ASAP!!!!

[@AnnastasiaDiamond]

I was watching a few videos before yours and I'm so glad I stumbled across yours. I felt like you were speaking to me directly, and you were for sure patient to go through the details.

[@kelvino_vibes]

great explanation

[@YellVision]

THANK YOOOOU!!! BIG BRO I NEEDED THIS INFO!! THIS IS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT FOR YEARS. ALL THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN TURNING DOWN VOLUME N USING COMPRESSION.... THANKS BRO THANKS!!!

[@artezworld.8471]

I think this is one of the best chanel for producers in youtube

[@renosance8941]

10:14 after probably HUNDREDS of tutorials, over the last 2 years, the way that hit me... finally, I UNDERSTAND lol! Thanks bro! 🙏🏽🔥

[@hadkmusic]

Bestest gain staging tutorial ever

[@andrewtmusic]

Cool stuff awesome info

[@Zeig7190]

This is probably the most helpful production video I've seen on KZbin; as simple as this concept seems, I really think that this is the first video to completely explain from beginning to end, the idea behind Gain Staging with examples. Thank you so much!!

[@maplefoxx6285]

you the best thanks, someone told me to be careful how loud you record your guitar because of this, now it makes sense, and to watch my transients in the recordings to get the right level for my guitar too right. you are a good teacher.

[@davidmarais1048]

Brilliant explanation, Devvon. Thank you!

[@THardyTKE]

Super helpful tutorial thanks bro. 👑

[@disciplethepoet]

Youre an amazing teacher and your vibe and enthusiasm is dope. Much respect

[@khalilmadovi.]

There are plenty of videos on youtube on this topic. This is the best one.

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Khalil Madovi 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@BattlesCinematics]

Wow. As soon as you started explaining it my fuckin' heart dropped and I realised I'd been doing everything wrong and getting annoyed about it for years. I'm both absolutely thrilled and incredibly frustrated at the same time.

[@antoine.2018]

I find your videos today and you are now my god. thank you soooo much

[@SuperNovaJuno]

You need a raise bruh

[@howischris_]

Devvon, bro, you changed my life today. thank you!

[@TheSilverConductor]

I MusicLuv It! My brother you tapped in on the very thing we needed to hear. Peace...

[@visionop8]

This is the best I've ever seen gain staging explained. I feel like I just might learn what I'm doing in this scary world I've stepped into.

[@Prodby_duke]

I like how u put that. It def is scary at times 😅

[@REALJAYVINCE]

How do you know if its clipping ? Those meters were green

[@t.r.e4482]

The kick track that he turned down was green however the meter in the EQ plugin was clipping and turning red because even though he turned the fader down the signal going in to the EQ before the fader was clipping

[@chrisfelixmusic]

Devvon, seriously, you’ve helped demystify mixing for me. I’ve learned so much from your videos. Love the quality content. Music is 🔥🔥🔥 too!

[@AngelV1sionMusic]

How to do that on pro tools 8?. I'm not paying for the subscription on the new one and plug ins cost too much

[@invisigoat]

I’ve subscribed and now I’m going to mine all of your videos because I know NOTHING about mixing. THANK YOU BRUH!!!

[@sjtheartisan]

Great video! I just happened to come across this vid in the youtube rabbit hole. I thought this was a great explanation on gain staging.