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!!!

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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 !!! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿🏆

[@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.

[@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!

[@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. -

[@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.

[@enriquejamesmusic]

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

[@komet1536]

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

[@dtfluker1617]

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

[@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

[@Johnnykarate216]

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

[@rufusdoofusmcgoofus]

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

[@graysongreen9853]

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

[@lastsaiyanleft]

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

[@DanielThompson-vz3jc]

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

[@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.

[@prodbyhushed4712]

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

[@thenotablestranger]

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

[@mattcordasco]

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

[@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!!

[@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!

[@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!

[@MelodiousEtude]

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

[@ZIMA.RECORDS]

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

[@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!

[@jakehettinger1087]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@kidhouse23]

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

[@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

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@itsmesnooze23]

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

[@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,

[@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.

[@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 😅

[@artezworld.8471]

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

[@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!

[@hadkmusic]

Bestest gain staging tutorial ever

[@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

[@xnnyboi7237]

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

[@TheEncouragementKid]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@reeldirtyfishin]

Literally could not have come across this tutorial at a better time!🙌🏾

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@HARSHRIVASTAVA]

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

[@khalilmadovi.]

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

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Khalil Madovi 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@disciplethepoet]

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

[@alias-_unknown9999]

I was just gain staging and clipping my projects during quarantine and you uploaded this in perfect time!! Thank you bro great video, let’s me know I’m on the right path even though I use FL in comparison to your DAW🙏!! Keep up the great work please 💪🏼

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Alias- _Unknown aye doesn’t matter what program you use!! I explained it for any DAW!

[@alias-_unknown9999]

Your right it works In anyone! Thanks for replying , have a great day 👊🏾

[@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...

[@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.

[@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!!

[@lavtoomuch113]

That moment when he says "In raw form" and I say "The living weirdo" at the same time 🤦🏾‍♂️ ya got me devvon, ya got me!

[@Lossothechin]

wow bro you are the real deal now i do understand whats gain stagin you saved a soul bro much love from Africa

[@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!!!

[@buddywedlake]

holy crap, this guy is knowledgable, and I don't believe this could be explained any better. had to subscribe.

[@renosance8941]

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

[@invisigoat]

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

[@TheManInCommand]

Thank you. Happy you made this video. Gain staging is VERY underrated!👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@ajaayv]

He's the reason some professional producers are gonna evolve !

[@eliasthehuman]

Best video on gain staging hands down. Subscribed.

[@yuulian4776]

I already know gain-staging, but this is wonderfully explained! It's kinda hard at the beginning to grasp the post and pre fader, haha. Marvelous!

[@dipanjanacharyya1345]

Bro, universities should pay you for this kind of an explanation! Love your content.

[@rushanaprincess]

Since i found you on KZbin i learned so much,you are absolutely fantastic teacher,best i ever seen! Keep going for as who need your help!!!🙏👏👏👏💯

[@BENCHAMBERS]

So well explained. For Ableton gang, I think what you're looking for is 'Utility'

[@tinikadavis6931]

I enjoy how you explain everything. Thank you

[@The100CrackFist]

I always wondered why ableton's drum rack would default in at -12db, but now I get it. It's essentially already gain-staging. I remember I turned it up to -0db and my compressors went up into the red instantly. Couldn't work out why. Now I understand. Thank you Devon, you are talented at explaining things clearly.

[@stubbzzz]

You’re a great teacher man. Thanks for explaining this so clearly

[@nelspotts5311]

You made this concept extremely clear for me to understand. Thanks!

[@VanoidGaming]

Thank you! I always understood that gain staging was a good idea but you really showed me why to do it! Great tutorial

[@davidmarais1048]

Brilliant explanation, Devvon. Thank you!

[@eduardollerandez9936]

Been doing this for years.you have explained this perfectly.good stuff sir 🙌🙌😁💯✅

[@BeatsByKobi]

Dope tutorial man! I feel like a lot of us have actually beeen gain staging, but never knew the process had a name lol - thank you!

[@markjackson8816]

These tutorials are so informative and easy to follow. Thanks for doing them.

[@MIKE-zf7pq]

This is the best free software Ive seen. Respect.

[@IMPROVtheSuperVILLAIN]

By far the best tutorials on every aspect you need in this dark art of mixing and mastering. Kudos and thank you for all your hard work and knowledge.

[@michaelmunroe4694]

May god bless your soul. You don’t even have to be doing this 🤦🏽‍♂️ thank you for being able to explain this in a humane way .

[@antoine.2018]

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

[@metromanization]

Brother I appreciate you to the max, so I have been writing for years and heard about gain staging etc... but you put in layman’s terms where it needs to be. I’m definitely following you. Once again thank you

[@HelpMeDevvon]

Raphael Gantt glad it helps!!

[@metromanization]

Big bro just wanted to ask you a question cause I use a lot of loops for sounds so what’s a good trim level to set all my Chanel’s to and since I write off of maschine I don’t have a bus so I would have to transfer everything to studio one to have a separate bus channel and the last question for now if I use a bus channel should I leave off plugins yon my regular channels ? Thanks hopefully I stated things correct

[@AutisticCuriosity]

First video I’ve ever watched on this - a superb lesson thank you so much!

[@CHSNLV]

Best Video on the net, relating to this topic! Sheeesh

[@yemanetnigusse949]

Maaan...why aren’t all other music production tutorials like this? Thank you! Such an insightful video.

[@ridgio_]

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

[@dustinhammond3480]

Bro you just gave such a solid explanation as well as examples of how to apply the process. 💯💯💯 maddd love! Big thanks

[@babyjordie6853]

That tip on bringing everything down the same was game changin

[@alfredog2921]

You are the best techer. Thank you very much. I Learned a lot again👍.

[@genowilliams8470]

Enabling pre-fader setting is easier. Will give you the original signal on the meter from the start. Nice video gave me another way to control clipping. Thanks

[@HelpMeDevvon]

This isn’t a good work flow in my opinion because now when I tell u to turn down your mix you will be turning down the prefader signal which messes up all the signals feeding your plugins. I’d wind up super upset if I did that