How To Gain Stage

[@gates2733]

Change VU to Peak. All drums and drum elements should Peak at -10 on the meters. All other instruments and vocal should peak at 0 VU. You can change the meter from VU to Peak. You get a much better balance this way. Good video bro.

[@MyMixEngineer]

I see you given all the real sauce in the comments 🔥🔥🔥

[@flamersss]

What should a Vocal and 2 track beat from youtube be hitting before you start mixing ?

[@Gang-25j]

That is not set in stone.. your drums don’t have to peak at 0

[@danielbailey1727]

You explained this tool so much better than any I've ever heard. You keep it simple, thank you.

[@MyMixEngineer]

Thanks, bro that’s my motto keep it simple. The technical stuff is important but mixing is an art.

[@TheHouseofJukebox]

This video was comprehensive AF. Thank you sir. This has sorted my mix process and got my head around GAIN STAGING.

[@MyMixEngineer]

I’m glad I’m able to help the future

[@СергейФедоров-с6щ]

If you add more instruments, how can you keep their totality below zero? Is this possible?

[@Frydae-tz1de]

Are you putting the VU in stereo or mono??

[@MyMixEngineer]

Good question the vu meter you see is in stereo if there is a left and right meter typically if there is just a mono signal it will only show one VU meter.

[@Frydae-tz1de]

Thank you

[@MyMixEngineer]

You’re welcome.

[@fishjacksonstudio1201]

Underrated educator and topic. This will dominate. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. -Fish

[@MyMixEngineer]

I’m only underrated because I let you guys down and stopped for two years, but guess who’s back, back again LOL. Thank you for the support 🙏🏾

[@traistatv]

For drums sometimes gain staging is difficult because sometimes it peaks to red on the daws peak meter but the vu meter is not even close to 0! That time now I understood that you better be below 0 on peak and as close as you can be to 0 on vu, but always watch peak and vu at the same time because the drums are tricky! Thanks

[@tonymaranzano]

I have the VU Meter on vocals and instrumental, should I also place it on the master or mix bus also?

[@MyMixEngineer]

Yes you should

[@fdozi5801]

You should place it on the mix bus, that way you don't have to place a copy on every channel eating up cpu... :)

[@MyMixEngineer]

True but say for instants I tend to drive my kicking base into distortion but I’ve already tested the VU meter does not eat up CPU. unless you’re running a 2008 PC or Mac

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

So how do we deal with tracks like tambourines or snaps that hardly register on the VU meter.... but the peak shows very high. Thanks

[@sunyclubband4203]

con un compresor o limitador o bajarle la ganancia en esa parte en concreto

[@IkillPigz]

@@sunyclubband4203 ?

[@MyMixEngineer]

All these plug-ins are modeled after analog gear which uses a VU meter so if people understand how to find that sweet spot going into your plug-ins it pretty much does matter that can stop unwanted distortion.

[@MyMixEngineer]

Tracks like that have hard transients still treat them as zero on a VU meter is the ceiling the +1 and above is adding distortion and saturation sometimes you may want it sometimes you may not.

[@FishJackson]

8:25 You know it's hard out here for a pimp. 😂 But for real, your knowledge is unparalleled. Forever grateful.

[@MyMixEngineer]

When you trying to get this money for the rent 😂. I’m forever grateful for the support 🙏🏾.

[@DavidMohMusic]

What about vocals?... Do you get them to hit zero on the VU as well?

[@MyMixEngineer]

No I typically don’t I shoot for around -3

[@Lyrica516]

DOPE. Thank you. Is it the same for vocals? like bringing it to 0 on the vu meter and maybe 3 for the bg Vox? idk maybe a tutorial on gain staging vocals 🙏🏾

[@MyMixEngineer]

No need to have a separate video. same technique. Being that vocals can be very dynamic I would shoot for -3 like I do for instruments. The main goal is not to clip your plug-ins (unless you want to) and to have efficient enough audio going into them. I hope this makes sense to you let me know if it doesn’t.

[@Lyrica516]

@@MyMixEngineer Perfect sense, thank you!

[@MyMixEngineer]

Yo I’m just glad I’m able to help.

[@jermainesmith6315]

Damn!!!! I love this approach and the gain staging doesn't end!! That never crossed my mind. Thanks.

[@MyMixEngineer]

I’m glad I’m able to help.

[@YailexRosales]

Thanks for actually “showing” us how to gain stage instead of just explaining of how to do it 👍🏼

[@nemoitrex9643]

Yeah man.. excellent explanation/demo! Great articulation of the process! 👊🏽😏

[@sfisothwala9077]

Thank you for this bro,so in conclusion the hihats and snares should never hit 0 on the vu meter? cause i was having trouble with that as it clips once i try get it to zero on VU meter.

[@ElTinyBoi]

Correct , like he said in the video you want to have dynamics in your instruments . You don’t want to have everything at the same volume. So usually you would want to have your kick hit No more than 0db VU then every thing else just adjust it to your liking , it doesn’t have to hit 0db VU as long as it doesn’t clip, you’re good to go

[@jrm_music7229]

You have the VU meters after the plugins in each channel? And the master has a VU on the first insert?

[@rayz7351]

finally tutorial that actually learn you something important thank you for the big help much love and respect ❤❤❤

[@Gang-25j]

You’ve been to the wrong channels then

[@andremusic9924]

hey this is great content could you please do a full gainstage for a song with vocals and beat too, thank you

[@MyMixEngineer]

Thanks, bro. I have full mix videos on my channel.

[@chrissssssss007]

Hi there! Great video ! So when you’ve done your mixing at -18. When you got the final stage on mastering your track. What are you setting your VU meter at for commercial use? Seems if I set my waves vu meter somewhere around 5-8db it falls into that area. Just wondering what you like to hit? Thanks

[@Gang-25j]

You’re meter should be at 0 unless you love quiet ass mixes

[@chrissssssss007]

@@Gang-25j hm not quite what I mean. On the waves vu meter. U can change it to a different setting and hit zero. I think most commercial music is around 4-6, hitting zero. That’s what I mean… for the master. Make sense?

[@phadrus]

Usually a master is set in LUFS (not VU which is more like an RMS measurement), and 14 LUFS is a pretty safe place to be for most music. On your mix, your master bus should be set to below zero peak before you export, anywhere below zero is fine for the mastering engineer to work with. The mastering engineer will then stage the final master appropriately, as mentioned, commonly in LUFS.

[@PnutProducer]

Is there a reason why you gain staging in mono, should we gain stage in mono or stereo???

[@MyMixEngineer]

I mix in mono for two reasons. One to get rid of the distractions of left and right which allows me to hear exactly what is fighting amongst the frequencies. Two The club speakers are mono.

[@PnutProducer]

@@MyMixEngineer Okay thanks family, keep up the good work looking forward for the next video

[@MyMixEngineer]

please make sure you like, subscribe and turn on the notification it helps me out on KZbin 🙏🏾😂

[@MyMixEngineer]

Also did you hear how it opened up when I switched it to stereo. 80% of the mix I'm in mono.

[@PnutProducer]

@@MyMixEngineer I been subscribed for almost 5 years now lol, I always gain staged in stereo never done it in mono but I am now.

[@StratsRUs]

Such a great video.Superb !

[@MyMixEngineer]

Thank you I’m glad that I’m able to help the community.

[@bsteve3981]

What would be the process with a two track instrumental and vocals?

[@MyMixEngineer]

The process is the same. the two-track should hit at zero on the VU meter and your vocals should peak around -3. Make sure that the VU is sit to -18 DB standard. this also helps you not have to record your vocals so loud.

[@bsteve3981]

Thank you for the reply, one last question. I’m recording vocals into my Apollo that’s hitting about -12peak. When I throw the MV2 on the vox I just recorded it’s no where near 0 on the VU

[@MyMixEngineer]

so what exactly is the question?

[@bsteve3981]

@@MyMixEngineer oh sorry, I was basically saying my vocals are reaching no where near -3... even when I hit -6 on my console tracking in side the daw VU meter it’s much lower. So how do I achieve -3 w/o clipping in the console

[@MyMixEngineer]

If you are getting ample amount of volume going into ProTools that’s fine you got to understand that you are doing an extra step of gain staging when you are using the Apollo

[@keimaari]

This was a great tutorial bro! thank you so much.

[@MyMixEngineer]

🙏🏾 Thanks. I'm glad ya boy was able to help. 💪🏾

[@john4157]

Very good explanation of gain staging

[@MyMixEngineer]

Thanks, 🙏🏾 I hope I'm able to help.

[@JoshSmith-xm4gz]

There's a gain match button on the plugins which automatically turns the gain down so its at 0vu

[@producerfuji_official]

And quick question what’s the name of that waves plugin to mix in mono ? Thx for your help 🙏🏽

[@MyMixEngineer]

I’m using a protools stock plug-in called down mixer

[@producerfuji_official]

@@MyMixEngineer thank you I had a mild stroke fell from the mixing now trying to get back into it . I heard you say don’t over think your mix in another video. I think my biggest problem is what to use on my mix bus to give the mix that final sheen . But I’m watching your video mixing a song from beginning to end I think it’s four part . You always been a very educational dude in breaking down what and why you apply plugins the way you do !!

[@Paulkruz1]

Thank you for this class in session. Thanks JB

[@MyMixEngineer]

Thank you for always supporting.

[@Paulkruz1]

@@MyMixEngineer This has been very helpful especially the avantone trick

[@MyMixEngineer]

I have more coming.

[@Paulkruz1]

@@MyMixEngineer Thank you Sir

[@MetiCudi]

What if i just clipgain everything untill the whole beat hits 0vu? Whats the difference?

[@MyMixEngineer]

You can but understand that now certain elements will still be clipping your plug-ins when you insert them. Your plug-ins work better when they are getting an efficient amount of audio.

[@arunulaga]

Fantastic stuff... awesomeness... Very informative... Thanks a ton for sharing this...

[@MyMixEngineer]

You’re welcome. If you ever have any questions don’t hesitate to ask.

[@producerfuji_official]

Hello I followed you for years Question is your website still up and do you still sale templates??

[@MyMixEngineer]

Yes you can find them at Gumroad.com/MyMixEngineer

[@producerfuji_official]

@@MyMixEngineer thank you going there now

[@producerfuji_official]

Are these the old template from maybe about 5 years ago or are these new one Mr Johnny

[@MyMixEngineer]

Mr. Fuji I don’t think you will see me making any new templates. That template is not a end all be all it works to this day. The purpose of the template is so that you guys can have a starting point with a tracking workflow.

[@producerfuji_official]

@@MyMixEngineer of Kool definitely understand -8

[@CaliBamaBoy205]

🔥🔥🔥

[@londonsea5077]

Great tutorial. Thanks.

[@MyMixEngineer]

Thank you so much

[@supa407]

Dope explanation

[@Coupszn1]

I was looking for that😭❤️

[@MyMixEngineer]

I’m glad I was able to help

[@musicjazzvez]

Thank you for sharing!

[@MyMixEngineer]

Thank you for the support

[@coolvibesradio3267]

in the VU meters what is the FPS???

[@signatureofficial161]

What is the password to unzip the file

[@MyMixEngineer]

What unzip file password?

[@_Tenshan_]

Pro tools dark mode 🔥

[@MyMixEngineer]

It took me some time to get adjusted to it but being that I work in a semi-dark environment my contacts don’t get dry so much.

[@thakeyzzle]

Thanks you

[@MyMixEngineer]

Thank you🙏🏾

[@SweetPProductions]

NOT 1 VIDEO ON KZbin/INTERNET THAT SHOWS GAIN STAGING VOCALS. THEY ONLY SHOW INSTRUMENTS

[@dynastyonthemix2278]

🤘🤘🤘

[@MyMixEngineer]

💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@Prodby_duke]

All u need is Hornet Auto VU meter

[@MyMixEngineer]

Technically all you need is a VU meter you can use a tape machine plugin meter if you like.

[@phadrus]

Well the other option is to simply normalize your tracks at once to -18dbfs with a max peak of -6 (or as close as your DAW will get you there). You could then also use Hornet VU on all the tracks to dial in unity gain a little more precisely if you need. I wouldn’t manually gain stage all the tracks it’s too time consuming when you have automatic tools and not enough benefit doing it manually. But the principles are the same.

[@TheShpmusic]

Dont waste time. Grab a pair of K14 meters (bob Katz). Slap on pink noise and look at your meters on the k14. Now raise all your levels to match that, then submix every instrument with a pair of k14 meters and now gain stage those sub mixes and you good too go. Keep in mind u still have to gain stage along the way...Gain stage is a huge Topic!!!..

[@MyMixEngineer]

So if you have to gain stage along the way how is this a waste of time? I was searching your channel for a video explaining this but I didn’t see it.

[@TheShpmusic]

@@MyMixEngineer its not waste of time too gain stage..just saying there's a easier method. 🙃😉

[@MyMixEngineer]

I treat this tutorial like math you have to learn the long way in order to understand the shortcut. Don’t get me wrong your method works extremely fast but not understand gain staging will hurt and be less productive. That was the purpose of this video.

[@TheShpmusic]

@@MyMixEngineer awesome, well said. Keep it flowing.