Gain Staging in Reason - How to Use the SSL Mixer to Set Levels

[@StockMusicMusician]

How do you gain stage in Reason?

[@futureparty9586]

Hi, are you still working with pond5? How is going on there? An Year ago u do video about your earnings

[@FrumSkratch]

Which audio interface are you using? great vid btw

[@chad6326]

So once you've set your levels to add plug-ins like saturation, say on a kick that was originally right at -10db... that saturation is going to increase the level to above -10db... do I then lower it back down to -10db using the gain knob or...???

[@vooshmoozik6185]

​@chad6326 i think -10 should be goal before mixing and mastering, so whatever you do, keep it at or close to that level

[@phillykeyz215]

Great video! Definitely got some tips for my mistakes I make thanks 💯

[@StockMusicMusician]

Happy to help!

[@markaitcheson5398]

The channel meter on the SSL is a VU meter, so if you want to aim for -18dBFS then you should be aiming for 0dB on the meter. -18VU is very low level and for a video teaching gain-staging, this is a massive oversight.

[@QuestionYourMind]

Yo thank you SO much. To note, I have to turn most of my tracks gains down to -18 just to get their output between -18 to -10. This is for midi and analogue instruments alike. I noticed you were getting between -18 and -10 on your track's outputs with your gain knobs around 0. Any reason you could think of why my tracks are all so hot? I record in green and yellow all the time, so I'm never maxing my initial recordings

[@StockMusicMusician]

Meters are also differently sensitive based on frequency and transient energy. Just gain stage properly based on what your meters tell you, not on what works for other people

[@therealtinah]

Thank you so much! Your video was very helpful* :)

[@StockMusicMusician]

You're welcome!

[@darrellcolter3277]

Just curious whether you always gain stage w/ the "master buss compressor" on?

[@MicGregor]

You said additional plugins could be used to increase the volume if need be so to record low. What plugins can you use for reason to increase volume?

[@Ritzz45]

Hey man, got a question. You know as you can set the master level as per the instrument device, does it really matter what this is set to or does it all come down to the gain knob at the top of the mixer. Should my signals from the instrumental master output be such that the gain knob can comfortably sit at 0dB? this is of course prior to any mixing or anything....

[@StockMusicMusician]

The internal instrument level of devices CAN be important if you have insert effects in the channel.

[@UltimateMoralizer]

Super useful!

[@StockMusicMusician]

Glad you think so!

[@grasshopper808]

Let's gian goin

[@miltmanmusic_BCS]

Have you ever notice that when you limit directly that the sound Reason produce is widely different from analog or other DAWS? To me, it seems as if everything is brighter and harsh rather than thick and warm.

[@SeligAudio]

Not noticed it even with extensive testing and comparison. Absolutely no difference at all. I keep repeating the tests and keep getting the same results, fwiwl.

[@boff1n]

Why cant I hit Solo and get a meter showing me what the input gain volume is (different from what the channel strip volume is)?? Then I can set all my input gains to -18dbfs to -12dbfs and then do my actual mixing with the faders like any other normal mixing desk. Very strange that Reason has made it so convoluted. My faders should be down at infinity passing no signal and I can still hit Solo and trim up my input gains by sight watching a PFL version of the meters if it were to emulate most other desks in the world.

[@StockMusicMusician]

Wouldn’t that be nice!

[@ivanvelez7668]

Hi there, ok I have a question that ive been wanting to ask but always forgot to ask. Since I came across this video plus viewing other videos about gain staging. I realized I was doing it all wrong I saw on a video about gain staging that the faders on the ssl mixer in reason is only for automation. To only use the gain knobs at the top of the ssl mixer in reason, and to the control room knob for listening. My question is, are the faders on a midi keyboard used the same way for automatin? Does this also mean that I have to erase all the projects I did and start all over again?

[@StockMusicMusician]

Everything you said is true Ivan. But I wouldn't go back and redo everything if you're happy with how it sounds. Just start applying it to your new music going forward. Also, plenty of times I still end up setting my overall levels with the faders, just because it's more convenient.

[@ivanvelez7668]

@@StockMusicMusician thank you.

[@seshwithjake9047]

Not sure if anyone has had the same issue but some of my vst plugins like superior drummer are heavily effected by the gain knob. But some (specifically the bias fx plugin) seems to not be effected by the gain knob whatsoever. Dose anyone know why that is?

[@StockMusicMusician]

Hmm, I haven't noticed that, but I totally believe there could be some weird bug.

[@seshwithjake9047]

@@StockMusicMusician Yeah you could be right. Input and output levels in Bias Fx say the signals at unity, but the levels then run super hot in reason. I'm sure theres some alternate way i am meant to be wiring the plugin in the rack window. Thanks for the response regardless bro!!

[@AlexJohn2us]

" Thank-You ! "

[@StockMusicMusician]

Welcome!

[@jcsfx710]

i don't know if you're saying hello stalkers or hello stock-ers... but if it's stalkers it always makes me feel uncomfortable the moment i hear it and i feel like maybe i shouldn't be watching... ever thought of maybe not saying that and that might give you more viewers and or subscribers? food for thought.

[@StockMusicMusician]

Hi Juan - I'm saying Stockers, but you have a good point! Thanks for sharing - definitely worth considering!

[@PrAnG2000]

Yeah, I thought he said Stalkers too. Lol This is my first visit to your channel. Real helpful man.

[@MajorCinnamonBuns]

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[@c-yah1325]

Pantsies!

[@thatsthewayitis1]

INSTEAD how about you grow your ass up? this generation demanding that THE REST OF THE WORLD protect their eyes and ears as if they are minors, is what is causing all the problems of social media. GROW UP. Caps wont hurt you. An exclamation point wont hurt you. Someone that disagrees with your view wont hurt you. let me tell you what DOES hurt you. the TV and Radio Media, who can say whatever the heck they want and show you imaging that causes others see you differently when they see you. Like the news focusing on what blacks and mexicans do badly, while ignoring their own race. THATS what hurts people.