Why do you always set guitar preamp volume to 100%? | FSB#3

[@wpbuilding442]

Wow,,,,here I thought I was watching something that I was pretty much familiar with until BOOM!!!,,,,,he mentioned something I never knew and now I know! Why??? because he is sooooooo indepth with his videos.......Thank you sooooooo much again and again and again!!!!!!

[@safetyofficer7759]

Gain vs Volume... I learned this when i used in-ear monitor via an analog mixer... Even if the gain is zero there is still volume coming from the channel that receives a monitor signal from the main mix... Hmmmm.... Never thought that would be possible, but you shed light abt it on this video. Thnx, very informative

[@GLBProductions]

That's right - gain says nothing about the original level of the signal, simply how much the signal is being increased.

[@watchman316ly]

I love you guys. You all do such a great job of explaining pro audio equipment and the stuff that goes behind it.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks, appreciate the support!

[@fastacesus8499]

These vids are so useful for everyone from newbies to old timers like me

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks James, glad the video was helpful!

[@jeromemckenna7102]

I love your goal of having consistent rules that make it hard for the artists to do damage.

[@GLBProductions]

Yes, this is the result of much hard-won experience ;)

[@pensnut08]

Love how you explain things! Even me, a mere bass player, can understand :)

[@GLBProductions]

Ah, that must be because I'm a bass player too ;)

[@pensnut08]

GLB Productions YES!!! That has to be it!!!!

[@Schnazola]

Solid video. The reasons for your recommendations are always logical and explained well.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks Joe, appreciate the feedback and support!

[@cheslynholland1487]

You are an amazing Teacher.

[@GLBProductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@ltezza13]

Hi Bruno, your videos are great. I use Takamine tsf40c with ctp2 preamp and a p3dc with Ct4bII... however I can't use 100% of the volume, because when I step on the boost pedal (for solos or intros) it generates distortion. In my gain structure, i found the point at 50%. What am I doing is this correct? I consider these pickups very good and I would like to extract the maximum use. 

[@GLBProductions]

Hi Luiz, you need to work out where the distortion is coming from - the fact that the distortion only occurs when you engage your boost pedal suggests that the distortion is coming either from your boost pedal or something after it in your signal chain. Once you locate the source of the distortion you can reduce the gain there and/or set the gain with the boost engaged to ensure that you are free from distortion at both settings.

[@VSSound]

Love your video

[@CrisValk]

Hi Bruno!very glad to see you again!this series is really interesting! IF I may I would ask you some questions...I'll let you choose if you want to reply here or in a video :D Well the first one is: "How do you manage shy singers?because the other day there was this really shy female singer and all she had was an AKG P5 that is a supercardioid mic...and because of its polar response is a little bit tricky to find the best spot to reject feedback from the monitor...and on top of that she was handling the mic really distant...so turning gain or fader up caused feedback..and unfortunately nothing seemed to be useful at the end...'' The second one is: ''How do you set wireless microphones?Line or Mic output?Squelch settings?is it really better to pick up only the UHF ones?

[@GLBProductions]

Sure Cris, will be happy to answer your questions in a video :) Anything for my old friend!

[@obergssin]

Always learn something from Bruno ...! Thanks ...

[@GLBProductions]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@Andrew-vj7gw]

Hi Bruno: Regarding turning Guitar Pre-amp volume to 100%, doesn't that flirt with distortion from that pre-amp gain stage? I thought as a general rule that pre-amps are at their "cleanest" when not fully taxed and should be run at something below 80% (arbitrarily chosen level) to avoid introducing clipping or otherwise degrading the signal. Is this a valid concern? I certainly see the sense in your 3 reasons for using the 100% setting and would like to adopt that approach in the absence of any of the above concerns.

[@GLBProductions]

This may be a concern on a badly designed preamp ;) On a well-designed active preamp the output control is often a volume rather than a gain control, ie 100% is simply no attenuation, anything below that attenuates the signal - gain is fixed and not user-adjustable. If you hear distortion and are sure that it is coming from the acoustic guitar preamp and not some other stage in the signal chain then turning down a bit is a simple way to fix this.

[@cristianoandreoli1638]

and what about guitar modeler (direct connected to FOH)? Do you recommend to use it at maximum volume, like you suggest for acoustic guitars? Another doubt: what kind of sound is better to provide to the Sound Engineer, for his adjustments... clean, distorted, lead (which usually has the highest volume)? Thanks for your vids.. I'm finding them really useful!! 🥰

[@GLBProductions]

With those it is best to have a discussion with the sound engineer and see what he prefers. Also, some modelers have the ability to set the level of their XLR outputs to be fixed (either mic or line level) and have the volume knob adjust only the level of the 1/4" outputs. When soundchecking it's best if you send the sound engineer the highest level that you will normally use - this also means playing the guitar as you would during the performance.

[@darrenmcsorley3726]

I have a question about line inputs versus guitar high impedance inputs. Can I run my guitar signal straight into a line mixer like the Sampson S-10 rack mount line mixer. as Im trying to run pedals in parallel to see how it all sounds through a mixer. can I run them directly into the mixer via a splitter box like a ABY splitter into different channels, or do I need to run the signal into a pre amp first. Im just not sure if Im doing this right. Thanks Darren

[@GLBProductions]

Hi there Darren. If your guitar has an active preamp (onboard battery) then it can generally be run directly into a mixer's line input with no problems. Likewise, the output of guitar pedals can almost always be treated the same same way. Be sure to adjust the gain as necessary. All the best with your music!

[@satanas666reyna3]

Good info thanks 🙏

[@tbone8358]

Does this apply for electric guitar as well? I.e. should I keep my volume pot maxed out on my telecaster?

[@GLBProductions]

No - electric guitarists use the volume control much more creatively. For example some will set it such that they have a mild overdrive with the volume wide open and then back it off to achieve a clean sound. A lot of it depends on how your guitar and amp interact, and whether you're using an amp at all.

[@ajohn1540]

Thank u sir.... Sir can u plz make a video on YAMAHA TF 5

[@jeanrudolphyanzon4835]

I ask for specific, amp volume or master volume?

[@GLBProductions]

This video discusses the volume on the guitar preamp.

[@Froggywentcourtin]

If you run a Tak Pro straight into a Yamaha 10MGXU mixer (with a short cable, of course), would you still max guitar volume even if it meant your channel gain was set super low on your mixer? Sounds like you’re good with this approach.

[@GLBProductions]

Yes - remember that the gain control is there to bring the signal up to line level. On signals that are already close to line level like that from the Takamine preamp much less gain is needed than say on a microphone.

[@Froggywentcourtin]

​@@GLBProductions Thank you so much for the thoughts. I play in an acoustic duo with a Tak Pro 3 and a Senheiser Mic going into a 10MGXU into a pair of QSC K8's. It seems like I'd benefit from putting a DI into the chain between the Tak and the mixer (or perhaps that Zoom AC2 box). If I were to get the Zoom box (or something similar as an effects box), would you still suggest max guitar volume, 50% zoom box volume and low/no gain on the mixer? These stacked volumes start to really get tricky and I don't get hours to soundcheck! I'm truly enjoying your high quality videos and just signed up for your Patreon!

[@GLBProductions]

Hi Eric, many thanks for supporting the channel on patreon! Yes, active guitar + pedal + active speakers can get confusing pretty quick! The idea is to maximise signal to noise ratio throughout your signal chain: since you already have near line-level coming out of your guitar, you want to keep it as close to that as possible all the way to your speakers. So yes I would do: - Guitar volume 100% - Zoom AC-2 volume according to their gain-setting instructions (typically around 11-12 o'clock for active guitars) - On the mixer experiment with running directly into the LINE level input using a 1/4" cable - this is technically the ideal connection method because the output from the AC-2 is also near line level. It also depends on whether your choose to run stereo or mono out of the AC-2 but that's a different topic 😊 Then set the gain on the mixer as normal. - The volume on the K8s will be your final system volume, so set these according to how much level you need for the space you're performing in: higher for bigger rooms, lower for smaller rooms. The other gain/level controls in your system should not change much from venue to venue. The above setup should give you the lowest system noise and highest headroom under all conditions.

[@onabanjofemiisrael7612]

Am proposing to start a business service, I need your advice, have downloaded many of your post also learn some in my church setting, advise me on Major equipment for the business set-up.

[@GLBProductions]

You'll need to do your own market research and determine what is most in demand for clients in your part of the world. All the best!

[@onabanjofemiisrael7612]

@@GLBProductions thanks lovely

[@mikedavis7733]

I have G Series Takamine Why when I have my volume up and not playing I will get big unless I keep my hands on the strings?

[@GLBProductions]

Sorry I don't understand your question.

[@mikedavis7733]

@@GLBProductions I’m sorry when the volume is up if I don’t keep my on the strings it will real loud. Someone said they sell something that fits over the hole. Also when you not playing do you have to take battery out to save battery from running down?

[@GLBProductions]

You mean you get feedback? Yes acoustic guitars will do that if you try and amplify them too much - much like a microphone. Try turning down your amplifier and/or reducing the frequency that is feeding back with the preamp EQ. And no you do not need to take the battery out, but you should unplug the guitar - this turns the preamp off.

[@GAMINGNOOBIE]

how about bass guitars and electric guitars? do they apply as well?

[@GLBProductions]

Bass guitars yes. Electric guitars are a different matter because many players use the guitar volume to control the amount of overdrive in their tone, so no.

[@GAMINGNOOBIE]

@@GLBProductions thank you!