Gain staging techniques

=Gain staging=

This article documents a list of techniques for gain staging audio systems.

DAW & Console
Use a test tone to set the gain on the console so the tone equals 0VU and -18dbfs on the DAW.

Piezo tweeter & test tone method
For this method you will need A piezoelectric tweeter (these are usually  under $4) and a oscillator that generates a 400 Hz test tone.

Internal gain staging

 * 1) Solo a microphone input channel set to pre fader listen (PFL)
 * 2) Make sure the EQ and other settings on this channel are bypassed or set flat
 * 3) Connect the oscillator to that channel.
 * 4) Connect the piezoelectric tweeter to an output channel where you can feed the  oscillator to it (such as a control room out or headphone out).
 * 5) Turn on the oscillator and turn up the preamp gain on the channel until a  buzz emanates from the tweeter.This buzz is distortion expressed in  harmonic energy.
 * 6) Turn the Gain preamp down until it stops (but no further).
 * 7) Take note of any peak light indicator values that accommodate the buzz.
 * 8) Set the channel fader to unity gain

This channels preamp gain setting on this mixer is done. Duplicate for each microphone input channel.