How do YOU gain stage in Studio One?

Or do you?

I was watching a mixing video where the guy doesn't even mention it.

I've seen another short clip where they take an EQ that has a gain dial, and set it so that that peaks are at 0 or -6, with the mixer fader set to Unity.

Also...
Where does the Master fader go? (Or "Mix Bus"). Is that supposed to be set at 0 or -6, -12, or what have you?

I put my master fader at 0.

You have volume sliders for tracks but there's a trim control on each track also...

I usually add a compressor to a track that brings up the gain on low signals.

I put a limiter on the master, just don't push it too hard.

Setting the levels is really important if you want to hear something.

Digital signals can be a lot lower then if you were recording on tape, it can be brought up without problems like you'd have with tape etc.

I use the Mixtool gain to get the peak on each track around -6dB. Then mix from there.

mwright137 wrote:I use the Mixtool gain to get the peak on each track around -6dB. Then mix from there.

I set my entire analog I/O chain to unity and then gain stage ALL inputs and outputs to -18dbFS using test tones.

Then I ensure that all recorded tracks incoming to S1 - regardless of type - peak at no more than -6dbFS in S1.

Then mix from there. Master fader is always at unity (0dbFS)

VP

Tacman7 wrote:You have volume sliders for tracks but there's a trim control on each track also...

Where is trim control on each track. Have I been missing something?

For now... I bounce to audio and edit the gain of the waveform itself. I use a VU meter to get the level where I want it, and make fader adjustments from there if necessary.

VU meter on the master fader (fader set to 0) so I can monitor the aggregate levels at all times.

I keep each track between -12 and -10 where possible. If i did not record, I will use clip gain to get to the same place. I use the plug output gain to get me back to the same level that was going in to the plug. Master fader always at unity. Mixed track will usually come in arount -6 to -3. I prefer -6 pre mastered.

Honestly, I don't even think about any of that stuff unless I come across a track that was printed too hot, then i trim it.

Not once have I ever went though a song and trimmed all clips to any particular preset level peak or RMS level before mixing.

Not once have I ever went though a song and trimmed all clips to any particular preset level peak or RMS level before mixing.

I suffer in silence with my OCD.

This is a great video about Gain Staging IMO. It's for Mixbus users actually but the overall concept applies to any DAW of course.
As a replacement for Mixbus' trim knob you can use the Mixtool plug-in in Studio One as mentioned before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHEUKKvVtCg

matthewgorman wrote:I suffer in silence with my OCD.

Lol.

I will trim clip gain on all tracks on those projects i get where people record everything up near 0.

I do often wonder why anyone doing all their own recording has to trim their tracks afterward, as opposed to just recording everything in a good range to start with.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 05/06/2014 22:24:48

LMike wrote:

matthewgorman wrote:I suffer in silence with my OCD.

I do often wonder why anyone doing all their own recording has to trim their tracks afterward, as opposed to just recording everything in a good range to start with.

I would never have the patience to sit there and fix everything AFTER recording - especially trimming levels. That would totally trash my creation vibe.

With everything gain staged - all the time - there is literally no way to screw up a level here - I simply record, do a quick check and move on to the next track.

Nice thing about staging and keeping it consistent is that come mix-down - the track practically mixes itself with all faders at unity.

VP

http://forumsarchive.presonus.com/posts/list/25568.page

This is one of the purposes of this diagram.
Every where there is a (V) icon is a possible gain stage.
I am guessing there are over two dozen places.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 05/06/2014 22:49:17

jpettit wrote:http://forumsarchive.presonus.com/posts/list/25568.page

This is one of the purposes of this diagram.
Every where there is a (V) icon is a possible gain stage.
I am guessing there are over two dozen places.

One could obsess over each possible junction point in that diagram - but I treat S1 as a recorder - in that - every possible point on that diagram is at unity - and I ensure all my analog inputs (Mixing Board, POD, RME interface) are all set to deliver a -18dbFS signal to any channel in S1.

My goal is to end up with a well recorded project that should sound pretty decent completely dry with all faders up in S1 after tracking is complete.

Obviously - "fit and finish" occurs later in mix - but still does not require massive amounts of trim, level changes and so on to bang it into shape.

VP