How To Set Your Gain When Recording

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What level should you record at to get a professional sound with minimal noise?
Recording at the right level is important when trying to get a professional sound. In this video, We will look at:
1) Avoiding background noise
2) Getting a full and balanced tone
3) Inspiring confidence in your recording
The differences in sound when recording at different levels were far smaller than I expected and could really be down to the sight change in position and manufacturing tolerances. I was expecting there to be a lot of background noise in the quiet recording but there was almost none! It's amazing what can be done with modern equipment.

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1 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 393

@inthemix 5 лет назад

Recording at the right level is important when trying to get a professional sound. In this video, We will look at: 1) Avoiding background noise 2) Getting a full and balanced tone 3) Inspiring confidence in your recording

@thecluelessuploader9946 5 лет назад

Thanks for the best videos

@truthgrace5464 5 лет назад

Yea yea I can hear it. Yea it is interesting.... (me listening on 20 dollar headphones) awsome video!

@nevarodonmusic5402 5 лет назад

I was hearing the room more in the lower one

@greatestsawes9712 5 лет назад

Awesome!!

@ananigma 5 лет назад

I would take an educated guess and say the reason the 2 recordings sound slightly different is due to the position of the mics rather than what volume you recorded at. Even though they are very close together, just a small difference in relation of the mics to the instrument can cause a noticeable difference in sound. Micing is a science in itself.

@Producelikeapro 5 лет назад

Amazing demonstration!! Excellent work Michael!! This was extremely helpful to all of us, no matter what your level of experience!! Marvellous work!! The Lewitt is a near zero noise microphone, amazing value for money!

@HofTheStage 5 лет назад

Great thing seeing my 2 favourite channels admire and help each other. You guys rock!

@TransverseAudio 5 лет назад

Cool to see you here!

@HaharuRecords 5 лет назад

🙄

@muyupachipepo6548 5 лет назад

Am going to be a Marvellous Producer

@ChrisPonate 5 лет назад

To be honest every time I watch a video of yours I feel so much better about myself, i dont know why.

@stg8385 4 года назад

RU-vid is addiction

@50MBIE 4 года назад

To me it sounds like you're saying he's lesser than you which makes you feel better :|

@ChrisPonate 4 года назад

@@50MBIE not my fault you take things the wrong way 🙃

@50MBIE 4 года назад

No need to get heated buddy

@auroravibemusic 4 года назад

Me too

@kohswic 5 лет назад

You are too much my boss, the top level sounds more clearer than the low level thanks for this video, pastor emma from Ghana.

@kevinstuart5105 3 года назад

I've never considered that there may be a difference psychologically between looking at a weak signal versus a strong one. That was an interesting and unexpected observation. Kudos.

@Gaxabeats 3 года назад

dude out here making experiments i’m wayyy too lazy for, just comin for the results. great job man, thanks

@ginopalma7130 5 лет назад

The difference in tone between the two recordings could come down to the slightly different placement of the mics as opposed to the input gain

@generalawareness101 4 года назад

Yes, 100% as loudness correction has no way of "colouring" a sound.

@RBBlackstone 3 года назад

Definitely. No two mics sound the same either. This test requires a parallel cable into two pres so that you are comparing the same capsule.

@localhost19 3 года назад

08:55 the second microphone which records in low voice is sounding like more bass boosted than other

@eythanchelly1510 5 лет назад

i just found out about you like 30 min ago and i am so happy i did

@harshmuneshwar4975 5 лет назад

I was searching this topic today....and you put this on ur channel....loved the advice 🤟

@doftpunk101 5 лет назад

Yeah. When it comes to quality gear the converters are pretty clear and noise and hiss is typically much lower. But when you use cheaper equipment the converters tend to get a bit crunchy when hit harder and tend to get brittle and crackly at low volumes. I teach my students -12dB is pretty healthy and even on cheaper equipment it’s pretty clear and artifact free. I link them your videos as well since the explanations are nice and clear. :)

@olaftheblack9172 5 лет назад

I think the tonal difference in the two guitars might just be the 2 inch difference in mic placement. What are your thoughts on using the normalising feature to make everything the same level? Will it help to make sure the mix plugins are hit at the right level? I was always cautious of doing it because of the potential to introduce noise, but it seems that concern was misplaced in light of what you've just shown.

@_legrand_ Год назад

i hear a frequency in the quiet guitar part's tone. Maybe the room's resonating frequency is louder when you boost it that much?

@MariusVideoOfficial 3 года назад

Very nice video, I like the recording and I normally record at (around) -12dB/-6dB-peaks (at 16bit/48Khz) or -18dB/-12dB-peaks (at 96Khz 24bit) obtaining a nice dynamic and well defined sound than lower values of recording levels...You say right, the noise is something to decrease as much as possible before to record something and...after, using a noise gate to automatically cut-off the intervals between a word or phrase to another...

@cadbeatz7189 5 лет назад

Definitely one of my bigger insecurities about creating music. Thank you so much for the time and effort put into the making of this video, In The Mix, i truly appreciate it!

4 года назад

This video is really interesting and helpful. People are saying mic placement but I think what’s causing the difference is interface’s internal physical preamp gain. They are indeed analog, so I think they affect non-linear so that’s exactly why they sound different when volumes are digitally matched. However, this comes down to this question. Which is better? I can’t really judge which is better. I felt both has different advantages. What do you think about this point?

@harshverma1338 5 лет назад

For a dynamic vocal recordings, using ML-1 and mic emulations, my vocals average lies around -24 to -25(even -28 to -30 dbfs) for very soft phrases, with peak around -11-12 db for louder ones. Recording at 24 bit, Clarett 2 pre. Are these levels alright ?

@BlackburnBigdragon 5 лет назад

It must be the equipment that I have, but the test done with the tone, I could not tell the difference, even with my headphones.

@ThreeBelowZero 5 лет назад

God has a lot of work these days, so he decided to put you on RU-vid so he doesn't have to be taking care of us, the forgotten person behind the sucess of the singers: producers. Thanks for the content!

@greatestsawes9712 5 лет назад

You're definitely amazing. Thanks! I notice my vocal recordings have the thinner line signal and I've been quite worried about that. I discussed it with a pal today, and your video divinely comes in and addresses the issue. My confidence is up now man. You are amazing!!!!

@YngHstlr 3 года назад

i been struggling with trying to decide how hot to set my pre for years. thanks for this. much needed. subbed

@savannamilbee5462 4 года назад

homie you give me ASMR like.. every other second lmao

@sbo7102 5 лет назад

love your videos man keep it up ❤❤❤❤❤ just wanna ask you should I buy headphones or monitors for mixing n thanks a lot ❤

@KaisaSalonpaa 5 лет назад

I first bought awesome headphones and thought that I'll get through with them. However, I faced a big problem: I made the music sound good on my headphones, but on my phone, speakers etc. it sounded bad. Kinda like mono, there were definitely some issues with the space. On headphones you only hear right side things in your right ear and vice versa. On monitors they're mixed a little. Also on headphones the source of music is so up close to your ears, that mixing is not as neutral as it would be with monitors. Even monitors are not perfect: First of all, you need to have some room treatment and probably some more equipment like stands. Also, panning is adviced to be double-checked with headphones. I would say that there is no answer to this question, in ideal situation I'd recommend going for both. But as a beginner, a decent pair of headphones is a good place to start! If you get more serious with music production later on (and get mad like I did because headphones just didn't suit my needs anymore) it's easily to upgrade your studio setup with a pair of monitors! Headphones doesn't even require room treatment and you will also keep your neighbors happy as there is no noise! Technically both are needed when mixing but if you need to choose between headphones and monitors, quality headphones (Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser,... etc.) will get you a headstart in music production!

@IvarsI 3 года назад

Just what I needed! Thanks! By the way, it is possible that microphones are not 100% identical, that is what they sound a little bit different

@AncientInsights1 3 года назад

I which this was done with voice over (vocals). However, still very helpful

@harryofficial3743 5 лет назад

Whenever i watch your videos i feel inspired,thnx bro.

@blogonestopshop1737 5 лет назад

I always use SPAN so that I can make sure there is a similar level of base frequencies, mid-range and high frequencies. Maybe that is cheating, but I know that if I can get great results with that, my music will sound good. I always aim for a mix of 0db too.

@lorestraat8920 3 года назад

I just got done recording myself for the first time on vibraphone, and I hate to admit it, but I am definitely in the 'low low levels' camp. I had to boost the gain in logic so much to get it to sound. Luckily, I had access to some really nice equipment through my university, so I didn't have noise issues. Still, I definitely need to practice more.

@CED.Dweller 2 года назад

Respect for being confident in showcasing your biases and testing them.

@rubixcubegeniusAKAJT 5 лет назад

The second guitar seemed to have a fuller sound. The 1st one is a bit brighter, but less full. It totally depends on the mix of the song because both sounds are great.

@JCrashB 5 лет назад

Yeah, second one is "warmer".

@Zellonous 5 лет назад

I felt the same

@RangerKun 5 лет назад

@@JCrashB Agreed. Like it's ever so gingerly compressed because of it's loudness?

@rajatchandra8718 4 года назад

Same here!

@prod.trenchy6362 4 года назад

feels like the low ends a lot more muddier and the mids don't peak through until they are really loud

@infectropodo 5 лет назад

Hey, thank you, love your videos. Is this the same for Dynamic microphones? Since they don´t use phantom power and you usually need to drive the gain much harder (often to 100%) to get a "healty looking" signal. I have an Audient ID44, do you recomend the SM7b for vocals (some people say you need more gain or a cloudlifter to drive it properly). I would really appreciate your opinion!

@inthemix 5 лет назад

I tend to be able to boost a dynamic without issues later in the mix but they can be a challenge to get a big signal if you are not very close to the mic or very loud. I have found that on Audient interfaces there is no harm in maxing out the gain and then boosting later in the mix. Experiment and see what's best for your signal Chain :)

@lov5813 5 лет назад

Can anyone help me please? :) When I put CLA Guitar effect on my track… there is a "White noise" even when I'm not playing anything. The noise is coming from CLA guitar.

@obb_max 5 лет назад

I think this whole "introducing noise when gain staging a low signal" is mainly focused on pushing the signal after compression. That could be why you did not experience the effect you expected with the low signal. Isn't that the most crucial step in your effect chain regarding noise? Have you tried compressing it before you add the gain? love you videos, helped me a lot :)

@manoftheroad55 3 года назад

Perhaps maybe "background noise" is audio interference caused by components used in cheaper microphones and amplifiers where small discrepancies multiply ...example is a cheap HiFi amp jack up the volume when with input is unconnected and hear the noise......Look up (or visit the PYE museum Cambridge) there is a 6 track mixing console with the lid off inside is mostly air!! ...then listern to Led Zepplin recordings made at Headley Grange....this was advanced cutting edge for late 1960s....equipment was the very best...also worth a listern is "Tell Star" released as a ground breaking 45 single. early 60s then with idle curiosity lookup method of how that was recorded. Im from the period of Phillips compact cassett......nothing is new its just re learnt...

@sarinsahil 4 месяца назад

Thank you! Are VU meters and RMS meters the same since they both give average? The RMS meter is 3 db lesser than the VU meter reading when I pass the same sine wave (-18) through it. Why so? Thank you :)

@HomericOrigins 2 года назад

But my MAONO AU HD 300T mic records very low on USB even with gain and recording levels on the laptop set at 100%. Is there anyway to fix that? I don't have the money to buy audio interface yet.

@TaguroUBP 2 года назад

im using USB mic "RODE NT-USB Mini".. im having a problem to setup gain levels "dB" of my mic? can is setup it on the DAW? Thanks

@ckjjclan 5 лет назад

No diff on my phone with earbuds...

@Omnifonist 5 лет назад

Hey Michael! I like how you speak in a calm and relaxing way

@justinbouchard 2 года назад

So one thing that I do with my mic is run low gain to avoid using a noise gate. This is super use specific during streaming. I have not found at all that running almost literally zero gain on my interface umc204hd, gives me extra noise when compressing and adding makeup gain. I also basically need to have my lips against the mic to get the signal I need but I don't have any issues mixing or needing to eq or denoise anything. Mic-interface-compressor-reverb is all the chain is for vocal during streaming. I actually boost highs in the channel mix and cut mids because I find I have a "nasal" sounding voice naturally and cutting mids and adding highs seems to remove that slightly stuffed nose sound I have naturally.

@pneumaticdetach 5 лет назад

Nice Job Brother

@Watch_me2023 4 года назад

I have a problem? I never use to have any issues with my audio interface, but one day I noticed my condenser microphone was louder than usual to where it is picking up everything yet I never changed my gain. How do I fix this?

@meirgoldenberg5638 Месяц назад

When I set the mic (Samson Q2U connected via USB) volume to 100% (recording me speaking), the signal is always in the red through the roof. However, it sounds fine after normalization. Is this a bad practice?

@LeaValentina 11 месяцев назад

Thank you so much, your videos are just wonderful

@MattZano 5 лет назад

The quieter one seems to have some slightly different sounding transients, they just sound a bit softer

@1life964 4 года назад

the reason why they sound different is because the Mics were placed in different positions and it does create a subtle difference in sound

@kebman 2 года назад

Could be your audio card or the ADC in the mic itself. Also recording at 24 bit resolution (or higher) means you get a lower noise floor.

@poalotesta7743 3 года назад

As learner with a capital bloody "L" this has been the stuff of my nightmares. Should I, shouldn't I, -18,-14.......Its been driving me doolally. Thanks for the very concise and understandable explanation.

@TheDoug2103 2 года назад

the louder signal already had the noise from the room 30 times higher because that what the mic picked up, the quieter mic still heard all the noise and when you boosted the lower signal you just brought up all the nois that was in the louder one already. SO THEY ANDED UP MATCHING........

@mattwoolley 3 года назад

NO ONE on RU-vid seems to even know what gain is. Drives me crazy. High gain hurts the ears! Distortion DOES NOT. People. THIS is why professionals called "audio engineers" exist. Thumbs down for not showing the MAJOR problems with too much gain.

@th3rods Год назад

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-g9kEekgKdqE.html -- i do hear the differences. The low gain sound actually falls a little flatter than the high gain one. Good question though, validiates whether I have the right ears to do this type of work haha! i prefer the high gain one.

@ramircltd5824 5 лет назад

Its sounds like the freq between 100 - 400 are more pronounced on the high volume top recording. If the low recording is Eq'ED to lift the lows, I believe the difference will be irrelevant. Especially if this will be mixed along 10-30 other tracks. The real lesson here IMO, is the guitar (very rich, bright and warm tone) and the playing (clean with no heavy string buzzing from heavy hitting).

@cicadashroud2531 4 года назад

Helpful, but I need a bit more info. So far, I just record directly from a GFX-8 stomp box into an old Steinberg MI4 interface into Cubase 9.5. I adjust the input meter on the MI4 so it never goes above -4db. I don't seem to have much problem with distorted guitar, but If I'm using a simulated accoustic setting on the GFX-8, the meter spikes into the red, and I have to lower the input dial significantly. I'm curious to know if anyone has any advice on that. Thanks

@lightstreamscomedance222 3 года назад

Love your videos...and accent! where are you from? Question: Every time I export my FL loop the recording is never anywhere near as clear and defined as it is when I play through FL....even after following your advice on Export settings etc. Even if I make the downward waveform well within the green it still sounds rubbish after export both on my Jamman looper pedal and when I play it on my computer after clicking on it in Windows file explorer. Also, how do you get the horizontal wave form to come up in FL Studio...I've tried everything! Thanks.

@zeefour 5 лет назад

8:30 This is a good point. So when I recorded with a guitarist, i actually put on a Master Bus Comp, followed by some basic Mid Side processing. It made the backing track sound louder and fuller, where as without those effects the track sounded a bit raw and a bit lifeless. Of course when the recording is done I will strip all that stuff out and begin from scratch to get a fresh mix.

@tudorgheorghe4532 2 месяца назад

-18 dB digital scale right ? What about rendering tracks comming from midi tracks ? Same volume ?

@Akshay_Vocals Год назад

Hello, I have shureSM58, while I record my guitar finger pick, it really gives a low output from the mic via interface even when the gain is almost 75-80%..can you suggest anything to get a good input signal?

@Tapepusher 7 месяцев назад

I was curious about this test when recorded at 16 bit versus 32 bit, the 16 bit could be noisier at lower input levels

@sirkhurramielts6829 3 года назад

super sound and marvelous explanation

@meirgoldenberg5638 Месяц назад

Do you have a video with some background about dB, "square", clipping etc.?

@adrianhiggins4723 2 года назад

Very good demonstration. I am hearing a bit more treble tone from the second recording. But warmer to me is what I prefer in most cases. If you have a video on maximizing output during playback please send a link. I can never get a strong output on a home recording on my receiver end as when I pop in a professional CD. Seems like my volume knob has to increase about 1/3 more. Thanks for the tips I will check out for your Vid's.

@ZapR21 5 лет назад

Can u make a tutorial about how to edit vocals to a professional level? and also ideas how to use them (like are there tricks how to use them in layers or with pan level or volume or someghing?) Thanks!

@Alvin-in9uq 5 лет назад

Sounds like you know the terms of what you want to do quite well, I will say he has already created multiple videos on the topic.

@DivestedEntity 3 года назад

Whats interesting is I have the 3000$ Neumann U 87 , and its te exact opposite of what. you said and what was shown 🤔 Makes me very curious , cause when I record low and turn it up as you did the static or room noise is much louder tan if I recorded at a higher level. So with expensive top of the line equipment it is for me te exact opposite of what was shown here & more along the lines of what you said you expected at first. Very Odd Indeed.

@damomani6905 2 года назад

I find that the digital gain sound does not have the guitar body that much...i.e., the microtones are not that much but it is more smooth......while the audio-1 with good gain staging has more guitar body in the tone (but I find it a bit harsher though)....but I think we need to EQ more for audio-1 because it has all the rich frequencies...This is very interesting experiment. They normally say if we increase the digital gain it will also raise the noise floor...One more thing is I thought the noise is not just due to mic but also about the audio interface....may be if you use Focusrite scarlet you can hear more noise. Any how thanks for your posts. Its really interesting.

@musicproductionvideos5019 3 года назад

Great videos, but I think you missed a chance to show the noise issue for most people these days. Noise from the environment. AC, low hum from a air purifier the floor above, trucks going by outside etc etc. Most people do not record in perfect environments. This type of noise would be a BIG problem in your first example... and is why to never record that low even in digital. Once you raise that low track into the mix and add compression that noise will be even louder.

@lewchootrain 3 года назад

I work in hip hip music. How much headroom would you leave for a rapper to add their vocals over a 2 track premaster (or with a 2 track should you master it with headroom for them? I know they could complain about levels once they get it but could also get frustrated with having no headroom/working backwards)

@HofTheStage 5 лет назад

I'm actually surprised how close these track sound. I was sure that the quiet one would have more noise even when using a decent mic. However, audient has a great preamp so this might have something to do with that as well. Awesome video man, nice work

@inthemix 5 лет назад

Thanks! Yeah I surprised myself and wasn't expecting it to match the noise identically...

@prinsezkaffeehexen8196 2 года назад

I honestly heard no difference between the two tracks but it was very informative, I was wondering if I was recording my guitars and bass di too low because my waves looks pretty thin to me, and I'm getting a lot of background noise. Tone wise, apart from the noise, I sat up every amp Sim I use according to that level so I get a good tone anyway. But that bloody noise...

@stephenfell4338 2 месяца назад

My volume after I have recorded a track playback is very low and it’s gain staged correct Can’t increase there it will clip how do I fix that please ?

@omararanega7771 5 лет назад

PLEASE TUTORIAL IN SPANISH ...!!!! PLEASE TUTORIAL IN SPANISH ...!!!! PLEASE TUTORIAL IN SPANISH ...!!!!

@sherrecords4039 2 года назад

Great

@CamiloSoto 10 месяцев назад

And for lower quality Interface like the Focusrite 2i2, how much Db should you record at it?

@mynameissolongbecauseilike6446 2 года назад

Is it possible to group edit your samples in the arrangement? For example, editing drum recordings and having everything be affected as a group.

@jakecooper398 2 года назад

How do you keep consistnecy in recording one session to the next? Particularly with recording vocal readings for audiobooks/podcasts

@sujeethunny 5 лет назад

We need a Tutorial on DTS mixing, kick or any other Loop tuning with the Song and Group Vocal Mixing

@arpeggioblues5924 Год назад

didn't hear much real different. but then my ears may not be as good as yours (too many 1000 watt amps behind me.. ;D

@Clutchsuperstar 3 года назад

Do you have a video for Gain staging recording with outboard gear??

@vietnammg 7 месяцев назад

If you are afraid of clipping, just record very low. It'd be mostly fine

@frankspeechhastheevidence6383 3 года назад

Great video it would be nice if you had someone else play the tracks and see if you could pick out what track is what.... When I close my eyes when you play them I do hear a difference. but like them both

@ArtistryMusication 2 года назад

Almost sounds like; if you were using a thicker pick on the guitar for the low end recording. Definitely the higher end sounds better to me.

@InnanetSlatt 3 года назад

Ok so what I understand from this video is that setting your gain a lower than ideal won't create much more noticeable noise, so it's ok to set your gain a little low and to play/sing with confidence?

@Sample_Props_Official 5 месяцев назад

I only dont know why You all recording on the minus dBs.. voiume an amp up and then trim it...

@cristian7cg 3 года назад

Hey I am new to music production I have decent equipment. Is there any way around background noise ? And and does this happen ?

@jamzdrumz141 5 лет назад

When recording with true analog equipment, input volume is incredibly important. Hitting your pre amps, EQ and compressors with the right amount of gain is paramount. Although, there is room for interpretation in terms of saturation and colour. The open rule of an RMS of -18DBFS is a good starting point for a recommend gain structure. Although this is open for interpretation, depending on the musical role of an instrument and the saturation required for the genre. Most analog equipment manuals will tell you to hit the equipment with a particular amount of gain in order to achieve optimal sound colouration. Usually around the RMS of -18DBFS.

@lilwayne1994 4 года назад

You really need less gain than what you think you supposed to have.Mark my words.

@szabolcserdesz9159 3 года назад

Quiet recording is sounding like we listening from behind the courtains compared to the loud one ☝️

@MatthewStratton 5 лет назад

You the man. 👊

@makulukxonam1281 Год назад

I'm gonna suggest first one cause it's sound more healthy and warm, second one is also but it's little thin and cold and unstable

@Magedsp Год назад

i truly like this dude ❤️❤️❤️ god bless you

@truthfinder4973 4 года назад

i dont know if this a fry the audio interface to day i got a ideal i was like back in the day they turn up a tube amp to get Distortion!!!! so i was like i wonder if i crack the input on the audio interface if it act like a tube amp .then in the daw i had the master down and also the fader in the daw for that track tell the recording was done.yes it work just like a tube amp and edit some it sound just like a tube amp to. butt what i like to k now could this fry the audio interface by clip it to get that Distortion sound

@rudallcarte580 3 года назад

Great video. The higher level guitar track has better tone. Like new strings v old dull ones.

@TwoDudeGamesChnnel 5 лет назад

I think, in digital world there's no difference in between wether you record at -36db rms or -8db, because when you lower your gain to leave headroom for loud sounds you lowering the noise too, so it doesn't change at all when you boost gain back. And about tone change, see, your mics were pretty close to each other, but not in the same spot *and* as you know all mics of the same model doesn't have perfectly the same frequency response. I think this is exactly what caused tone change. btw, I am sorry if I have some errors in my message that's because I'm russian. P.S. Great work! Thank you very much for your vids, you lead me to the world of music creation!

@inthemix 5 лет назад

I think you're spot on. Honestly the difference in sound could very very likely be caused by a few inches in position and the microphone tolerances :)

@VelocityRecordingStudio 4 года назад

What about the breathing? Do you cut it out with a noise plugin?

@CykoTronnJr 2 года назад

I heard the second one to be more scratchy and the first one to feel more smoother. Conclusion, I prefer the first one (top)

@consolle2846 2 года назад

the second loop is kinda more bassy, i really liked it. and also have a question. does every mic record have noise floor ?

@foreversmoov102 3 года назад

The higher frequencies on the lower one were harsh on the ears... that’s just my opinion though

@Trykyl1 3 года назад

I'm like internet explorer late here but the louder recording sounds way better; its is warmer and richer in tone

@bukowskimoho 5 лет назад

maybe they dont sound the same bucause there are some variations from the mics even if they are the exact same model, sometimes they dont sound the same.