Sound Ministry Series Part 2 - Setting Channel Gains

The "gain" control (sometimes called 'trim' or 'level') is the first control knob you encounter at the top of each channel on your mixing desk.

The purpose of this knob is to control the level of the input signal into that channel. If this control is not set correctly, you won't have adequate control over the volume of that channel when you use the fader/slider.

If the gain is set too low, the signal will be too weak and you may introduce system noise (sounds like hissing) as you turn up the channel to compensate. If it is set too high, you may introduce distortion which may damage your equipment, or the channel may feed back.

To set the channel gain is quite easy. Use the "Solo" button (or PFL on some mixers) on channel one to display that channel's levels in the visual meter on the far right of the desk. Next, have someone speak, sing or play into that channel alone at performance levels and turn up the gain until it just peaking into the orange/yellow. If it goes into the red, you are too high. If it stays in the bottom green, then ensure that the -20dB "PAD" switch is not pressed in on that channel.

Repeat for all channels. Remember to keep the volume low (or better, off) for this exercise.

Done! Now our channel gains are set. This will give you the best signal to work with, and if gains are correctly set it will be easier to balance your mix across the channels, because each fader will respond similarly to your adjustments.

Note: Mics will require large amounts of gain, so don't be surprised if you end up in the >75% range. Instruments will usually require less gain, especially if you are using DI boxes.

Next time: the PAD switch and the Low Cut filter.