Many audio devices and software apps for Windows often require the use of an audio interface to playback or record audio. Pro Tip: Most interfaces have a 1/4″ headphone jack. How to Set Gain. In a nutshell, the best audio interfaces for production and music-making enable you to get high-quality audio in and out of your computer, and to connect some … ... start from the beginning. The good news is that most computer audio interfaces have a lower noise floor than many of the most legendary and respected mixers out there, and provide up to 50db of gain. 16 December 2017 16:51; Updated; Historically, with analogue recording, it was often necessary to set input levels as high as possible to the point that the signal is just below (or sometimes exceeding, for effect) the maximum level that the recording medium (e.g. This is larger than the 1/8″ plug on most consumer headphones. To do this, sing/speak into your microphone at the volume you'll be performing at, then turn the gain dial until the gain halo stays green while you're talking (but not so high that it goes red). After you have set the input gain, you can use your channel EQ to sculpt your source. Most interfaces will connect to your computer using USB, FireWire, or Thunderbolt. How high should I set the gain control on my interface? 9) Adjust the gain on your interface. This is also true if your mixer offers a compressor and other dynamics processing on the channel, as with the The TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 MK2 audio interface for instance, boosts the signal by 2.5 dB so that this attenuation will compensate the reduction in headroom. Some interfaces will have a few variable gain circuits and a few fixed gain circuits. 4. Please consult the documentation of your hardware mixer and audio interface to obtain more information. Then this signal goes to the interface, which also has a signal level knob. The preamp has two different knobs: one is gain (labelled 'mic/line'), the other is output. Unison ™ technology is an audio processing breakthrough that starts right at the source — the input stage — allowing UA audio interface mic preamps to sound and behave like the world’s most sought-after tube and solid-state designs. ... the right preamp, can be very easy to get a great sound with. To use consumer headphones with your interface, you’ll need an 1/8″ to 1/4″ adapter. In the DAW, it's good practice to aim for a level that peaks at around -10dB. According to the SM58’s specs, if a 94dB audio source is placed 1in from the grill, it will register at -54 on a Mic input set to unity gain. There are three primary ways to set the gain and much has to do with the audio environment because of how the faders come into play. Unity gain is an important concept in audio. The fixed gain circuits, at +4 reference level, will be best for the VMS. As you can see, I have the Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 set up as my output device.

How to Set Gain on an Analog Mixer. How to Set Recording Levels.