{"id":39677,"date":"2024-10-01T16:14:45","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T15:14:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/?p=39677"},"modified":"2024-11-29T16:45:07","modified_gmt":"2024-11-29T16:45:07","slug":"microphone-gain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/","title":{"rendered":"Microphone Gain 101 &#8211; What It Is and How To Set It"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#Key_takeaways\" >Key takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#What_is_microphone_gain\" >What is microphone gain?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#Getting_set_up\" >Getting set up<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#How_to_set_your_microphone_gain\" >How to set your microphone gain<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#Monitoring\" >Monitoring<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#Soundcheck\" >Soundcheck<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#Finding_the_right_gain_setting\" >Finding the right gain setting<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#The_level_meter\" >The level meter<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#VU_meters\" >VU meters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#LED_meters\" >LED meters<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#High-pass_and_low-pass_filters\" >High-pass and low-pass filters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#What_is_clipping\" >What is clipping?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#What_should_I_set_my_mic_gain_to\" >What should I set my mic gain to?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#What_happens_if_my_mic_gain_is_too_high\" >What happens if my mic gain is too high?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#Can_you_damage_a_mic_with_too_much_gain\" >Can you damage a mic with too much gain?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/#Final_thoughts\" >Final thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Intro&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Gain. You\u2019ve probably heard the term, but if you\u2019re new to audio and getting into recording, you might not know what it means yet. Why is it so important? How do you use it correctly?<\/p>\n<p>In this <strong>m<\/strong><b>icrophone gain <\/b>guide, we\u2019ll cover what gain is, how to set it, and some tips for getting the very best sound out of your microphone, no matter what you\u2019re putting it to use on.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Key takeaways&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_takeaways\"><\/span>Key takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><b>What:<\/b> Microphone gain is the amount of amplification supplied by the preamp it\u2019s plugged into<\/li>\n<li><b>Why:<\/b> Microphones are actually very quiet on their own, only producing extremely small voltages; they&#8217;re safe to use but need boosting, which is where the preamp comes in<\/li>\n<li><b>How:<\/b> Plug your microphone into a mixer or audio interface. The gain knob should be near the preamp, usually marked with text or a clear dial. Turn up the gain gradually until the mic\u2019s natural noise floor goes away and the sound you want is clear and well-defined. Listen out for unwanted background noise or distortion, if you notice these, pull the gain down until you can\u2019t anymore<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Preamp.html&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP PREAMPS&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Microphone.html&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP MICROPHONES&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;What is microphone gain?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_microphone_gain\"><\/span>What is microphone gain?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Microphone gain is the amplification we add to a microphone via the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Preamp.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">preamplifier, or preamp<\/a><\/strong>. Because microphones have a pretty low output by default, they require a boost to their output to become audible. This is what preamps do, and they\u2019re an absolute necessity for operating any kind of microphone in any context.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, anyone recording or performing will have access to a preamp somewhere on either their audio interface or mixer. If you want to learn more about mic preamps, check out our <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-preamp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide to preamps<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>When gain is set too low, you\u2019ll hear the microphone\u2019s natural noise floor very noticeably, and your intended signal will sound quiet, muffled, and distant. As you increase gain, the microphone\u2019s self-noise &#8211; as it\u2019s often referred to &#8211; will become much less noticeable, and the signal will become clearer.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you push gain too high, you\u2019ll notice a lot of background room noise, which will sound different to the microphone\u2019s noise floor. Creaks in the floorboards, room echoes, and acoustic problems will become noticeable, and your main signal will distort in a nasty way. This can cause damage to the microphone capsule or clip the preamps in some way.<\/p>\n<p>So, is gain just volume? In a sense, but there is a distinction in how and why they\u2019re used. While they both deal with the loudness of signals, we can consider gain an input level control whereas volume controls a signal&#8217;s output level.<\/p>\n<p>Gain also influences the tone and character of a sound; volume doesn\u2019t. It\u2019s even desirable sometimes, and somewhat commonplace, for studio engineers to push outboard preamps into distortion intentionally to get a unique effect. You\u2019ll likely have heard this on vocals, guitars, and drum mics on some recordings.<\/p>\n<p>Beware though, this trick won\u2019t work on devices like audio interfaces or digital mixers and instead, results in an unpleasant digital distortion. Make sure you do this with analog preamps, analog mixers, or studio consoles if you want this effect.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve taken a deeper look at the differences in our guide to <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/gain-vs-volume\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gain vs. volume<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39842 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio.jpg\" alt=\"Singer and guitarist singing into a microphone in a music studio\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Getting set up&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_set_up\"><\/span>Getting set up<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>So, now that we\u2019ve set out the basics of what gain is, we\u2019re going to cover how to use it. First things first, you need to connect your microphone. Place your mic in a shockmount or clip on a stand, secure it in place, and get your stand to a comfortable position for whatever you\u2019re using it on.<\/p>\n<p>Run an XLR cable, the one with three holes on one side and three pins on the other, the holes in the cable will connect to the pins on the mic\u2019s output. Then, run the pins on the cable to the input of your audio interface or mixer.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, set phantom power if needed. If you\u2019re not sure whether you need it, this is dictated by the type of microphone you\u2019re using. Condensers require phantom power &#8211; unless they\u2019re tube condensers, which come with their own external power supply. Dynamic mics don\u2019t require phantom power, but won\u2019t be harmed by it, although it\u2019s still preferable to not activate it on them to keep every component in the mic safe.<\/p>\n<p>Passive ribbon microphones can be damaged by phantom power in some cases, but active ribbon microphones will require phantom power. Make sure you know what you\u2019ve got and that it\u2019s not active until <em>after<\/em> you plug in your mic and you know it\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n<p>Phantom power will be readily available on most audio interfaces and mixers in the form of a switch or button, typically labelled \u201c+48 V\u201d as phantom power adds an extra 48 Volts of power to a microphone\u2019s output.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to get set up quickly and easily, auto gain audio interfaces like the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Audio-Interfaces\/Focusrite\/Scarlett?page=1&amp;filters[919]=21659\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Recording-and-Computers\/Universal-Audio-Apollo-x4-Gen-2-Essentialsand-Edition\/6OZR\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">new Universal Audio Apollo versions<\/a><\/strong> are incredibly useful. They set optimal gain levels, ensuring consistent sound levels without you having to make adjustments.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;How to set your microphone gain&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_set_your_microphone_gain\"><\/span>How to set your microphone gain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Monitoring\"><\/span>Monitoring<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>First off, before you plug your microphone in, you\u2019ll want to mute your monitors. If you switch on phantom power or plug your mic in with your monitors switched on, you\u2019ll get a loud popping sound which can damage your ears and your speakers. Keep these muted until your mic\u2019s plugged in and phantom power\u2019s set, then unmute them and start listening.<\/p>\n<p>As an additional tip, if you\u2019re using a mixer or console, use the \u201cPFL\u201d (Pre-Fader Listening) or \u201cSolo\u201d button to isolate the mic you\u2019re setting the gain of. This will ensure your channel monitors are showing you the levels of the mic you\u2019re adjusting, and that your fader settings won\u2019t impact what you\u2019re hearing.<\/p>\n<p>Make sure you have no additional processing on the channel as you set gain, no EQ or compression, as this will change the dynamics of your sound and give you an inaccurate impression of what you\u2019re monitoring.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Soundcheck\"><\/span>Soundcheck<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>To set microphone gain properly, you\u2019ll need to get your signal going, so if you\u2019re recording guitar, get your performer to start noodling while you set up the gain, or get a vocalist to sing. If you\u2019re recording yourself, make sure you\u2019re playing something too.<\/p>\n<p>Think about the levels of what you\u2019re playing, you don\u2019t want to be caught out by sudden shifts in volume, so you or your performers should play some dynamic material. If you&#8217;re playing things with quiet and soft parts as well as loud parts, you should find it easy to find a sweet spot that covers both comfortably with minimal adjustment.<\/p>\n<p>Be aware that performers tend to be more energetic during the start of a live set or recorded performance than while you\u2019re setting up, so give yourself a little extra headroom for error &#8211; you can always tweak your gain settings if levels are consistent with your soundcheck once things get going.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_the_right_gain_setting\"><\/span>Finding the right gain setting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>As you turn up the gain gradually, listen very closely to your signal and think about what you\u2019re hearing. The microphone\u2019s natural noise floor will be noticeable if your gain is too low, and your signal won\u2019t be very clear or sound muffled.<\/p>\n<p>Gain and microphone sensitivity are very interactive, so the right levels of gain can bring up details in the signal &#8211; listen out for these and decide what feels right. As you get into the right zone of gain settings, you\u2019ll notice certain parts of the sound pop out more.<\/p>\n<p>The pick attack on the strings of a guitar, the breath in a vocalist\u2019s voice, the scratch of a bow against violin strings, these can all be nice things to include, or they can be distracting.<\/p>\n<p>You might like this detail or it might detract from the things you want to hear, it&#8217;s down to your preference, so listen closely and pay attention. If these elements become a problem, your gain might be too high. Your signal may distort, or you might notice a high level of room noise and ambience that becomes a detraction. All of these are signs that you\u2019ve set gain too high.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39843 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp.jpg\" alt=\"Warm Audio WA-MPX Microphone Preamp\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;The level meter&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_level_meter\"><\/span>The level meter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Level meters are found on most audio devices, some external preamps might not have one \u2013 although many do, but mixers, audio interfaces, and recording consoles always do. This may come in the form of a VU meter or an LED meter.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"VU_meters\"><\/span>VU meters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>VU meters are a classic form of monitoring seen in more vintage or vintage-inspired equipment.<\/p>\n<p>Some older outboard preamps and recording consoles will have these things &#8211; a needle with a semi-circle labelled with values. If you\u2019re using one of these, try not to let the needle hit the last third, which is usually labelled with a red colour. These meters are a little slower to respond than LED meters, so may not always be completely accurate.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"LED_meters\"><\/span>LED meters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>LED meters come in the form of coloured lights; they\u2019re smaller and usually come with more modern or compact devices. You\u2019ll see them on audio interfaces, mixers, and modern consoles. They\u2019re faster, smaller, and usually more accurate, although sometimes they don\u2019t give you a precise picture.<\/p>\n<p>Most LED meters have multiple lights set up in vertical columns. The higher up the column the LEDs light up, the more gain your signal has.<\/p>\n<p>LED meters are often &#8211; but not always &#8211; colour-coded for more convenience. Low gain settings will typically be green, mid-gain settings will be yellow, and high-gain settings will be red. The very top of the meter will be a clipping indicator. You want a gain setting where most of your signal sits in the green, but sometimes peaks into yellow. If you hit the red or the top of the meter, your signal is clipping.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;High-pass and low-pass filters&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"High-pass_and_low-pass_filters\"><\/span>High-pass and low-pass filters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Some sources have information you don\u2019t necessarily need, and this can chew through your preamp\u2019s headroom or simply make a signal sound unpleasant overall. This is where filtering comes in.<\/p>\n<p>Midrange-focused instruments like guitars, vocals, and snare drums probably won\u2019t need low-frequency information below 80 to 100 Hz, for example. This will conflict with bass guitars and kick drums, losing your clarity of low frequencies and getting your signal closer to clipping.<\/p>\n<p>Engaging a high-pass filter &#8211; which is usually at a fixed frequency of 80, 100, or 120 Hz &#8211; can help give you some headroom back by cutting any signal below that threshold.<\/p>\n<p>Low-pass filters are the same, but for cutting high-frequency information, making them great on bass guitars, kick drums, snare drums, and rhythm guitars in some cases. They will cut frequencies around 12 or 16 kHz, generally, removing treble that can be harsh or unnecessary on sources for more clarity and headroom. This can also give things like vocals, lead guitars, and keyboards more room to sit in the treble frequencies.<\/p>\n<p>Most preamps, audio interfaces, and mixers will have at least a high-pass filter, but often have a high-pass and a low-pass filter. Some with switchable frequencies, some with fixed frequencies.<\/p>\n<p>You can <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/what-is-eq-in-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">think of EQ in a similar way<\/a><\/strong> to filtering too, only more targeted and detailed. EQ is just another way of cutting out unwanted frequency information to let other instruments have a comfortable place in the mix and offering you more headroom in crowded frequencies.<\/p>\n<p>Alternatively, EQ will let you boost frequencies you want to be heard, but be aware that boosts will use this headroom by adding gain to your chosen frequency on that channel.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39844 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone.jpg\" alt=\"Podcaster with microphone\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;What is clipping?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_clipping\"><\/span>What is clipping?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Clipping is a form of distortion that sounds broken and unpleasant. If your signal clips during recording, it\u2019s difficult to salvage, even with audio repair tools. If a signal clips during a live set, it\u2019s nasty temporarily, but the second you drop the gain of the offending mic, it won\u2019t be a problem &#8211; just keep an ear and an eye out, watch your meters and listen.<\/p>\n<p>Clipping refers to the audio waveform of a clipped signal, you can see it visually in recorded material, as the waveform itself will be squared off \u2013 meaning that the peak of the signal has effectively been lost, costing you detail and paying you back with a gift of a crackling distortion. It\u2019s a part of all audio work \u2013 it just happens, but it\u2019s worth preventing and responding to clipping whenever you catch it.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to learn more, we have an <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-audio-clipping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in-depth guide to audio clipping<\/a><\/strong>. You might find out that clipping isn\u2019t always the villain!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;FAQs&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_I_set_my_mic_gain_to\"><\/span>What should I set my mic gain to?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>You should set your mic gain to a level where your voice is clear and loud without causing distortion. This is typically around 50\u201375% but can vary based on your microphone and environment. Adjust gain slowly while monitoring levels to avoid clipping or excessive noise.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_happens_if_my_mic_gain_is_too_high\"><\/span>What happens if my mic gain is too high?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>If your mic gain is too high, it causes distortion and clipping, leading to poor sound quality. High gain amplifies background noise, making audio harsh or unpleasant. It can also overdrive the signal, resulting in unnatural, overly loud recordings.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_damage_a_mic_with_too_much_gain\"><\/span>Can you damage a mic with too much gain?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Excessive mic gain cannot directly damage a microphone, but it can lead to distorted audio that\u2019s unusable. Most modern microphones are built to withstand high levels of input, though consistently overloading your mic may strain your audio equipment over time.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Final thoughts&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_thoughts\"><\/span>Final thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Gain is the core of audio engineering in all its forms. It&#8217;s integral to recording, mixing, and live sound, so it\u2019s incredibly important to understand what it is and how to use it. Whether you&#8217;re recording yourself in a bedroom studio, working with a band in a project studio, running live sound for yourself or a live act, producing a radio show, or mixing sound at a large music festival \u2013 these principles remain the same.<\/p>\n<p>Hopefully, this guide has given you a better understanding of what <strong>microphone gain<\/strong> is, why it\u2019s so important, and how to control it to make your recordings and mixes sound that much better.<\/p>\n<p>Want to learn more? With this overview being so general, you might want something more tailored to your use case. If you\u2019re looking for ways to get an excellent sounding live mix, we have <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/live-sound-mixing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a comprehensive guide to live sound mixing<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Now that you understand gain, you might be looking for more technical information on microphones so check our guide to <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/different-types-of-microphones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the different types of microphones you should know about<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>And if you just want some extra hints to level up your mixing skills, check out <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/mixing-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our favourite mixing tips and tricks<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_3,1_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Preamp.html&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP PREAMPS&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/PA_Equipment\/Microphone.html&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP MICROPHONES&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/guides\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;READ MORE GUIDES&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gain. You\u2019ve probably heard the term, but if you\u2019re new to audio and getting into recording, you might not know what it means yet. Why is it so important? How do you use it correctly? In this microphone gain guide, we\u2019ll cover what gain is, how to set it, and some tips for getting the very best sound out of your microphone, no matter what you\u2019re putting it to use on.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":39841,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p>Gain. You\u2019ve probably heard the term, but if you\u2019re new to audio and getting into recording, you might not know what it means yet. Why is it so important? How do you use it correctly?<\/p><p>In this <strong>m<\/strong><b>icrophone gain <\/b>guide, we\u2019ll cover what gain is, how to set it, and some tips for getting the very best sound out of your microphone, no matter what you\u2019re putting it to use on.<\/p><hr \/><h3>Key takeaways<\/h3><ul><li><b>What:<\/b> Microphone gain is the amount of amplification supplied by the preamp it\u2019s plugged into<\/li><li><b>Why:<\/b> Microphones are actually very quiet on their own, only producing extremely small voltages; they're safe to use but need boosting, which is where the preamp comes in<\/li><li><b>How:<\/b> Plug your microphone into a mixer or audio interface. The gain knob should be near the preamp, usually marked with text or a clear dial. Turn up the gain gradually until the mic\u2019s natural noise floor goes away and the sound you want is clear and well-defined. Listen out for unwanted background noise or distortion, if you notice these, pull the gain down until you can\u2019t anymore.<\/li><\/ul><hr \/><h3>What is microphone gain?<\/h3><p>Microphone gain is the amplification we add to a microphone via the preamplifier, or preamp. Because microphones have a pretty low output by default, they require a boost to their output to become audible. This is what preamps do, and they\u2019re an absolute necessity for operating any kind of microphone in any context.<\/p><p>Fortunately, anyone doing recording or performing will have access to a preamp somewhere on either their audio interface or mixer. If you want to learn more about mic preamps, check out our <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-a-preamp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">guide to preamps<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>When gain is set too low, you\u2019ll hear the microphone\u2019s natural noise floor very noticeably, and your intended signal will sound quiet, muffled, and distant. As you increase gain, the microphone\u2019s self-noise - as it\u2019s often referred to - will become much less noticeable, and the signal will become clearer.<\/p><p>However, if you push gain too high, you\u2019ll notice a lot of background room noise, which will sound different to the microphone\u2019s noise floor. Creaks in the floorboards, room echoes, and acoustic problems will become noticeable, and your main signal will distort in a nasty way. This can cause damage to the microphone capsule or clip the preamps in some way.<\/p><p>So, is gain just volume? In a sense, but there is a distinction in how and why they\u2019re used. While they both deal with the loudness of signals, we can consider gain an input level control whereas volume controls a signal's output level.<\/p><p>Gain also influences the tone and character of a sound; volume doesn\u2019t. It\u2019s even desirable sometimes, and somewhat commonplace, for studio engineers to push outboard preamps into distortion intentionally to get a unique effect. You\u2019ll likely have heard this on vocals, guitars, and drum mics on some recordings.<\/p><p>Beware though, this trick won\u2019t work on devices like audio interfaces or digital mixers and instead, results in an unpleasant digital distortion. Make sure you do this with analog preamps, analog mixers, or studio consoles if you want this effect.<\/p><p>We\u2019ve taken a deeper look at the differences in our guide to <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/gain-vs-volume\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gain vs. volume<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39842 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Singer-in-the-studio.jpg\" alt=\"Singer and guitarist singing into a microphone in a music studio\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h3>Getting set up<\/h3><p>So, now that we\u2019ve set out the basics of what gain is, we\u2019re going to cover how to use it. First things first, you need to connect your microphone. Place your mic in a shockmount or clip on a stand, secure it in place, and get your stand to a comfortable position for whatever you\u2019re using it on.<\/p><p>Run an XLR cable, the one with three holes on one side and three pins on the other, the holes in the cable will connect to the pins on the mic\u2019s output. Then, run the pins on the cable to the input of your audio interface or mixer.<\/p><p>Finally, set phantom power if needed. If you\u2019re not sure whether you need it, this is dictated by the type of microphone you\u2019re using. Condensers require phantom power - unless they\u2019re tube condensers, which come with their own external power supply. Dynamic mics don\u2019t require phantom power, but won\u2019t be harmed by it, although it\u2019s still preferable to not activate it on them to keep every component in the mic safe.<\/p><p>Passive ribbon microphones can be damaged by phantom power in some cases, but active ribbon microphones will require phantom power. Make sure you know what you\u2019ve got and that it\u2019s not active until <em>after<\/em> you plug in your mic and you know it\u2019s needed.<\/p><p>Phantom power will be readily available on most audio interfaces and mixers in the form of a switch or button, typically labelled \u201c+48 V\u201d as phantom power adds an extra 48 Volts of power to a microphone\u2019s output.<\/p><hr \/><h3>How to set your microphone gain<\/h3><h4>Monitoring<\/h4><p>First off, before you plug your microphone in, you\u2019ll want to mute your monitors. If you switch on phantom power or plug your mic in with your monitors switched on, you\u2019ll get a loud popping sound which can damage your ears and your speakers. Keep these muted until your mic\u2019s plugged in and phantom power\u2019s set, then unmute them and start listening.<\/p><p>As an additional tip, if you\u2019re using a mixer or console, use the \u201cPFL\u201d (Pre-Fader Listening) or \u201cSolo\u201d button to isolate the mic you\u2019re setting the gain of. This will ensure your channel monitors are showing you the levels of the mic you\u2019re adjusting, and that your fader settings won\u2019t impact what you\u2019re hearing.<\/p><p>Make sure you have no additional processing on the channel as you set gain, no EQ or compression, as this will change the dynamics of your sound and give you an inaccurate impression of what you\u2019re monitoring.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Soundcheck<\/h4><p>To set microphone gain properly, you\u2019ll need to get your signal going, so if you\u2019re recording guitar, get your performer to start noodling while you set up the gain, or get a vocalist to sing. If you\u2019re recording yourself, make sure you\u2019re playing something too.<\/p><p>Think about the levels of what you\u2019re playing, you don\u2019t want to be caught out by sudden shifts in volume, so you or your performers should play some dynamic material. If you're playing things with quiet and soft parts as well as loud parts, you should find it easy to find a sweet spot that covers both comfortably with minimal adjustment.<\/p><p>Be aware that performers tend to be more energetic during the start of a live set or recorded performance than while you\u2019re setting up, so give yourself a little extra headroom for error - you can always tweak your gain settings if levels are consistent with your soundcheck once things get going.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Finding the right gain setting<\/h4><p>As you turn up the gain gradually, listen very closely to your signal and think about what you\u2019re hearing. The microphone\u2019s natural noise floor will be noticeable if your gain is too low, and your signal won\u2019t be very clear or sound muffled.<\/p><p>Gain and microphone sensitivity are very interactive, so the right levels of gain can bring up details in the signal - listen out for these and decide what feels right. As you get into the right zone of gain settings, you\u2019ll notice certain parts of the sound pop out more.<\/p><p>The pick attack on the strings of a guitar, the breath in a vocalist\u2019s voice, the scratch of a bow against violin strings, these can all be nice things to include, or they can be distracting.<\/p><p>You might like this detail or it might detract from the things you want to hear, it's down to your preference, so listen closely and pay attention. If these elements become a problem, your gain might be too high. Your signal may distort, or you might notice a high level of room noise and ambience that becomes a detraction. All of these are signs that you\u2019ve set gain too high.<\/p><p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39843 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Warm-Audio-WA-MPX-Microphone-Preamp.jpg\" alt=\"Warm Audio WA-MPX Microphone Preamp\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h3>The level meter<\/h3><p>Level meters are found on most audio devices, some external preamps might not have one \u2013 although many do, but mixers, audio interfaces, and recording consoles always do. This may come in the form of a VU meter or an LED meter.<\/p><hr \/><h4>VU meters<\/h4><p>VU meters are a classic form of monitoring seen in more vintage or vintage-inspired equipment.<\/p><p>Some older outboard preamps and recording consoles will have these things - a needle with a semi-circle labelled with values. If you\u2019re using one of these, try not to let the needle hit the last third, which is usually labelled with a red colour. These meters are a little slower to respond than LED meters, so may not always be completely accurate.<\/p><hr \/><h4>LED meters<\/h4><p>LED meters come in the form of coloured lights; they\u2019re smaller and usually come with more modern or compact devices. You\u2019ll see them on audio interfaces, mixers, and modern consoles. They\u2019re faster, smaller, and usually more accurate, although sometimes they don\u2019t give you a precise picture.<\/p><p>Most LED meters have multiple lights set up in vertical columns. The higher up the column the LEDs light up, the more gain your signal has.<\/p><p>LED meters are often - but not always - colour-coded for more convenience. Low gain settings will typically be green, mid-gain settings will be yellow, and high-gain settings will be red. The very top of the meter will be a clipping indicator. You want a gain setting where most of your signal sits in the green, but sometimes peaks into yellow. If you hit the red or the top of the meter, your signal is clipping.<\/p><hr \/><h3>High-pass and low-pass filters<\/h3><p>Some sources have information you don\u2019t necessarily need, and this can chew through your preamp\u2019s headroom or simply make a signal sound unpleasant overall. This is where filtering comes in.<\/p><p>Midrange-focused instruments like guitars, vocals, and snare drums probably won\u2019t need low-frequency information below 80 to 100 Hz, for example. This will conflict with bass guitars and kick drums, losing your clarity of low frequencies and getting your signal closer to clipping.<\/p><p>Engaging a high-pass filter - which is usually at a fixed frequency of 80, 100, or 120 Hz - can help give you some headroom back by cutting any signal below that threshold.<\/p><p>Low-pass filters are the same, but for cutting high-frequency information, making them great on bass guitars, kick drums, snare drums, and rhythm guitars in some cases. They will cut frequencies around 12 or 16 kHz, generally, removing treble that can be harsh or unnecessary on sources for more clarity and headroom. This can also give things like vocals, lead guitars, and keyboards more room to sit in the treble frequencies.<\/p><p>Most preamps, audio interfaces, and mixers will have at least a high-pass filter, but often have a high-pass and a low-pass filter. Some with switchable frequencies, some with fixed frequencies.<\/p><p>You can <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/what-is-eq-in-music\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">think of EQ in a similar way<\/a><\/strong> to filtering too, only more targeted and detailed. EQ is just another way of cutting out unwanted frequency information to let other instruments have a comfortable place in the mix and offering you more headroom in crowded frequencies.<\/p><p>Alternatively, EQ will let you boost frequencies you want to be heard, but be aware that boosts will use this headroom by adding gain to your chosen frequency on that channel.<\/p><p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39844 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Podcaster-with-microphone.jpg\" alt=\"Podcaster with microphone\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h3>What is clipping?<\/h3><p>Clipping is a form of distortion that sounds broken and unpleasant. If your signal clips during recording, it\u2019s difficult to salvage, even with audio repair tools. If a signal clips during a live set, it\u2019s nasty temporarily, but the second you drop the gain of the offending mic, it won\u2019t be a problem - just keep an ear and an eye out, watch your meters and listen.<\/p><p>Clipping refers to the audio waveform of a clipped signal, you can see it visually in recorded material, as the waveform itself will be squared off \u2013 meaning that the peak of the signal has effectively been lost, costing you detail and paying you back with a gift of a crackling distortion. It\u2019s a part of all audio work \u2013 it just happens, but it\u2019s worth preventing and responding to clipping whenever you catch it.<\/p><p>If you want to learn more, we have an <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/what-is-audio-clipping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in-depth guide to audio clipping<\/a><\/strong>. You might find out that clipping isn\u2019t always the villain!<\/p><hr \/><h3>FAQs<\/h3><h4>What should I set my mic gain to?<\/h4><p>You should set your mic gain to a level where your voice is clear and loud without causing distortion. This is typically around 50\u201375% but can vary based on your microphone and environment. Adjust gain slowly while monitoring levels to avoid clipping or excessive noise.<\/p><hr \/><h4>What happens if my mic gain is too high?<\/h4><p>If your mic gain is too high, it causes distortion and clipping, leading to poor sound quality. High gain amplifies background noise, making audio harsh or unpleasant. It can also overdrive the signal, resulting in unnatural, overly loud recordings.<\/p><hr \/><h4>Can you damage a mic with too much gain?<\/h4><p>Excessive mic gain cannot directly damage a microphone, but it can lead to distorted audio that\u2019s unusable. Most modern microphones are built to withstand high levels of input, though consistently overloading your mic may strain your audio equipment over time.<\/p><hr \/><h3>Final thoughts<\/h3><p>Gain is the core of audio engineering in all its forms. It's integral to recording, mixing, and live sound, so it\u2019s incredibly important to understand what it is and how to use it. Whether you're recording yourself in a bedroom studio, working with a band in a project studio, running live sound for yourself or a live act, producing a radio show, or mixing sound at a large music festival \u2013 these principles remain the same.<\/p><p>Hopefully, this guide has given you a better understanding of what <strong>microphone gain<\/strong> is, why it\u2019s so important, and how to control it to make your recordings and mixes sound that much better.<\/p><p>Want to learn more? With this overview being so general, you might want something more tailored to your use case. If you\u2019re looking for ways to get an excellent sounding live mix, we have <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/live-sound-mixing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a comprehensive guide to live sound mixing<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>Now that you understand gain, you might be looking for more technical information on microphones so check our guide to <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/different-types-of-microphones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the different types of microphones you should know about<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>And if you just want some extra hints to level up your mixing skills, check out <strong><a href=\"\/blog\/mixing-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our favourite mixing tips and tricks<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[244,247,111,121],"tags":[290,188,104],"class_list":["post-39677","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-live-sound-guides","category-studio-guides","category-live-sound","category-studio-production","tag-guide","tag-microphones","tag-studio-production"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Microphone Gain 101 - What It Is and How To Set It | Gear4music<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re new to studio and production, our guide to microphone gain is here to help you get the best out of your microphone.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Microphone Gain 101 - What It Is and How To Set It | Gear4music\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If you\u2019re new to studio and production, our guide to microphone gain is here to help you get the best out of your microphone.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/microphone-gain\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gear4music Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Gear4music\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-10-01T15:14:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-11-29T16:45:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/10\/Featured-image-Microphone-Gain.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1330\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"665\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Callum\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gear4music\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gear4music\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Callum\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/microphone-gain\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/microphone-gain\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Callum\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/434cc9082be6716206a1861b0c698f9a\"},\"headline\":\"Microphone Gain 101 &#8211; 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