Gain staging, summing, FX bin and ProChannel

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dxp
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2013/01/18 12:04:41 (permalink)

Gain staging, summing, FX bin and ProChannel

  I read a good thread sometime ago that gave a basic rule of thumb on summing. X number of tracks use X amount db on track output which should be a value less than what the bus output is set to. More tracks, less track output. Makes sense for summing. Now for gain staging, especially when using plugins or PC modules. I'm not referencing using sends at this point where we can control pre/post, just FX bin or PC modules. Is there any advice on adjusting the input/output of each plugin relative to either its track channel output or the output from the previous plugin, assuming you are using more than 1 plugin? Then of course the output from the final plugin. Does it matter what it's output is relative to either the track's output or the bus that is it directed to? Hope this makes sense. Am I over thinking this? As long as there is no clipping on the input or output side of the plugins is everything just fine? No need to concern how this relates to gain staging down the path or even summing? I guess this relates to PC modules as well. SO much to learn.... Dave
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    droddey
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    Re:Gain staging, summing, FX bin and ProChannel 2013/01/19 01:33:31 (permalink)
    One argument, unless you are specifically trying to drive a downstream plugin at a higher level or something (which for the most part isn't really interesting in the plugin world anyway), is that you should adjust each plugin's output so that it sounds as close as possible to the same perceived level if it's in or out. The reason being that it allows you to do good A/B comparisons of how its affecting the sound. If the direct vs. processed sound is at all uneven, it will biase your comparison pretty heavily.

    That also of course means you can remove it at any time without whacking anything downstream.

    As long as you recorded at reasonable levels (not too high, not too low), then the natural level of the tracks should be generally fine to feed through the plugin chain, then just use the fader to adjust for downstream summing needs. Though some plugins these days may try to emulate being driven harder, but probably most don't and so it doesn't much matter as long as the levels are reasonable. Some of them may emulate a device that has no adjustable threshold, but they'll also have an input gain so you don't need the upstream plugin's output to do the driving into the fixed threshold.

    Then again, you could just run everything wide open until it clips horribly and create a Dubstep hit by accident, who knows...

    Dean Roddey
    Chairman/CTO, Charmed Quark Systems
    www.charmedquark.com
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    dxp
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    Re:Gain staging, summing, FX bin and ProChannel 2013/01/20 08:27:54 (permalink)
    Dean,
    I like the point about being able to remove any 1 plugin and the volume remains constant. I believe I am guilty of not doing that today.
    Thanks
    Dave
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