Hi
 
One part I get confused about in a X1 is the gain / trim dial. I know what a gain / trim knob does and users mixers all the time, but when recording with a DAW I set the input level from my guitar and mics on the interface (the usual up to point clipping then back it of a bit).
 
With the input levels set the on the interface I assume I just keep the gain pots in X1 set to 0db? Or is there a better method?
 
I'm guessing that if you alter the gain knob you also affect the level of signal going into the effects bin and any pro channel modules?
 
Thanks
Dean

I try not to fiddle with them unless necessary on audio tracks but the gain knobs on MIDI tracks actually adjust the note velocity which is useful. Particularly for MIDI drums.

Don't mess with them unless you have a specific reason.  It is another gain stage (the first in SONAR) and, ideally, your front end should control it for recording.  For mixing, your signal should be at a level where gain staging later should take care of things.  If you've exhausted them, that is the time to reach for trim.

@

2 major uses:

1. It is at the front of the track/bus before the FX bin, whereas the fader is after the FX bin. So you can use it to set the level that is getting sent to your FX.

2. On a bus, if you send several channels to it you can end up with the combined levels being higher than you might want. It's much easier to just reduce the level here than it is to do what most people seem to suggest and reduce every single send/fader feeding the bus.

drewfx1


2 major uses:

1. It is at the front of the track/bus before the FX bin, whereas the fader is after the FX bin. So you can use it to set the level that is getting sent to your FX.

2. On a bus, if you send several channels to it you can end up with the combined levels being higher than you might want. It's much easier to just reduce the level here than it is to do what most people seem to suggest and reduce every single send/fader feeding the bus.

Exactly. But to clarify with respect to the OP's question, audio track gain only affects the signal from an existing/recorded audio clip, not live input signals. So, yes, you need to set input gain on your interface to get the initial record level correct.

MIDI "Gain" (a.k.a. Vel+, a.k.a. Velocity Offset), on the other hand, is applied to live input as well as existing clips.

Yea, Drew,

but he was asking about recording, is how I read it.  The FX bin is a good one the OP should be aware of , as is the bus issue.  Or the PC channel, for that matter, if you want to drive or unsaturate the lead PC.  Of course, we now have a gain module, too.

@

Yes,absolutely,it's very important for gain setting with pro channel modules and console emu.

Sometimes you might use a loop or sample that's too hot for the ProChannel from the get go. In these cases rolling back the gain knob is the only way to cool it down before it enters the ProChannel. 

I also use it as a quick fix on the master bus if something's overheating the ProChannel and I don't have time to isolate the offending signal and revise track levels etc. 

Many people use the input gain on the Audio tracks to set an initial mix where all faders are at 0dB

This means any fader movements are always made towards the top end of their range which has much greater resolution than the lower range - therefore adjustments will be more precise.

+1 for Jonesey.

The starting reference is being gain neutral with faders at 0db (hence zero gain) and using the trims where required to achieve that zero gain starting point. From there you have + or - gain adjustments via faders.

This is a long topic with various methods available though.

Cheers.