If you boost a band of frequencies +12dB with an EQ without turning the output gain down, it’ll be distorted going into the compressor and the fader. If a signal is distorted coming out of EXS24, it’s going to be distorted for the rest of the signal chain. The signal is generated by EXS24, and it goes through EQ and compression before terminating at the fader. This is a simplified version of MainStage’s signal flow. As you can see, 0dBU IS NOT the maximum level on this meter. 0dbU does not equal 0dBFS.īelow is an image of an analog VU (volume unit) meter. Analog systems use dBU (dB voltage) and digital systems use dBFS (dB full-scale). This next part might be a little confusing.Īnalog and digital audio systems have different measurement standards for signal level. You ask the pianist to play the loudest section in the piece, so you can set the correct amount of gain to prevent clipping. To maximize your signal to noise ratio, or SNR, you decide to record as hot as possible. This number is quite high compared to modern digital systems where the noise floor can generally range from -114db to -93dB. I’ve never used a tape machine before, but -60dB seems to be a reasonable noise floor for well maintained units. The combination of these noise sources result in the noise floor of this particular audio system. The transfer to tape can definitely introduce an audible noise floor.The signal chain inside a console can add a little noise to the signal.Even the quietest preamps can have an audible noise floor.
#WHO USES APPLE MAINSTAGE FREE#
Even with proper soundproofing, no room is 100% free of noise unless you’re recording in space.
What are the sources of noise in this situation? The resulting signal gets recorded directly onto tape. You decide to capture the performance using two microphones running through a set of preamplifiers on your analog console. Your task for the day is to record a pianist playing Chopin’s Ballade in G minor - a piece with a large dynamic range. Now put yourself into the shoes of a recording engineer in the 1970s. Depending on how sensitive your headphones are, you should be able to hear a low-level hiss. Plug a pair of headphones into your computer, and turn the volume control all the way up, but DON’T PLAY ANY MUSIC1.
What’s an audible example of noise floor? Thus, it was imperative to record “as hot as possible” to overcome the high noise floor of tape.Īccording to Wikipedia, the noise floor is the measure of the signal created from the sum of all the noise sources and unwanted signals within a measurement system, where noise is defined as any signal other than the one being monitored. Tape machines, in particular, were noisy due to their mechanical nature. Microphones, preamplifiers, and tape machines.
#WHO USES APPLE MAINSTAGE HOW TO#
In this post, I’ll share a few tips and tricks on how to properly gain stage to maximize dynamic range and sound quality in Apple MainStage.Ī few decades ago, music was recorded with all-analog signal chains. Proper gain staging is also vital when creating patches in MainStage. The principles of gain staging can be applied to everything from plugging an iPhone into a PA system to recording vocals for Beyoncé’s next album.
In the world of audio, gain staging refers to optimizing the level of a signal from source to output, while minimizing noise and distortion.
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