MULTI-CHANNEL ANALOG MIXERS WITH ENHANCED FX, USB RECORDING MODES, AND BLUETOOTH®
17
Gain Knobs and Level Set LEDs
“U” like Unity Gain
Series mixers have a “U” symbol on many level controls. It stands for “unity gain,” meaning no change in signal level.
The labels on the controls are measured in decibels (dB), so you’ll know what you’re doing level-wise if you choose to change
a control’s settings.
If you haven’t already, please read the “Getting Started” section on page 8. Setting the gain correctly will ensure
that the preamplifier’s gain is not too high, where distortion could occur, and not too low, where the quieter,
exquisitely-delicate passages might be lost in background noise.
The gain knobs – in conjunction with the level set LEDs – adjust the input sensitivity of the mic and line inputs.
This allows signals from the outside world to be adjusted to run through each channel at optimal internal operating levels.
For mono channels (mic input with a mono line input), the gain knob adjusts the input sensitivity of the mic and line inputs.
If the signal originates through the mic XLR jack, there will be 0 dB of gain with the knob fully down, ramping to 60 dB
of gain fully up.
Through the 1/4" mono line inputs, there is –20 dB of attenuation fully down and 40 dB of gain fully up, with unity gain
“U” at 12:00.
This 20 dB of attenuation can be very handy when you are inserting a hot signal, or when you want to add EQ gain, or both.
Without this “virtual pad,” there is more chance of channel clipping.
For hybrid channels (mic input and stereo line input), the gain control just affects the microphone input.
Hybrid Channels:
• Pr – Channels 5/6, 7/8, 9/10
Only the Pr has hybrid channels.
The gain control on the 1/8" stereo input channel has 20 dB of gain and 20 dB of attenuation.
1/8" Stereo Channels:
• Pr – Channels 11/12
While all mixers are blessed with an 1/8" stereo line input jack, only the Pr has a gain knob
associated with it.
Pr
Pr
P
GAIN
U
-20dB
+40dB
+60
GAIN
U
+60dB
MIC
GAIN
GAIN
-20dB
+20dB
U