5 Steps to Awesome Gain Staging for Live Sound

When I first started mixing live sound, I heard the term gain staging thrown around, but I wasn’t entirely sure what it was. 

Turns out, it is of key importance to creating a great or terrible mix. 

If you’ve ever struggled with distortion, lack of clarity, or an uneven mix, poor gain staging could be the cause. 

I am going to walk you through what gain staging is and how you can get it right when you’re mixing in a live setting.

What Is Gain Staging?

Simply, gain staging is managing the signal levels from the moment an audio signal enters your mixer until it hits the speakers. 

You want to make sure the signal is strong, but not too loud at each given point in your system—whether it’s your mixer, EQ, compressors, amps, or speakers. 

If you get this right, distortion will be no more, you’ll kill noise, and you’ll have a much cleaner and more professional sound. 

You also don’t want it to sound like someone’s shouting into a mic, you want a natural balanced sound. 

Why You Should Care About Gain Staging?

Believe me. Gain staging is something you’ll care about once you hear the difference it makes. It will help you:

• Stop Distortion: No one wants a blown out, harsh sound. By keeping your levels in check, you’ll avoid ugly clipping.
• Keep Headroom: This is just fancy talk for making sure you have enough space in your mix to handle sudden volume spikes (like that unexpected guitar or drum solo).
• Reduce Noise: When you set your gain too low, you might end up cranking the volume later and accidentally boost unwanted background noise.

Nail That Gain Staging: Step by Step

So now you’re asking how do I actually do this? I’ve got you. 

Here are some simple steps to help you nail gain staging the next time you’re mixing live sound.

1. Start with Mic (or Instrument) Setup

First of all, I always check the microphones or instruments. I get them placed correctly and make sure I’m capturing a clean, strong signal right at the source. This makes everything easier down the line.

Tip: On your mixer, set the gain knob so that the signal peaks around 0 dB on the meter. You want it loud enough to hear but not so loud that it distorts.

2. Adjust Levels on the Mixer

Next, I adjust the gain for each channel on the mixer. I find it’s important to keep an eye on the meters. While watching them carefully I make sure each channel peaks at around -6 dB to 0 dB to avoid clipping. This keeps the signal strong enough for a solid mix.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to dial back the gain if things get too hot (i.e. if the levels are too high and you’re starting to see red lights on your meters). You want everything in the green, but it’s okay if they go slightly into the yellow.

3. Control the Signal Through Your Effects Chain

When I apply EQ, compression, or any other processing, I always double check that these adjustments aren’t messing with the signal level. It’s easy to forget that boosting certain frequencies or adding effects can raise the signal level and create clipping.

Tip: I like to use the output gain controls on my EQ and compression plugins or hardware to balance the levels. That way, you won’t add unwanted distortion.

4. Main Mix Balancing

Now the fun part. Balancing the entire mix. 

Here I adjust the faders and create that perfect blend of all the channels. Again, make sure to keep an eye on the main output meters to make sure everything stays below -6dB to 0dB. This gives me enough headroom to handle unexpected changes, like a singer belting out a high note or a sudden spike in the kick drum.

Tip: Keep tweaking until you’ve got a balanced, clear sound that’s strong but not overwhelming. I always aim for a mix that leaves me a little wiggle room for dynamics.

5. Set Amplifier Levels

You may be like me and are working with external amplifiers. Maybe you get the joy of powered speakers. Whichever it is, be sure the signal from your mixer isn’t too hot. I’ve found that too much signal going into the amp will almost always result in distortion, no matter how good the mix was on the console.

Tip: I set the amplifier’s gain controls to match the mixer’s output level and double-check that the speakers aren’t being overdriven. Do this and your ears will thank you later.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

I’ve definitely made mistakes along the way, so let me save you some headaches by pointing out a few common ones and how you can avoid them:

Mistake 1: Pushing the Gain Too High

• Problem: When you crank the gain too much, you’ll get that dreaded distortion.
• Solution: Keep your levels peaking between -6 dB to 0 dB and adjust as needed during the performance.

Mistake 2: Forgetting to Leave Headroom

• Problem: If you don’t leave any headroom, even the slightest boost in volume can cause distortion.
• Solution: Leave plenty of headroom (aim for -6 dB on your main mix) so you can handle any surprises during the show.

Mistake 3: Not Adjusting Your Effects Output Levels

• Problem: Effects like compression or EQ can raise your signal level and cause distortion down the line.
• Solution: Always adjust the output gain on your effects to keep the signal steady and clean.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to live sound, gain staging is one of those things that can feel menial at first, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it’s a game changer. Taking a few extra minutes to set your levels right at every stage allows you to avoid distortion, kill unwanted noise, and have more mix control.

Trust me, your future self (and the congregation) will thank you for taking the time to get it right. 

So the next time you’re at the console, follow these steps, and you’ll be on your way to creating a live mix that’s clear, powerful, and professional.