The #1 GAIN STAGING Mistake
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- The #1 GAIN STAGING Mistake
The first step to getting a professional-sounding mix is with proper gain staging.
Getting your levels right can be the difference between balanced tracks that sit perfectly in your mix and tracks that clip, distort, and ruin the song.
So what’s the best way to ensure that all your tracks are properly gain staged?
In today’s video, I’m going to share with you the #1 gain staging mistake I see and how to fix it.
I’ll also walk you through how I set the levels in Cubase and give you tips on how to gain stage after you’ve started adding plug-ins to your channels.
Timestamps
0:15 - Download your free guide to the Perfect Mix Template
0:43 - Gain staging definition
0:54 - Why gain staging is important
1:36 - How gain staging affects fader resolution
2:45 - Improving plug-in sound with gain staging
4:14 - The gain staging “sweet spot”
4:40 - The #1 gain staging mistake
6:27 - Gain staging techniques in Cubase
7:50 - One of my most helpful gain staging tips
8:40 - How plug-ins affect your gain staging
9:37 - An example of gain staging with a plug-in
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Honestly I’ve watched about 100 vids on gain staging (all of which have their merits) and this is the only one that has answered all the simple questions I’ve had. Clear, simple and internet approach to teaching. Awesome vid.
Everytime you teach me something I feel I need to go back through all my old projects and start again :D At least there is progress. Thanks a lot man, useful information perfectly explained as usual!
You're welcome :-)
Same here
haha,same. me too.
For real 😂
He is a great Teacher
Does youtubers earn more money if they keep the audience watching for a longer time? Is that why some RUclipsrs repeats them selfeand say things that doesn’t really matter sometimes?
I know right!
Been mixing tracks for almost a decade & Now just realizing the importance of Gain Staging... I've always had pretty solid mixes, even without knowing this, so hopefully now my mixes go the next level. Salute
Chris,
To my "NOOB" mind, this may be the single MOST helpful of ALL of your helpful videos to me! I look forward to the day which I can sign up for your course (I am still acquiring basic Virtual Instruments which I need and are on "Designated LIST"). And, after I have these and then my keyboard (Hopefully native instruments will have a MK3 Kontrol by then so that I don't buy a keyboard on the way out), then I will be taking your course so that I can learn to properly lay my tracks.... And then mix them.
Thank you for ALL OF YOUR AMAZING and GENEROUS work. (also tweeted)
Noooo ... was just finishing a video on gain staging as well, what are the odds 😬 With a bit of a different focus though. Very nice overview in this one 👍.
No way! Lol!
i never cared about gain staging ... i just try to record at a level where nothing is clipping... -6 to -12db does the work... nothing is peaking everything is well balanced 😁 and if something needs adjustment ill tweek some knobs ... just don't think to much
There you go :)
-12db in CuBase seems to work really well for me as well.
The goal is not to get headroom and not peak your master buss, the rest are just numbers ;-)
and thats when you start clipping once your mixing and adding effects.
I set my Cubase meters to change colour at -18 and aim roughly to hit that point on individual tracks without plugins - I never have to touch my master fader. 90% of the plugins I use are modelling types - this really does make a difference.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Well my Cubase meter change colour many time, at -18, -10, -5, -1,1 (my aim), 0,0 and +3(definitely clipping). For different reasons. It's not totally accurate, but at anytime I can do a quick check of my peak or average, and keep most thing under control, or close, I really like that feather in Cubase. I like to work with both visual and audio clues, but at then end, it's diffinitly how it sounds..))
I have to gain stage the plugins. It's to hard to A/B when the plugin makes something louder or softer. Plus if you decide you don't like that plugin, you can remove it without affecting the plugins after it too much.
You're doing this the right way :)
Well this part is the easiest, what ever plugin I'm using, I always make sure to keep the same level when the plugin is on, or by pass using the output of the plugin. If I use the input of a plugIn, I always make sure, that the level remain the same with the plugin on, or bypass mode...The only thing you gain is the effect of the plugIn..))
What we need is a plug-in that is a container for a plug-in. Then, the container can automatically do an input/output level match. You know, the equal gain button. In this case, the plugins' only purpose is to provide a container with that button.
Nice tute, a coupe of observations in my experience with Nuendo:
Better to use clip gain vs Pre. The Pre function in Cubase /Nuendo is post clip and certainly drops the level into the strip but does not deal with the gain of the original clip itself. Some may prefer this because the waveform display stays the same etc. However, I much prefer to drop the clip gain itself (either via the clip gain handle or via gain processing) because in many files I record or receive these are recorded at 32bit FP & so where there may be slight overload of frequency issues, these can be recovered and staged properly within the file itself.
Other point re. output levels on a channel strip after plugins etc: I run instances of VUMT set to -16 in my preference, as both first and last in the strip. Ditto in the buses and ditto on the Master but that last one set to maybe -12, -14, -16 depending on workflow. Mostly I'm metering that back from analogue summing into a print track, say -12 & K14 on the main (depends, maybe off to Wavelab for mastering).
Otherwise, Nuendo is always set to monitor fader input. Like someone else said here, I simply add a colour break point in the Nuendo meters, for me at -16, green below, yellow above. Makes it easy & quick to grab the handles & drop to get it all in the zone.
Thanks for sharing your workflow Paul, I do the same with my meter colors, it's such a time saver. I do like to clip gain also but I go with what is faster and more convenient. My mixing sessions are at the same bit rate (or higher) as the recording is.
How is it possible to keep the fader at unity gain yet peaking around -18db? Because different tracks need different audible levels in the mix my faders are usually all over the place.
This is by far the most helpful video that has improved my mixing. I tried all of your tips last night and my mix sounds so much better. Thank you for your help Chris!!!
That's great to hear, thanks for sharing!
You can just normalize all tracks to -22 LUFS (or whatever level corresponds to 0VU based on how your I/O converters are calibrated). As opposed to playing with individual gains randomly, this is faster and has actual mathematical and practical meaning. Now faders at zero means a known identical loudness value.
Are there some plugins where the pros don't bother pulling down the output to keep the level similar to when the plugin is bypassed? I thought that was common practice, but I've watched some pros mix, and I saw them add a compressor or saturator, and when the level went higher due to the effect, they left it higher. It sounded great cuz it was loud, but I wonder if there is a criteria for when it's ok to do this, and when it's better to lower output to keep it even? Thanks
Brilliant! An extremely logical process indeed, and necessary, you absolutely cannot mix properly without this process! 👏👏👏👏👏
Glad you enjoyed it!
And now the relation regarding your analog-digital relation ! in VU dB Scale because that was stands those times VU dB to LUfs 0 = -18 dB But please understand that is not nailed for ALL BRANDS! More like in ours studio DAW environment ! So mention here for all digital is incorrect !This means the analog to digital bits transformation on digitalization ! Is barely mean anything in DAW when we deal pretty much audio clips already (unless we mix hybrid !)Working hybrid like you do also please explain people additional returning gain is trim or set !
Is there anyone that got this technique down that I can call on Zoom and share my screen so I can find out where I went wrong in my mix. I have stacked vocals I've had to drop way down to balance with everything else, my fx sends are adding gain from somewhere I can't find, the Master Bus after thinking I've put everything at or near to 0-VU the master is still hot. I NEED HELP.
I really like the examples after examples to better understand it Thanks!
Damn, all these years I've been f'ing up. Thanks for sharing. Awesome info!!!!
Great explanation but basically (if the numbers are ignored) it starts from the wrong logic. We all know that Cubase is actually a mix console emulation. Pre gain staging is the point where the sound/stage technician delivers the sound/signal to the sound engineer with the words "here's a signal without distortions and at maximum levels so you can enjoy your coffee while mixing the session". Another mistake that is being made in all schools on the Internet. -> Faders are special units designed for a sound engineer to balance sound sources at his own taste (not taking into account the technical characteristics, but only his personal experience of the same). Therefore, the rule of faders should be at zero is a fatal limitation of the creativity of a sound engineer. The golden rule is -> if gain staging is done correctly and well, and something is not right, do not touch the trim knob, but change the source (often the musician :p ). In short, the complete recording process or live session is divided into two parts. The first part is technical, in which we take into account the technical quality and possibilities of what we do (even numbers :)) and the second part is artistic. If we accept this logic then it is so natural that Gain Staging is the point where technique ends and art begins. Use Gain staging to free your brain from "technical nonsense" and concentrate on the art part -> faders.
Hmm !nono you made just a tinny bubu ! is not about digital or analog is about using native analog or digital ANALYSERS SCALES ! For instance we have bunch of them some are not quite used by mastering sound engineering society rules up to this date still there are in vst because of marketing and media interaction !
i don´t know, if I have to achieve the -18db on each channel as the integrated lufs over the whole song, or is it the peak level of the channel or should it be mainly around -18db but could have peaks of e.g. 0....
Well let be purely honest !is not all about numbers ! is about sound nice! ok you might end up few dB Hot or lo and addicting those for no reason other then "mistake "but could end up as creative ! if we purely want to use each vst as for character hmm !Fist you have to clear book them and categorized in such fashion choosing first for each character and could be very difficult !If you initial intention are no gain add or subtract during work flow ! that way you keep all headroom but in the end you wil have to add a limiter or comp-limiter total character and in 100 we do not want just that !You might read the expression "cooking the mix' meaning adding spices little from each to a certain flavor ! So let cook it and brave the cook !
I think i have one more ! Like you mention for ex ; a effect distorts !Lets think about that !how much of it we imagine having it !?Still gain staging same as input could end up lowering our outputs and as result we end up no goal !I mean we have to hear first to decide how mush and then gain staging as for tweak's-flows! Almost all vst plugins have some sort of output level even compensatory welcome or even a input when required triggering some add actions as well !Unless we can introduce a add vst just for gain staginess or splitting the signal as well! In your case Cubase has multiple options !
🙏🙏 Why just dont slow down the fader? Whats the difference?
If your channel or plugins on that channel are not peaking, yes, bringing down the Fader is the way to go, otherwise, you're just gonna bring down a "damaged" level sound
I’ve gain staged my tracks without plug ins but not really knocked back the gain of my plug ins enough so at the master the signal is way too hot. Then everything gets overpowering. Must take more time to do this properly.
What if you have say 6 guitars tracks going to a group channel. Do you need to gain stage the sum of those tracks together???
If I make it to heaven one day (apparently we will be very rich up there with huge living budgets), then I will pay you in lots of gold for these invaluable lessons of yours, cause I feel like I owe you big time sir...
This makes no sense at all - if you record at correct gain levels you will utilize the full dynamic headroom of your daw and you're good - it's daft to fiddle with the gain in the daw to bring your faders to unity as it could have the adverse effect of reducing the dynamic resolution available for plug-ins. In an analogue system it would produce excessive amounts of noise, but you get no warning in the digital world
`you know when you watch a video.... and it changes your life?!! Exaggeration, just that it's not!!!
Have been mixing for YEARS. Did a course on music production many years ago... not sure if they never mentioned it or I missed that class, but I've never heard of gain staging... even though I kind of have, but it wasn't what I thought it was!
In fact, at the beginning of your video, it says skip this if you know what gain staging is... I'm like, maybe I should watch this part.... Just applied it to a mix I'm working on and boy did it make a difference!! Thanken yeeee!!!
Hi Chris. I've been struggling on this. post recording it feels as if I'm hitting the strings really hard while that's not the case. something needs to be done with gain staging i guess. trying hard to increase the gain in order to get my guitar recording right. however I just don't get to see the racks in cubase LE 11. how can you help me?
If all your faders are ideaaly left at unity, what are faders for? I mean, if every track, is ideally at -18 and every fader is ideally at 0, once you start mixing, what are you changing?
You might accept using as a advice from now either you work on digital or analog mode the VU dB scales instead just Vu that s more stands for analyzers in general but nquorate !
hello selim ! of of course ! Please let me point somethig about this topic.Same terms others goals in live or studio productions! zero unity rules for boths !Other astpect on your studio role maybe zero unity or near for exporting or rendering tracks or stems for sure! because mess up ballance is a big nono when rebouncing on mixing sessions !
How did you get that Wonderful gap between the channels in the mixer??? That is very handy :)
Unity point doesn’t matter in a digital based DAW as far as tonal qualities go. This aspect of your video can confuse a lot of people
I don’t use any software only the mpclive hardware how do I gain stage on that? Thank you.
How did you group you channel strips in groups? I see all the busses are to the right with a divider in between.
¿A quién se le ocurre poner el título en español para que uno caiga? No entiendo😁😁
Chris, you have an uncanny knack of making videos on precisely the issues I am currently working with! Many thanks as usual.
Lol, good to know!
It reminds me of playing a guitar through a row of pedals.It's up to the player if they want to raise or lower the gain at each input and raise/ attenuate it at the output of each.
To treat each insert like a pedal.
Thank you
Thank you for another well-executed and informative video. As noted in passing in this video, I might add one must also consider carefully gain-staging across an insert plugin chain, which is simply an extension of what you presented here. Do not mess with the pre-gain control (in Cubase) after the fact. Instead, adjust the output gain of a plugin at the channel's insert point. In the case where a plugin may not have an output gain control, then dedicate the following insert chain slot to a trim control. Chris, please consider a follow-up to this video that details how you gain-staging complex insert chain on a channel, demonstrating through metering how each part of the signal chain provides the optimal gain level to maintain that "sweet spot" range.
Aha! Thank you! "Ouput level of plugin."
You're welcome!
Thnx! All very usefull, Chris! Great!
Good video, well explained, thank you.
i have gain staged but my stereo signal is still clipping what can i do to stop that
Whats the code to active it please tell me?
Man I love this guy!!!
a lot to waffle and not much information. You need to get to the point.
So happy to see someone else mix with unity point!
Gain stage through plugins till they sound good and the last plugin that isn’t an insert effect (reverb/delay) dictate that final output (essentially the final fader). Then like yourself, leaving the mixer fader available for better movements and automations.
Thank you for the video; definitely gets easy to get caught up in that number at times!
You're welcome and thanks for your comment
Please help me understand. I thought the pre-gain controls the input level just like clip gain. However, I noticed that when the meter position is on input pre-gain doesn't affect the meter reading at all. This is with the channel strip in pre position as well. Could someone please clarify?
It is confusing, but when the meters are set to Input, it will read the level of the audio recording itself, so that's why Clip Gain is included and not PreGain. I love Steinberg to change that in Cubase though, it doesn't make sense to me either
👌 super explanation Chris your a star
Can you make a video explaining gain staging?
Chris. Great video. I would like to add that sometimes the mix output (especially instrument amplifier plugins) tone will change at the master out. In that case, insert free/paid plugins that just allow you to change the gain to bring the gain back down. Cubase, sadly, does not include such a plugin minus using a digital EQ. I recommend the free Blue Cat's Gain Suite. It does that and more. Blue Cat Audio is a known excellent company that knows how to make great plugins. Just my 2 cents.
For sure, that's what I demonstrate later in the video ;) No need to add a gain plug, most amplifier plugin will have an Output knob that will do the job pretty well, like shown in the video.
Hi Chris thanks for this, was discussing this technique with a lecturer on a mixing course i'm doing remotely, and he said (not recently a cubase user) he is unsure of it because its pre-gain we are adjusting and that you're taking some level away from various inserts that might use it, eg compressors. Love to know your take on it! I know its just one technique among many. Cheers :)
Thanks for all the knowledge Chris! Love the videos!
Glad you like them! Thanks!
So wait should you use a vu meter to gain stage?
In that final step when you regulated the volume via the plugin's output control, I would add that some plugins; depending on their nature don't have output controls, so if you're ever faced with that scenario you can just add another insert immediately after in the chain; a volume control insert or plugin and turn it down that way. I don't know if Cubase has a volume control insert but there are lots of free volume control plugins out there, and even if you don't have a volume control plug in you can simply use any non-sound-modifying plugin such as a vu meter or analyzer and use its output control to turn down the sound.
Yup, like others said here, I watched a bunch, many so long and confusing, this one nails all the points perfectly clearly. Thanks.
Thank you Chris! I gain stage the same way but even though I found some useful insights in your video :)
Excellent! thanks for sharing!
That was awesome, thanks Chris!
This is awesome . I have learned that the gain staging is done at the beginning of the chain before the inserts and fxs . Thanks so much Chris
how find in pro tools pre gain ???
This was terrific so thanks. I'm a Cubase user now 12 Pro, and I've never used the Pregain feature, and understand the exponential differences on the Level sliders in the low -db areas, which would keep the adjustments in a finer capacity nearer 00db, using my CC121
🙂 Coming from tape analog machines, then to digital recordings... the rule is to get the cleanest, hottest signal in, no matter what! Without distortion. Then ruin it any way you want with inserts and sends, or make it better, which Cubase always gave the gift of for us. lol Anyway, I've never really worried about gain staging let alone thinking about it. But I like the idea of the mixer levels closer to 00db, a lot! I'm going to use it, so thanks again! Z Of course my Master Fader stays put at all times at 00db. Most freeway overpasses on the highways put up height limit signs, to avoid distortion, and crashes too...
Chris, I just dig the way you bring things into totally ‘digestible’ terms. I do a lot of self-recording so getting ideal levels at the time of recording can be ...let’s say ‘hit and miss’ 😏. Knowing how to gain stage properly is pretty valuable to me. Are gain adjustments in the Pre fader section of the mix console and adjusting the the clip gain the same thing? Also, I’m presuming that volume automation is actually an automated fader adjustment...true?
Keep those videos coming. I watch them even when I don’t think they relate to me and still usually learn something! 😊
The pre gain and clip gain do basically the same thing: changing the level. There are some differences of course:
Clip gain comes before pre gain, cannot be automated and has a smaller range for increasing and deceasing the level.
@@Am6-9 Thanks for this clarification...Cheers!
Nothing more to add :)
Hi Chris. Hope you are doing well in your new studio. Thanks for uploading this guide. Exxcellent tips. Do you reccomend the project files to all be normalised to say -6dB for the sake of uniformity and even Stevens? Would doing that help to gain stage more easily? What fader dB rresolution are you defaulting to, ie: 24dB, 48dB, 60dB, 72dB, 96dB or 120dB. What dB fader range is optimal? Many thanks.
Very helpful thanx!
One more useful turtorial for my Chris selection! Thank you 🤗!
You’re very welcome!
Good luck Brothet 🌿🌿
How do you handle the process that makes the whole master output level louder and louder while adding instruments, vocals etc to your arrangement.
For example, you start with drums, guitars, bass, vocals and you are at -10db master output. But now you add Synths, backings etc so that the session is getting louder and you need to level every track again. Is there a good solution for this or is it just manual adjustments?
Cause most of the time you don’t know how much tracks you’ll need at the end.
Thank you
Me too! Mix before the volume fader - I love those desk emulation plugins
Same here, love desk emulation plugins
Do you gain stage before a static mix and how do the faders stay at unity gain after a static mix. As most advise faders to stay at unity gain. Thanks. Also if the faders is at unity gain after gain staging and static mix and some tracks run below -18dbfs before plugins, is it a problem? Or do you turn the gain up again to get close to -18dbfs?
Good video! Easy to understand!
How about a video about gain staging live drums? Poeple tend to forget about that, now that samples are "taking over"
The best way to learn is hands on. My first few projects were horrible because I really didn't even know what gain staging was until my 3rd project. Once I figured it out... and yeah that -10 to -18 especially if you have a ton of channels. Once they hit that master fader they really overwhelm the signal.
Answered my question I’ve been asking people forever. And I figured it was this.Thanks Lad💪🏿💪🏿
Thank you brother.
Wow After 5 years of professional Mixing, this Video helped me a lot. Used to mix anlog a lot. Didn’t thought of digital gain staging in this way. Big thnx.
Id. Love to see a video on. Importing files from a recording template. into a mix template. I.e say i have a recording template thats different from my recording 1..after im done.. Then import my mix template in that..hope im clear. Ty in advance.
Thanks for sharing!
Merci Chris, je te suis depuis quelques années et même si tes tutos ne sont plus en français, je comprends ce que tu dis, Bravo !!
Very thorough and complete. You have covered all the angles. What I have especially learned here is adjusting the gain of the plugin after insertion not the pre-gain amp. Very good... Thank you sir!!!
Excellent explanations! This made so much sense. Subscribed.
Thank you dude! You helped me relax about my mixes. Really appreciate your knowledge and perspective.
I'm a new subscriber and I'm loving your videos, Chris. I've just built my studio and I have SO much to learn and find your channel to be very well produced, highly informative and cogent. Thank you!
Always insightful, useful and well explained.
Glad it was helpful, thanks!
Hey Chris, im from Mumbai, India.
I wanted to know , audio interface its Matters for music production?? And difference between the Expensive audio interface and cheap ? Please make video ❤️.
That's a good video topic :)
Great tutorial! Really this is correct %100
Glad you think so!
What if you use normalization as a gainstaging tool?
I often tend to do it like that. Like normalizing the tracks to -18 Dbfs lufs or something.
I like the normalizing method.
normalization will normalize your signal to the maximum peak level, so if you normalize to 18dbfs, the peak level will not go above -18dbfs and for me this is way too quiet. -18 is not the maximum peak level to reach for when gain staging. -18 is just a guideline so you don't end up peaking your Master Buss. I don't use Normalize cause not all tracks are the same, but if you do, normalize higher than -18dbfs or else your tracks will be too quiet IMO
@@mixdownonline In Cubase you can peak normalize and LUFS normalize now. Which means (according to my brain) that if I normalize to -18 dBfs LUFS, it will not normalize the peaks, but the 'general volume'. I might be wrong here, of course! But I'd love to hear your opinion about it.
I thought gain staging _was_ for peaks, not some averaging perceptual loudness-type metric like RMS or Program-LUFS. I think the pragmatic logic behind such a huge headroom, when you're not using auto-normalisation, is that if you _manually_ adjust faders for _one part_ of the recording (not having the time/attention to go meticulously through the whole recording, for each track), then _most probably_ 18 dB should be enough headroom for any other parts (that you haven't checked) to not be in excess of 0 dBFS. OTOH, if _auto_ normalisation over a _whole_ recording, that _guarantees_ that no peak will exceed the target, in which there's no (audio-processing chain) point in having such a huge headroom. Though it might be preferred for ergonomics - like consistency with any other tracks that have not been auto-normalised (so are quieter than they need be, "for safety").
Is this thinking correct?
@@DavidEsp1 - I would think 18dB would be enough headroom. As far as "automatic" functions, they could help a lot if you are pressed for time.
I was playing around with an old version of Sound Forge 6 a while back. The normalization function was very versatile and sounded f'n great. I could normalize to a specific RMS level, or a specific peak level. If normalizing to RMS, there was an option to compress the peaks if they exceeded a certain level.
That old Sound Forge eventually became obsolete for me because of using a newer release of Windows. It was a bootleg version of SF so it was irrelevant by then. I haven't found a normalization plugin which can match that old Sound Forge, but I also haven't really looked vary hard for it.
Where to pot the pre amp
Thanks ! I must go back to my home studio and do my project again..👍🎶
Hello Chris, I love using the UAD Studer 800 on almost all my tracks but like the Ampex ATR 102 it as -12 Sweetspot my question is what would be the difference between pushing the output of the previous plugins just before the Studer 800 to -12 VS raising the Input of the Studer 800 to get a stronger signal ? Thanks for your time
nice 1 thanks
Great points Chris..I learned some of it through a lot of trials and errors.. Got a question : With my input interface at its 0db setting, I still get a recording too quiet for these standards (lows are around -24db and -30db. Should I be worried about it, or just clip gain (to bring lows somewhat above -23db) and proceed?
depends on the instruments,bringing up the levels might also bring up noise so try record hot as possible and aim for -12 db or -18 db when recording
Great video.
Cinematography on point!
Learned a lot from this video!
Glad you did! :-)
Been mixing at fader unity using K-20 metering for years. It's so liberating.
Can't go wrong with headroom :)
The guy at MixBusTV gets straight to the point and hits every topic with ton of info. Thumbs down.
You don't have to like my videos or teaching style, so no worries. David at Mixbus TV is very good :-)
Not saying you’re not informative. I’ve gave several teachers my attention; David is just less “youtube’ish” if that makes since. Straight to the point and non biased.
You say GS between -12 to -18 but most of your channel gains are at zero in the video??
Yes...I'm not saying to bring down the Gain Knob Level by -18db, I'm saying to bring down the Gain knob until you get a channel level between -18 to -10 dbfs by keeping your channel fader at 0 (Unity Point). mosy of my recording will already be at that level range, in that case I don't have to Gain Stage those channels.
@@mixdownonline Thats great Chris thanks for the clarification
Hi Chris! I am a subscriber of both your Cubase and Mixing courses and always appreciate your videos. I am glad you did another video on gain staging as recently I have been questioning my approach. When I gain stage the way you recommend, I notice that the input level into certain plugins appears low (judging in some cases by input LEDs for example). I find myself "cranking up" the input level inside the plugin GUI and then adjusting the output level of the plugin down (again inside the plugin GUI) quite a bit to maintain the desired gain staging level. My question is...if my input level into a plugin is in that -18 to -12 range, can you ever see a situation where I would need to increase the input level inside the plugin to achieve the desired performance of that plugin?
Usually when a plugin has an Input level, there's a good reason, an 1176 plugin for example, so the way you work is ok, that's what I also do on my side if needed.
Wow simply put ,no confusion I really like that!