Lesson 19 — Signal Processing: Input & Output Gain
Garbage in, garbage out. Level your signals before you process them.
Input Gain
Input gain sets how loud the signal is when it enters a plugin or device. Too low and you fight noise; too high and you clip or distort unintentionally. Aim for healthy levels that leave headroom.
Output Gain
Output gain sets the level after processing. If a compressor or EQ changes loudness, output gain lets you match levels before and after. This keeps fader positions meaningful.
Gain Staging
Every stage in the chain should have a comfortable level. Think of it as water pressure: too little pressure and nothing flows; too much and pipes burst. In audio, clipping is the burst.
MONAKAI SIGNAL-LAB
Adjust input and output gain around a simulated compressor/EQ. Watch the meters and listen for clipping.
🎧 Monakai Pro Tip
In the studio I always leave headroom on the way in. You can always turn a clean recording up; you cannot un-distort a clipped take.
Key Takeaways
- Input gain sets the level going into a processor; output gain sets the level leaving it.
- Healthy gain staging prevents noise and distortion.
- Headroom is the distance between your peak level and clipping.
- Louder often sounds better, so match levels when comparing processed and unprocessed audio.
Practice This
Open your DAW and apply one idea from this lesson to a 16-bar loop. Don't worry about making a full track — just experiment until the concept feels natural in your hands.
Try Monakai's free VST3 plugins to hear these ideas in action, and check the music production blog for more tips.