Turn monitors up, computer down

[NinjaEdit]

One thing I learned at gradschool yesterday is that monitors work at peak efficiency at +/-0dB, which is at or near the top of the volume control (check the manual). To improve the sound of your monitoring, set your monitors to 0dB, and turn down your computer (or mixer) output volume.

[Flywheel]

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=266920

One step ahead of ya

[mthrfnk]

I'm sure the manual that came with my monitors said the source should be as loud as possible before reaching the monitors.

[NinjaEdit]

^^^ I've read stuff like that as well. Try this though.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=266920

One step ahead of ya

Right, you're talking about gain structure within the DAW? Check the moneyshot thread.

[VirtualMark]

Did you also learn any reasons for this increase in sound quality? I don't see why turning up the gain would make anything sound better - if anything turning up the gain will also turn up any noise the amp is generating.

[hudson]

He's talking about the volume on the monitors themselves, not the volume on your interface. Anyone who's spent $400+ on monitors should already know this though.

[drake89]

maybe this is why my monitors don't have volume control

behringer truth ftw

[VirtualMark]

He's talking about the volume on the monitors themselves, not the volume on your interface. Anyone who's spent $400+ on monitors should already know this though.

That explains precisely nothing! And i was also talking about the volume control on my monitors - this controls the gain on the built in amp, so turning it up will also increase any background noise.

[hudson]

He's talking about the volume on the monitors themselves, not the volume on your interface. Anyone who's spent $400+ on monitors should already know this though.

That explains precisely nothing! And i was also talking about the volume control on my monitors - this controls the gain on the built in amp, so turning it up will also increase any background noise.

A good amp won't emit any noticeable noise unless it's turned up past 0db, which, coincidentally, is where most of the volume knobs on most monitors end.
If you have your monitors at half volume and you crank your interface you'll just end up clipping the input of the monitors. It's basic gain staging.

[VirtualMark]

He's talking about the volume on the monitors themselves, not the volume on your interface. Anyone who's spent $400+ on monitors should already know this though.

That explains precisely nothing! And i was also talking about the volume control on my monitors - this controls the gain on the built in amp, so turning it up will also increase any background noise.

A good amp won't emit any noticeable noise unless it's turned up past 0db, which, coincidentally, is where most of the volume knobs on most monitors end.
If you have your monitors at half volume and you crank your interface you'll just end up clipping the input of the monitors. It's basic gain staging.

Lets assume for a moment that i know about basic gain staging. Lets also assume from my years of studying physics, electronics, acoustics, loudspeaker design and various other things that i'm not totally stupid and won't be overdriving things accidentally.

Please explain to me why i should have my monitors turned to 0db? Instead of how i currently have them set up, i think -3 or -6 db. They're plenty loud enough, so what would i gain by turning them up to 0db? Why would this change the quality of the sound? In what way would it sound better? I'd love to hear some reasons, instead of smartass comments about how i should know this or how basic it is.

Oh, and my monitors(KRK Rokit 8s) go up to +3db.

[Deadpact]

Monitoring is one of the most important things of production, so thank you very much for the tip!! But whats more important are the right ideas, ideas will be remembered, hardware will get outdated or broke haha xD

[Mason]

Please explain to me why i should have my monitors turned to 0db? Instead of how i currently have them set up, i think -3 or -6 db. They're plenty loud enough, so what would i gain by turning them up to 0db? Why would this change the quality of the sound? In what way would it sound better? I'd love to hear some reasons, instead of smartass comments about how i should know this or how basic it is.

this

[blinx]

UNITY GAIN FOR THE WIN!!!!!
Question: What is Unity Gain?

A reader writes: "I keep hearing about the idea of "unity gain" when talking about microphone preamps and my recording mixer. What is unity gain, and how does it help?"

Answer: When we talk about "gain", we're talking about one device's ability to take the lower level of one signal and bring it to a higher voltage level. A great example of this is a microphone preamp; a preamp applies gain to amplify the signal coming from a microphone.

In the idea of unity gain, the input and the output between two devices are the same level. That's to say, when a microphone is outputting 0db, a mixer will also be outputting 0db worth of signal. Unity gain is established by calibrating two pieces of equipment to talk at the same level.

Frequently, the best way to set unity gain is to adjust a microphone or line signal gain to 0db, measured both at the preamp and output stage, and then match that 0db level simultaneously on the input of the second piece of equipment -- whether an amplifier, recording software, or mixer.

Unity gain is useful for several reasons. First, it gives significantly cleaner and non-distorted signal. Microphones will sound much fuller and with much better dynamic range. There will also be a much easier time applying outboard effects, as most effects units are set to accept a unity signal.

If you're mixing sound live, getting proper gain staging is important. You'll also nearly eliminate major feedback problems, as a proper unity gain allows optimal gain-before-feedback. Keep in mind, the more gain you can get cleanly and without distortion, the better your mixes will sound!

[hudson]

Please explain to me why i should have my monitors turned to 0db? Instead of how i currently have them set up, i think -3 or -6 db. They're plenty loud enough, so what would i gain by turning them up to 0db? Why would this change the quality of the sound? In what way would it sound better? I'd love to hear some reasons

lol, well...

UNITY GAIN FOR THE WIN!!!!!
Question: What is Unity Gain?

A reader writes: "I keep hearing about the idea of "unity gain" when talking about microphone preamps and my recording mixer. What is unity gain, and how does it help?"

Answer: When we talk about "gain", we're talking about one device's ability to take the lower level of one signal and bring it to a higher voltage level. A great example of this is a microphone preamp; a preamp applies gain to amplify the signal coming from a microphone.

In the idea of unity gain, the input and the output between two devices are the same level. That's to say, when a microphone is outputting 0db, a mixer will also be outputting 0db worth of signal. Unity gain is established by calibrating two pieces of equipment to talk at the same level.

Frequently, the best way to set unity gain is to adjust a microphone or line signal gain to 0db, measured both at the preamp and output stage, and then match that 0db level simultaneously on the input of the second piece of equipment -- whether an amplifier, recording software, or mixer.

Unity gain is useful for several reasons. First, it gives significantly cleaner and non-distorted signal. Microphones will sound much fuller and with much better dynamic range. There will also be a much easier time applying outboard effects, as most effects units are set to accept a unity signal.

If you're mixing sound live, getting proper gain staging is important. You'll also nearly eliminate major feedback problems, as a proper unity gain allows optimal gain-before-feedback. Keep in mind, the more gain you can get cleanly and without distortion, the better your mixes will sound!

If you have your monitors at half volume and you crank your interface you'll just end up clipping the input of the monitors. It's basic gain staging.

monitors work at peak efficiency at +/-0dB

[VirtualMark]

An interesting post about microphones. What does this have to do with monitors?

Respectfully, i think this post is nonsense. Turning the volume down slightly on my monitors makes no noticeable difference to the sound quality.

[NinjaEdit]

That was disrespectful.

Obviously you won't tell the difference if the comparison is slight. I found it made a significant difference to the accuracy of my monitoring, and I'm under the impression it wasn't just me. Your test was biased from the beginning.

Why would it work for microphones and not speakers? They're the same transducers in reverse.

But I imagine that in your mind, you will remain correct, contrary to logic, my ears, and the instructor of a master degree.

[antipode]

maybe this is why my monitors don't have volume control

behringer truth ftw

wot. ive got truths, theyve got gain and lo/hi adjustments

probably wont be donig this because ive got the input trim at like almost the lowest setting at -5db and even then ive got windows volume at 50 at the absolute most. usually at about 20

i literally wouldnt be able to sit infront of them if the monitors were set at 0

[VirtualMark]

That was disrespectful.

Obviously you won't tell the difference if the comparison is slight. I found it made a significant difference to the accuracy of my monitoring, and I'm under the impression it wasn't just me. Your test was biased from the beginning.

Why would it work for microphones and not speakers? They're the same transducers in reverse.

But I imagine that in your mind, you will remain correct, contrary to logic, my ears, and the instructor of a master degree.

The only thing that was disrespectful in this thread is people telling me i should know something automatically, or how basic the subject is. All i did was ask for a reason. You're the OP - instead of dishing out third hand information you clearly don't understand, why not tell me in your own words why it improves the sound quality?

Any difference your hearing will be your brain fooling you - if your monitors really sound that different with 2db of gain, i'd suggest new monitors. NOWHERE in my instruction manual does it say "keep these monitors at 0db, else they sound like crap".

So, respectfully, i again ask for reasons and proof. I might be wrong on the subject, but i like to fully understand things. But right now, you're just another stupid person with an unfounded opinion and big mouth.

[Kit Fysto]

Why don't you go ask on gearslutz where people actually know legitimate answers to questions like these. In my personal opinion this whole argument is stupid, but if you're really wanting a straight answer I'd suggest looking there.

[VirtualMark]

Why don't you go ask on gearslutz where people actually know legitimate answers to questions like these. In my personal opinion this whole argument is stupid, but if you're really wanting a straight answer I'd suggest looking there.

Well i was hoping for more information from the person who posted the advice.

I could start a thread - always use an eq boost at 3khz. Then just say my producer friend/lecturer said this was a good thing to do. And provide no further details. Who is to say if it's good or bad advice if there are no details as to how it works.

The way i see it is this:

I don't clip at any stage, from channel faders(32bit float internal processing in Cubase anyway), master channel, audio interface and monitors.

My monitors are way too loud. I don't produce at high volumes, and when set at -3db on the monitors i find it gives me a good amount of control on my interface.

My master channel is set at 0db, always. I don't listen directly through my master channel, i use a monitor channel through Cubase control room. This allows me to use plugins on that channel that won't affect the master, such as a plugin to check mono compatibility at the press of a button. And i can also adjust the volume on my monitor channel without changing the volume on my master channel.

There is no mention of the 0db setting affecting sound quality in the manual.

Even if the difference was there, it would be the tiniest irrelevant amount that no human could hear. There are much bigger things to worry about - like room treatment. The bass is very inaccurate in any room, unless its a massive size and has advanced treatment. And of course the reverb in the room causes tons of comb filtering, so you can move your head an inch and hear the sound change. Even if you invest in tons of treatment the problems never go away completely.