Q: Are input gain and channel trim the same thing and how should I set them up?
By James Elizondo
First the easy part. Yes, they are the same thing. Depending on the console you are using, it could be labeled as input gain or channel trim or even mic pre.
Every console has a preamp on the input of each channel. This pre allows you to adjust the amount of signal that comes into the channel. It’s very important to have the proper amount of input signal—every function of the channel is directly dependent on this. As you’ll see in the demo video, if the proper gain is not set you will have great difficulty trying to get enough volume from the channel to send to either the main bus or any of the aux sends. But take care to not turn the gain up to high. With too much gain you can cause yourself a world of issues that range from distortion of the channel to feedback.
Most of the consoles that you will be using have some sort of an input meter on them which will give you a visual representation of the amount of signal coming in. Some consoles have a meter on every channel. Others allow you to use the main output meter to view input level when a channel is in solo mode.
Each console preamp has its own characteristic, some like to be driven harder than others. On your meter start by setting your gain at an average of 0, It’s completely ok if the level goes above or below 0 because it not likely that any input will ever have a constant level.
It’s our hope that we can give you guys out there in the trenches some practical answers and tips to help make your jobs easier. Please refer to the corresponding video and email us with any other questions that you would like answered.
