gain, dynamic range, volume

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royharper3220

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Does gain on a preamp effect dynamic range? like if you turn up the gain would it increase the dynamic range?

also what is the difference between gain and volume(on something like a guitar amp for example)?
 
royharper3220 said:
Does gain on a preamp effect dynamic range? like if you turn up the gain would it increase the dynamic range?
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Gain is a signal level multiplier...... dynamic range is a level difference: often it represents the difference between the noise floor and the loudest peak of a signal. Increasing gain tends to raise the noise floor, so dynamic range actually becomes reduced.


royharper3220 said:
also what is the difference between gain and volume(on something like a guitar amp for example)?
Click to expand...
Gain is a volume or level multiplier..... Volume is a gain or level multiplier. :p

(They generally mean the same thing!)

However in the case of a guitar amp, gain is usually associated to the preamp section, allowing you to increase the input signal to the point of adding coloration (distortion).... volume often represents the overall output level of the amplifier.
 
thanks,

so volume is not the same as a trim then right.?

I wasn't refering to noise floor, but the actual sound being recorded. I just thought it might make a difference.
 
On a mic preamp, TRIM is the same as GAIN. It's a signal level multipler.
 
So when I push the mixer fader up past 0 on a channel strip, is this analagous to turning up the volume on a guitar amp?
 
Well no, not really........ there's more going on (ie coloration) in a guitar amp than there is on a mixer (unless it's a Phonic mixer!)
 
Yeah sure, but what's the mechanism at work here?

Like when I push the fader from 0 to +10, where's the extra 10dB coming from? There's no other amp involved.

Or does 0 actually mean -10dB?
 
Bulls Hit said:
Yeah sure, but what's the mechanism at work here?

Like when I push the fader from 0 to +10, where's the extra 10dB coming from? There's no other amp involved.
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On a mixer there are two amps in the path. The first is the preamp for bringing instrument or mic signals up to line level. The second is a line level amp that can boost the signal.
 
Ahhhh right thanks Tex. I thought only powered mixers had amps.

So are there any recommendations as to which (preamp or amp) should be employed to get the cleanest sound?

I've always just left all the faders on 0 and adjusted the preamp gain to get the level I need. Is there any benefit in backing off the gain and pulling the faders up?
 
Bulls Hit said:
Ahhhh right thanks Tex. I thought only powered mixers had amps.

So are there any recommendations as to which (preamp or amp) should be employed to get the cleanest sound?

I've always just left all the faders on 0 and adjusted the preamp gain to get the level I need. Is there any benefit in backing off the gain and pulling the faders up?
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You are doing things correctly. Ideally if you keep the fader at 0 then you are not adding any additional gain and that should give you the best Signal to Noise ratio.
 
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