Master output at max on my Mackie?

[Elvisish]

I've read that it's best to set the output all the way up, and the individual track faders down to compensate that, to cut down on hiss. This is something I figured out when I first got it, desperate to get less noise, and realised the master output fader was quieter. Is this accepted practice, or should I set the master to U, and the other faders accordingly?

 

[acquit music]

yes its done a lot... well setting the mixer ins----faders not lower than -2 or -3db. work with the gain poti! the master out should be near +-0db.

greets y.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Best practice is to keep faders/pots at their nominal 0dB or U settings as much as possible (and not higher).

 

[Mosfet]

Best practice is to keep faders/pots at their nominal 0dB or U settings as much as possible (and not higher).

Why not higher? You get a longer taper on the fader if you have the fader above unity! Actually, you get more precise control per inch above unity to anywhere below unity.

Gain structure is something that you tailor based upon your needs in the mix. There are times where I know I won't be needing to add volume to the channel, but will want a very controlled fade, or need 10db of precisely controlled fade, and the only way you are going to get that is with the fader above unity.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Of course you can go higher, but that can incur extra noise. Faders/pots nominal level is where the frequency response is most linear and S/N ratio is optimal. Higher or lower is a compromise on either of those characteristics (how much depends on the console itself, and how much higher or lower one sets things)

 

[Mosfet]

Hey Bruce, I will put $20 down that if you set each channel fader on a console up 6dB (if they happen to go that high above unity) from unity, recorded it (silence) and compared that to a recording with each fader at Unity, you would not be able to hear a difference.

You on?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

I'm not disagreeing with you smart-guy (Ed, is that you?), I'm simply commenting on OPTIMAL practice and linearity of faders/pots (ie the theory vs. actual practice)........

 

[Mosfet]

Well, this smart guy happens to believe that OPTIMAL practice and linearity or faders/post is whatever serves your mix best!

The cool stuff happens when you throw the rules out and just start experimenting. You can also do a more effective job when you think through what you need to do in a mixing scenario.

Without giving out my name, I can say that I am not Ed.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Well, this smart guy happens to believe that OPTIMAL practice and linearity or faders/post is whatever serves your mix best!

As I said, I don't disagree with you on this.....

The cool stuff happens when you throw the rules out and just start experimenting.

I absolutely agree -- but it does pay to know the rules so you can decide when it's appropriate to throw them out ot not.

 

[Elvisish]

Thanks for the help chaps, I think there must be less noise on the channel faders than the master fader after all... not that it help the incredible buzing I still get (probably from cheap leads/cheap soundcard line in)

Thanks!