Setting gain control on mixer with different mics

[randyfromde]

As I said in another thread, I bought two Oktava MK012's today to go along with my Shure PG57. I am using a Behringer MX602a mixer for my phantom power/preamp needs at the moment and I am confused with the settings.

I understand what gain does in the context of an electric guitar amp, but how would I set the gain for my microphone usage? I'm recording acoustic guitar, so I want clean reproduction.

I guess what I am asking is, what does the gain knob do to change the recorded sound that the EQ and level knobs don't do?

 

[DJL]

Turn the gain knob up until the clip LED blinks on the peaks... and then back the gain knob down a tad. The EQ changes the tone and gain knob sets the input level.