MUSIC TECHNOLOGY BTEC L3QfL: What is gain structure and how do I use it to ensure a good audio recording?.

What is gain?

Gain is the process of increasing the amplitude of your signal, or 'making it louder'. The reverse process, making your signal quieter, is known as attenuation.

This is an example of a sound wave. The narrower the wave, the quieter it is.

Clipping

Clipping describes what happens to a signal when it's amplitude is greater than the system will allow. Clipping can result in unpleasant loud distortion.

As you can see the tops of the sound waves have been chopped off.Clipping usually occurs when the signal is too loud.

Effects If the signal is too quiet we can get

unwanted noise (hissing)

If it is too loud we get clipping (distortion)

Gain structureGain structure is the different volume or gain settings that we set throughout the recording process Eg. gain on MIDI keyboard, the faders, the interface

The levels next to the volume slide must not peak (hit red)…this will distort your recording.

A recommended level would be between 12 and 6 dB

Evaluate your recording process so far…

Evidence all of the amazing work that you have been doing!

What are some of the challenges when recording?

What causes clipping? - How do you avoid this?

What causes noise? - How can you avoid this?

Give an example of good gain structure.

7

Creating your own sampler instrument

4. Rename your instrument!

2. Right click the audio file and choose convert to a new sampler track

1. Record audio onto a Logic track

3. Click create zones from transient marker

You will now be able to play the audio on the MIDI controller.

UNIT 25