mixer question

[thejoe]

whats the difference between the gain control and the volume control on each channel?

[filmdude100cms]

gain sometimes adds some distortion, and adds some fuzz, volume just changes the level.

[thejoe]

hmm

[mangold]

hes right

[thejoe]

ok

why is "-10" more gain than "+4"?

[J_Wyse]

Gain on a mixer is not to be confused with gain on a guitar amp. The gain know controls the preamp stage
of the mixer. You use it to adjust the input level so that you can set the channel slider somewhere around 0dB.
ie if your bring in a weak mic signal that gives you a very low signal on the output side, you would use the gain knob to attenuate that up so that you can use the channel slider around 0. Pre-amp means simply put
that there is an amplifier built into the mixer controlled by the gain knob. When you crank it up to bring in a weak signal, it is actually amplifying the signal. Most preamps have a good working range, then if you get outside this thay can get noisy/distort (if you've got it maxed to bring up a signal). A mixers preamp should not add fuzz or distortion! Same with the slider they are designed to work best in a range around 0, pushing them way up or down will give you some signal degradation or xtra noise. Some mixers just have crappy preamps, I use an external pre alot and bypass the mixer's.

The jist of this: set your slider at 0, and then set your input with the gain knob, while watching your meters(it should read just below 0 on peak).
If you have to crank them both, then re evaluate your input source.

Jim

[thejoe]

wow you answered it perfectly
thats pretty much what ive been doing, i just needed some outseide assistance

thank you