Step 2: Setting The Eq And Dynamics; Step 3: Setting Your Mix-The Unity Myth - PRESONUS Revelator io44 Owner's Manual

11.1.2 Step 2: Setting the EQ and Dynamics

After you have set the input gain, you can use your channel EQ to sculpt your source. The more bands
your EQ offers, the more control you will have, but you'll also add more potential for improper gain sta-
ging, so use with caution. This is also true with compression.
To set the EQ, you will need to adjust both the channel and the main faders to 0.0 dB. (AKA "unity.") This
is just for the purposes of dialing in the sound you want. You'll dial in the mix next.
Often, when people are new to using an equalizer, they listen for what is missing from their source signal
and try to boost it in. But that's not always the best solution. Sometimes removing the frequencies that
are drowning out the ones you want works best.
Dynamics processors can be difficult to work with at first, because they both reduce gain and amplify it.
Let's take a look at a compressor for a moment. A compressor works by lowering the dynamic range—
and by extension, the gain—of a signal, but it also gives you a make-up gain control that allows you to get
some of that back. If you apply a lot of gain reduction to a signal, then boost it too far with the make-up
gain, your sound can get very unwieldy very fast. As with an EQ, only compress a signal as much as you
need to (unless you're using it for a creative effect), and only gain it back up as far as you have to for it to
cut through your mix.
11.1.3 Step 3: Setting Your Mix—The Unity Myth
There is an unfortunate rumor that persists in the darker corners of the audio-nerd Internet. It states that
all your faders should be set to unity (that bold line in the middle of the fader markings at 0 dB). But if you
do this, you will limit the dynamic range of your signals—and not in a good way.
That bold mark next to your faders means just one thing: The channel and output mix level controls are
not adding or removing any amplitude (volume) to or from your signal.
Why do you need to know this? For input gain staging and dialing in your EQ and dynamics, of course!
With the channel and the main faders at unity, you can listen to an individual channel unadulterated while
you're setting your input gain level and adjusting your EQ and dynamics to sculpt the sound. Once that's
done, the fat line in the middle of the channel has largely served its purpose. Are you getting too much of
your animated guest caller in your headphones? By all means, go ahead and lower it. Need to give your
own channel a little gas to compete? That's what that 10 dB above unity is for.
Like everything in audio, however, these rules aren't absolute, especially in a live sound situation. If you
are gaining up a channel well above unity just for it to be heard in your mix, maybe your other channels
are too loud. Try lowering the levels of the rest of your mix.
11.1.2 Step 2: Setting the EQ and Dynamics
Watching for the signal/clip indicator to turn red, then back it down until the
level indicator is green only.
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