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Section 8
Level Matching
If you require unity gain across the input/output of the GT-
3/5 you will find that the output volume knob needs to be at
about 7o clock.
Level Matching Existing
Patches
One question that I have been asked was with relation to
fixing up already existing patches. I hope this provides
some clarity on this point:
These patches DO NOT have to be COMPLETELY rebuilt.
Simply follow the procedure shown above. Once you have
done this you will find that the patch will have now been
'tamed', and is at the same volume level as all your other
patches.
Preset Patch Level Matching
Example
OK. So you want an example eh? OK Lets look at level
matching the preset patch 'METAL DIST' on the GT-3,
GT-5 users should use the 'METAL ZONE' patch which I
believe is the same thing. Copy the patch to a spare patch
and call it 'Metal Dist*'. Right lets level match it.
Set the Master Level Setting
Come on! You don't need to read this anymore – you know
it already! Set the MASTER:Level to 81, and make sure the
EXP Pedal is fully forward and the FV:Level is set to 100.
This patch has the master level set to 100 so we turn it down
to 81.
Input Level Adjustment
Well we only ever needed to do this once ever. Nothing
should have changed so we should have nothing to do.
Determine Target FX Chain Level
Well we already have our target level – it's the same for
every patch! As I said above, when palm muting I am
looking for 37.5%.
Effects Chain Level Matching
OK. So we step through the chain. The order is
OD/DS-PRE-(SP)-NS-FV-DD-CE-RV
Remember here that although the DD is not initially on the
CTL pedal is set using a control assign to turn it on and off.
So for level matching we first use it off. Then we try it on
and examine the difference. OK First up - OD/DS.
OD/DS
Looking the meter is running quite low. The initial level is
50 so we increase this until the meter shows the peaks as per
our Target FX Chain Level. I get the new level to be around
68.
© Copyright 2000-2002 Barry S. Pearce et al.
PREAMP
Compared to where the input volume was before we altered
the OD/DS output level we find that we have raised the
volume running into the preamp and this may cause an
increase in distortion or a change of tone – if it does then
we can simply turn the preamp volume down. Personally I
don't think it's changed muh so I will leave it alone.
So looking at the preamp output level we can see the level
is bow boosted above our Tareget FX Chain Level. So we
need to turn it down. Leave the 'volume' and gain controls
well alone – or you will alter the sound. Just change the
Preamp's Master Volume parameter. I find that from the
original 80 I need to come down to 69.
Speaker Simulator
OK GT-3 users check it out under the PREAMP, GT-5
users you have your own effect for this.
The direct & mic level do not have to add up to 100 to
work. Nor will adding them both to make 100 work – this
would produce a lesser output due to the effects of mixing.
GT-5 owners will have their own meter for this, GT-3
owners use the preamp meter. Because of this quirk of the
GT-3, GT-3 owners should level match the preamp with the
speaker sim OFF, THEN turn it back on and level match the
speaker sim.
Mic level = 100, direct = 0 OR mic = 0, direct = 100 will
result in unity gain & no change. If you use a blend then you
may need to adjust it. Do this adjustment using the
percentage rules I described above.
NS & FV
The NS & FV are unity gain effects and therefore we do not
need to do anything with these. Indeed the meters should
confirm that we still are meeting our Target FX Chain
Level.
DD, CE, RV
Well to be honest these seem to make very little difference
to the effects chain level - so I'm not going to compensate
for them. If I did I would initially try lowering the master
level, and if turning any of the off/on caused a large volume
jump & would use a control assign to correct the problem.
Apparent Volume Adjustment
Right the patch has been levelled within itself. So now how
does it compare with our other patches – 'Clean' for
instance. As I said earlier reverb can cause problems by
setting the guitar further back in terms of apparent volume –
even though the output level is the same. In this case I can
live with the difference – to be honest the METAL DIST
patch has way too much reverb for my liking anyway.
Output Level Adjustment
As I said earlier this only ever need be done once, and we
already set this up earlier! Finished!
44
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