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Gain Structure - 4 - Setting the gain-2

Step 1
We will use a simple system comprising a microphone connected to a mixer, which feeds an amplifier running a pair of speakers. Connect the mic to the mixer, the mixer to the amp and the amp to the speakers. Have all the volume controls/faders turned right down. Locate the 'gain' control on the input channel on the mixer that the mic is connected to (Fig 1).

Fig 1

On most mixers, there will be a button marked 'PFL' (standing for Pre Fade Listen) on each input channel. Press this to on - this routes the input signal from this channel to the headphone and led meters (See Fig 2). It takes the signal before the fader (hence Pre Fade Listen) so the fader position has no effect. You are now ready to adjust the mic input gain.

Fig 2

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