How to appropriately set my Gain

[Thejamesjordan]

Hey guys,

Going through a series of overhauls on my rig. I think one of my problems has been not having the gain set correctly. Can you guys walk me through the steps on this?

Thanks,

[fretno]

What amp are you running ? What is your signal chain ?

[lbwdog]

It would help if you mentioned what model amp. Different manufacturers employ different gain structures for their products.

[jwbassman]

I typically turn both the master volume and gain down all the way.

Then I turn up the gain only with my pick up volume on my bass all the way up, then turn up the gain with hitting an open E or B (on five string), as a hard as I would play it. When the clip light on my head starts to flicker, that's where I leave my gain. Then I proceed to turn up the master volume to set my over all volume.

[bassman1185]

The process for setting up gain usually goes something like this:

Step One: Turn it all the way down.

Step Two: Turn it up until it sounds good. This will vary from player to player, bass to bass, pickup to pickup, effect to effect, etc.

Obviously, there are nuances to it, but that's about all you really need to do. You do need to take into consideration how hard you actually play with a band vs. how hard you play when you're dialing in an amp and that kind of thing, but overall, gain adjustment isn't too complex.

[lbwdog]

Is it the Navigator 100?
From the manual (online)
http://www.eden-electronics.com/info/manuals/index.asp

Setting Your Level – Remember, begin with the Input Gain, Enhance,
Compressor and Master Volume completely OFF – fully counter-clockwise.
All EQ should be set flat, that is, at 12:00 – straight up.
While playing your lowest note (or loudest), slowly turn the Input Gain up
until the Set Level light begins to blink with regularity. If you can’t go past 8
or 9 o’clock, you may engage the Gain Switch to better match the gain of
your instrument to the amplifier.
If you have disengaged the Compressor as we suggested, the Set Level light
will barely blink on your loudest notes. By the way, this is David’s favorite
way to set level, even if you intend to use compression.
Once you have properly set your Input Gain, turn the Master Volume up to a
comfortable listening level and proceed with the rest of the setup process.

[Double Agent]

Originally Posted by jwbassman

I typically turn both the master volume and gain down all the way.

Then I turn up the gain only with my pick up volume on my bass all the way up, then turn up the gain with hitting an open E or B (on five string), as a hard as I would play it. When the clip light on my head starts to flicker, that's where I leave my gain. Then I proceed to turn up the master volume to set my over all volume.

This is the standard procedure for soild-state/tube hybrid amps. Some hybrids (Genz-Benz is one I know of) have a way for you to set the preamp gain hotter to get some tube OD, but for the most part, the procedure quoted above is a good way to go.

For an all-tube amp, you don't have to worry about clipping, so you can set the gain as hot/cold as you want to get the amount of distortion that you want and use the master volume to taste.

[billfitzmaurice]

Set both the gain and master to a low level, perhaps 1/4. Bring the gain up until you get the desired level of 'grit' and, in the case of a tube pre, compression, if any. Then bring the master up to set the final output level.

[ulrich]

For PA systems, but still a good read:

Summary

Optimum performance requires correctly setting the gain structure of sound systems. It makes the difference between excellent sounding systems and mediocre ones. The proper method begins by taking all necessary gain in the console, or preamp. All outboard units operate with unity gain, and are set to pass the maximum system signal without clipping. The power amplifier sensitivity controls are set for a level appropriate to pass the maximum system signal without excessive clipping. Lastly, active crossover output controls are set to correct for loudspeaker efficiency differences. Rane Note 135

http://www.rane.com/note135.html

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by ulrich

For PA systems, but still a good read:
http://www.rane.com/note135.html

That applies to one trying to get the cleanest tone with bass, but otherwise not so much.
In the dark ages of the 60s, before Randy Smith and Mesa/Boogie, there were no gain/master controls, only a single volume control. The master was added between the pre-amp and power amp to allow the pre-amp volume to be cranked to clip the pre while keeping overall output down. That's very different from the input gain on a PA console, for instance, which is trimmed to give maximum signal to noise level without clipping the input stage. The one is intended to allow one to get it dirty, the other is intended to keep it clean.