Target Gain Method - mixer gain structure

[aggieactuary]

Is anyone familiar with the "Target Gain Method" for setting up mixer levels?

http://www.johnsonaudioworks.com/dl_...TargetGain.pdf

I think I follow the method, but I'm not quite sure how to apply the method with my mixer (Peavey PV6). I'd ask Bill Johnson, but I can't find an email address.

On page 5, it says "...adjust the mixing console input channel trim so that the level indicated by the PFL meter is as close to the Target Gain Value as possible (use a selectable input pad if necessary..."

Any ideas what to do if my mixer doesn't have a PFL meter? I have a PV6 mixer.

What is a selectable input pad?

[fokof]

Leave the Fader to Zero and check the Main's meter.

Should set it to Zero on an analog board , -15 on a digital board is the "general" target but you'll have a better resolution at higher values.

FWIW some boards sounds better when driven hard.
I don't know why , I'm thinking of an Ex .....

[walterw]

all this stuff is way beyond what you can do with a $99 notepad mixer.

just adjust the input trim knobs (up top) so that the level knobs (at the bottom) are not way high or way low, and so that nothing is distorting.

[WayneP]

Assuming the PV6 has decent overall specs, S/N is less of an issue with a small mixer going in than it is with a large-framed model. Primarily because each open mic reduces S/N by 3 dB (or maybe more, I forget the exact figure). So logically S/N is more of an issue with a larger mixer than a small one.

On page 5, it says "...adjust the mixing console input channel trim so that the level indicated by the PFL meter is as close to the Target Gain Value as possible (use a selectable input pad if necessary..."

Any ideas what to do if my mixer doesn't have a PFL meter? I have a PV6 mixer.

That makes it a bit tough. I think what I’d do is run the main channel output knob (the black one at the bottom of each channel strip) to about 3:00. Then, raise the input gain knob (the black one at the top of the channel strip) until the clip LED starts to light. Then, back the main gain knob (the bottom one) down to where you’d want it in the mix. Clear as mud?

More “real world,” I prefer each channel’s main gain knob to be somewhere between 10:00 and 3:00. If not, adjust the input gain accordingly.

What is a selectable input pad?

Some mixers have a button for each channel (in addition to the input gain) that pads the signal down -10 or -15 etc. dB.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt



Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
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My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

[KeithAlanK]

Originally Posted by aggieactuary

Is anyone familiar with the "Target Gain Method" for setting up mixer levels?

Your mixer doesn't have pads or PFL, or precision meters, so even the best advice like your book isn't really much help.

Just try to keep everything in the green with occasional yellows (on lead vocal).
It's that simple--on mixers, green = good and red = bad.
Yellow = caution, so try not to have constant yellow.

Any knob that has a "0" setting marked, put it there to start with.