Funktion-one F81 - Signal level too low; Signal level too high

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So what is “just right”?

It all depends on the type of audio material and your application.

Live sound mixing

If you’re going to be mixing audio from a variety of live musical instruments or you’re going to be creating

some broadband effects over a wide dynamic range, you’ll need to allow plenty of operating headroom to

avoid analogue clipping or, worse still, running out of digits.

DJ mixing with pre-recorded material

If you were only ever going to work with pre-recorded, auto-levelled material, you’ll probably get away

with just enough headroom to mix tracks and add the odd effect – but read the whole section anyway,

you may find it instructive.

Live sound operating levels

It is important to retain enough headroom to maintain good transient response, details and impact for

live sound mixing – not only to allow for backline systems being turned up to “11” mid-set and for high

peak-to-rms percussion transients, but also to allow for the natural signal level build-up through the

console, once you start tweaking eqs, adding effects and sub-grouping multiple channels.

Assuming a professional quality analogue or 24-bit digital console, run each channel’s pre-fader or level

and each group’s mix level at around 0dBU/+4dBu ( analogue) or -18dBFS (digital) if at all possible.

Modern 24-bit systems with good studio quality converters usually work well at -18dBFS but some MI

products may use lower grade converters which will need to be run at higher operating levels to avoid

sounding mushy. If you suspect this is the case with your system, you’ll need to run the PFL or group levels

around the -12 to -9dBFS level and keep an eagle-eye open for signal clipping during the live

performance.

Understanding level meters

This section spends a lot of time discussing meters because, without an understanding of their typical

calibration levels, it’s difficult to get your gain structure and operating levels properly optimised.

Professional live sound meters calibrated with respect to “Full Scale” (dBFS)

Too low (-28dBFS) Too high (-3dBFS) Just right (-18dBFS) Peak-hold option

Wasting dynamic range Peaks could be clipped Noise-free without clipping May not be true peak