If the level is set too high, the device will clip (or distort). If the level is set too low, you will limit the dynamic range (volume level) of the device. This level setting is critical to the proper operation of the mixer and is probably one of the most important controls on the board. This control is used to set the base input level for the microphone or instrument. The channel strip used in this training will likely not be exactly like the one that you use, but the controls will be typical of channel strips on most mixers and the discussion should translate easily to the board that you use.Īt the very top of each channel strip, there will usually be a control called “Trim”, “Gain” or “Level”.
We will examine the typical channel strip which will control a microphone or instrument input. The contols on each strip will be identical except for any channels that are designed for devices such as tape/CD players or other devices which typically reside in the sound booth and output stereo sound. The controls on that channel are often referred to as a “Channel Strip”. In this section, we will discuss the TRIM/ GAIN/LEVEL control. These channels have multiple controls that are used to control the input that comes from the device that is connected to that channel. Each input that comes into the sound board is connected into a “channel” of the mixer board.
