Gain
Gain refers to the increase or decrease in the loudness or volume of an audio signal. Imagine you have a radio or a music player – when you turn up the volume, you’re increasing the gain, and when you lower it, you’re reducing the gain. In more technical terms, gain is often measured in decibels (dB), which is a unit used to express the level of loudness.
Musicians and audio engineers use gain in various situations. One common example is with musical instruments like guitars or keyboards. When you plug an instrument into an amplifier, you can adjust the gain to make the sound louder or softer. By controlling the gain, you can add a gentle, soft sound or create a powerful, rock ‘n’ roll vibe.
Gain is also an essential part of recording music. In a recording studio, microphones capture sounds from instruments and voices. The gain can be adjusted on the microphone or the audio interface (the device that connects instruments and microphones to the recording equipment) to ensure the recording is neither too quiet nor too loud, but just right!
But, be careful – using too much gain can lead to distortion, which is an unwanted, fuzzy sound. It’s like turning up the volume on a speaker so high that the sound starts to crackle. So, finding the right balance is vital to getting a clear and pleasant sound.
So what’s this site all about anyway?
Well, if you ever find yourself needing music for anything – a YouTube video, a podcast, a school project, a presentation, TV commercial or even a film – then browse, preview and download any of our tracks